Nashville skyline and the Cumberland River at dusk

United States

Nashville with kids.

Nashville with kids works better than its party reputation suggests. The trick is timing. Do Broadway at lunch, when the bands are playing and kids are still welcome. Spend the rest of the day at the zoo, the science center, the big parks, and the giant indoor gardens at Gaylord Opryland. Three or four days is about right.

Best for All ages, sweet spot at 6-12Live country musicLower Broadway and its honky-tonksThe Grand Ole Opry and the RymanHot chickenGaylord OprylandChristmas lights and events

Visiting in November or December? See Christmas in Nashville with kids: lights, markets, Santa, and shows, with dates.

Best for ages

All ages, sweet spot at 6-12

Best time to visit

Spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) are the sweet spots. Summer is hot and sticky, so plan outdoor things for the morning. Winters are chilly and often rainy, but November to early January brings the big Christmas events. Avoid CMA Fest week in June and New Year's Eve unless you want huge crowds and high hotel prices.

How long to stay

3-4 nights. Two days covers the highlights. Add a day for Franklin or Mammoth Cave.

Nashville has a reputation as a party town, and that's partly fair. Lower Broadway is lined with honky-tonks, and at night it fills up with bachelorette groups and party buses. So a lot of parents ask the same question before they book: is Nashville kid friendly?

The honest answer is yes, if you plan around the clock.

In the daytime, Broadway is a fun family street. The bands start early, many of the bars serve food, and kids are welcome with an adult. Grab lunch with live music, sit upstairs where it's quieter, and watch the street from a window. Then leave by late afternoon. Most honky-tonks switch to 21 and over around 6pm, and the street gets louder after that.

The rest of the city is full of good kid stuff. The Nashville Zoo is the top pick from parents who live here and parents who visit. The Adventure Science Center has a tower kids can climb. The Country Music Hall of Fame is more fun for kids than it sounds. And Gaylord Opryland, a huge resort hotel with nine acres of indoor gardens, is a free place to wander on a rainy afternoon.

Two more things to know. First, you'll want a car. Downtown is walkable, but the zoo, Gaylord, and the best parks are spread out. Second, have a rain plan. Cold, wet days can wipe out outdoor plans in the cooler months, and parents say the indoor backups saved their trip.

Three or four days is right. That's enough for Broadway, the music sites, the zoo, and a day trip, without running out of things to do.

Nashville by age: what changes at 3, 6, and 10

Nashville works at every age, but the trip looks different. Little kids need animals, playgrounds, and short days. From about 6, the music starts to click, and a show at the Opry becomes a highlight. Tweens love hot chicken dares and the science center. Teens get the most out of the live music and the history.

With a baby or toddler (under 3)

Nashville is easy with a baby if you stay off Broadway at night. In the daytime, a carrier beats a stroller downtown. The sidewalks get crowded and the music is loud, so bring ear protection for little ears. The zoo and the big parks are stroller-friendly. Babies under 2 get into the zoo and the science center free. Gaylord's indoor gardens are a great place to walk a fussy baby on a hot or rainy day.

Carrier for Broadway, stroller for the zoo
Ear protection anywhere there's live music
Under 2 free at the zoo and the science center
Gaylord's indoor gardens for nap walks
Off Broadway by late afternoon

Ages 3-5

This age loves the zoo, the science center, and anything with a playground. The zoo has a huge playground and a yard where you can walk right next to the kangaroos. The Adventure Science Center has a climbing tower that's made for this age. Free library puppet shows downtown are a great short outing. A full Opry show at night is a stretch for most kids this age. But kids under 4 get in free if they sit with you, so you can always leave early.

Zoo first, in the morning
Science center for a rainy or hot day
Free library puppet shows downtown
Under-4s free at the Opry if they sit with you
Short days with a hotel pool break

Ages 6-9

The sweet spot starts here. Kids this age can handle a Broadway lunch with a band, a few hours at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and an evening Opry show. The Ryman self-guided tour is free for kids 12 and under with a paid adult, and it's short enough to hold their attention. Add the Lane Motor Museum for kids who love cars, and the Parthenon for kids who love Greek myths.

Hall of Fame scavenger hunts keep them busy
Ryman self-guided tour free for 12 and under
A 7pm Opry show, with intermission as a reset
Lane Motor Museum for car fans

Ages 10-12

Tweens get the most out of the music. They'll recognize songs at the Hall of Fame, sit through a whole Opry show, and like seeing where famous singers got their start at the Ryman. This is the age for a mild hot chicken dare. They also love the top of the science center tower and a day trip to Mammoth Cave.

