nashville travel with kids

Nashville Travel with Kids

Under 13 Animal viewing isn’t the only thing to do at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (3777 Nolensville Pike). The 66,000-square-foot Jungle Gym calls to little ones who like to slide, climb and crawl. This community-built playground probably doesn’t look like the one at school; it has a 35-foot-tall tree house, a dancing water fountain and a large snake tunnel.

Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
When the weather is nice, water parks are a sure bet for active youngsters. Wave Country (2320 Two Rivers Pkwy.) and Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort (4001 Bell Rd.), in nearby Hermitage , offer slides, pools and water activities. The former has fewer attractions than Nashville Shores but is closer to downtown.

Enjoy simple pleasures at Cumberland Park (592 S. 1st St.). The 6.5-acre riverfront site entices kids with its climbing wall, oversize slide, spray fountains, misting areas and rain curtains. There also are walking trails, picnic areas and a pedestrian bridge. The former roadway over the Cumberland River was spared demolition and is now a walkway with great city views and nighttime illumination.

TeensAAA/Katie Broome
You don’t need to be an avid history or art fan to appreciate The Parthenon (2500 W. End Ave.)—a full-scale replica of the ancient Greek temple. The interior holds a nice art collection, but the highlight is the 42-foot statue of the goddess Athena, a re-creation of the one Phidias sculpted in the 5th century B.C.

AAA/Photo submitted by Maria White
Learn about Taylor Swift and other country superstars at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (222 Rep. John Lewis Way S.). Historical audio recordings and performances along with instruments, costumes and automobiles tell the history of this music genre.

All Ages Amble down Broadway's large thoroughfare between 2nd Avenue and the Bridgestone Arena. This downtown historic area is the place for live music. You don't have to frequent the bars or honky-tonks to hear it, either; most doors are propped open to allow the sounds to spill out, and there are plenty of street performers to wow budding musicians. Enjoy the old architecture, duck into souvenir shops and poll the group about which neon sign is their favorite.

Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo
Create some family bonding time by seeing a Grand Ole Opry (2804 Opryland Dr.) performance; the radio show that began in 1925 made country music famous. These 2-hour shows welcome a mix of legendary artists, current hit makers and newbies to the stage. The several hundred Opry members and guest artists include Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.

Courtesy of Aquarium Restaurant
Have a meal at Aquarium Restaurant (516 Opry Mills Dr.), where each table has a view of a 200,000-gallon aquarium, home to fish, sharks, stingrays and other marine life. The menu has a large seafood section and plenty of chicken and beef options along with a fun underwater-themed kids’ menu. Stop by The LEGO Store before leaving the mall.

Adventure Science Center
Experience science while you travel at Adventure Science Center (800 Fort Negley Blvd.) with interactive exhibits or kick back at a planetarium show. Dozens of activities provide practical, relevant and fun ideas related to science topics like health, energy, sound, light, air and space.

Courtesy of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Visit the atrium at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (2800 Opryland Dr.) to see three indoor gardens—the Garden Conservatory, the Cascades and the Delta—and fountain shows “Aqua” and “International Waters” at the Delta Fountain. A waterfall at the lush Cascades is a highlight, and the Delta offers guided flatboat rides. If your vacation coincides with the holiday season, experience Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas . Take a carriage rides to see a the grounds' 2 million lights, see ice sculptures at ICE! or ice skate under the stars.

Courtesy of National Museum of African American Music
It's not all country music in Music City. The National Museum of African American Music houses more than 50,000 square feet of exhibits celebrating African American music's impact on American culture.