65 Nashville Summer Activity Ideas

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The countdown to summertime is officially on! Soon, school will be out, the days will be longer, and the temperatures will rise. Check out our ideas below and make a bucket list for your family to check off these fun activities! 

  1. Check out the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, and visit the animals, the Dino trek exhibit (through July 30) and do the zip-line experience!
  2. Cool off with a fun day on the shores of Percy Priest Lake at Nashville Shores!
  3. Swing for some fun at First Tennessee Park on Sunday Family Fun Day with the Nashville Sounds!
  4. Celebrate the nation’s birthday on the 4th of July at the Nashville Let Freedom Ring! Celebration downtown.
  5. Go for ice cream at Bobbie’s Dairy Dip or any of the other local ice cream shops on our favorites list!
  6. Choose a Vacation Bible School to take your kids to. They will have a great time!
  7. Visit a local drive-in theater for a fun family night under the stars!
  8. Sign your kids up for the Kids Bowl Free program and hit the lanes!
  9. Put on your boots and cowboy hats, and check out the fan favorite CMA Music Festival! There will be free concerts downtown and more!
  10. Spend your Saturday morning at a local Farmer’s Market, picking up fresh and local produce and treats!
  11. Cheer on the home team at Geodis Park! Go Nashville SC!
  12. Have a splashing good time at your community’s pool or splash pad!
  13. Pick berries and make a pie! Blackberries and blueberries will be ready in July!
  14. Join a summer reading program at the local library! They have so many free, fun events, be sure and check their calendars!
  15. Relax on the beach. No seriously! At least on the sandy lakeshore beaches – check out some ideas here!
  16. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame-Community Counts provides free general admission to youth 18 and under from the local nearby counties! And you can get free adult admission by utilizing the pass from the Nashville library!
  17. Don’t forget to stop by and learn the wonders of letterpress printing and make your own print at the Hatch Show Print.
  18. Watch the Blue Angels soar through the sky at the Great Tennessee Air Show.
  19. Enjoy a MoonPie and an RC Cola at the Bell Buckle RC Cola-MoonPie Festival. 
  20. Drive down I-65 to Columbia and visit the fun children’s museum- aMuse’um Children’s Museum. Afterwards, you can lunch at the famous Puckett’s Grocery.
  21. Experience the Summer of More event at Gaylord Opryland. Park for free at Opry Mills and walk over to the resort. Treasure hunts, animal encounters, boat rides and more!
  22. Experience an indoor playground like no other, at Kidsville Playground in Cornersville. 8,500 square feet of fun featuring slides, climbing challenges, indoor tubing, basketball, soccer, and even a merry-go-round for toddlers!
  23. Take a blanket, and enjoy some jazz music beside the Cumberland River on Saturday nights at the weekly Jazz on the Cumberland.
  24. Oh Biscuits! Spend the day at TPAC catching Bluey live! Or check out the calendar for other events that interest your family.
  25. Glow in the Park at Nashville’s aerial Adventure Park– you can zip line and climb ropes among the LED-lit trees!
  26. Pack the camera, and visit the local Nashville murals! These are the best photo ops!
  27. Step back into time in Murfreesboro and visit Cannonsburgh Village and the Stones River Battlefield. Both are free and a great way to learn about history!
  28. Explore America’s favorite main street district by walking downtown Franklin. Have some pizza at Mellow Mushroom, chocolates from Kilwin’s and do some shopping!
  29. Get out on the water! We have beautiful lakes near Nashville. You can rent a pontoon paddle boat or kayak- check out where!
  30. Walk the grounds of Cheekwood– during the summer, you can check out the the luminous light installations featuring the work of renowned British artist Bruce Munro!
  31. Enjoy a round of putt-putt at the Cedar Creek Sports Center!
  32. Pack a picnic and visit a local park!
  33. Tales at Twilightan hour-long family performances that offer interactive magic, stories, dance, and music!
  34. Design your own candy bar at the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. in downtown Nashville!
  35. Treat your family to lunch at the Assembly Hall at Fifth + Broadway. Choose from over 30+ eateries- this is a one stop shop to satisfy even the pickiest of kids!
  36. Enjoy a cooking class with your kids at The Curious Kitchen in Murfreesboro!
  37. Cool down and go ice skating at the Ford Ice Center in Bellevue.
  38. Go for story time in the children’s gallery at the Tennessee State Museum– it is FREE to visit!
  39. Pick your own sunflowers at Lucky Ladd Farms!
  40. Create a unique piece of pottery at Brushfire Pottery.
  41. Catch a movie at Elmington Park during Nashville Scene’s “Movies in the Park“. Check the schedule here!
  42. Embrace your inner artist at the Frist Art Museum’s ArtQuest Gallery. Admission for visitors ages 18 and younger is always free.
  43. Grab lunch from the Nashville Farmer’s Market and sit outside and listen to the bells ring and play a Tennessee song at Bicentennial Park.
  44. Catch a laser show at the Adventure Science Center Planetarium.
  45. Grab a spoon at the Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar. They serve up 20 types of cereals to be mixed and matched! There is also a great outdoor turf area for the kids to play.
  46. Visit the Tennessee Titans pro shop and get your gear ready for the upcoming season!
  47. Let your kids pick out a toy at the Brilliant Sky Toys and Books store in Brentwood. It is a unique experience!
  48. Visit Loveless Cafe and have some of their famous biscuits!
  49. You have 60 minutes to pass your class at the playground-themed Escape Room in Berry Hill!
  50. Ride go karts at Go USA Fun Park.
  51. Make your own pancakes at The Pfunky Griddle.
  52. Find the stars at the Music City Walk of Fame. Make it a scavenger hunt and look for certain artists!
  53. Cuddle goats at Harmony Lane Farms.
  54. Listen to live music, dance, shop, eat, and play video games at Plaza Mariachi!
  55. Shop til you drop at the Nashville Flea Market. It is one of the top 10 in the country!
  56. Hug the cows and rub the pigs’ bellies on Sundays at the Gentle Barn.
  57. Visit the Parthenon and see the Athena statue! *If you are a MNPS student, staff or faculty member, visit for FREE on STEAM night! Check the calendar for events.
  58. Get your dinosaur fix at the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History.
  59. Join the Kids Skate Free program and visit the nearest rink.
  60. Get a fresh deli sandwich and shop Amish goods at the Amish Feed Mill in Nolensville.
  61. Honor our nation’s heroes and visit the Healing Field flag display. You may also sponsor a flag.
  62. Order the Cow Trough (jumbo sized sundae) to share with the family at Nash Family Creamery. 
  63. Watch the fireworks at your local neighborhood Independence Day celebration.
  64. Shop at L&L Market and get a one-of-a-kind milkshake at Gracie’s Milkshake Bar. Take home a bag of Marigold popcorn for a late night snack.
  65. Ride the ferris wheel, and load up on carnival foods at the Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair or the Williamson County Fair.

What are your family’s favorite summer activities?

Check out all these summer ideas!

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Heather Seay
I am a single mom to two beautiful girls, Madison and Ellie. I work from home for a software company based out of Austin, and also work as a Plunder Design jewelry stylist. I live in Murfreesboro, and love suburban life! I am active in my church, World Outreach, and love supporting my alma mater MTSU. You can find me in Nashville any given Sunday in the fall, cheering on my beloved Titans! I am a huge football enthusiast, and love sports in general. In my downtime, I enjoy binging on Gilmore Girls, which I have seen over a hundred times each- it's a lifestyle!

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