There are always lots of fun activities to do with the family that is free in Nashville and the surrounding suburbs. There are plenty of nice parks to enjoy when the weather cooperates. You can’t get much more fun or free than a park! A favorite on the west side of town is the Centennial Park on West End Avenue. It has a large pond (the park actually calls it a small lake) home to several types of ducks and I can make good use of the old bread I’ve been hoarding in the refrigerator for our feathered friends. The landscaping and flower gardens are lovely, as it the Parthenon. Nashville’s Parthenon is the exact replica of the ancient Athens Parthenon in Greece. There are large open spaces for a game of ball or frisbee, a playground for the children, walking trails all around the pond and plenty of picnic tables. There is a band shell and very often you will get to enjoy a free concert while playing in the park. The Centennial Park is also used for various craft fairs and other events throughout the year, all for free.. It’s a great place to enjoy a sunny afternoon with the family.
The next park my family enjoys is just on the outskirts of Nashville on the east side in Mt. Juliet. When the Charlie Daniel’s Park was designed, children were definitely the focus! They have the best playground equipment with lots of fun places to explore and climb, as well as swings, a sandbox and so much more. There is a large-covered pavilion for picnics and a large sand-filled volley ball court. Charlie Daniel’s Park (our famous southern rock fiddler was a resident of Mt. Juliet for many years) has lots of family activities throughout the year such as fall festivals and Christmas in the park, all for free!
The Opry Mills Mall also has some wonderful family- friendly free activities quickly approaching. There is always something fun going on at this beautiful mall. Opry Mills Mall replaced the famous Opryland Theme Park. Spending a day here will get you out of inclement weather as it is all indoors. If you have children nine years of age or younger, you can take them to have Breakfast with Santa and while it is free, preregistration is required. Children will get to eat treats with Santa, play games, here story telling and more. There will be many more times Santa will be visiting the Opry Mills Mall.
There are several parades in Nashville and surrounding towns beginning on Veterans Day through the holidays. It’s hard to beat a parade for free fun. There is usually the opportunity to see several parades, as Nashville and the surrounding towns do not have their parades on the same days. Children of all ages love parades!
The Fall Family Event is coming toward the end of November at Opry Mills Mall. This one is titled “All About Kids” and will have educational speakers for parents with a question and answer session with doctors, children’s holiday fashion shows, and the Nashville Children’s Theater will perform “Schoolhouse Rock”. There will lots of fun things for children and parents and it’s all for free! Purity Dairies will also supply free ice cream for the kids.
Opry Mills Mall also has free concerts quite often and this will be a great one to take the family to. The Fish radio station is hosting a holiday Christmas concert on November 21st beginning at 7:00 p.m. The concert will feature Christian music artists. Sounds like a great way to kick off the Holiday Season while saving a little entertainment money that can be put toward something else, say…for instance…..holiday gifts!
