Looking for the ultimate summer guide in Nashville with kids? Here’s a fun, family-friendly mix of free & paid activities to enjoy the Music City sunshine!
🎉 FREE Activities
1. Parks & Splash Pads
- Centennial Park – Explore the full-scale replica Parthenon, playgrounds, and wide-open spaces
- Cumberland Park – Cool‐off water features and a playground right by the river .
- Splash Pads – Neighborhood favorites include Hendersonville Splash Pad and community pools
- Unplug outdoors – Nature trails at Warner Parks, Radnor Lake, Edwin Warner or Bowie Nature Park provide hiking and creek stomping fun
2. Libraries & Storytimes
- Nashville Public Library – Summer storytimes, crafts, puppet shows, and reading challenges tied to prizes like free museum & waterpark passes
3. Museums & Creative Spaces
- Tennessee State Museum – Free admission, family galleries, and weekly children’s programs
- Parthenon Kidsville – Children’s programs at Centennial Park museum
- Hatch Show Print + Art Crawls – Self-guided tours and gallery visits downtown are free
4. Music & Festivals
- Musician’s Corner & Live on the Green – Free outdoor concerts for all ages in summer
- CMA Fest performances – Free outdoor shows downtown during the festival
🎟️ PAID Activities
1. Adventure Parks & Water Fun
- Adventure Park at Nashville – Ropes courses and ziplining through the trees
- Nashville Shores & Wave Country – Waterpark with slides, lazy rivers, and lake fun (kayaks/paddleboards)
2. Interactive Museums
- Adventure Science Center – Hands-on science exhibits, planetarium, i2 Makerspace, and laser shows
- Nashville Zoo – Exotic animals and zip-line tours through the treetops
3. Cultural & Historic Sites
- Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage – Explore presidential history with family-friendly tours
- Lane Motor Museum & Frist Art Museum – Indoor exhibits with interactive youth sections
4. Family Entertainment & Sports
- Topgolf Nashville – Climate-controlled bays and kid-friendly game menus
- Nashville Sounds at First Tennessee Park – Sunday “Family Fun Day” games
🗓️ Special Events & Seasonal Highlights
- Fourth of July firework shows downtown and on the river; also Nashville Sounds ballpark fireworks
- Farmers’ Markets & Ice Cream Tours – Pick up fresh local treats and tick off five new ice cream shops
- Outdoor Movies & Concerts – Movies in the Park, Friday Night Shakespeare, gardening classes, and walks .
✔️ Sample 3‑Day Itinerary
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Splash pad + storytime at library | Adventure Science Center planetarium | Music at Musician’s Corner |
| 2 | Nature hike (Warner Parks or Radnor Lake) | Nashville Zoo zipline | Ice cream crawl |
| 3 | Adventure Park ropes course | Farmers Market & museum visit | Baseball game + fireworks |
✅ Tips for a Smooth Summer
- Start outdoor water fun early to beat the heat & crowds.
- Join reading challenges at libraries for free tickets and small goodies.
- Many downtown museum/mural visits offer free parking validation
- Check local festival schedules – sneak in free events during CMA Fest or Live on the Green.
Whether you’re exploring parks and splash zones for free or splurging on science centers and adventure parks, Nashville makes summer memorable. Let me know if you’d like detailed info on any destination or help choosing family-friendly restaurants nearby!
📸 Don’t Forget to Book Your Summer Photoshoot!
Summer memories fly by fast — from splash pad giggles to golden hour park strolls. If you want to freeze these sweet moments in time, don’t forget to book your summer family photoshoot while spots are still available.
Whether it’s fireflies in a field, a day at the creek, or a styled session with popsicles and sunshine, I’ll help you create images that feel like summer — warm, fun, and full of love.
📍Sessions available in Mount Juliet and greater Nashville
👗Client wardrobe available for moms, babies, and littles
📅 Limited availability for July & August
Let’s make this your most beautiful summer yet — reach out to book today!
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