Plan your spring in Middle Tennessee where the history, outdoor offerings and art are endless. In Music City, kid-friendly attractions wait to be explored. Take a mini roadtrip to smaller towns and cities like Murfreesboro, Franklin and Lawrenceburg to extend your fun.
The Carter House & Carnton Plantation – Franklin
Get in touch with Tennessee’s Civil War history in Franklin with a tour of these two homes which were on the frontlines of the Battle of Franklin. The stories of the original residents are inspiring. Spend some time exploring the grounds and outbuildings located on-site for a well-rounded experience. The Carter House and Carnton Plantation are a little over a mile from each other and both are located near downtown Franklin. After your historic visit, walk Main Street for restaurants, treats and lots of shopping.
David Crockett State Park – Lawrenceburg
Learn the real story behind Tennessee’s famous David Crockett, the pioneer, soldier, politician and industrialist. See exhibits depicting Crockett’s life, a museum and a water-powered grist mill. Six miles of hiking trails that lead to scenic vistas, waterfalls, bluffs and abundant wildlife are ready to be discovered. Cast a line on the 35-acre Lake Lindsey to catch a bass, crappie and catfish. Spend the morning and afternoon enjoying the beginning of spring. Made in Tennessee.
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring – Murfreesboro
Kids of all ages will love this attraction as they learn through endless fun in exhibits like 5 Senses, Creation Station where kids are encouraged to use their imagination and draw, paint and sculpt; Farmers Market which teaches the importance of buying and eating locally-produced foods; and Super Slide where kids can learn about gravity by sliding down the 2 ½ -story slide. Outside, kids can frolic in Nature Play and explore the Wetlands Boardwalk which covers 20 acres. River otters, blue herons and muskrats can be seen along your adventure.
Adventure Science Center – Nashville
Explore the wonders of space when you visit the science center that not only has engaging exhibitions but also state-of-the-art digital projection and surround sound in the planetarium that features programs on sciences, culture and history, as well as laser shows. The exhibitions include BodyQuest, exhibitions on the merging of science and medicine, nanoscale science and technology, and even a moonwalk.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts – Nashville
Visitors 18 years old and younger are always free at the Frist, making it easy for families to make art and explore the artistic work currently on display. Children can let their creativity run wild in the Martin ArtQuest Gallery as it’s jam-packed with 30 hands-on activities to spark the imagination. Head to the Frist Center Cafe for kid-friendly options like pizza, grilled cheeses, corn dogs, and chicken tenders. After lunch, explore the galleries with works currently on display, ranging from historic Buddhist art to large installations, paintings and sculptures.
Nashville Zoo – Nashville
Get close to kangaroos; see cougars, Elands, Baird tapir, giraffes and meerkats among many other mammals, birds and reptiles. Catch a zoo keeper talk, held throughout each day at the zoo, that offers more information and a deeper experience with animals like red pandas, flamingos, rhinoceros hornbills and more.
Parthenon/Centennial Park – Nashville
Walk through an exact replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece in Nashville (considered “the Athens of the South”) which was constructed for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition. Inside, a recreation of the 42-ft. statue Athena can be found. After your visit, enjoy Centennial Park’s grounds by taking a refreshing walk and having a picnic for a perfect, laidback afternoon.
