Itching to explore Music City, but trying to stick to a budget? Well you’re in luck, because there are plenty of free things to do in Nashville. From festivals and events to visiting iconic Nashville landmarks, here are our favorite free happenings in Music City over the next couple months!
Parks
1. Centennial Park
 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 | (615) 862-8400
Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s staples. The park features a life-size replica of the Parthenon, which was initially built as a temporary structure for The Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition in 1897. While admission inside the Parthenon is $6 for adults, visitors are welcome to visit the rest of the park free of charge. The park spans 132 acres and includes various playgrounds, walking trails and ponds where visitors can feed ducks. For more information, visit www.nashville.gov.
2. Edwin and Percy Warner Parks
50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221 |Â (615) 352-6299
The Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are two of the largest municipally administered parks in Tennessee. Collectively, the parks span 3,100 acres of forest and field. Warner Parks are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing and much more. Nine miles from downtown Nashville, Warner Parks are the perfect place to escape from the hustle-and-bustle of the city and experience nature this spring.
3. Radnor Lake State Park
1160 Otter Creek Rd, Nashville, TN 37220 |Â (615) 373-3467
Radnor Lake State Park is located just south of Nashville and encompasses 1,300 acres of wildlife. The park is for day-use only and is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts who want to catch a glimpse of owls, herons, ducks, geese and perhaps white-tailed deer. There are some restrictions on which trails permit jogging, biking and pets, so browse these guidelines before your visit. First-time visitors are encouraged to stop by the Walter Criley Visitor Center to learn more about the park.
4. Fannie Mae Dee’s Park
2400 Blakemore Ave, Nashville, TN 37212 |Â (615) 862-8400
Also known as “Dragon Park,” Fannie Mae Dee’s Park is a cute hangout for you and the kiddos during the summer. Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and located a few blocks away from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Fannie Mae Dee’s has play areas for all children and is accessible for children with disabilities. If your children aren’t the type to play on playgrounds, there are tennis courts and spaces for soccer. Just bring your own ball!
5. Sevier Park
3021 Lealand Lane, Nashville, TN, 37204 |Â (615) 862-8466
Sevier Park sits at the core of one of Nashville’s charming neighborhoods, 12 South. Grab a bite to eat at a nearby spot like The Frothy Monkey or Burger Up, and head down to Sevier Park. The park has two playgrounds and a community center with a gymnasium, indoor track and full-service fitness studio. Sevier Park is a splendid park to keep the whole family entertained, and is close to lots of Nashville hotspots. Hours are 6 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 7:30 on Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday and closed Sundays. Check out their website at nashville.gov.
6. Cumberland Park
592 S. 1st Street, Nashville, TN, 37213 |Â (615) 862-8508
Right along the brink of the Cumberland River is Cumberland Park, a 6.5-acre park complete with an outdoor amphitheater, water structures perfect for the kids to play in during the summer, and easy access to the staircase of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. Part of the Riverfront Revitalization Plan, Cumberland Park is new, innovative, and located near the hub of downtown Nashville adjacent to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. Cumberland Park is open daily from dawn to 11 p.m.
7. Shelby Bottoms
1900 Davidson Street, Nashville, TN, 37206 | (615) 862-8539
This spacious, urban park beside the Cumberland River includes wildlife and a scenic view of Sevier Lake and lots of activities for visitors of all ages. A perfect starting point for a day of excursions into the 950 acres of the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, as well as the additional 336 acres at the adjacent Shelby Park. Stop by with your family on a warm spring day and enjoy the sunshine while keeping the kids entertained at one of the softball fields, baseball fields or playgrounds and take the pup to the nearby fenced-in dog park. The park is open dawn to dusk, but hours for the facilities for sports fields and the dog park can be found online. Learn more at nashville.gov.
8. Beaman Park
5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville. TN 37015 |Â (615) 862-8580
Come check out Beaman Park, a 1700-acre park located in close proximity to downtown Nashville. Equipped with five miles of hiking trails and The Beaman Park Nature Center, which serves as an education and recreation facility within the park, Beaman Park is the perfect summer spot to bring the family if you’re wanting to get out into nature while staying close by in Nashville. If you’re looking for a park with moderate hiking trails, green space and in close proximity to the hub of Nashville, Beaman Park is right up your alley. Beaman Park is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily!
9. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
600 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243 |Â (615) 741-5280
This urban state park in the hub of Nashville is located just blocks away from Tennessee State Capitol Building. The park serves as a monument to the Tennessee Bicentennial Celebration in June, 1996 and features historical landmarks and points of interest for those looking to learn more about the history of Tennessee while spending time in the outdoors. Detailed maps with factoids regarding the history of Tennessee are also available for self-guided tours around the 19-acre park, which is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily!
