field trip ideas middle tennessee

• Over 45 Amazing Tennessee Field Trips

I also love to keep my kids learning when on vacation and with Tennessee being one of our favorite states to visit we have a lot of great Tennessee Field Trips to share on our list. 

Table of Contents

Make sure to check out the rest of our Tennessee Unit Study perfect for getting kids excited for any Tennessee trip and the perfect addition to any road school lesson plan! 

Related:  189 Free Things to do in Tennessee

Table of contents

Pigeon forge and gatlinburg field trips, knoxville field trips, chattanooga tennessee field trips, nashville tennessee field trips, memphis tennessee field trips, other tennessee field trips.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – Located in Gatlinburg Tennessee the aquarium is one of the best I've seen. They are known for their Penguin exhibit but also have a great shark exhibit too. They keep everything fun and educational. Admission to the Aquarium is included in the Smoky Mountains Sightseeing Pass .

Great Smoky Mountain National Park – I love taking the kids the National Parks. Every visitor center has so much you can learn with their museums. Several of the visitor centers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park had open-air museums, Cades Cove is a large open-air museum too. 

Don't forget to stop at any visitor center and get your Junior Ranger Books to have the kids to complete. They are very educational and the kids will earn the Junior Ranger badge for that park.

Titanic Museum –  Located in Pigeon Forge this museum looks like the Titanic ship on the outside and inside they keep it all interactive with employees dressed like crew members.

When you enter you re handed a card of a person on the Titanic you can see what their living quarters would be and then at the end find out if they lived or died. There are so many artifacts from the ship as well as a recreation of the grand staircase.  Tickets are included in the  Smoky Mountains Sightseeing Pass .

Tuckaleechee Caverns  – These caverns are under the Smoky Mountains and make a great geology lesson!

Alcatraz East Crime Museum – Located in Pigeon Forge this museum follows the history of crime from the early pirates to the wild west and Wyatt Earp and the OK Corral down to Bonnie and Clyde all the way to drive history up to a year ago. They have a hands-on forensics lab where adults and kids can see how police solve the crimes. 

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad –  Learn the history and legends of the Smoky Mountains while riding though the mountain and taking in the amazing nature views. 

Related:  Top 10 Things to do in Gatlinburg TN

American Museum of Science and Energy – Take a day and get your kids hands-on with science with all sorts of experiments they will love. 

Norris Dam State Park – Located just north of Knoxville this state park has the beautiful views of the dam and history of the dam. There are also several places with local history including an old mill and Civil War museum. 

Ijams Nature Center – Get outdoors at the Nature Center this is a great place for nature walks, wildlife sightings and nature programs. They even have a nature preschool program. 

Coal Creek Miners Museum and Memorial – The coal creek mine disaster happened just outside Knoxville. This was one of the worst mining disasters in our country and killed all but 3 males in town. The museum tells their story and the memorial down the road pays tribute to them. 

Zoo Knoxville – So many ways to learn about animals here its a great way to learn about them and how to protect them. 

James White Fort – This is the pioneer home of Knoxville founder. Learn how the city was established. 

Related:  25 Can't-Miss Free Things to do in Knoxville TN

Reflection Riding Arboretum – A great place to learn about science and nature all hands on. They have lots of programs for kids of all ages, nature trails, wildlife viewings, and more. 

Chatanooga Zoo – Visiting any zoo always makes a great field trip. Learning about the animals, their habitat and how to protect them. 

Ruby Falls – Another great cavern under a mountain to check out and this one has a waterfall!

Chickamauga National Battlefield   – Checking out the battlefield and learning the history is free, the views it offers of the city are breathtaking! This is a National Park site so make sure to get your  National Park Passport  stamped and take your kids to get their  Junior Ranger badges  as well!

Point Park Battlefield   – Part of the above Chickamauga Battlefield was the site of what is now known as “The Battle Above the Clouds”. The visitors center with history is free but the battlefield tour costs $3 for adults.

Tennessee Aquarium – One of the largest aquariums around with over 9,000 animals. They also have some great animal programs! 

Brainerd Mission Cemetary   – This is a relatively small graveyard of 60 graves. But they are graves of Cherokee Indians that once lived in Chattanooga. This is an official stop on the Trail of Tears.

The National Medal of Honor Museum   – this free museum is a must for any history or military buff!

Related:  26 Free Things to do in Chattanooga TN

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Museum – This is 7,200 square foot interactive facility with virtual games, and many interactive video games and training equipment. 

Johnny Cash Museum – This museum holds so much music history. From who he knew, his time in the service, and his rise to fame. 

Liveminds Adventure – This is a great family escape challenge which will make you used all your logic skills. A renowned archeologist has gone missing looking for the staff of Moses and you have to find him while avoiding booby traps and more.  

The Hermitage, Home of Andrew Jackson – The home of President Andrew Jackson is right in the Nashville area and you can take a tour of the house and the grounds. The grounds host some of the slave quarters' foundations, and his gardens where Andrew Jackson and his wife are buried. 

Stones River National Battlefield – This was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War and lots of history on this battlefield. 

The Carter House – Carter House was the location of part of the battle that let to the Stones River Battlefield and the house tour has some much history even if it is a bit gorry. You can still see where many of the musket balls hit buildings. Then take a walk in downtown Franklin for some historical markers. 

Want to learn more about the Civil War? Check out these 12 Civil War Places to Visit When Studying the Civil War .

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park – This is a park in downtown Nashville by the State Capital that features a lot of state history and memorials. 

Belle Meade Plantation – Known for their racehorses this is a historic plantation in Nashville that also has a winery attached and slave quarters with a lot of history attached. 

