Nashville, Tennessee, is widely known as the Music City, but there's much more than sound and spectacle to entertain families. Visitors and residents alike can take advantage of stage acts, science and history offerings to create an unforgettable experience in Nashville for kids of all ages.
The past is always present in Nashville. Fortunately, kids will find this as enjoyable as adults when they visit the Nashville Toy Museum. Step away from gaming consoles and mass-produced plastic into a world of model trains, exquisite dolls and other painstakingly handcrafted playthings. Near the Opry and with an attached shop, it provides a fascinating look back at the amusements of yesteryear.
The city's Adventure Science Museum lets young learners run wild with exhibits and interactive displays, many of which are housed in its impressive 75-foot Adventure Tower. The Museum boasts a planetarium, three-dimensional exploration of the human body and flight simulator, and special events like scout programs and after-hours play dates make this a fantastic destination for visitors and residents alike.
No visit to Nashville would be complete without a stop at its number-one attraction. Founded in 1925, the Grand Ole Opry is the world's longest-running radio show, but today it offers much more than a radio broadcast. It has been home to live performances from music legends like Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and continues to host current hit makers like Faith Hill and Garth Brooks. And it's not just country singers who have entertained the Opry crowds. Humor has always been an integral part of the show, and gospel artists, family-friendly comedians and colorful ensemble acts round out the Opry experience.
Operated by the nonprofit Country Music foundation since 1967, the Country Music Hall of Fame offers programs for families, schools and the general public. After touring the $37 million facility and its museum, dash outside to visit the Musical Petting Zoo. It's a hands-on opportunity for curious kids to try out their skills -- and their noisemaking capacity -- on a host of musical instruments.
With a Hog Habitat, Flamingo Lagoon and Giraffe Savannah, the Nashville Zoo is home to a diverse population of animals on over 100 acres. But the zoo also offers activities for humans as well: the Jungle Gym Playground is the largest community-built playground in the country, and the Grassmere Historic Home and Farm date back to the early 1800s. Once the Nashville Zoo completes its expansion, it will be among the largest zoos in the United States.
