Nashville isn’t just about honky-tonks and hot chicken—it’s a vibrant city bursting with family-friendly attractions that’ll keep your little ones entertained from sunrise to sunset. Whether you’re visiting Music City for the first time or you’re an Airbnb host looking to provide guests with insider tips, discovering the best things to do with kids in Nashville will transform an ordinary weekend into an unforgettable adventure.
As someone who’s explored every corner of this dynamic city with children in tow, I’ve learned that Nashville offers a perfect blend of educational experiences, outdoor fun, and creative activities that appeal to kids of all ages. Let me walk you through some spectacular options that’ll have your family creating memories worth talking about long after you’ve returned home.
Educational Adventures That Feel Like Play
Adventure Science Center: Where Curiosity Meets Innovation
When families ask me about things to do with kids in Nashville that combine learning with excitement, the Adventure Science Center always tops my list. This interactive museum transforms science concepts into hands-on experiences that captivate young minds. Kids can explore space in the planetarium, experiment with physics through engaging exhibits, and even climb the Adventure Tower for panoramic city views.
The center’s rotating exhibits mean there’s always something new to discover, making it worth multiple visits. I’ve watched children spend hours in the BodyQuest exhibit, learning about human anatomy in ways that make biology fascinating rather than intimidating. The best part? Parents find themselves just as engaged as their kids.
Pro tip for Airbnb hosts: Keep a few Adventure Science Center brochures in your welcome basket—guests with kids will appreciate the thoughtful recommendation.
The Nashville Zoo: A Wild Weekend Experience
Located at Grassmere, the Nashville Zoo offers 200 acres of naturalistic habitats that house animals from around the globe. Unlike typical zoo visits where kids rush from exhibit to exhibit, this zoo encourages slower exploration through immersive environments like the Kangaroo Kickabout, where children can actually walk among these fascinating marsupials.
The Jungle Gym playground provides a perfect energy outlet between animal viewings, featuring climbing structures and splash areas that give kids freedom to burn off steam. During warmer months, the zoo hosts special events like “Zoo Babies” season when adorable new arrivals steal everyone’s hearts.
Outdoor Experiences That Embrace Nashville’s Natural Beauty
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway
Finding things to do with kids in Nashville that don’t involve screens becomes effortless when you discover Shelby Bottoms. This urban wilderness spans over 960 acres and includes trails suitable for strollers, bicycles, and curious explorers of all ages. The Nature Center itself offers free admission and features live animal exhibits, including snakes, turtles, and birds native to Tennessee.
We love packing a picnic and spending entire mornings here. The flat, paved greenway makes it accessible for families with young children, while the natural surface trails provide more adventure for older kids ready to spot wildlife. Bird watching becomes an unexpected hit—even skeptical teenagers get excited when they identify their first Blue Heron.
Centennial Park and The Parthenon
This 132-acre urban park serves as Nashville’s backyard playground. While the full-scale replica of Athens’ Parthenon might seem like an unusual attraction for kids, children become surprisingly fascinated by the massive structure and the towering Athena statue inside. The museum within houses an impressive art collection, though most kids prefer the surrounding park’s wide-open spaces.
The park’s playground equipment, Lake Watauga for duck feeding, and vast lawns for running make it ideal for burning energy. During summer weekends, you’ll often find festivals, concerts, and art markets adding extra entertainment value. It’s one of those versatile things to do with kids in Nashville that works whether you have toddlers or teenagers.
Creative and Cultural Experiences
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
Before you assume museums bore children, hear me out. The Musicians Hall of Fame celebrates the talented people behind the music—the session musicians, background singers, and studio pros who make hit records possible. Interactive displays let kids try instruments, mixing boards, and recording equipment.
The museum’s hands-on approach transforms potentially dry history into engaging discovery. Children can see guitars played on famous recordings, sit at actual studio consoles, and understand how their favorite songs come together. Even kids who claim they’re “not into history” find themselves absorbed for hours.
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
This 55-acre botanical garden and art museum offers seasonal activities that change throughout the year. Spring brings blooming flowers that create a fairy-tale atmosphere, summer features outdoor sculptures and family programs, fall showcases harvest festivals, and winter transforms the estate into a holiday wonderland.
The Cheekwood experience teaches children to appreciate beauty in nature and art without feeling like a lesson. Kids can run through garden paths, discover hidden sculptures, and participate in art-making workshops offered during special events. The model train exhibit during holidays particularly captivates young visitors.
Rainy Day Alternatives and Indoor Fun
The Children’s Theatre of Nashville
When weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor plans, having backup options becomes essential. The Children’s Theatre of Nashville produces high-quality performances specifically designed for young audiences. Productions range from classic fairy tales to contemporary stories, all staged with professional polish that respects children’s intelligence and imagination.
