Photo: Batman Wayne
Photo: Daniel Hall
Photo: Joseph A
Adventure Science Center
★4.5(6,084 reviews)$$Museum
🕑 3-4 hours👶 Best for ages 3-14. Preschoolers enjoy the Adventure Guild and sensory exhibits, elementary-aged kids love the tower climbing challenge and hands-on experiments, while tweens and teens appreciate the planetarium shows and more complex science demonstrations.🧡 Saved by 200+ families
About
Adventure Science Center is Nashville's ultimate hands-on science playground where kids can touch, explore, and experiment with over 175 interactive exhibits. The showstopper 75-foot Adventure Tower challenges kids to climb through multiple levels while the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium takes families on immersive journeys through space, making this a can't-miss destination for curious minds.
Highlights
- ✓75-foot Adventure Tower with four floors of climbing challenges and sky-high views of Nashville
- ✓Sudekum Planetarium featuring full-dome shows about space, dinosaurs, and natural phenomena
- ✓BodyQuest exhibit where kids explore human anatomy from the inside out
- ✓Electricity demonstration shows with Tesla coils and lightning displays
- ✓Adventure Guild area designed specifically for children under 7 with age-appropriate experiments
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right when doors open to tackle the Adventure Tower first before it gets crowded,kids can climb at their own pace without waiting.
- 2.Check the planetarium show schedule when you arrive and reserve your preferred time immediately, as popular shows sell out quickly on weekends.
- 3.The top floors of the Adventure Tower require more physical effort, so younger climbers may want to stop at lower levels,there's no pressure to reach the top.
- 4.Pack snacks and use the picnic area outside, as the on-site café has limited options and can get pricey for larger families.
- 5.Note the shorter weekday hours (closes at 3 PM) versus weekend hours (5 PM on Saturday/Sunday),plan accordingly to maximize your visit.
Best Time to Visit
Visit on weekday mornings (Monday, Thursday, or Friday) right at 9 AM opening for the smallest crowds, or choose Saturday/Sunday mornings if weekdays don't work. Avoid the first Saturday of each month when admission is discounted and crowds are heaviest.
What to Know
General admission tickets include access to all exhibits and the Adventure Tower, with planetarium shows requiring an additional fee (combination tickets available). The museum is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and free parking is available on-site.
Seasonal Notes
The indoor facility is perfect year-round and especially appreciated during hot Tennessee summers or rainy days. Special holiday programming typically includes themed planetarium shows during winter break and spring break camps for school-age children.
Nearby Eats
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden (about 2 miles away) offers a kid-friendly menu with excellent burgers and a casual atmosphere, or head to Edley's Bar-B-Que (1.5 miles) for Nashville-style BBQ with plenty of options for picky eaters.
More Activities Near Nashville
Museum
Tennessee State Museum
★4.8Free❤️63
The Tennessee State Museum offers an impressive journey through Tennessee's history that's completely free for families. With interactive exhibits spanning from prehistoric times through modern day, kids can explore everything from Native American artifacts to Civil War history, all presented in an engaging, hands-on way that brings the past to life.
Museum
Lane Motor Museum
★4.8$❤️333
Lane Motor Museum offers a refreshing twist on the typical car museum experience with over 500 unique and unusual vehicles from around the world that will fascinate both kids and adults. Beyond the impressive collection of quirky automobiles, the museum features a dedicated indoor play area where younger children can burn energy, plus coloring stations throughout to keep little hands busy when they need a break from vehicle viewing.
Museum
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
★4.6$$❤️118
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum offers a surprisingly kid-friendly journey through music history in the heart of Nashville. From Elvis Presley's iconic gold Cadillac to interactive scavenger hunts and the Taylor Swift Education Center, this museum engages young music fans with hands-on activities and eye-catching exhibits that make history come alive.
Museum
The Parthenon
★4.6$❤️376
Step into ancient Greece without leaving Tennessee! This stunning full-scale replica of the original Parthenon houses a breathtaking 42-foot statue of Athena covered in gold leaf, plus rotating art exhibits. Kids can burn off energy at the adjacent playground while parents soak in the incredible architecture and beautiful Centennial Park setting.