12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids

 
12 Free Things to do in Nashville, Tennessee with Kids

Ya’ll headed to Nashville, Tennessee with the kiddos? You will have a great time! Nashville is a beautiful city. I love how it has that big-city vibe but still maintains a small-town feel.

There are several activities there that the whole family can enjoy in Nashville. I always like to find inexpensive things our family can enjoy together.  I’ve made a list of all the free things to do in Nashville, Tennessee with the kids and I wanted to share it with you. Your wallet can thank me later!

1. Radnor Lake

Radnor Lake

Hike the high trail or participate in one of their scheduled canoe floats, wildflower walks, and aviary tours. These events are all FREE and open to the public. You can see a list of events on the calendar HERE.

Radnor Lake  //  1160 Otter Creek Rd, Nashville, TN 37220  //  615.373.3467

Radnor Lake WEBSITE

2. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids

Above photo via

The kiddos will love exploring this 19-acre park and learning all about the history of Tennessee. They will also have a blast in the summertime playing in the Rivers of Tennessee fountains. There is also a 200-foot granite map of the state of Tennessee and a World War II memorial. It’s a great spot to have a picnic, take photos of the family, and catch a fantastic view of the Capitol Building.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park // 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave. //  Nashville, TN 37243

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park WEBSITE

3. Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens

12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids
12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids
12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids

It’s free to walk around the Opryland Garden Conservatory Atrium even if you aren’t staying at the hotel. Parking at the resort can cost $20 so we park at the nearby mall and walk to the Opryland Resort. My kids love walking along the pathways in this lush atrium. It feels like a small city inside a botanical garden inside an atrium. It has restaurants, fountains, bridges, shops, and even a boat ride (boat rides are about $10)

Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens  //  2800 Opryland Drive Nashville, Tennessee  //  615.889.1000

Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens Website

4. The Nashville Flea Market

Image by RitaE from Pixabay

The Nashville Flea Market is held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and it is considered to be in the top 10 in the nation. It is a great place to look for treasures (treasures such as antiques, jewelry, handmade clothing, etc.) The market is held every fourth weekend of the month. The entrance is free.

The Nashville Flea Market  //    625 Smith Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203  //  615.862.5016

The Nashville Flea Market WEBSITE

5. Cumberland Park

12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids

Located right along the river, Cumberland Park offers many play areas and water features. There is a splash pad, an area to play in the sand, a bouncing pad, a green maze, The Gorge area (with a rock climbing wall, sliding poles, and climbing ropes), and a tandem see-saw for parents and kids.  Lots of free activities for kiddos and the whole family!

The park is open every day from dawn until 11 p.m.

Cumberland Park  //  592 South First Street, Nashville, TN 37213  //  615.862.8400

Cumberland Park WEBSITE

6. Frist Center for the Visual Arts

12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids

Adults and older children will enjoy all of the art exhibits and children will love visiting Martin ArtQuest at the Upper Level.  Martin ArtQuest is full of fun, interactive activities for the little ones.

There is an entrance fee for adults ($12) but kids 18 years and younger are FREE.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts WEBSITE

7. Centennial Park & The Parthenon

12 Free Things to do in Nashville, Tennessee

Located within a few miles of Downtown Nashville, Centennial is a great park to visit with the family. There are events almost every weekend (like Culture Events, Craft Fairs, and Shakespeare in the Park). There is also a greenway that is about a mile long that goes around the edge of the park. It is a nice place to walk by the kids and as you walk by the lake, the kiddos can feed the ducks.

The Parthenon was built in Nashville’s Centennial Park in 1897 as part of Tennessee’s centennial celebration. It is an exact copy of the Athenian Parthenon and is still a very popular attraction in Nashville.  You can enter and pay $6 for the art museum located inside, but visiting the exterior is free and well worth a visit.

Centennial Park and Parthenon WEBSITE

8. Free Concerts at Live on the Green

FREE Things to do with kids in Nashville, Tennessee - Free Concerts at Live on the Green
FREE Things to do with kids in Nashville, Tennessee - Free Concerts at Live on the Green

Above photos via

This concert series is held at Public Square Park and hosts local and national musical artists every Thursday evening in August and September. Live on the Green features concerts with established music performers and emerging and up-and-coming artists.

Live on the Green WEBSITE

9. Parnassus Books

FREE Things to do with kids in Nashville, Tennessee - Parnassus Books

Above photo via

Parnassus Books is a cute, neighborhood bookstore that offers free storytime events for children and free readings. There are also free signings of books, but the book must be purchased of course. You can learn more about special events HERE.

Parnassus Book WEBSITE

10. Tennessee State Museum

Tennessee State Museum

Above photo via

The Tennessee State Museum focuses on the history of Tennessee and the history of the South. It has one of the largest Civil War Collections in the USA. The exhibits range from guitars to cotton gins to mastodon bones to log cabins to covered wagons.

Tennessee State Museum  //  505 Deaderick Street  //  Nashville, TN 37243-1120

Tennessee State Museum WEBSITE

11. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

12 Free Things to Do In Nashville, Tennessee with Kids


The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge connects downtown Nashville to the football stadium. There is no traffic, so people can walk or bike across the bridge. It’s nice to be able to take your time and stop to enjoy the view or take photos.

12. Walk Broadway Street

12 Free Things to do in Nashville with Kids - Broadway
12 Free Things to do in Nashville with Kids - Broadway

Broadway Street is exciting and fun both day and night. I honestly prefer to take the kiddos to Broadway Street during the day. We enjoy the shops and live music. At night, the music gets louder and the partying and bar hopping begins, so I think Broadway is more family-friendly during the daytime.

Have you been to Nashville? Have you discovered some free activities for kiddos there? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

12 Free Things to do in Nashville with Kids
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