Great for Group Fun
Whether arriving with a few friends or hosting a family reunion, you need ideas to keep everyone entertained. When you’re ready to take a break from live music, let me guide you through some engaging options.
Golf-Related
TopGolf
East Nashville. Just across the Cumberland from downtown on the north side of town, you’ll see a structure that could possibly house pterodactyls. In fact, those nets keep in golf balls launched by the heavy hitters at this immaculately groomed driving range. You have options but ideally you’ve got a group who likes to hang together to hit a few balls, play some other games and enjoy the equivalent of cabana service at your tee.
PuttShack
North Gulch. Yes, it’s a high-tech indoor miniature golf course but it’s also a bar. (Think an upscale bowling alley vibe so there are alcoholic beverages and boutique-y snacks.) Kids are allowed until 8pm, then it’s 21+ until close.
Five Iron Golf
Midtown. Golf’s in the name but it’s much more than a virtual driving range. Engage in other simulated sports including football, soccer, baseball–10 in all. Play real or virtual darts. Shoot pool or practice putting. Full kitchen and bar. Live music on weekends.
Top Golf Swing Suites: virtual driving range
Downtown. Inside the Tempo Hotel on Rosa Parks Blvd. it’s for those who prefer a cross between golf and a video game.
The Putting Zone
100 Oaks. Indoor 18-hole putting course approximating what you’d find on real links; it’s about four miles south of downtown. Note: this is for serious golfers, not a putt-putt vibe.
PopStroke
Antioch. Fun atmosphere with 2 indoor and 1 outdoor courses along with a full-service restaurant, ice cream parlor, and games. Pay for the day and play as much as you want. Note: it’s about 12 miles south of downtown (but can take forever in rush hour traffic).
For reviews of local golf courses, swing HERE.
Top Golf driving range and games
Bowling & More
Hooky
Downtown. Yes, there’s 8-lane bowling as well as an 7-screen cineplex and an IMAX screen with food service, video games, and a restaurant. Located in Nashville Yards, adjacent to The Pinnacle concert hall.
Brooklyn Bowl
Germantown. Yes, it’s a bowling alley but raise your expectations when it comes to the food and bar offerings. There’s also a large event hall with a hefty schedule of concerts and music-oriented events including its popular Taylor Swift nights. Half-price family bowling on Saturdays 11am-3pm with free admission.
Fogg Street Lawn Bowling
SoBro. Fancy a bit of British recreation? Sitting atop Bad Ax Throwing is this unexpected dandy which is welcoming to kids. There’s covered seating in the dining area. The menu includes gluten-free items. Soccer is always on the TVs and it’s the official bar for Nashville SC viewing. Regular lane rental is $50/hr.
PINS
The Gulch. Foosball, pinball, bocce, duckpin and pinball–name your game and order your beverage of choice. Located at 1102 Grundy Street, good times will be had by all. Happy hour specials Monday-Friday until 7pm. On Sundays until 8pm, kids bowl free and get a free soda. Lots of spaces. to hang with your crew.
Eastside Bowl
Madison. In addition to a bowling alley, there’s an arcade, multiple live performance halls, and a right-good restaurant. I recommend the shepherd’s pie.
Hooky–home to lanes, movie theaters, video games, and a restaurant
Games, Challenges & Competition
Play Playground
Downtown. The bright colors make you feel like you’ve walked into a video game. All sorts of oversized games, physical events, and brainteasers. They say it takes at least 90 minutes to do everything. Playground access is 16+ from noon to 6pm, and then strictly 21+ after 6pm. Admission is $37.
K1 Speed: Go Kart Racing
East Nashville. The last time I visited this humongous warehouse, it was a textile recycling facility. Now it’s out with the threads, in with the treads. The course is almost a quarter-mile where electric karts can travel up to 45 mph. It is located in an industrial area about a half-mile south of Nissan Stadium.
Nashville Airsoft
East Nashville. Located next door to K-1 go-carts near downtown, take your team to the indoor field for an adrenaline rush. Gear rental available.
Teeline Nashville
West Nashville. C’mon, admit it. You’ve watched curling on TV and thought, “How hard could that be?” Here’s your chance to check your chops at Nashville’s only curling venue. They also have four lanes of bowling, food, and drink.
Bad Axe Throwing
SoBro. The name is pretty self-explanatory. Above it is Fogg Street Line Bowling so two activities at one destination. Side note: had a great burger there.
Axeventures
Opryland. In addition to axe-throwing lanes, there’s a smash room. What’s a smash room? It’s your opportunity to take a baseball bat, hammer, or golf club to breakable stuff.
