There’s a side of Nashville that goes far beyond neon lights and late-night honky-tonks. While Music City is famous for its live music scene, it’s also packed with interactive museums, outdoor parks, walkable neighborhoods, family-friendly attractions, and incredible food that make it an ideal destination for travelers with kids.
And when you ship your luggage ahead with Ship&Play, including suitcases, strollers, car seats, and all those “just in case” extras, you can skip the baggage claim chaos and start enjoying your trip the moment you land.
Here’s your complete family-friendly guide to the best things to do in Nashville.
Best Things to do in Nashville
1. Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of Nashville’s most iconic attractions, and it’s surprisingly family-friendly. While kids might not recognize every legendary artist, they’ll be captivated by the interactive exhibits that let them mix songs and explore instruments. From dazzling costumes to hands-on instrument displays, the museum offers visual and tactile experiences that spark curiosity across all ages. The Taylor Swift Education Center, located inside the museum, takes this a step further with activities designed specifically for children. Here, families can join workshops where kids write lyrics, experiment with rhythm, and explore sound in a playful, engaging way.
2. Visit the Grand Ole Opry
A visit to the Grand Ole Opry gives families the chance to explore one of country music’s most enduring institutions, even without attending an evening show. In addition to live performances, you can book a daytime backstage tour that brings the venue’s nearly 100‑year history to life in a way that’s engaging for all ages.
These guided tours typically last about 45–50 minutes and weave together multimedia history, behind‑the‑scenes stories, and access to areas normally hidden during performances. Young visitors often find the interactive narrative and visual elements more compelling than a simple walkthrough, and children 12 & under receive a discounted ticket.
3. Walk Through Centennial Park and See the Parthenon
Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s most welcoming outdoor destinations—a sprawling 132‑acre green space that’s ideal for families looking to relax, play, and explore. As soon as you arrive, the wide‑open lawns give kids plenty of room to run, toss a frisbee, or burn off energy before heading to the day’s next stop.
At the heart of the park stands the Nashville Parthenon, a full‑scale replica of the ancient Greek temple in Athens and one of the park’s most striking features.
4. Discover Hands-On Fun at the Adventure Science Center
The Adventure Science Center is a standout destination in Nashville for curious kids and families who love hands‑on learning. Spread across multiple floors with more than 175 interactive exhibits, it brings science topics like physics, biology, earth science, and astronomy to life in engaging and accessible ways. Rather than passively looking at displays, kids can test concepts through play—from experimenting with sound and motion to exploring how the human body works in exhibits like BodyQuest.
5. Spend Time at the Nashville Zoo
A visit to Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a classic family outing that blends wildlife encounters and plenty of hands‑on fun. The zoo’s wide walking paths and stroller‑friendly layout make it easy to navigate with little ones, giving families room to explore at a comfortable pace.
Kids are often thrilled by the chance to see animals from around the world up close, from giraffes and zebras to red pandas and tropical birds, and the zoo offers interactive experiences that let visitors get even closer, like keeper chats, animal feedings, and Critter Encounters, where you can meet goats, alpacas, and tortoises.
6. Explore Broadway (During the Day)
Broadway isn’t just for nightlife when visited during the daytime. Families can enjoy live music in a more relaxed atmosphere earlier in the day. Street performers add energy without the late-night crowds, and many venues welcome kids before evening hours. It’s a great place to introduce children to live music culture. The quirky shops and souvenir stores lining Broadway offer plenty of fun finds, too, like cowboy hats, western boots, and Nashville‑themed keepsakes, so you can bring home something memorable for everyone in the family.
7. Take a Riverfront Walk Along the Cumberland River
The Cumberland River waterfront offers a refreshing way to experience Nashville. Stretching alongside downtown, the riverfront features wide, paved walking paths that are stroller-friendly and easy to navigate, making it a stress-free option for families. Packing snacks or grabbing takeout to enjoy by the water turns it into an easy, low-cost break in your itinerary, too.
8. Visit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers a completely different pace from downtown Nashville. Instead of neon lights and live music, you’ll find rolling lawns, curated gardens, and art thoughtfully woven into the landscape. It’s the kind of place where families naturally slow down—wandering shaded pathways and letting kids explore without feeling rushed.
The 55-acre property includes distinct garden areas that change beautifully with the seasons, from vibrant spring blooms to lush summer greenery and colorful fall foliage. Seasonal exhibitions often incorporate large-scale outdoor installations that feel immersive and playful, giving children something visually exciting to discover around every turn.
9. Tour the Johnny Cash Museum
Located just off Broadway, the Johnny Cash Museum offers a focused, easy-to-navigate experience that works well for families exploring downtown. Rather than feeling sprawling or overwhelming, the museum follows a clear timeline of Cash’s life and career, making it simple to move through at your own pace. Exhibits combine storytelling with memorabilia—handwritten lyrics, stage costumes, instruments, and photographs—which help bring music history to life in an engaging way. Audio stations throughout the museum allow visitors to hear Cash’s voice and songs as they explore, too.
10. Explore the Frist Art Museum
Housed in a striking Art Deco building that was once Nashville’s main post office, the Frist Art Museum offers a rotating lineup of exhibitions that keeps every visit fresh. Because the museum does not have a permanent collection, galleries regularly change, ranging from contemporary works to classical and traveling exhibitions. For families, the Martin ArtQuest Gallery is a highlight, featuring hands-on art-making stations where kids can experiment with different materials and techniques.
11. Catch a Game or Event at Nissan Stadium
Home to the Tennessee Titans, Nissan Stadium delivers high-energy excitement that can easily become a highlight of your trip. Whether you’re attending an NFL game, a major concert, or another large-scale event, the atmosphere is electric from the moment you arrive.
12. Explore Shelby Bottoms Greenway
For families who crave fresh air, Shelby Bottoms offers a peaceful escape just minutes from downtown. The greenway features miles of paved trails that are ideal for biking, walking, or scootering, and the flat terrain makes it especially stroller-friendly. Despite being within city limits, the park feels surprisingly immersed in nature, with wooded areas, open meadows, and river views.
13. Ride the Music City Star Train
The Music City Star commuter rail connects downtown Nashville with several surrounding communities, but for kids, it’s less about the destination and more about the ride itself. Train travel carries a built-in sense of adventure, and even a short round-trip journey can feel exciting for younger travelers. The experience is relaxed and straightforward, offering a low-stress alternative to driving.
14. Visit the Nashville Farmers’ Market
Located near Bicentennial Mall, the Nashville Farmers’ Market blends local flavor with family-friendly flexibility. The market features both indoor and outdoor vendors, offering fresh produce, artisan goods, baked treats, and globally inspired food stalls. Kids can sample seasonal fruit or pick out a snack, turning the visit into a mini culinary adventure.
15. Enjoy a Family-Friendly Food Tour
Nashville’s culinary scene extends well beyond hot chicken, and a guided food tour can be a fun way to explore it together. Many tours are walkable and structured in short stops, which keeps the pace manageable for families. Portions are typically tasting-sized, allowing kids to try new flavors without committing to a full plate.
Between bites, guides often share historical tidbits about the neighborhoods you’re exploring, adding context to the experience. The combination of light walking and sampling keeps energy levels balanced. Parents enjoy discovering new restaurants they might have missed, while kids appreciate the chance to try a variety of foods.
Experience the best things to do in Nashville and beyond with this family-friendly guide. And make getting there just as sweet as being there with Ship&Play.