9 Nashville Museums for Kids to Explore

Vanessa M.:  An unassuming place to visit, a trip to the Lane Motor Museum is fun for the entire family. It features a few kid friendly activities and indoor play, too! A remarkable collection of unique automobiles, each with its own interesting history, makes this museum a great place to wander and learn. More than just cars, the museum's extensive collection of motorcycles, aircraft, and other will wow you! The indoor kid's place area has car toys, coloring, and plenty of space to run.

Kristy Pepping:  The Tennessee Central Railway Museum is dedicated to Tennessee's railroad heritage. You can choose to take a scenic railroad tour which includes a train robbery, music, civil war reenactments and seasonal visits from Santa or the Easter Bunny. Onsite you'll find a collection of equipment including passenger cars, cabooses, freight cars, and locomotives. The museum also contains the largest collection of Central Tennessee Railway artifacts.

Vanessa M.:  A visit to Music City isn't complete without a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Kids can explore a few dedicated hands-on exhibits that cater to young musicians, learn about many favorite country music stars, and see exclusive memorabilia (like Elvis Presley's Cadillac!). Check the calendar for special exhibits and live concerts. The iconic rotunda features plaques of the Country Music Hall of Fame members - make this your stop for your family photo op!

Kristy Pepping:  The Frist Art Museum offers different collections on a rotating basis. Every couple of months you will see something new and different. Kids will also enjoy The Martin ArtQuest Gallery. This lively area offers sounds of learning so kids can learn about art in a fun way! There are over 30 interactive stations to teach through activity. For example, kids can make a print, paint their own original watercolor or create their own colorful sculpture! Frist offers an onsite cafe if you plan to spend the day and a gift shop for an art-inspired souvenir.

Vanessa M.:  One of the most intriguing things to do in Nashville with kids is to visit the Adventure Science Center. Geared toward curious kids of all ages, there are tons of STEM-based exhibits to explore, including a state-of-the-art planetarium. Family favorites include Dino Rumble, Vapor Vortex, and Imagination Playground. This is an amazing experience any day, but especially for a rainy day indoors too! Check out their DIY Science zone for inspiration too, and test out more interactive science experiments when you return home!

Vanessa M.:  One of the best things to do in Nashville with family is to check out its world-class zoo! Critter Encounters allow you to brush a goat, pet a kangaroo, and feed a tortoise. The Wilderness Express Train is always exciting for kids, as is the carousel, but the top family favorite is the huge Jungle Gym offering 66,000+ sq feet of playground space for kids to monkey around. This all-day activity is super filling for families to enjoy!

Kristy Pepping:  The Dyer Observatory is located on the property of Vanderbilt University. Families are invited to look through their Seyfert Telescope and observe the rings of Saturn, craters on the Moon and the vast sky of stars. The observatory sits on one of Nashville’s tallest peaks making it easy to get a great view. Also, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places! They host several events and also open viewing days. Check their calendar for dates. Please note there are no walk-ins and you must make a reservation online to visit.

Kristy Pepping:  If you are looking for Nashville history, check out Belle Meade Plantation. It began with native tribes using the land to hunt. Then, the Natchez Road was formed by European settlers. And finally. the property was occupied by General Harding during the Civil War. Today you can take tours of the property and learn about its rich history. There are free wine tastings at the end of the tours for the parents. You can also rent adventure backpacks for the kids. There are two levels to choose from depending on age. The backpacks are filled with fun activities, treasure maps and more.

Vanessa M.:  Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is a nice spot to visit in Nashville where you'll find many things to do with kids. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is the area's premier botanical garden and historic mansion, which is now a museum of art. Families will love the gorgeous gardens that look straight out of a fairy-tale. The model trains exhibit is popular among children, too! Check out the calendar for other events that cater specifically to kids, such as "Tuesdays for Tots" with drop-in art and garden activities.