RELATED: 10 Free Things To Do in Louisville
Libraries and Museums
10. Nashville Public Library
615 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219 |Â (615) 862-5800
The Nashville Public Library holds more than just three stories of books. Complete with an outside courtyard, classrooms and a children’s theater, the Nashville Public Library is a perfect family-friendly spot for you to kick back and relax. Children can enjoy the daily story times, as well as many weekly puppet shows! The Nashville Public Library is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
11. Frist Art Museum
919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 |Â (615) 244-3340
The Frist Art Museum is full to the brim of high-quality art exhibitions for the whole family. However, free admission is only offered to Frist Art Museum members, visitors 18 and under, college students with valid school ID on Thursday and Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Frist Art Museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
12. Tennessee State Museum
1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208 |Â (615) 741-2692Â
Whether you’re a tourist or a Nashville native, the recently opened Tennessee State Museum at has something in store for everyone. Learn about the rich history in Tennessee from its founding up until our transformation to Music City. Admission is free for all visitors. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays. For more information, visit tnmuseum.org.
13. Tennessee Agriculture Museum
404 Hogan Rd, Nashville, TN 37220 |Â (615) 837-5197
The Tennessee Agriculture Museum is housed in a renovated horse barn here in Nashville. Stop by and check out all the farming artifacts dating back as far as the 1800s. Additionally, admission and self-guided tours are free. Larger parties such as field trips should make reservations ahead of time. The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on weekends.
14. Country Music Hall of Fame
222 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 |Â (615) 416-2001
While tickets for adults range from $20-30, admission for children ages 5 and under at the Country Music Hall of Fame is free! Stop by this Nashville landmark with your children and tour the Country Music Hall of Fame with your kiddos and see all the new exhibitions and inductees. The Country Music Hall of Fame is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Historical Sites
15. Fort Negley
1100 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203 |Â (615) 862-8470
Interested in learning about Nashville during the Civil War? The Fort Negley Visitors Center and Park two miles south from downtown is a great historical and educational spot for the whole family. Fort Negley has interactive exhibits about Nashville’s role in the Civil War and has self-guided walking tours outside. Admission is free, and feel free to bring along your dog to Fort Negley. Fort Negley is open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; and closed on Sunday and Monday.
16. Tennessee State Capitol
600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243 | (615) 741-0830
The staff of the Tennessee State Capitol lead free guided tours throughout the Capitol Building and the outdoor grounds surrounding the capitol on Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m.,11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Learn about the history of the government in Nashville and get some insight into how state government works. The capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
17. Governor’s Mansion
882 Curtiswood Ln S, Nashville, TN 37204 |Â (615) 741-2784
Tours of the Tennessee Residence, also known at the Governor’s Mansion, are held free of charge at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Come see the first-floor of the residence, the underground Conservation Hall and the gardens. Please allow 1.5 hours for the tour across this 10-acre site.
18. Fort Nashborough
170 1st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 |Â (615) 862-8400
Want to see where Nashville originated? Fort Nashborough, near the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville, is where James Robertson founded Nashville. The fort is open for self-guided tours daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for all ages. Don’t miss out on touring this Nashville landmark this summer!
Walking around town
19. Visit the Nashville murals
12South, The Gulch, Germantown, Hillsboro Village, Sylvan Park, The Nations, Music Row, Midtown
Breathe new life into your Instagram feed this spring. While this isn’t an official “tour,” grab your girls and head out for a photo shoot at some of Nashville’s beloved and quirky murals. For starters, check out 12th Avenue South and the Gulch to find some of the more popular murals and check out our article here to learn where some of the lesser-known Nashville murals are located.
20. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Nashville, TN 37213
Formerly known as the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is the perfect stop for beautiful pictures overlooking the Cumberland River with downtown Nashville as the backdrop. The perfect conjunction between Nissan Stadium and downtown, the pedestrian bridge should be at the top of your checklist for your Nashville photos.
21. Honky Tonk Highway
Lower Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201Â
Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway, located on Lower Broadway, is a hot spot for live music and more. While admission into some of the honky tonks might not be free, there is still plenty to do and see along this strip during the evening time and honky tonks that do not include a cover charge.