Full Opry show
Hot chicken dare (start mild)
Mammoth Cave day trip
Broadway lunch with a band

Teens (13+)

Teens tend to love Nashville. The live music, the food, and the history all land. Daytime Broadway is fun for them, but most honky-tonks go 21 and over around 6pm, so plan evenings elsewhere. A show at the Ryman or the Opry, a walk across the pedestrian bridge at sunset, and a hot chicken challenge make a great teen day. Skip New Year's Eve downtown, even with older teens.

Ryman or Opry show at night
Pedestrian bridge at sunset
Broadway by day only
Skip New Year's Eve downtown

Things to do in Nashville with kids that earn the trip

Twelve things worth your time with kids, roughly in the order families fit them in. Several are free. Most of the big ones sit outside downtown, so plan by area and drive between them. Prices and hours change, so check each site before you go.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

South Nashville (drive from downtown) · Best for All ages (best under 10)

The number one answer when parents ask what to do in Nashville with kids. The zoo is big and green, with wide paths and a walk-through kangaroo yard. It also has a huge playground called the Jungle Gym that kids beg to come back to.

It's spread out and a bit hilly, so bring a stroller for little kids. Go early, especially in summer, when the afternoon heat makes everyone cranky. Parents say even a rainy day here is worth it, because you'll have the place almost to yourself.

Tickets are priced by date. Adults pay about $16 to $28 depending on the day, kids 2 to 12 pay $4 less, and kids under 2 are free. Parking is $10 a car.

Tip: Open 9am-4pm daily. Prices change by date, so check before you buy. Parking is $10. Go first thing in summer.

Adventure Science Center

Near downtown (Fort Negley) · Best for Ages 2-12

The best rainy-day stop in town. The big draw is the Adventure Tower, a climbing playground that goes up several floors. It even has a piano kids can walk on. The planetarium is a separate ticket, and parents say it's worth adding.

Most families think they'll need two hours and end up staying four. It gets loud, like an indoor playground, and school groups can fill it on weekday mornings during the school year.

Tickets are $22 for ages 13 and up and $18 for kids 2 to 12. Kids under 2 are free.

Tip: Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Weekday hours end at 3pm. Check hours before you go.

Lower Broadway (in the daytime)

Downtown · Best for All ages, by day

Broadway is the street of honky-tonks you've seen in every picture of Nashville. In the daytime, it's a fun family outing. Bands play from late morning, many bars serve food, and kids are welcome with an adult.

Pick a place for lunch, sit upstairs or on a balcony where it's a bit quieter, and let the kids watch the band. Then walk the street and grab a treat. The Goo Goo chocolate shop just off Broadway lets kids watch candy being made by hand.

Plan to leave by late afternoon. Most honky-tonks go 21 and over around 6pm, and the street gets louder and busier as the evening goes on. Rules change by venue and by night, so check at the door. The Hard Rock Cafe is all ages all the time.

Tip: Go at lunch, on a weekday if you can. Most honky-tonks go 21+ around 6pm. Bring ear protection for little kids.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Downtown, a block off Broadway · Best for Ages 6+

A big, bright music museum that holds kids' attention longer than parents expect. There are listening booths, video screens, and photo spots. Younger kids do best with the kids' activities like scavenger hunts, and the Taylor Swift Education Center runs family programs.

Buy timed tickets online before you go, especially on weekends. A small, foldable stroller is easier than a big one here.

Adult tickets are about $32. Kids 6 to 12 pay less.

Tip: Book timed tickets online, especially on weekends. A small stroller is easier than a big one.

Gaylord Opryland

Music Valley, about 10 miles from downtown · Best for All ages

A giant resort hotel with about nine acres of indoor gardens. There are waterfalls, winding paths, and a river inside the building with boat rides. You don't have to stay here to walk around, and kids love running through it. It's the perfect free outing on a hot or rainy day.

The catch is parking. Self-parking is $37 a day and valet is $55. Many families park at the Opry Mills mall next door and walk over.

The resort also has SoundWaves, a big water park. It's not open to day visitors. The only way to be sure you get in is to book a hotel package that includes it. The indoor part is open all year, and the outdoor part opens in summer.

Tip: Free to walk the gardens. Parking is $37 (valet $55). Park at Opry Mills next door and walk over to save money.

The Grand Ole Opry

Music Valley, next to Gaylord Opryland · Best for Ages 6+ (younger with a plan)

The famous country music radio show, live on stage. It works better for kids than you might think. Each act plays only a few songs, so the show keeps moving, and there's an intermission to stretch and grab a snack.

