The Ultimate Nashville Summer Fun List

It’s time for some summer fun! Here’s our Ultimate Nashville summer fun list for families!  Keep this list handy (there’s a link at the bottom for a printable pdf)  and use it as a resource every time one of the kids whines “I’m bored!”

And make sure to visit our full Summer Guide to Fun for even more ideas, resources, and things going on this summer in Middle Tennessee. Make this the best summer ever for your family in Nashville!

1. Float around in the rolling waters of Wave Country. (Nashville)
2. Spend a day at Jellystone Park. (Nashville)
3. Get soaked  in the fountains at Bicentennial Mall  (Nashville)
4. Jump in the lake at Laguardo Recreation Area (Gallatin)
5. Ride the slides at Nashville Shores.  ( Hermitage)
6. Play at Ava’s Splash Pad in Charlie Daniels Park (Mount Juliet)
7. Go on a waterfall adventure at Cummins Falls State Park. But be careful!
8. Splash around at Don Fox Community Park (Lebanon)
9. Work on your tan at Lock 3 beach.  (Hendersonville)
10. Hit the lake in a boat rented at Elm Hill Marina.  You can have all the fun of a boat owner without the maintenance and expense!

11. Swim the day away at Rose Park (Nashville)
12. Spend an evening splashing in the Fountains at Gateway. They light up at night! (Murfreesboro)
13. Have a picnic and a swim at Cook Day Use Area.  (Hermitage)
14. Get wet at Kirkpatrick Sprayground. (Nashville)
15. Slide, splash and climb at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center.
16. Take a dip at Bryant Grove in Long Hunter State Park (Hermitage)
17. Ride the bumper boats for one last summer at Cedar Creek Sports Center. (Mount Juliet)
18. Learn to canoe or kayak for $25!  (Nashville)
19. Brave the 57 Foot Speed Slide at the Tommy Garrett Aquatics Facility. (Gallatin)
20. Float and relax at Old Hickory Beach.  (Old Hickory)
21. Build a sandcastle at Cedar Creek Recreation Area (Mount Juliet)

21. Cool off at Watkin’s Sprayground (Nashville)
22. Spend the day at Lost Creek Falls. (Sparta)
23. Beat the heat at the outdoor pool at Jimmy Floyd Center. (Lebanon)
24. Take a ride down the slides at Boro Beach. (Murfreesboro)
25. Splash and swim at the Franklin Recreation Complex.
26. Take a Foggy Bottom Canoe Trip on the Harpeth River (Kingston Springs)
27. Slip down the slide at the Tommy Garrett Aquatics Facility.(Gallatin)
28. Take advantage of some FREE indoor swimming at the 4 regional center indoor pools in Nashville.

1. Hit the playground at Centennial Park (Nashville)
2. Feed the ducks at Memorial Park (Hendersonville)
3. Climb the dragon at Fannie Mae Dees / Dragon Park (Nashville)
4. Play hopscotch at Crockett Park (Brentwood)
5. Try skateboarding or inline hockey at Veteran’s Park (Hendersonville)
6. Spend the day hiking at Radnor Lake (Nashville). The trails are shady so it’s perfect for days that are HOT!
7. Play on the tall playscape at Cedar Hill Park (Madison)
8. Go down on the farm and take a tour of Hatcher Family Dairy (College Grove)
9. Slide on the ‘old school’ playground at Moss Wright Park (Goodlettsville)
10. Play a game of disc golf at Sanders Ferry Park (Hendersonville)

11. Learn and create with Kid Projects @ Home Depot – Dates and Location vary.
12. Play tag at Rockland Recreation Area (Hendersonville)
13. Grab some large pieces of cardboard and do some summer sledding at Reservoir Park (Nashville).
14. Take a walk on the Old Hickory Trail.
15. Have a picnic at Lone Branch Recreation Area (Mount Juliet)
16. Plan a game at Nashville Paintball  (Hermitage)
17. Play bocce ball at Granny White Park. (Brentwood)
18. Find your zen in the Japanese Garden at Cheekwood.  (Nashville)
19. Skip stones at Shutes Branch Recreation Center (Old Hickory)
20. Experience the “WOW” at Fall Creek Falls.  (Pikeville)

21. Play the day away at Hermitage Park and Recreation Center (Hermitage)
22. Take a hike at the Discovery Center. (Murfreesboro)
23. Play in the giant corn box at Lucky Ladd Farms ( Eagleville)
24. Walk the lake trail at Bledsoe Creek State Park.  (You may even see a snake. We did!)
25. Go bird watching at Harpeth River State Park.  (Nashville)
26. Take in the views of downtown Nashville and play on the unique playscape at Cumberland Park (Nashville)
27. Count the pillars at The Parthenon (Nashville)
28. Explore the Cumberland River on a Blue Heron Cruise. (Ashland City)
29. See the rock gardens at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. (Lebanon)
30. Do a nature scavenger hunt at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Park (Nashville)