Game Terminal
South Nashville. Imagine a museum of video games–except everything is hands-on and operational. With more than 250 options in this arcade, you can go nostalgic or introduce the younger generation to a world before XBox. And did I mention “pinball”? When you want to take a break, there’s a patio and along with multiple bars. It’s about two miles southeast of downtown in an industrial district. FREE admission for 21+ because they’re counting on you spending at the bar. Under 21 is $10 until 8pm, then goes 21+ for the rest of the evening. Most games are free; a few require tokens. Private rooms available.
Escape Experience Nashville
Downtown. Located at 501 Union Street in downtown Nashville, current games are titled C-Block, The Inheritance and Vaccine. Although younger kids are admitted with parental supervision, games are designed for participants 12 and up. You can go it solo but the creators think a group of four to eight increases your chances of winning your freedom.
Escape Game
Multiple locations. Not exactly the most physically active but definitely among the mentally challenging. They currently have three locations: downtown (163 3rd Ave. N), 510 E. Iris Dr., Unit D (Berry Hill) and The Mall at Opry Mills. The games change occasionally so returnees may find something new to challenge them.
Great Big Game Show
Opry Mills. No, you won’t meet Ryan Seacrest or Steve Harvey but you and your teammates can rise to a variety of challenges on a flashy set.
Trapped Escape Game
South Nashville. The same opportunity to have a panic attack with games entitled Asylum, Alcatraz, Apocalypse and Haunted Cabin. Difficult? Well, only 35% of the groups seem to escape the Asylum in the one-hour time allotment. Last time I checked that one is wheelchair-accessible.
K-1 Speed go-cart racing
How about a little adventure?
Climbing walls, high elements, ziplines, archery ranges, and caving–we’ve got lots of ways to get your adrenaline pumping. Check out your options here.
Adventure Park at Nashville
Water Fun
Some are free. Some charge admission. All give you a break from the summer heat.
ON THE WATER
Nashville Riverboats
Downtown. Hop aboard a paddlewheeler for 1 1/2 ride on the Cumberland. Choose a sightseeing trip or dinner cruise. Beverages available on board and there’s a one-man band for entertainment. Departs from the dock by Riverfront Park so it’s very convenient for those lodging downtown.
General Jackson Riverboat
Opry Mills. This entertaining ride from Opry Mills to Downtown offers daytime and nighttime options with evening selection including dinner and a show. (Pictured.)
Nashville Water Taxi
Downtown. Enjoy a different vantage point of the city with this family-friendly two-hour cruise and learn a little about Nashville along the way.
Pontoon Saloon
Downtown. You can book the boat for a private party or join with others. Embarks from downtown. BYOB.
River Queen’s pedal pontoon
Downtown. With a 16-guest capacity, it’s a slightly smaller craft and requires your energy to keep things moving jfor a 2-hr. cruise.
Nashville Toons
Percy Priest Lake. No real destination–your captain will find a nice spot to chill out with up to 8 people on this double decker pontoon boat equipped with a slide, lily pad, floaties, and other gear. Free shuttle from downtown and a full-service restroom on board. BYOB.
Rowdy Boats
Percy Priest Lake. Specializing in bachelorette, bachelor, and wedding parties, these 3-hr. outings have you covered for floatables, ice and ice chests, and a sound system. BYOB.
Nashville Water Taxi
Downtown. Enjoy a different vantage point of the city with this family-friendly two-hour cruise and learn a little about Nashville along the way.
IN THE WATER
Nashville Shores
Hermitage. Located right on Percy Priest Lake, the water park capitalizes on both the lake and its own manmade attractions. Highlights include a huge pool, wave pool, lazy river, floating obstacle course, on-water obstacle course, kids’ water playground (see above), a variety of slides and other activities. Check their website for discounts including online purchase and After-4pm admission. Parking adds $9. For additional charges, you can rent a jet ski, pontoon boat or ride on a banana boat. The last time I checked, they didn’t allow outside food or drinks.
Wave Country
Donelson. Not nearly as much to do as Nashville Shores but also not nearly the price. ($10 for children 3-12, $12 for 13yo and up, free parking). Here you’ll find a slightly larger wave pool, a pair of tame curvy slides and a pair of terror-inducing thrill slides–very tall, very vertical, very much had my fill after one ride. Not much shade here so bring your sunscreen. Some people spend the whole day there. I’d take a picnic lunch and stay three to four hours max.
Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lakes
East of town. Whether you’re into camping, boating, swimming or fishing, we have a couple of great big lakes to explore. You’ll find marinas that rent canoes, pontoon boats, fishing boats and jet skis on both. Here are additional links to learn the specifics about Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake. There’s a nominal fee for admission to some of the beaches.
Nashville Riverboats