Most shows start at 7pm, so it's a late night for little ones. Kids under 4 get in free if they sit with you, which makes it easy to try and leave early if needed. Big strollers have to be folded and checked at the door, so bring a small one or a carrier.

There's also a daytime backstage tour. It's a lot of listening, so it suits older kids best.

Tip: Most shows start at 7pm. Kids under 4 are free if they sit with you. Check the calendar for show dates.

Ryman Auditorium

Downtown, just off Broadway · Best for Ages 6+

Nashville's most famous concert hall. The self-guided tour moves at your own pace, and it includes a souvenir photo on the famous stage when it's available.

The best part for families: the self-guided tour is free for kids 12 and under with a paid adult. That makes it one of the best deals downtown. The backstage tour is longer and better for older kids.

Tip: Self-guided tour is free for kids 12 and under with a paid adult. Tours run daily, 9am-4pm.

Centennial Park and the Parthenon

West End · Best for All ages

A big city park with a lake, walking paths, and lots of open grass for running around. In the middle sits a full-size copy of the Parthenon from ancient Greece, which is a fun surprise for kids.

The park is free. Going inside the Parthenon costs extra, and parents say the outside and the park are the best part for young kids. Older kids who love Greek myths will enjoy the inside.

Inside tickets are $15 for adults, less for kids, and free for kids under 4.

Tip: The park is free. Parthenon tickets are $15 for adults, less for kids, under 4 free.

The pedestrian bridge and Cumberland Park

Downtown to the East Bank · Best for All ages

Walk across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for the best skyline view in town. It's wide and stroller-friendly, and it's lovely at sunset.

On the other side is Cumberland Park, a free riverside playground with a climbing wall, nets, and a sandpit. In summer, the splash features turn on. There's not much shade, so bring hats and water.

Tip: Free. The splash features run in summer only. Little shade, so go early or late on hot days.

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

West Nashville (drive from downtown) · Best for All ages

A big botanical garden and old mansion with 55 acres of gardens, art, and trails. Local parents name it as one of their top kid spots. There's a children's garden with hands-on features, and lots of space to explore.

At Christmas, Cheekwood puts on Holiday LIGHTS, a walk through the gardens covered in lights. It runs November 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with timed tickets, so book ahead.

Daytime prices change by day. Garden tickets are about $20 to $26 for adults and $13 to $19 for kids 3 to 17. Kids 2 and under are free. There's a parking fee if you're not a member.

Tip: Closed Mondays. Shorter hours in winter. Book Holiday LIGHTS tickets ahead.

Lane Motor Museum

South of downtown (drive) · Best for Ages 4+

A huge, quirky car museum full of tiny cars, odd cars, and cars kids have never seen before. It's a hidden gem for car-loving kids, and it's cheap. There's an indoor play area for little ones.

Kids 6 to 17 pay just $3, kids 5 and under are free, and adults pay $15. Parking is free.

Tip: Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Free parking. Kids 6-17 are $3.

The Tennessee State Museum and the Frist

Downtown · Best for Ages 3+

Two great rainy-day picks that won't cost much.

The Tennessee State Museum is free for everyone. It has a children's gallery made for kids about 3 to 8. It's closed on Mondays.

The Frist Art Museum is free for kids 18 and under. Upstairs, the Martin ArtQuest gallery is a hands-on art room where kids can make things. Adults pay for tickets.

Tip: State Museum is free and closed Mondays. The Frist is free for 18 and under.

Where to stay in Nashville with kids

Most families pick one of two bases. A suite hotel downtown lets you walk to Broadway and the museums. Gaylord Opryland gives you the resort and the water park. Don't book a hotel right on Lower Broadway. The noise from rooftop bars and party buses goes late. Downtown hotel parking often runs $35 or more a night, so ask before you book.

Downtown suite hotels (walk to Broadway and the museums)

Suites give kids their own room to sleep in, and free breakfast saves real money in an expensive downtown.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown
Two-room suites, a free cooked-to-order breakfast, an evening reception, and a pool. Near the convention center, a short walk from Broadway.
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown
Free hot breakfast, a free evening snack-and-drinks hour (the 5:30 Kickback), and an indoor/outdoor pool. The free food adds up for a family.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown
Suites with full kitchens and a free breakfast, on Church Street. Good for families who want to cook a few meals.

Gaylord Opryland (the resort bubble)

Best for families with younger kids who want the water park and the indoor gardens right outside the door.

