Family Travel Guide To Nashville TN

Hi Y’all!  

Margot here, Silver Street Management’s Nashville Property Manager.  I have lived in Nashville for over five years, have three littles (ages 8, 6, and almost 2), and am here to give you the scoop on all the best “must dos” if you’re traveling here with the kids!  Broadway is certainly a draw but is only kid friendly during the daytime and preferably weekdays.  The reason they call us “NashVegas” is because Broadway IS always busy and doesn’t really “sleep” but you can certainly get lunch and hear some great music if that’s your cup of tea. 

Here are some other amazing options for you and your family:

The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Website: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/

Insider Tip: Sometimes the annual membership is cheaper than the individual tickets, especially if you plan to come more than once!  

Don’t miss: The beautiful new Andean bear and Sumatran tiger exhibits, with a bonus prairie dog spot just outside for the smaller kiddos.  The ladies’ restroom next to the prairie dogs has a view-in exhibit with a monkey inside!  It’s one of the nicest restrooms in the park—a MUST if you need a potty stop!

Nestled in a bamboo forest, the zoo is actually quite shady even on a hot summer day.  Standout kid-friendly exhibits are the kangaroos (you can pet them!), the giant tortoises (you can feed them some lettuce for a few $$), and the lorikeet landing (same story—you can buy a small cup of nectar to feed them!).  There is also a zoo train for smaller kids, a zipline for older kids, and a newly renovated playground.  My only parent tip about the playground is it’s a bit of a “zoo” (pun intended) so please ensure you keep close eyes on your kiddos and have a meet up spot established!  Other fun features are a rope bridge, carousel, petting zoo, and veterinary center that you can visit to see baby animals.  We LOVE the zoo! 

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Website: https://cheekwood.org/

Insider Tip: Unless traveling with teens interested in history, I would skip the mansion, save some $$, and buy the “Gardens Only” tickets.  The mansion is not really “little kid” friendly. 

Okay y’all, do not sleep on Cheekwood!  This is my favorite place to bring friends visiting Nashville.  The gardens are STUNNING and there is plenty of space to let kids roam, burn some energy, discover, and use their imagination!  While most of Cheekwood is stroller-friendly, I much prefer to bring a baby carrier for kids under the age of 2 and allow my older kids to walk.  There is so much to explore, and there are parts up near the mansion that you cannot bring a stroller (old stone steps that are really fun for kids).  After you pass the visitor’s center (hot tip, stop for a potty break here!), make a left down the path and enjoy the seasonal flowers, cruise by the pond, and let your kids jump the creek!  Meander up towards the mansion, stop under the Wisteria for a photo op, and don’t forget your coins for the wishing fountain!  From the mansion, head over to the Bracken Children’s Garden (can also stop at the Frist Learning Center if you need another potty break or a snack).  Kids can explore the fairy gardens, have an imaginary tea party, do some balance beams, and dig in the rock quarry.  If it’s a hot day, they may have the duck fountain on, which can double as a tiny splash pad.  I always make my kids wear their suits in the summer and bring dry clothes because I KNOW they’ll want to get wet (pic of a time I didn’t and we all regretted it).  From here, we visit the turtles in the pond and wander through multiple other beautiful gardens until we get to the TRAINS.  The reason why we don’t start with the train exhibit is because we would probably never leave, so it makes sense to do this part last, and conveniently this is located adjacent to the visitor’s center and exit – ha!  It truly is a magical place.  I hope you get to visit and enjoy it as much as we do!  

 

12S/Sevier Park 

Insider Tip: Have your kids wear water-friendly shoes and play clothes so they can stomp around in the creek! 

Book one of our beautiful Belmont/12 South apartments and take a 5 minute drive over to Sevier Park.  Neighborhood parking in 12 S is free, but it’s a busy area, so expect to circle a few times before securing a spot.  You CAN walk from our rental units, but 10/10 would NOT recommend with your kids.  If you’re staying with us on a Tuesday, either grab an early dinner at Edley’s or Burger Up and walk on down to the park, or better yet, skip the sit down and peruse the food trucks at the 12 South Farmer’s Market (hours are 4-7 May-October).  This is a GREAT kid-friendly evening event, as they also have different activities/tents specifically for kids every week.  There is also a playground, and as mentioned above, a lovely creek that keeps the littles entertained.  Enjoy! 

 

The Adventure Park at Nashville

Website: https://myadventurepark.com/location/nashville-tn/

Insider Tip: I would recommend closed toe tennis shoes for everyone, even adults, as the ground cover is mulch.  How many times have you gotten a piece of mulch stuck in your sandal at a playground?  The worst.

I dream of the day my kids are ready to go on the high ropes course at The Adventure Park, but today is not that day, so this report is only of the “playground” section.  Even though the age range says 3-6 for the playground, the team is very accommodating and will allow slightly older kiddos to use it as well.  Just have the ol’ “watch out for smaller kids” conversation and you’re good.  There is no set “course” at the playground, so your kids can go from challenge to challenge at their own pace and discretion.  At only 24” off the ground, everything is very safe and should require minimal assistance from adults.  Your child can choose to wear a harness or not—it’s not necessary, but I would recommend it as it’s a fun skill that any kid aged 3-4+ can master. The space itself is pretty bare bones: some nice port-a-potties (the kind with the sink…you know what I’m talking about), a few picnic benches for parents if your kids are more self-sufficient, and a small snack/souvenir/climb gear shack that your kids will surely want to visit.  If your kids are older, check the website for the “Last Call Tickets” for discounts, or if you’d like to have a fun evening experience, they offer “Glow in the Park” which features music and LED lights after dark.  High ropes are open to ages 7+.  Have fun and happy climbing! 

Thanks for reading!  We hope you come stay with us in Nashville!  

Margot