31. Have a ‘Critter Encounter’ at The Nashville Zoo 
32. Take a trail ride at Juro Stables (Mount Juliet)
33. Play some putt putt at Drakes Creek Activity Center. (Hendersonville)
34. Play treasure hunt at the Nashville Flea Market. (Nashville)
35. Get some batting practice at Go USA Fun Park. (Murfreesboro)
36. View the lake from the spectacular rock overhang at Long Hunter State Park.  (Hermitage)
37. Take a hike at Warner Parks. You might run into Taylor Swift. Really! (Nashville)

1. Take a spin around the indoor race track at Holder Family Fun Center. (Hendersonville)
2. Make a present for someone at Fired Up! (Mount Juliet)
3. Spend a rainy day burning off some energy at JumpStreet. (Rivergate, Murfreesboro & Franklin)
4. Learn to climb at The Crag. (Franklin)
5. Cool off and entertain the little ones at Cornerstone Indoor Playground (Madison)
6. Play ‘Trampoline Basketball’ at Altitude Trampoline Park. (Nashville)
7. Bounce away a rainy day at Hoppity Hop Inflatable Playcenter. (Hendersonville)
8. Tour the Martin ArtQuest Gallery at The Frist Center.
9. Test your skills on the ‘Ninja Obstacle Course” at Above All Extreme Air Sports. (Brentwood)
10. Fly on the Sky Rider Coaster at Urban Air Adventure Park. (Nashville)

11. Play on the lighted dance floor at Glow Galaxy. (Franklin)
12. Spend an afternoon playing games at Dave & Busters. (Nashville) (Check their website for discounts and half price days.)
13. Have fun and learn at the Microsoft Store. (Nashville)
14. Take the older kids for a ride at Music City Indoor Carting  (Nashville)
15. Take the kids to a free summer class at the Apple Store. (Green Hills & Cool Springs)

1. Climb!  at Climb Nashville – Two locations (East)  & (West)
2. Ride the rails on the Music City Star.
3. Learn to limbo at Brentwood Skate Center. (Brentwood)
4. Escape the heat with a walk through the garden conservatories at The Opryland Hotel (Nashville)
5. Bowl for FREE at Hermitage Lanes. (Register in advance. Details at this link.)
6. Skate for FREE at Skate Center West. (Register in advance. Details at this link)
7. Jump the morning away at Bounce U! ( Murfreesboro)
8. Bowl a game at Nashville oldest bowling alley Donelson Bowl. Visit the snack bar!  (Donelson)
9. Jump in the ball pit at Monkey’s Treehouse (Brentwood)
10. Hit the ice for some chilly fun skating at Ford Ice Center (Antioch)

11. Take a ride on the bumper cars at Hendersonville Family Fun Center and Circus World. (Hendersonville)
12. Play a game of dodgeball at Sky High Sports . (Nashville)
13. Spend a cool afternoon at  Rivergate Skate Center (Madison)
14. Ice Skate or learn to swim at Centennial Sportsplex. (Nashville)
15. Take a selfie with a dinosaur at The Earth Experience. (Murfreesboro)
16. Bounce away the day at Pump It Up (Mount Juliet and Brentwood)
17. Play some games at  Monkey Joe’s (Rivergate)
18. Create a memory at Brushfire Pottery Studio. (Hillsboro)
19. Take the tinies to Tennessee Toddles. (Fairview)

1. Stand in line with tourists and locals for your turn at a stack  at The Pancake Pantry. (Nashville)
2. Or make your own at the Pfunky Griddle. (Nashville & Murfreesboro)
3. Have a yummy catfish dinner at Cock of the Walk. (Nashville)
4. Spend a morning at Chuck E. Cheese. (Locations throughout Middle Tennessee.)
5. Salvage any bad day with a scoop (or three!) at Jeni’s Ice Creams. (Nashville – 2 locations)
6. Spend a long, lazy morning eating biscuits at the Loveless Cafe. (Nashville)
7. Train your little kitchen helper by attending a free Junior Chef class at Williams -Sonoma store. (Cool Springs Galleria & The Mall at Green Hills)
8. Or try another local cooking class.
9. Brave the crowds at Mas Tacos Por Favor. Worth it! (Nashville)
10. Explore a local Farmer’s Market. There are lots to choose from in our area.