Gaylord Opryland Resort
Nine acres of indoor gardens, the Opry and Opry Mills next door, and SoundWaves. Book the SoundWaves package if the water park matters to you, because day passes aren't sold to the public. Parking is $37 a day. It's about 10 miles from downtown, so plan to drive.

Midtown and West End (quieter, near the big park)

A calmer base with easy access to Centennial Park and good restaurants, a short drive from downtown.

Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza
About a 10-minute walk to Centennial Park and the Parthenon. Kids 17 and under stay free in their parents' room.

Broadway with kids: the daytime rules

The most common question parents ask about Nashville is whether kids can go on Broadway. They can. Just follow a few simple rules.

Go at lunch. Bands start playing late morning, and the crowd is mostly families and tourists. It's the best time to see live music with kids.

Sit upstairs. Many places have a second floor or balcony. It's a little quieter, and kids get a great view of the band and the street.

Leave by about 6pm. Most honky-tonks switch to 21 and over around then. A few allow kids later, and the Hard Rock Cafe is all ages all the time. Rules change by venue and by night, so check at the door.

Pick a weekday if you can. Weekend afternoons get busy with bachelorette groups. It's harmless, but it's crowded.

Bring ear protection. The music is loud, and little ears need it.

Expect party buses. Open-air party wagons and pedal bars roll down the street. They're adults only.

Then head somewhere else for the evening. Try a hotel pool, a show at the Ryman or the Opry, or a sunset walk across the pedestrian bridge.

Nashville food with kids: hot chicken and how to order it

Hot chicken is the Nashville dish. It's fried chicken coated in spicy oil, and the heat is no joke. Parents warn that even "hot" can make grown-ups cry. For kids, order the no-heat level. At Hattie B's, that's called "Southern." At Prince's, the place that started it all, ask for the mildest level. Hattie B's has a location on Lower Broadway. Expect a line at lunch.

Food halls work for picky eaters. Assembly Food Hall at Fifth + Broadway has lots of choices in one place, including Prince's Hot Chicken.

Breakfast is a big deal here. Pancake Pantry is a local favorite for families. There's a line on weekend mornings, so go early. It has locations in Hillsboro Village and downtown.

Biscuits at the Loveless Cafe. A classic Southern breakfast stop near the start of the Natchez Trace. It's a good first stop on a day trip.

Sweets. The Goo Goo chocolate shop just off Broadway lets kids watch candy being made by hand.

When to visit Nashville with kids

Spring (April to May) is lovely, with green parks and mild days. The weather can change fast, so keep an indoor plan.

Summer (June to August) is hot and sticky. Plan outdoor things for the morning, and save the afternoon for the pool or a museum. Nashville Shores, the big outdoor water park, is open in summer only. CMA Fest, the giant country music festival, runs June 10 to 13 in 2027. Hotels fill up and prices jump that week.

Fall (September to October) is the other sweet spot, with warm days and cooler nights.

Winter (November to March) is chilly and often rainy. But the holiday season is a big draw: - Christmas at Gaylord Opryland runs November 6, 2026, to January 2, 2027. The star is ICE!, a walk-through world of ice carvings kept at 9°F, with ice slides. Parkas are provided, but bring hats and gloves. There's also ice tubing and holiday shows. You don't need to stay at the hotel to buy tickets. - Busy-day rule at Gaylord: on Fridays and Saturdays from November 20, plus November 23 to 26 and December 18 to 31, only hotel guests and ticket holders are guaranteed entry after 3pm. If you just want to see the lights, arrive before 3pm on those days. - Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood runs November 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027. - Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo runs nightly November 13 to January 3. Tickets are $27, and babies under 2 need a ticket too, even though they're free. - Nashville Children's Theatre puts on *The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show* for ages 3 to 8 from November 14, 2026, to January 3, 2027.

Skip New Year's Eve downtown with kids. It's packed, loud, and very much an adult party.

Getting around Nashville with kids: you'll want a car

Downtown is walkable. Broadway, the Hall of Fame, the Ryman, the pedestrian bridge, and the museums are all close together.

Everything else needs a car. The zoo, Gaylord Opryland, Cheekwood, the Lane Motor Museum, and Franklin are spread out. Rideshares add up fast with a family. Renting a car is usually the easiest choice, and it solves the car seat problem too.

Parking costs extra. Downtown hotels often charge $35 or more a night. At Gaylord, it's $37 a day, so many families park at Opry Mills next door and walk over.

The city bus is cheap. A WeGo bus ride is $2 for two hours, and kids 4 and under ride free. A $2 city bus also runs from the airport to downtown.

