Summertime is almost here! Now is the time to fill your calendar with some fun activities that won’t break the bank, and are right here in Middle Tennessee! Live like a tourist and enjoy everything Music City has to offer. Keep reading with some of our favorite bucket list items that you and your family can enjoy.
Nashville Summer Bucketlist
- Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday!
This year marks America’s 250th birthday and Tennessee is celebrating all year long with several events happening right here in Nashville! Check out special exhibits that highlight famous National parks and landmarks to huge All-American summer festivals that celebrate the heritage of our country. Check out our list of all the fun ways to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in and around Nashville! - Put on your boots and check out CMA Fest!
I know that big events downtown can be overwhelming with all the visitors and crowds, but it is worth checking out CMA Fest at least once in your lifetime. You don’t have to shell out money to enjoy the music and fun, as there are plenty of free events going on that are family friendly. All outdoor daytime stages are FREE. Fan Fair X is a lot of fun, indoors, so you can cool off and only $16 (2 and under FREE). If you are a first time visitor, check out this guide. - Enjoy Thursday Night Out at Cheekwood!
Enjoy live music on Cheekwood’s Arboretum Lawn every Thursday evening all summer long. These family-friendly concerts offer a relaxing summer escape with song, food, and drink. A diverse music lineup provides the soundtrack while guests savor seasonal beers, specialty cocktails, and irresistible bites from the city’s favorite food trucks and Perenn at Cheekwood. While your there, explore Cheekwood’s beautiful gardens and this year’s blockbuster exhibition, America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail. These ticketed concerts are popular, so reserve your spot early and bring your family and friends out to enjoy a lovely evening. - Make a splash in the pool!
If you are looking for a budget-friendly waterpark, then check out a long time Nashville local, Wave Country. This is one of the area’s only wave-action swimming pools, plus they have different size water slides. They do have concessions, but if you want to save money, you are able to bring in your own cooler and food. Super savings tip- kids are half off Tuesday-Friday, 3-5pm. Also be sure to check out our Guide to Best Nashville Splash Pads and Pools. - Take me out to the ball game!
We are fortunate to have a minor league baseball team here in Nashville, and if you haven’t gotten the chance to check out a Sounds game, take the family this summer. On Wednesdays, you can get a Kroger 4 pack special. You get 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 drinks all for $44. I call that a winning deal! Be sure to check out our Nashville Sporting Events-Family Style. - Have a picnic in the park!
Centennial Park is a unique park, as it houses trails, playgrounds, history and more, all in one location. Pack a picnic and hit the park on a day when the weather isn’t too hot or rainy. The kids can play on the playground, where it is nice and shady. Be sure to check out the sunken gardens, where there are beautiful blooms! You can’t miss the massive Parthenon replica. If you would like to pay a small fee and tour the inside, you have the option to do so. Fun tip: If you have any Swifties in the family, be sure and see the Taylor Swift bench before you leave; there is a plaque dedicated to her mention of the park in her song “Invisible String.” - Get in touch with your artistic side!
The First Art Museum is a fun place for all. Not only do you get to see beautiful art, you can get creative at the Martin ArtQuest center. This summer, you can enjoy new interactive stations that connect thematically to International Surrealism from Tate: Fifty Years of Dreams. Other exhibition-focused activities include a game at the Wonder Wall, a collaborative drawing activity, a puppet theater and magnetic poetry. The museum offers free admission to all youth 18 and under! - Hit the lanes!
Be sure to sign your kids up for the Kids Bowl Free program. There are many bowling alleys that participate around Middle Tennessee. Bowling is a fun family activity, and you can enjoy this all summer long, especially when the days are extra hot or rainy, and you want a cool air conditioner to enjoy! Be sure to check out our local guide to bowling in the area. - Check out your local library!
The library is a great free resource for the entire family! Not only can you check out books and other media, but they have so many fun events that you can participate in daily. The main branch in Nashville even has a puppet theater! During the summer, they have special movie events, reading programs and more! It is definitely worth adding to your summer to do list. Be sure to check out our guide to local libraries. - Ride the ferris wheel at the Tennessee State Fair!
Finish the summer strong by going the Tennessee State Fair, or your local county fair. Who doesn’t want to ride the carnival rides, enjoy a fresh squeeze lemonade, and a corn dog. I love the food, the rides, the nostalgia. It takes me back to being a child!
