In these hard economic times, getting something for nothing is hard to find. But here is a list of absolutely free and fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee.
Parks are a great way to spend time with family, friends and to relax. You can bring a picnic lunch, a Frisbee, your dogs, etc.. Some great parks in town are:
Centennial Park (2500 West End Ave). This park is located near downtown Nashville. Attractions include: a replica of The Parthenon, a lake for paddle boating, seasonal festivals such as: Shakespeare in the Park ,”Movies in the Park” on Wednesday nights at dark, featuring a different family friendly movie each week, dance lessons and live music.
Red Caboose Park (656 Colice Jeanne Road) Located in Bellevue, this park is family friendly, offering a unique play area with an L & N caboose, swings, ropes courses, slides and other wonderful play equipment that kids are immediately attracted to. Located near the Bellevue Library, you could spend a whole day in the area with your children!
Edwin & Percy Warner Park (Edwin Warner 7311 Hwy 100, Percy Warner 50 Vaughn Rd). These parks offer miles and miles of hiking trails, bike trails and beautiful scenery. Edwin Warner also offers a nature center with educational programs and walking tours of the park. Bring your dog to enjoy the fenced in dog park!
Fannie Mae Dees Park (2400 Blakemore Ave) Known as “Dragon Park” by all the locals, this park offers a beautiful mosaic sculpture of a dragon as well as paths for walking.
To view a detailed schedule on additional free events at these parks, please visit www.nashville.gov/parks
In addition to visiting some of Nashville’s most beautiful parks, here are some other wonderfully free adventures for everyone:
For Kids:
Check out Regal Cinemas Family Film Festival, showing free moves at 10 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer. Participating theatres in Nashville include Bellevue Stadium 12 (7741 Highway 70 South Nashville ,TN 37221) and Opry Mills Stadium 20 and IMAX (570 Opry Mills Drive Nashville ,TN 37214)
Visit the 100 Oaks Shopping Center (719 Thompson Lane 386-3140) to visit a model train display. The display is open from 12n-4p on Sundays and Saturdays 11a-5p.
Marionette Shows at the Main Library (615 Church St, downtown Nashville) held Friday and Saturday 9:30am, 10:30am and 11:30am. Story Time on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 9:30am, 10:30a and 11:30am. Please visit www.library.nashville.org for updated listings as well as Story Time listings for other libraries around town
The Adventure Science Museum hosts “Star Parties,” in which you can get acquainted with the night sky and learn about astrology. Star Parties are held at different parks around the city, so be sure to visit http://www.adventuresci.com for an up-to-date list of Star Parties.
For Music Lovers:
Centennial Park (mentioned earlier) provides lots of free music during the summer months in the band shell. You can call 862-8424 or visit www.nashville.gov/parks for a listing of those live music events.
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts (919 Broadway) offers free music on Thursday and Friday evenings from 6pm-8pm.
Mercy Lounge (One Cannery Row 251-3020)0offers free music every Monday night for their 8 of 8th series, featuring 8 bands playing a few songs each. Typically, these shows are 21 +
For Movie Lovers:
The Belcourt Theatre (located in the hip Hillsboro Village, 2102 Belcourt Ave) shows a movie on the 2nd Saturday of every month, projected on the side of their building. This event takes place June-September. Visit www.belcourt.org to find out what movie is playing.
For Art Lovers:
The Tennessee State Museum (505 Deaderick St) offers a display not only on Tennessee’s history, including its involvement in the Civil War, but also paintings, quilts, etc..
For Trivia Lovers:
The Closing Bell (1524 Demonbreun St. 255-6004) has free trivia on Tuesday nights at 7:30p.
Jonathan’s Grille (7653 Hwy 70 646-5233) provides a free trivia night on Wednesdays at 8pm
