Plus, James Beard Foundation is coming to Music City.
6AM City In-house

It’s play time

Kid-friendly activities in Nashville
A small wooden house with a metal model train track and a train moving into frame.
Cheekwood’s Trains exhibit is fun for the whole family. | Photo courtesy of Cheekwood
We’re not kiddin’ around. From family attractions like the Adventure Science Center to hidden gems like the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, there’s something in Middle Tennessee for all ages.

You’ll have no trouble entertaining the under-18 crowd with this list of 40 kid-friendly activities.

Great outdoors

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Dr. | Family memberships available

Cheekwood’s 55 acres offer history, art, culture, and other family fun. Kids will remember the TRAINS! exhibit and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden.

Nashville Sites, Locations vary

The 12-stop Family Fun walking tour begins at Union Station and ends at Cumberland Park. Kids will remember finding landmarks all over town.

Two clouded leopard cubs climbing along a tree in a habitat at the zoo.

Clouded leopards at the Nashville Zoo. | Photo by Christian Sperka via the Nashville Zoo

Animal encounters

Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Pk. | Family memberships available
Parents and children alike will be wowed by animal encounters, backstage tours, and special events. Kids will remember the 110-ft-high zipline.

Goat Yoga Nashville, 2626 York Rd., Nolensville
Yogis of all ages are welcome to stretch with the goats, though it’s not recommended for children under 8. Kids will remember petting goats between poses.


The lobby of Goo Goo Chocolate Co.

Class is in session at Goo Goo Chocolate Co. | Photo by NASHtoday

Foodie families

Goo Goo Chocolate Co., 116 3rd Ave. S.
Chocolatiers of all ages will enjoy this hands-on candy making class — plus, take home your own apron. Kids will remember creating their own Goo Goo.

Underground Donut Tour, Downtown Nashville
Visit four popular donut shops on this two-hour walking tour. Kids will remember tasting donuts topped with sprinkles, cereal, and more.

Ready to visit these local attractions but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured activities.

Click the button below for indoor adventures, sensory-friendly playgrounds, thrill-seeking fun, and more.
34 MORE ACTIVITIES

Kid-friendly bars and breweries are:

A. A life-saver for me and my family
B. A fun place to gather with a group of friends
C. Places I actively avoid

Let us know.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Feb. 23
  • Winter Concert Series | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Dr. | $35+ | Contemporary classical music ensemble Intersection will present Aaron Copland’s “Whirling Spring” in Cheekwood’s elegant Massey Hall.
  • Zackalope Comedy Show | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Jackalope Brewing Company, 429B Houston St. | $5 | Enjoy an evening of Jackalope brews and local comedians.
Friday, Feb. 24
  • Community Yoga | Friday, Feb. 24 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Nashville Farmers Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. | Donations accepted | Start your morning with a donation-based yoga class.
  • Sketching the Marbles | Friday, Feb. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave. | Free+ | A rare opportunity to draw from casts of the Parthenon Marbles — all materials will be provided.
Saturday, Feb. 25
  • Nashville SC vs. New York City FC | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 3:30 p.m. | GEODIS Park, 501 Benton Ave., Nashville | $30+ | Wear black to the season opener as the team debuts its brand new Man In Black Kit.
  • Explore with a Naturalist | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Warner Park Nature Center, 7311 Hwy. 100 | Free | This outdoor exploration will focus on discovery, observation, and connecting with nature.
  • Black Business Market | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Templeton Academy, 631 2nd Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | Shop gifts, clothing, hand-crafted art, home decor, and more from 30 Black-owned vendors.
Sunday, Feb. 26
  • Lockeland Strings | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 8:30-9:30 p.m. | The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave. | $20+ | The Lockeland Strings ensemble will accompany songwriters Allison Young, Lydia Luce, and Maya De Vitry.
Monday, Feb. 27
  • Romantic Comedy Movie Nights on the Rooftop | Monday, Feb. 27 | 7-10 p.m. | The Hampton Social, 201 1st Ave. S. | $30 | Enjoy a double feature of “Friends With Benefits” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love” paired with a glass of rosé.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 82º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
Coming Soon
  • Made in TN will open its third location this spring in 12 South — 2905 12th Ave. S. — between Fryce Cream and Burger Up. The store curates Tennessee-made goods, including local brands Olive & Sinclair, Ranger Station, and Music City Suds, and more. Stay tuned for the grand opening.
  • Vida-Flo is set to open its fourth Middle Tennessee location in Hendersonville — 206 N. Anderson Ln. Ste. 103 — on Thursday, March 30. The wellness brand specializes in IV hydration and vitamin infusion.
Sports
  • The Tennessee Titans parted ways with three players — left tackle Taylor Lewan, receiver Robert Woods, and kicker Randy Bullock. Lewan was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2014. 🏈
  • Tennessee State Tigers wide receiver JJ Holloman was selected in the third round of the 2023 USFL Draft. Holloman was drafted as the No. 23 overall pick by the New Jersey Generals.
Travel
Community
  • Belmont University’s Jazz Band I is celebrating 50 years this weekend with performances by jazz alumni, students, and faculty. Saxophonist Chris Potter will headline the celebration on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets and an all-inclusive package are available. 🎷
Eat
  • What you get with an Offline membership, the restaurant + social club launching this March in Nashville: custom matches with local eateries, up to $50 monthly towards dining out, and exclusive invites to pre-opening parties and private events. Snag one of the 100 spots saved for our readers with the code NASHTODAY.*
Listen
  • Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*
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And the James Beard finalists are…🏆

James Beard Foundation to announce 2023 finalists in Nashville

NASH_Bastion_AndrewThomasLee_StrategicHospitality_Feb2023.jpg
Bastion’s Josh Habiger is a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. | Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee
We don’t know… yet. But Music City will have a front row seat when the James Beard Foundation announces the 2023 finalists at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum next month.

Adding to this culinary excitement? Nashville has five local semifinalists in the running for the profession’s most prestigious honors.
Set your alarms for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29.

To kick off the festivities, the NCVC is hosting Soundbites of Nashville, a fundraising dinner on Tuesday, March 28 featuring 10 local chefs, including Marchetti and Moran and James Beard semifinalists, nominees, and winners of year’s past. See the list of participating chefs.

Tickets are $250 and include food from the chefs, a signature cocktail from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and live music by Grammy-nominated songwriter Laura Veltz.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Dylan.


Editor’s pick: Local collab alert. 🚨 When it comes to local music, two of my favorite bands with Nashville ties are Bully and Soccer Mommy. You can hear Bully’s Alicia Bognanno and Soccer Mommy’s Sophie Allison harmonizing on “Lose You” — released last Friday.


Missed yesterday’s newsletter? The 3rd annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is racing into town this August.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Dylan Aycock, Skylar Webb, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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