10 Family-Friendly Spots in Downtown Nashville
June 19, 2024 / Downtown Nashville Blog
Exploring downtown Nashville with your family can be an exciting adventure filled with unique experiences, activities, and destinations to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones! Join us as we highlight 10 family-friendly spots in downtown Nashville, where fun and excitement await! BONUS: We will give you tips on where to park!
Did you know FREE events happen everyday at Church Street Park? Enjoy Kids Movement taught by a YMCA instructor, Music & Movement Story Time and Watercolor Wednesday with the Nashville Public Library and Bubble Blast Foam Parties - plus the daily Recess Cart is loaded with games and activities, there is something for every family to enjoy!
*Find street parking on Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd or Sixth Ave N. or park in the Library Garage for $6/hour.
The Nashville Public Library has FREE events for children and families year round, but summer is an especially fun-filled few months! In addition to their kid events, they have a Summer Reading Challenge, ballet performances, magic shows, science demonstrations, Zooventures from Nashville Zoo, special puppet shows, and more!
*Park in the Library Garage and get your ticket validated by the library.
Martin ArtQuest is the Frist Art Museum’s inclusive and interactive art-making space where guests of all ages can get creative with activities that delight and inspire. In ArtQuest, visitors can draw, animate, make prints, paint, and more! ArtQuest is open the same hours as the Frist Art Museum.
*Park in the Frist Lot & bring your parking ticket inside for validation.
Located at Fifth + Broadway, discover the new Five Daughters Bakery, where delicious, handmade donuts and pastries are crafted with care. With traditional, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo options, there’s a treat for everyone in the family. Experience the fresh, high-quality flavors at this family-owned bakery today!
Could you share a half-pound chocolate-chip cookie with your family or would everyone have to get their own? Either way, Mattheessen’s team of bakers will keep up with the demand, baking fresh sweets and treats every day, in house. Try some renowned marble slab fudge, a refreshingly sweet chocolate-dipped key lime pie, or a scoop of homemade ice cream at this cozy spot in the Historic 2nd Avenue area.
Visit this historic candy company for a sweet family adventure! Take part in hands-on chocolate-making classes, create your own Goo Goo clusters, and enjoy seasonal baked goods.
Explore fresh produce, local crafts, and delicious food vendors. It’s a great spot for families to experience Nashville’s local culture and flavors.
BONUS: If you (or the kids) need to burn off some energy, grab a dessert or drink and head outside to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. You can walk the Pathway of History — a long, granite wall narrating Tennessee’s history, or visit the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains, which double as a splash pad in the summer!
*Park in the Nashville Farmers’ Market lot for free.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Dive into the rich history of country music. With exhibits, educational programs, and the Taylor Swift Education Center, there’s something for every family member to enjoy.
TIP: Summer 2024 Deal - Local kids visit for free and 25% off for up to 2 accompanying adults.
Experience tech-infused mini golf that’s perfect for family outings. With live DJs on weekends and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s a fun spot for all ages. Kids are welcome until 8pm (Last tee time 7pm).
Enjoy old-school entertainment with duckpin bowling and classic pinball. It’s a nostalgic experience for parents and a new adventure for kids, complete with food trucks and outdoor patios. Kids are welcome until 9pm.
TIP: Visit on a shorty sunday and kids can bowl for free and get a complimentary soda!
Make lasting memories with your loved ones and discover all the amazing experiences Nashville has to offer TODAY!
*The Library Garage is a convenient parking option - $6/hour, $20 daily max & only $10 after 5pm on weekdays and all day on Saturday & Sunday.