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. Take a kayak tour at River Queen Voyages. (Nashville)
3. Get soaked in the fountains at Bicentennial Mall  (Nashville)
4. Ride the slides at Nashville Shores.  ( Hermitage)
5. Play at Ava’s Splash Pad in Charlie Daniels Park (Mount Juliet)
6. Go on a waterfall adventure at Cummins Falls State Park. But be careful!
7. Splash around at Don Fox Community Park (Lebanon)
8. Work on your tan at Lock 3 beach.  (Hendersonville)
9. 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. Canoe or kayak down Stones River. (Murfreesboro)
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. Spend a day or two at Soundwaves Gaylord Opryland. (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. Get drenched by the 100 gallon bucket at the Brentwood Splash Park. (Brentwood)
18. Take a day trip on 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. Play Marco Polo in the Nolensville Pool. (Nolensville)
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)

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. Slide on the ‘old school’ playground at Moss Wright Park (Goodlettsville)
9. Play a game of disc golf at Sanders Ferry Park (Hendersonville)

11. Play tag at Rockland Recreation Area (Hendersonville)
12. Grab some large pieces of cardboard and do some summer sledding at Reservoir Park (Nashville).
13. Take a walk on the Old Hickory Trail.
14. Have a picnic at Lone Branch Recreation Area (Mount Juliet)
15. Plan a game at Nashville Paintball  (Hermitage)
16. Play bocce ball at Granny White Park. (Brentwood)
17. Find your zen in the Japanese Garden at Cheekwood.  (Nashville)
18. Skip stones at Shutes Branch Recreation Center (Old Hickory)
19. 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. See the rock gardens at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. (Lebanon)
29. 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. Get some batting practice at Go USA Fun Park. (Murfreesboro)
34. View the lake from the spectacular rock overhang at Long Hunter State Park.  (Hermitage)
35. Take a hike at Warner Parks. You might run into Taylor Swift. Really! (Nashville)

1. Take a spin around the indoor race track at Adventure Alley. (Hendersonville)
2. Learn to climb at The Crag. (Franklin)
3. Check out the 400 arcade games at Game Galaxy. (Smyrna)
4. Play ‘Trampoline Basketball’ at Altitude Trampoline Park. (Nashville)
5. Bounce away a rainy day at Hoppity Hop Inflatable Playcenter. (Hendersonville)
6. Skate the day away at Brentwood Skate Center. (Brentwood)
7. Test your skills on the ‘Ninja Obstacle Course” at Defy Nashville. (Brentwood)
8. 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. Take the older kids for a ride at Music City Indoor Carting  (Nashville)
14. Play Lazer Tag, ride bumper cars, bungee jump and more at Hendersonville Circus World. (Hendersonville)

 

1. Climb! at Climb Nashville – Two locations (East)  & (West)
2. Jump! at All Air Extreme Trampoline Park. (Hendersonville)
3. Play pinball and so much more at Game Terminal. (Nashville)
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. Bowl a game at Nashville oldest bowling alley Donelson Bowl. Visit the snack bar!  (Donelson)
8. Jump in the ball pit at Monkey’s Treehouse (Brentwood)
9. Hit the ice for some chilly fun skating at Ford Ice Center (Antioch)

11. Spend a cool afternoon at  Rivergate Skate Center (Madison)
12. Try the ropes course at Urban Air Adventure Park. (Old Hickory)
13. Take a selfie with a dinosaur at The Earth Experience. (Murfreesboro)
14. 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)
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 – several locations)
6. Spend a long, lazy morning eating biscuits at the Loveless Cafe. (Nashville)
7. Craving ice cream? Boba tea? New Orleans style snoballs? Find them all at Tico Ice. (Mt Juliet)
8. Have some Nana Puddin’ Ice Cream at Hattie Jane’s Creamery. (Murfreesboro)
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. Get a Red Velvet Shake at Cotton and Snow. (Nashville)
12. Enjoy some Irish food and music at McNamara’s Irish Pub. (Donelson)
13. Bowl and eat at Pinewood Social. (Nashville)
14. Chow down on biscuits and fried chicken at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. (Nashville)
15. Have a burger at The Pharmacy.  (Nashville)
16. Skip the meal and have a shake instead at the Legendairy Milkshake Bar. (Nashville)
17. Pick some berries at Circle S Farms. (Lebanon)
18. Or pick your own from our 2021 list!
19. 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. …and the Tennessee State Museum. (Nashville)
6. Climb the tower and see the incredible view from Adventure Science Center. (Nashville)
7. Hear the story of Andrew Jackson’s romantic midnight ride at Rock Castle. (Hendersonville)
8. Learn about horses at Belle Meade Plantation. (Nashville)
9. Visit the natural springs at Oaklands Historic House (Murfreesboro)
10. Meander through historic Fiddler’s Grove. (Lebanon)
11. 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. Spend a Sunday afternoon learning to rock climb at The Ascent. (Murfreesboro)
16. See the cool potty chair at Traveller’s Rest Plantation and Museum. (Nashville)
17. Learn about wildlife at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary. (Brentwood)
18. 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)

1. Take a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry. (Nashville)
2. Tour the Ryman auditorium.
3. Learn about the Wichita Lineman at the Glen Campbell Museum. (Nashville)
4. Take a tour of Historic RCA Studio B (Nashville)
5. Take a cruise on the General Jackson Showboat. (Nashville)
6. Have some sweet dreams at the Patsy Cline Museum. (Nashville)
7. Visit Nashville’s newest museum – the National Museum of African American Music. (Nashville)
8. Take a walk downtown. Most everything is family friendly until the sun goes down.
9. 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)

 

1. Have a family skate night at Skate Center Smyrna. (Smyrna)
2. Catch a double feature at the Stardust Drive In (Watertown)
3. Or, if you live closer, try the Franklin, KY Drive In.  (Franklin, KY)
4. Or try The Moonlite Drive in. (Woodbury) Can you tell I’m obsessed with Drive ins? 🙂
5. Play some arcade games at Lanes, Trains & Automobiles.  (Murfreesboro, TN)
6. Play a round at Grand Ole Golf. (Nashville)
7. See a laser show at Sudekum Planetarium. (Nashville)

11. Play a game of cosmic bowling at Franklin Family Entertainment Center. (Franklin)
12. Spend an evening 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. Go for a strike and a yummy dinner at King’s Bowl. (Franklin)

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2021-Ultimate-Summer-Fun-List