Shows typically run about an hour, perfect for younger attention spans, and the intimate theater setting means every seat offers a great view. Attending live theater introduces kids to performing arts in an age-appropriate, engaging way that streaming services simply cannot replicate.
Johnny Cash Museum and Patsy Cline Museum
Music history comes alive at these downtown museums dedicated to country music legends. While they might seem adult-oriented, both museums offer enough visual interest and interactive elements to engage older children and teenagers. The extensive collection of costumes, instruments, and personal artifacts tells stories that transcend music genres.
Kids learn about resilience, creativity, and following dreams through the lives of these artists. The museums sit close together, making it easy to visit both in one trip. Combine this with lunch at one of Nashville’s family-friendly downtown restaurants for a complete cultural experience.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Family Weekend
Timing and Planning
Nashville summers bring heat and humidity that can challenge outdoor activities, especially with young children. Early mornings offer the most comfortable temperatures for things to do with kids in Nashville that involve being outside. We typically start our day around 9 AM, break for lunch and rest during peak heat, then resume activities in late afternoon.
Spring and fall provide ideal weather for outdoor exploration, while winter brings fewer crowds and special holiday events. Whatever season you visit, checking attraction websites beforehand helps avoid disappointment from closures or special events that might affect your plans.
Making the Most of Multiple Days
If you’re spending an entire weekend exploring, vary your activities between high-energy and low-key experiences. Follow a morning at the zoo with an afternoon at Cheekwood where kids can move at a slower pace. Alternate museum days with outdoor adventure days to prevent exhaustion and maintain enthusiasm.
Food Considerations
Nashville’s food scene extends beyond spicy chicken. Many attractions have on-site dining, but packing snacks saves money and prevents meltdowns from hungry kids. We always carry water bottles, granola bars, and fruit to keep energy levels stable between meals. Downtown Nashville offers numerous family-friendly restaurants with varied menus that accommodate picky eaters alongside adventurous parents.
Why This Matters for Airbnb Hosts
If you’re hosting families in your Nashville property, providing curated recommendations elevates the guest experience significantly. Create a simple guide featuring these activities with practical details like parking information, admission costs, and age recommendations. Guests appreciate hosts who understand family travel challenges and offer solutions.
Consider partnering with Maid in Nashville to ensure your property always welcomes guests with pristine cleanliness. When families arrive with excited kids ready to explore, walking into a spotlessly clean space sets a positive tone for their entire stay. Professional cleaning services become especially important for family-friendly properties where hygiene and comfort directly impact reviews and repeat bookings.
Maid in Nashville understands the unique needs of short-term rental properties, offering flexible scheduling that works around your booking calendar. Their thorough approach ensures every surface sparkles, from kitchen counters where families prepare quick breakfasts to bathrooms that must meet the standards of health-conscious parents. When your cleaning is handled professionally, you can focus on providing exceptional hospitality experiences.
Creating Lasting Memories in Music City
The beauty of exploring things to do with kids in Nashville lies in the city’s ability to surprise you. Around every corner, you’ll discover something unexpected—a street musician who captivates your toddler, a food truck serving the best tacos your teenager ever tasted, or a random mural perfect for family photos.
Nashville embraces families with genuine Southern hospitality. Unlike some destinations that feel primarily adult-oriented with kid activities as afterthoughts, Music City integrates family experiences into its cultural fabric. Museums design exhibits with multiple age groups in mind, parks prioritize accessibility and safety, and even music venues offer family-friendly shows.
These weekend adventures become stories your children remember years later. They’ll talk about feeding giraffes at the zoo, climbing the Adventure Tower, or that time they discovered their favorite song was recorded in Nashville. You’re not just keeping kids busy—you’re building their appreciation for music, nature, science, and culture in an environment that makes learning feel like play.
Final Thoughts for Your Nashville Weekend
Planning the perfect family weekend in Nashville doesn’t require an overwhelming itinerary. Choose two or three main activities per day, leave room for spontaneity, and remember that sometimes the best moments happen when you’re simply walking through a neighborhood or enjoying ice cream in a park.
Whether you’re visitors planning your first trip or Airbnb hosts helping guests navigate the city, these recommendations provide starting points for memorable experiences. Nashville continues evolving, with new attractions and renovated spaces appearing regularly, but the core appeal remains constant: this city welcomes families with open arms and endless possibilities for adventure.
So pack comfortable shoes, charge your camera, and get ready to discover why Nashville has become one of America’s favorite family destinations. Your weekend of exploring things to do with kids in Nashville awaits, promising laughter, learning, and memories that last far beyond your departure date.
For Airbnb hosts, remember that great experiences begin with great first impressions. When you combine thoughtful recommendations with professional cleaning from Maid in Nashville, you create a winning formula for five-star reviews and guests who can’t wait to return. Because at the end of every adventure-filled day, families want to come home to a space that feels clean, comfortable, and welcoming—and that’s where professional cleaning services make all the difference.
