Things to do in Nashville with a 4 year old

[ms.yt]

We're going to Nashville next month for Tennessee Game Days. My husband and older son will be playing games during the day, and my 4 year old son and I will be on our own most of the time. I've been to Nashville before, but we've always done stuff together as a family. Any ideas for two days worth of activities for me and my son?

 

[Mom loves Disney]

We like to go to the Nashville Zoo & Adventure Science Center. If I think of anything else, I will post back.

 

[erincon23]

The zoo is the only part of Nashville I've seen. If you go, make sure to spend some time at the Meerkat enclosure -- there's a tunnel you can go through and then pop your head up into a plastic bubble so you're at the meerkat's eye level. My son bought one of those trigger-motion tiger head (push the trigger on the stick and the tiger head opens), and held that up in the bubble -- the meerkats couldn't have cared less, but all the people around us were laughing hysterically. It was one of the funniest things I've seen. Oops, sidetracked again. Have fun!

Erin

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

If you can get to Opry Mills mall next to the Aquarium restaurant is an actual aquarium & you can feed/pet the stingrays. There's tons of stores (Bass Pro Shop is cool) & Rainforest Cafe. Sorry that's about all we did besides visit family & enjoy Gaylord Opryland resort.

 

[anotherdisneygal]

I lived in Nashville for a few years and I have children so this is what I'd suggest - I'll think some more, but I'm getting tired and my brain is foggy (did I mention that I have children? LOL!)so this is going to be an imcomplete list.

-The Zoo is fabulous!
-Fannie Mae Park (Dragon Park) across from the Children's Hospital is really fun for kids.
-The main library (downtown) has great story hours and other kids events. Google for information.
-Adventure Science Center.
-Hillsboro village is a cute place to walk around and grab a bite to eat - very family friendly area too.
-Pick up a copy of Nashville Parent for a complete list of EVERYTHING family going on for the month.

 

[lemondog]

One of our favorite places, especially if it's a rainy day...www.monkeystreehouse.com My friend Natalie actually came up with this entire concept and it is a FABULOUS play area for kids!! She keeps it very clean too.

Of course the zoo is fabulous www.nashvillezoo.org

I would think Adventure Science Center might be a little too much for a 4yo, but there is a cute toddler play area. Not really worth the price of admission, though, just to do that. The other thing I HATE about that place is that it is so hard to keep an eye on your kid when they enter the climbing structure up the center of the building. Always makes me a nervous wreck.

My kids LOVE to go down to the Farmer's Market and look at all the vegetables. There is a large state park outside (http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/) where your son can run around, and a great food court with many different ethnic varieties of food! http://www.nashvillefarmersmarket.org/


I agree with the PP about Nashville Parent. It's a great resource! There are free copies all around town, or you can access it online: http://www.parentworld.com

 

[ms.yt]

One of our favorite places, especially if it's a rainy day...www.monkeystreehouse.com My friend Natalie actually came up with this entire concept and it is a FABULOUS play area for kids!! She keeps it very clean too.

Of course the zoo is fabulous www.nashvillezoo.org

I would think Adventure Science Center might be a little too much for a 4yo, but there is a cute toddler play area. Not really worth the price of admission, though, just to do that. The other thing I HATE about that place is that it is so hard to keep an eye on your kid when they enter the climbing structure up the center of the building. Always makes me a nervous wreck.

My kids LOVE to go down to the Farmer's Market and look at all the vegetables. There is a large state park outside (http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/) where your son can run around, and a great food court with many different ethnic varieties of food! http://www.nashvillefarmersmarket.org/


I agree with the PP about Nashville Parent. It's a great resource! There are free copies all around town, or you can access it online: http://www.parentworld.com

Thanks for the info everybody! I'm especially interested in the Monkey's Treehouse & Farmers Market! I can't wait!