Wanderlust World Wanderlust World More than 10 million people visit the city of Nashville each year, according to the Nashville Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Parents can find fun activities at local attractions for kids during their family vacation in Nashville, and those among Nashville's 550,000 residents can enjoy year-round things to do for their children in the city.
The Nashville Children's Theatre is on Middleton Street near the intersection with Second Avennue South in southeast Nashville. The theater began in 1930 and has operated from its present location since 1960. Each year, the theater produces a season of musical and dramatic plays geared toward children and families.
In addition to its stage shows, the Nashville Children's Theatre offers educational programs for area kids. Weekly classes, one-day workshops and school vacation camps are held throughout the year and teach acting and musical theater. Programs are available for children aged three years through 12th graders.
The Nashville Children's Theatre performance season typically runs from September through June. Advanced ticket purchases are recommended and can be made online, by phone or at the theater's box office. The schedule for classes held at the theater varies throughout the year. Advanced registration is necessary. The theater has a free parking lot on-site.
Wave Country is on Two Rivers Parkway off the Briley Parkway in west Nashville. The City of Nashville Department of Parks and Recreation owns this public water park.
Kids can use a kiddie pool with water slides and an area for splashing and water-play while visiting Wave Country. The park has waterfalls and an on-land playground for kids as well. Older children can take a ride on the park's speed slides, which travel 80 feet in length and feature a 40-foot drop.
Wave Country operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. The park is open daily for the majority of the summer, with reductions in the days of operation beginning in mid-August. For the 2010 season, general admission was $13. Children receive discounted admission rates. Free on-site parking is available.
Adventure Science Center is on Fort Negley Boulevard in south Nashville. The children's attraction opened on Oct. 30, 1945, and has operated from its present location since 1974. The science center features hands-on exhibits that allow kids to learn through play.
Kids can enjoy climbing through the Adventure Tower, which is more than 75 feet tall. In the Blue Max exhibit, children can step into a flight simulator and pretend they are pilots. The Adventure Science Center also has a planetarium that hosts star shows daily, as well as laser light performances.
Adventure Science Center is open daily year round, excluding only Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The facility takes approximately two hours to tour completely. General admission was $12 as of November 2010. Children, college students, senior citizens, Tennessee public school teachers and active U.S. service members receive admission discounts. Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent. Free on-site parking is available.