School’s out, the sunscreen is stocked, and it’s officially time to make the most of summer in Nashville. Whether you’re planning full weekend adventures, spontaneous weekday fun, or simple memory-making moments with your kids, this summer bucket list is packed with ideas Nashville moms will actually want to do.
Make a Splash This Summer
There’s no surviving a Nashville summer without water involved somewhere.
Spend the day at Nashville Shores where you’ll find wave pools, water slides, a lazy river, lake activities, and plenty of space for kids to burn off energy.
Looking for a staycation that feels like a real getaway? Book a night or weekend at SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland. The upscale indoor/outdoor water attraction is one of the best family experiences near Nashville and honestly feels like a mini vacation without leaving town. Locals get a great discount!
For lake days, rent a pontoon from Four Corners Marina and spend the day cruising Percy Priest Lake. Bonus points for sunset boat rides, floating with friends, or packing a full picnic lunch for the day.
Catch a Concert or Show
Summer in Nashville basically comes with its own soundtrack.This summer’s concert lineup is stacked with everything from nostalgic throwbacks to country favorites and family-friendly artists. A few big names coming to town this summer:
- Forest Frank — June 19 at GEODIS Park
- Ed Sheeran — June 20 at Nissan Stadium
- Usher & Chris Brown — July 25 at Nissan Stadium
- Hilary Duff — July 30 at Ascend Amphitheater
- My Chemical Romance — August 13 at Nissan Stadium
- Foo Fighters — August 15 at Nissan Stadium
- Megan Moroney — August 21 at Bridgestone Arena
And don’t skip the Broadway series at TPAC. Hamilton returns June 17–28, plus there are tons of live performances, concerts, and productions throughout the summer that are perfect for date nights, girls’ nights, or mother-daughter outings.
Do Something Creative
Summer is the perfect time to try something new — especially the kinds of things we always say we’ll get around to doing someday.
Take a bracelet-making class at Little Words Project and create your own custom stack with friends or your kids.
Chocolate lovers need to try a class at Goo Goo Chocolate Co. where you can make your own Goo Goo Cluster creations.
Or lean into your artsy side with pottery painting or wheel throwing classes at Third Coast Clay.
These kinds of experiences make the best summer memories because they slow things down a little and let everyone unplug for a while.
Work Your Way Through Nashville’s Best Ice Cream Spots
Honestly, this might be the most important item on the list.
Summer is the perfect excuse to try every ice cream, popsicle, frozen custard, and milkshake spot around town. Whether you’re rewarding the kids after camp pickup or planning a spontaneous dessert run, Nashville has no shortage of amazing frozen treats.
We rounded up our favorite spots here:
Best Ice Cream & Frozen Treats in Nashville
Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday
This summer’s patriotic celebrations are expected to be bigger than ever as America celebrates its 250th birthday.
From fireworks and festivals to family-friendly community events, we rounded up the best ways to celebrate around Nashville here:
Ways to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in and Around Nashville
End Summer at the Fair
Nothing says summer nostalgia quite like fair food, carnival rides, sticky lemonade, and kids begging to play “just one more game.”
Add these to your late summer calendar:
- Williamson County Fair — August 7–15
- Tennessee State Fair — August 13–22
Come hungry. Leave with stuffed animals you didn’t plan on bringing home.
Other Fun Ideas to Add to Your Summer Bucket List
- Visit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
- Catch a Nashville Sounds game
- Explore local markets with this guide to Nashville-area farmers markets
- Plan a girls’ day using this Nashville brunch guide
- Go berry picking with the kids using this Middle Tennessee berry picking guide
- Stay up late for backyard movie night
- Have a “yes day” with the kids
- Take a spontaneous road trip
- Eat somewhere with live music and a patio
And if you’ re staying closer to home this summer, don’t worry — we’ve got ideas for that too:Making Summer at Home Fun
Here’s to a summer full of sunshine, spontaneous adventures, sticky popsicle fingers, and memories your kids will talk about for years.
