Summer Vacation: Visiting Nashville With Kids

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Q:  I will be visiting Nashville with my kids this summer.  What child-friendly activities or attractions would you recommend?

A: Nashville is full of fun things to do with kids!

Here’s a short list of places kids love to visit in Nashville, from one mom to another.

I’ve included links, suggestions, and videos to make planning a fun summer vacation even easier!

If you visit Nashville from June to September, make sure your hotel has a pool!

Our summers are hot and humid.

There’s no better way for kids to unwind than splashing around in an outdoor pool.

 

Staying with family?  Hotel pool under construction? Here’s a list of all the fun places to swim in Nashville.

• I would put Nashville Shores at the top of the kid tourist list.
• If you prefer to avoid the crowd, check out public beaches at Percy Priest or Old Hickory lakes on the weekdays.

 

 

Plan an entire morning (plus a picnic lunch) at the Nashville Zoo.  It’s a fun place to take visitors of all ages!

• My 10 Tips For Visiting the Nashville Zoo
• Nashville’s Coolest Playground at the Zoo
• See A Historic Farm…At The Zoo

 

 

Do some kid-friendly shoppertainment at Opry Mills Mall and the Opryland Hotel complex.

• Park free at Opry Mills, and walk to the Opryland Hotel conservatories for a fountain show or boat ride.  Hey, it’s air conditioned!
• Find tons of fun things to do at Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World.
• Take in an IMAX movie at Opry Mills Regal Cinema.  (In theatres:  Speed Racer IMAX)
• Buy a buddy at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
• Eat in kid-friendly restaurants like the Aquarium or Rainforest Cafe.

 

Here’s a cool video showing the Aquarium Restaurant’s fish tank and sting ray feeding exhibit:

 

Take the kids downtown for Nashville history…and fun!

• Here’s a complete guide to kids activities on 8th Avenue, from tours of the State Capitol to the Adventure Science Center.
• Free museum alert!  The Tennessee State Museum is an air conditioned oasis of local history and cool artifacts.

 

See why everyone loves visiting the Bicentennial Mall downtown!