While kid rides the carousel, Mom & Dad talking a selfie at Nashville Zoo carousel
Nashville Family Attractions
Nashville Zoo
DESCRIPTION: Like most major zoos, this 200-acre venue is converting all habitats to more natural like settings for the benefit for the animals and they have a strong conservation mission. Major exhibits include African Wild Dog Habitat, African Elephant Savannah, Bamboo Trail, Giraffes, Unseen New World, Meerkats, Gibbon Island and Jungle Gym.
ADMISSION: see pricing matrix on website
DAYS & HOURS: April 1-October 31—9a-6p.m;
November 1-March 31—9a-4p
ADDRESS: 3777 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN MAP
PHONE: 615-833-1534
WEBSITE: http://www.nashvillezoo.org
Adventure Science Center
DESCRIPTION: Major exhibits include: BodyQuest presents a day in the life of your body. BlueMax offers a 3 minute full-motion, flight simulator for two people; Adventure Tower is over 75 feet tall with seven levels that looks out over the whole city — get ready to climb, slide, explore and discover a city. Let your imagination do the same. Construction Junction is an interactive, hands-on exhibit designed to educate young visitors about basic engineering concepts. Sudekum and Space Chase opens minds.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 12:30p-5:30p
ADMISSION: see pricing matrix on website
ADDRESS: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN MAP
PHONE: 615-862-5160
WEBSITE: http://www.adventuresci.com
The Coliseum
DESCRIPTION: Home to the NFL Tennessee Titans and Tennessee State University football teams. Its located on 105 acres on the east bank of the Cumberland River overlooking, it seats 68,000 fans in an open-air, natural grass field.
DAYS & HOURS: depend on Titans football schedule
ADDRESS: 115 South 1st Street, Nashville, TN MAP
WEBSITE: http://www.titansonline.com
Bridgestone Arena
DESCRIPTION: Formerly called Gaylord Entertainment Center and Sommet Center, this arena is home to the NHL Nashville Predators, Arena Football League Nashville Kats and large concerts. The main hall is shaped like a horn, so sound gets amplified naturally as it moves through the room.
ADDRESS: 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN MAP
PHONE: 615-770-2000
WEBSITE: http://sommetcenter.com
Nashville Childrens Theatre
DESCRIPTION: 29,000 square feet of upgraded amenities, NCT is the oldest children’s theatre in the country and has been ranked one of the Top 5 in the nation.
ADMISSION: see website for pricing
DAYS & HOURS: school performances Mon-Fri 10a and 11:45a; and Sat afternoons
ADDRESS: 724 Second Avenue South, Nashville, TN MAP
PHONE: 615-254-9103
WEBSITE: http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org
Greenwood Park
DESCRIPTION: In 1906, Preston Taylor established Greenwood Park adjacent to Greenwood Cemetery. The privately owned park opened at a time when African American citizens were not permitted in public parks. Encompassing almost 40 acres of open land, Greenwood Park included a clubhouse, theater, skating rink, roller coaster, shooting gallery, merry-go-round, and baseball park (home of the Greenwood Giants). Taylor also maintained a track and stables at the park for the annual Colored State Fair, which brought 14,000 African Americanss to the park on a single day.
ADDRESS: Elm Hill Piker at Spence Lane, Nashville, TN MAP
Hadley Park
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1912, Hadley Park is thought to be the first park built for African American citizens in the U.S. The 34-acre park stands on part of the antebellum plantation of John L. Hadley, a slave-owner committed to helping post-Civil War freed men and women adjust to their new status; at Hadley’s invitation, Frederick Douglass spoke to former slaves in 1873 from the porch of the Hadley house, which stood in this park until 1948; Tennessee State University stands on another portion of the Hadley land. During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration built the Hadley Park entrance gates and the McKissack & McKissack architectural firm designed the 1952 community center and swimming pool. Today Hadley Park also offers baseball diamonds, tennis courts, picnic shelters, a playground and summer concerts.
ADDRESS: 28th Avenue North at Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN MAP
Nashville Shores
Whether enjoying the white sandy beach on Percy Priest Lake, charging down one of our giant waterslides, or just relaxing on our Shoreliner Cruise, it’s a family fun place. It includes Big Splash pool area promises buckets of fun for young and old. The Wacky Pond Kiddie Pool and seven water slides will entertain the teens.
ADMISSION: see pricing matrix on website
DAYS & HOURS: seasonal, check website
ADDRESS: 4001 Bell Road, Hermitage, TN MAP
PHONE: 615-889-7050
WEBSITE: http://www.nashvilleshores.com