22. Music City Walk of Fame Park
121 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 |Â (800) 657-6910
Music City Walk of Fame Park pays homage to all the music artists, from any genre, who have made a significant contribution to the music industry with ties to Nashville. The park frequently hosts free events and free induction ceremonies for the new additions. The park is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Entertainment
23. Bluebird Cafe
4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 | (615) 383-1461
This first come, first served entertainment venue typically hosts free all-ages shows at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Contrary to other Nashville joints that host live music, the Bluebird Cafe is a listening room with a “shh!” policy. Keep this in mind if you are thinking about bringing along your small children. The cafe is open Monday 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. to midnight.
24. Nashville Symphony concerts
locations vary depending on the date | (615) 687-6500
Throughout the summer months, the Nashville Symphony hosts free community concerts at some of the larger parks in the metro Nashville area. Some of these include Centennial Park, Two Rivers Mansion, and Key Park. Check nashvillesymphony.org for information regarding the concert schedule so you can plan your outing!
25. CMA Music Festival
Music City Center, Riverfront Park, Nissan Stadium and other spots in downtown Nashville |Â (615) 244-2840
To say CMA Music Festival is big would be an understatement. Each June, CMA Music Festival draws in crowds of 90,000+ to Nashville to feature artists across seven stages. While the nighttime activities mostly require tickets, much of the daytime festivities are free of charge! Better yet, lots of vendors line the streets handing out freebies.
26. Summer Shakespeare
8 C1ty Blvd., Suite 402, Nashville, TN 37209 | (615) 248-3500
Every summer, The Nashville Shakespeare Festival hosts Summer Shakespeare in Nashville. While it was previously held at Centennial Park, this year, the festival will be hosted at OneC1ty. Although the event is free, consider donating to the Nashville Shakespeare Festival so they can continue bringing you amazing performances frequently around Nashville. This years festival will take place August 15 through September 22.
picture
 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 | (615) 862-8400
Spend your Saturday nights dancing under the stars and listening to live big band music at Centennial Park. Pack a lawn chair and a blanket and bring some cash to get a bite to eat at one of the food trucks. This year, dances will be held in the Centennial Park Event Shelter from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. from June through August!
28. Nashville Scene’s 25th Annual Movies in the Park
3531 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37205 | (615) 862-8400
In the summer, the Nashville Scene hosts the Movies in the Park event series at Elmington Park. This free gathering begins at sundown on June 6 and June 19! There will be food trucks, vendors and games to participate in throughout the evening until the movie begins.
29. Live on the Green
Union St & 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37243
Nashville’s most famous free concert series is returning for 2019! This year, Live on the Green will take place in Public Square Park on Thursday, August 15, Thursday, August 22, and Labor Day Weekend; Thursday, August 29 to Sunday, September 1. Stay tuned for the 2019 Live on the Green lineup, which will be announced in late June!
Health and Wellness
30. Yoga at the Nashville Public Library
Downtown, Edgehill, Bellevue, Hermitage, Edmonson Pike, Donelson | (615) 862-5800
Get fit and flexible this summer by taking yoga classes with the Nashville Public Library! Hosted at the main branch downtown and its other branches; Edgehill, Bellevue, Hermitage, Edmondson Pike, and Donelson, the Nashville Public Library leads group yoga at various levels of experience. Check out the schedule at your local library branch to see when and what kind of yoga will be hosted.
31. Zumba at the Nashville Public Library
Looking for a free group workout that’s upbeat and fun? Look no further than taking Zumba classes with the Nashville Public Library. Classes are held at the Looby Community Center every Monday, so be sure to check the Nashville Public Library website for details!
32. Tennis
See website for list of all locations |(615)-862-8490
Nashville metro has more than 100 tennis courts scattered throughout the city which are free of charge. Additionally, Metro has more than 100 tennis courts, most of which are free. And if you want to watch tennis, it’s free to watch the tournaments at Centennial Sportsplex and often at Vanderbilt.
33. Gyms
See website for list and numbers of all locations
Metro’s regional community centers at Coleman, Madison, Sevier, Smith Springs, Eat, McCabe and more include free indoor walking tracks and gymnasiums where you can get back into shape for the summer. Hadley, Coleman, East, Hartman and Smith Springs also have free indoor swimming pools for all ages. Hours vary depending on the community center. For more information, check out nashville.gov.
Miscellaneous
34. Dyer Observatory
1000 Oman Dr, Brentwood, TN 37027 | (615) 373-4897
The Dyer Observatory, which is part of Vanderbilt University, offers Open House days where guided tours are led starting at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Free reservations must be made online ahead of time. The tours are held in all weather and the age recommendation is ages 8+. Check their website to see when Open House days will be held.
35. Salon@615 author talks and signings
Varies for each event | (615)-862-5800
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