Day trips from Nashville with kids

Nashville fills three days on its own. These are worth a fourth.

Franklin

About 30 minutes south · Best for All ages

A small, pretty town with a walkable Main Street full of shops and family restaurants. History fans can tour the Carter House, a Civil War site. It's an easy half day, and a nice break from the city crowds.

The Natchez Trace Parkway

Starts just south of Nashville · Best for All ages

A slow, scenic road through the woods with lots of pull-offs to stretch your legs. Drive a short stretch to the Double Arch Bridge, then stop in the tiny village of Leiper's Fork. Pair it with breakfast at the Loveless Cafe.

Mammoth Cave National Park

About 90 minutes north, in Kentucky · Best for Ages 5+

A huge cave system with ranger-led tours underground. There's no fee to enter the park, but cave tours cost extra and are priced by age. Tours fill up, so book ahead. Some tours have lots of stairs and tight spots, so pick a short tour for younger kids. Anyone under 16 must be with an adult.

The Nashville skip list

What parents wish they'd known, roughly in order of regret.

Broadway after dark with kids. Go at lunch and leave by about 6pm, when most honky-tonks go 21+.
Pushing a big stroller on Broadway. The sidewalks are crowded. Wear the baby or bring a small stroller.
Booking a hotel right on Lower Broadway. The noise goes late into the night.
Planning on SoundWaves without booking the hotel package. Day passes aren't sold to the public.
Paying $37 to park at Gaylord just to walk the gardens. Park at Opry Mills and walk over.
Ordering hot chicken for the kids at anything above the no-heat level. It's really spicy.
No rain plan. Have the science center, the free State Museum, and Gaylord's indoor gardens ready.
Showing up at the science center on a Tuesday or Wednesday. It's closed those days.
Skipping the car. The zoo, Gaylord, and Cheekwood are spread out, and rideshares add up.
New Year's Eve downtown with kids, even teens. It's an adult party.
Visiting during CMA Fest week by accident. Check the dates before you book.

The honest case: who Nashville works for

3-4 nights at ages 6-12 is the Nashville sweet spot. Broadway at lunch, the Hall of Fame and the Ryman one day, the zoo and the science center the next, and the Opry one night. Add Franklin or Mammoth Cave for a fourth day.

With babies and toddlers, Nashville works if you build the trip around the zoo, the parks, Gaylord's gardens, and a hotel pool. Keep Broadway to a short lunch.

With teens, Nashville is a great pick. They'll love the live music, the food, and a night at the Ryman or the Opry. Just plan evenings away from Broadway.

Who it's not for: families hoping for a week of kid-only attractions in the city. Nashville is a music town first. Plan three or four days, mix in some grown-up fun the kids can join, and everyone comes home happy.

Frequently asked

Is Nashville kid friendly?

Yes, if you plan around the clock. In the daytime, Broadway is a fun family street with live music and food. At night, it's an adult party. The rest of the city is full of good kid stuff, like the zoo, the Adventure Science Center, the parks, and the indoor gardens at Gaylord Opryland.

Can kids go on Broadway in Nashville?

Yes, in the daytime. Kids are welcome in most honky-tonks with an adult until about 6pm, when most switch to 21 and over. A few allow kids later, and the Hard Rock Cafe is all ages all the time. Go at lunch, sit upstairs, and bring ear protection for little kids. Rules change by venue and by night, so check at the door.

How many days do you need in Nashville with kids?

Three to four days is right for most families. Two days covers Broadway, the Hall of Fame, and the zoo. A fourth day leaves time for a day trip to Franklin or Mammoth Cave.

Can you take kids to the Grand Ole Opry?

Yes. The show is family-friendly, each act plays just a few songs, and there's an intermission. Most shows start at 7pm. Kids under 4 get in free if they sit with you. Big strollers have to be folded and checked at the door, so bring a small one or a carrier.

What is there to do in Nashville with toddlers?

Start with the Nashville Zoo and its huge playground, then the Adventure Science Center. Kids under 2 are free at both. After that, try the free library puppet shows downtown, the playground at Cumberland Park, and the indoor gardens at Gaylord Opryland. Keep Broadway to a short daytime visit, and bring ear protection.

What can you do in Nashville with kids when it rains?

Nashville has good indoor options. Try the Adventure Science Center (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), the free Tennessee State Museum, the Frist Art Museum (free for kids 18 and under), and the Lane Motor Museum. You can also walk the free indoor gardens at Gaylord Opryland, or take a tour of the Ryman.

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