19 Things to do with the Family this Summer

Nashville has plenty of attractions to see and places to be this summer. Just take a look below at all the fun things families can do to not waste a second of their summertime freedom.

Nashville Shores Water Park
Adventure Park at Nashville

Experience the highly exciting zipline tour, Adventure Park, Music City's newest and largest ropes course, and zip-lining park. Families may figure out how to navigate the obstacle course which is full of nets, ropes, and up to 10 trails.

Adventure Science Center

Unravel the mysteries of the world inside Nashville's Adventure Science Center. Children of all ages (even adult-children) can experience live science demonstrations, the Sudekum Planetarium, walkthrough simulated weightlessness, laser shows, way late play dates, and more.

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage: Home of the people's President

Since opening in 1889, President Andrew Jackson's Hermitage has welcomed millions of guests. Like never before, families and friends can explore the 7th President's entire life from his humble beginnings to his presidency with their exhibit Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm.

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery tells the history of the Old South from slavery to prosperity to the Civil War. Each visit to Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery includes a tour led by a trained and costumed guide through the plantation's beautiful Greek-Revival mansion commissioned by John Harding. Their Adventure Backpacks program is perfect for families traveling with young children. The program includes a backpack filled with coloring pages, crafting supplies, and more from the Victorian Age. Plus, there is a key to unlock 6 hidden treasure chests throughout the grounds.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens features 55 acres of gardens, sculpture trails, and family-fun events. All summer long, Cheekwood offers exciting and inspiring experiences, indoors and out.

Experience the Music

Engage in the history of country music at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Expose the entire family to some of the country’s greatest stars at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. Take in a show at the legendary Bluebird Cafe where songwriters perform in an intimate “in-the-round” setting and older children can hear from the songwriters behind their favorite tunes.

Frist Art Museum

The Frist Art Museum is a world-class art center dedicated to presenting an ever-changing schedule of exhibitions. Children love to take part in the recently renovated Martin ArtQuest Gallery, a colorful interactive space offering thirty incredible hands-on stations that relate art concepts to Frist Art Museum exhibitions and examine ways in which art relates to everyday life and culture. Get tickets to experience the world-class art museum today!

Gaylord Opryland
Gaylord Opryland Delta Atrium

Each summer, guests can enjoy captivating entertainment, dining, shopping, and more at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Enjoy indoor surfing, water slides, a lazy river, and more at SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland. Pools, lounging areas, and private cabanas sit under a glass roof atop the tall atrium, ensuring that guests can sunbathe at 84 degrees year-round. Just a short walk away is the Grand Ole Opry House which houses star-studded performances each Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.

This summer, Gaylord Opryland Resort guests are invited to enjoy more adventure, more aquatic fun, more exploration and relaxation, and more delectable dining experiences at Summer of More, May 19-September 3.

Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar

Over in Downtown Nashville is some of the finest handcrafted chocolate one can taste. It's created by Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar and their shop is a great stop for families this summer in Music City. The unique confection is a roundish mound of caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts, and real milk chocolate. Each bite is more savory than the next.

Lane Motor Museum

The Lane Motor Museum is one of the few car museums in America to specialize in European cars. Approximately 150 cars and motorcycles not typically seen in the U.S. are on display.

Lucky Ladd Farms

You can always journey to Tennessee's largest petting farm, Lucky Ladd Farms, featuring over 100 friendly animals and exotic livestock. This 60-acre farm park offers attractions that appeal to all ages, acres of playgrounds, exciting hands-on animal encounters, pony rides, nature trails, and more to satisfy the whole family.

Madame Tussauds Nashville

The world-famous family-friendly wax attraction will provide an interactive experience, allowing you to step into immersive iconic scenes and musical performances that cannot be found anywhere else. Sing along with Patsy Cline, jam out with Elvis, take a selfie with Luke Bryan, and interact with some of the most iconic musical talents from Nashville and beyond.

Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum honors all musicians regardless of genre or instrument, showcasing the stories of various artists throughout music history, and the instruments they used to record classic hits. The Grammy Museum Gallery is inside the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, too! The gallery is set up for guests to explore the history of the GRAMMY Awards, experience what it’s like to be on the stage, and the recording process.

Nashville Farmers' Market

Find local treasures when you explore Nashville's Farmers' Market. With festivals year-round, the market provides retail space to farmers, artisans, and small businesses. The facility includes two covered open-air sheds, a 24,000-square-foot garden center, a culinary incubation center, and an international food hall that includes more than 20 restaurants and shops.

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort

The Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort offers a perfect escape into a water wonderland and the awesome Treetop Adventure Park. Brave the waves in their gigantic wave pool, plunge down 8 thrilling water slides, or try their massive water playground, Aqua Park.

Nashville Sounds

Enjoy the thrill of baseball with the Nashville Sounds, AAA Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Peanuts, home runs, Cracker Jacks, and a game almost every single day. Come enjoy a game in Music City!

Nashville Zoo

As the sun shines, the animals come out to play. Head to the Nashville Zoo and spend time at the unbelievable Flamingo Lagoon or Kangaroo Kickabout, getting you up close and personal with the animals. Or embark on a prehistoric adventure with DinoTrek. Also, make sure to check out their zipline experience called Soaring Eagle which takes you 110 ft. in the air to overlook the African Savannah, Historic Home, Festival Field, and Gibbon Islands.

Paddle through Nashville

Exploring Music City's waterways has never been so easy with River Queen Voyages. Nashville's first kayak rental company provides three Nashville kayaking tours on the Cumberland River: a one-hour downtown Skyline route, a two-hour Shelby Park Greenway route, and a Full Nash tour combining the Skyline and the Greenway.

Parthenon

Take the family to Centennial Park, and see The Parthenon: the world’s only full-sized reproduction of the Greek Parthenon that houses Athena, the tallest indoor structure in the Western world. Inside The Parthenon are fine art galleries, including a rotating gallery featuring the museum’s collection of American art.