11. How about dinner and a show? Combine the two at The Larry Keeton Theatre. (Donelson)
12. Enjoy some Irish food and music at McNamara’s Irish Pub. (Donelson)
13. Bowl and eat at Pinewood Social. (Nashville)
14. Have a burger at The Pharmacy.  (Nashville)
15. Skip the meal and have a shake instead at the Legendairy Milkshake Bar. (Nashville)
16. Pick some berries at Circle S Farms. (Lebanon)
17. Or pick your own from our 2019 list!
18. Do a definitive Nashville Hot Chicken Taste Test. Determine your family’s favorite by summer’s end!

1. Visit Fort Negley (Nashville)
2. Do your parental duty by teaching your kids about the 80’s at Cooter’s Place. (Nashville)
3. Learn some state history at the Tennessee State Capital (Nashville)
4. …and the Tennessee State Military Museum (Nashville)
5. Climb the tower and see the incredible view from Adventure Science Center. (Nashville)
6. Hear the story of Andrew Jackson’s romantic midnight ride at Rock Castle. (Hendersonville)
7. Learn about horses at Belle Meade Plantation. (Nashville)
8. Visit the natural springs at Oaklands Historic House (Murfreesboro)
9. Meander through historic Fiddler’s Grove. (Lebanon)
10. Learn about life in the 19th and early 20th century at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum (Nashville)

11. Escape the sun and learn about cool cars at Lane Motor Museum. (Nashville)
12. Have an ‘Animal Encounter’ at Wilderness Station. (Murfreesboro)
13. Tour Rachel Jackson’s garden at The Hermitage.
14. Learn about the “Widow of the South” at Carnton Plantation. (Franklin)
15. See a puppet show at the Nashville Library.
16. Spend a Sunday afternoon learning to rock climb at The Ascent. (Murfreesboro)
17. Don’t forget about the Summer Reading Programs.
18. See the cool potty chair at Traveller’s Rest Plantation and Museum. (Nashville)
19. Learn about wildlife at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary. (Brentwood)
20. Walk the trails and learn about the Civil War at the Stones River National Battlefield. (Murfreesboro)

21. Hear the true story of Thomas Jefferson’s “Waffle Parties” at the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation. (Smyrna)
22. Learn about life in the 19th century at Cannonsburgh Village. (Murfreesboro)
23. Test your family’s wits at The Nashville Escape Game. (Nashville)
24. Plan a Franklin on Foot tour and become a local expert. (Franklin)
25. Dust off your dancin’ shoes for some lessons and great music at Centennial Park’s Big band Dances. (Nashville)
26. Investigate volunteer opportunities in our area suitable for the whole family at Hands on Nashville.

1. Take a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry. (Nashville)
2. Tour the Ryman auditorium.
3. Take part in a family program at the Country Music Hall of Fame. (Nashville)
4. Take a tour of Historic RCA Studio B (Nashville)
5. Take a cruise on the General Jackson Showboat. (Nashville)
6. Introduce the kids to the Red Headed Stranger at the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum. (Nashville)
7. Take a Segway Tour of downtown. (Nashville)
8. Or just take a walk downtown.  Most everything is family friendly until the sun goes down.
9. Tour the Cumberland!
10. Learn about the ‘man in black’ at the Johnny Cash Museum. (Nashville)

11. Find your favorite star at the Music City Walk of Fame. (Nashville)
12. Watch them create at the Legendary Hatch Show Print. (Nashville)
13. Tour the Fontanel – the former home of country superstar Barbara Mandrell. (Nashville)

1. Plan to attend a Telescope Night at Dyer Observatory. (Held the 2nd Friday of summer months.  Register WAY in advance!)
2. Have a family skate night at Skate Center Smyrna. (Smyrna)
3. Play a game of Laser Tag at LaserQuest (Downtown Nashville)
4. Catch a double feature at the Stardust Drive In (Watertown)
5. Or, if you live closer, try the Franklin, KY Drive In.  (Franklin, KY)
6. Play some arcade games at Lanes, Trains & Automobiles.  (Murfreesboro, TN)
7. Play a round at Grand Ole Golf. (Nashville)
8. Take part in the mini model build at The Lego Store (1st Tuesday of every month at 5PM – Get there early!)
9. See a laser show at Sudekum Planetarium. (Nashville)
10. Ride go karts at Europa Go-Karts and Mini Golf (Nashville)

11. Play a game of cosmic bowling at Franklin Family Entertainment Center. (Franklin)
12. Spend an afternoon in the arcade at Stars and Strikes. (Smyrna)
13. Take the family out to the ball game!  See the Nashville Sounds play ball.  (Nashville)
14. Play volleyball under the stars at Drakes Creek North.  (Hendersonville)
15. See a show at the Nashville Symphony.  (Nashville)

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 2019 Nashville Summer Fun List