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park – There is a lot of Native American history here along with a great museum. 

The Belmont Mansion – This mansion is famous because it was run by a woman of wealth in a time when woman wasn't really allowed to own anything. Learn how this came to be and how she started the all-girls school we now know as Belmont University. 

Grand Ole Opry – You can take a tour of the Grand Ole Opry and learn the history of the building, and the people who have walked it. See some of the dressing rooms, learn about the flood that affected the building and even stand on stage. 

Sam Davis House – Sam Davis is one of the unsung heroes of the Civil War and his house is now a museum to not just the Civil War but also the building itself with things like footprints in the brick!

Adventure Science Center – This is an amazing hands-on science center for kids and adults. This was one of the first things we did with the kids and the loved it. 

Cannonsburgh Village   -This this a free attraction and a whole area filled with historical buildings from around the area. Everything from an old mill, homes, churches, barns, and so much more! 

Related:  45 Amazing Free Things to Do in Nashville TN

Fort Pillow State Historic Park -This for located along the Mississippi River just north of Memphis. This is another Civil War fort and you can learn why its location was so important. 

Pink Palace Museum  – Every Tuesday from 1 pm to close this museum is free. This museum got its name from the pink marble mansion that it is housed in. This is the house of Clarence Saunders, founder of the Piggly Wiggle grocery store chain. The museum has many of Clarence’s personal collections and many local exhibits as well.

National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel – The civil rights movement had a large part in Memphis history and you can learn all about it here. 

Graceland – Elvis was another huge influence in music and his start from being such a poor family to his rise in fame is a great lesson for kids about working hard. 

Center for Southern Folklore  –  Memphis is all about great music, great food and great fun which makes the Center for Southern Folklore one of my favorite things on my list of free things to do in Memphis!

The center is dedicated to “celebrating the arts, music, and heritage of the South from the cultural crossroads of Memphis” which means they often have live music, storytelling and of course, soul-food! Even better? They’re always open for free!

 Related: 21 Can't-Miss Free Things to Do in Memphis TN  (Including Graceland!)

McMinn County Living Heritage Museum – See how life was for everyone from the Cherokee to the early Tennessee settlers. They have over 30 permanent exhibits and over 10,000 artifacts.

Gray Fossil Museum – If you are talking about dinosaurs or you just have a budding paleontologist as I do then they will love this dig site! They have any hands-on science thing to do and you can tour the dig site and watch the paleontologists at work! 

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour – There is a lot of history on how Jack Daniel's basically built the town of Lynchburg and how to built his company. The tour takes you on the grounds and shows you the process of how they make whiskey and also the water source for their whiskey. 

Backyard Terror's Dinosaur Park – If you are learning about the dinosaurs this is a great way to get hands-on. The best part is this attraction is free! 

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site – Another President's homestead you can visit. Andrew Johnson was the 17th president and known as the Defender of the Constitution for his work after the Civil War. 

Old Moore County Jail – Located in Lynchburg this is the old jail where the sheriff used to live in the building with his family and the two jail rooms, one for males and one for females, were attached to the home.

The museum has kept the building intact and now holds exhibits dedicated to the local sheriffs, artifacts from the sheriffs who lived in this house and the original jail cells including where Jessie James carved his name into the wall. 

Johnny Cash has visited this museum and said the jail cells are some of the worst he's ever seen. There is a small exhibit dedicated to his visit. 

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park – With a log cabin, true to period gardens, and museum on the 55-acre park that holds over 1,500 books! 

Shiloh National Military Park and Cemetary – Another battle of the Civil War it was a very bloody battle where over 23,000 died. Lots of Civil War history here and it's an NPS site so make sure to get your Junior Ranger Badge! 

Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House – This is now a family dining restaurant but while you are dining on recipes the boarding house is known for you are treated to some amazing history on Miss Mary Bobo and the work she did in town. 

Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Cemetary – The surrender of Fort Donelson was the North's first major victory in the Civil War. The cemetery was started for many of the Union Soldiers who were buried in the area and now hold many US Veterans. 

What are some of your favorite Tennessee field trips spots? Id love to add to my list! 

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Tennessee Field Trips

Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips .

Our listing of Tennessee field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Tennessee field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.

Port Royal is an historic park and a day use park. Port Royal State Park is a place of quiet natural beauty. This park is a satellite of Dunbar Cave State Park.

Port Royal State Park website

( Update this listing )

Relive more than a century of the rich, turbulent history of Southeast Tennessee at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tennessee. Thirty permanent exhibit areas depict life from the Cherokee Indians and early pioneer settlers through 1940 as well as several changing exhibits and programs throughout the year. Exhibits that will captivate, and programs and events that educate and entertain, await you.

McMinn County Living Heritage Museum website

The Dino Park currently has over 50 prehistoric creatures (with more coming soon). They are open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tours are self-guided and maps are available; photos and videos are permitted. There is a picnic area and the local Pizza Plus delivers here. They have a small gift shop and are a donation based attraction, so they don't currently charge any admission to get in.

Backyard Terror's Dinosaur Park website

Paris Landing State Park is an 841 acre park located on the western shore of the Tennessee River, which is dammed to form Kentucky Lake (160,000 acres). The park sits on the widest part of the lake (3 miles wide) and is the perfect location for all water sports such as fishing, boating, swimming, and skiing. On land, there is plenty of activity with golfing, hiking, camping, or just relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty and wildlife. Be on the lookout for deer, turkey, fox, and coyote that roam the park. Eagles can be seen in the winter months.

Paris Landing State Park website

Montgomery Bell State Park is located seven miles east of Dickson in Dickson County. The rolling hills of Dickson County contain a treasure that was considered more precious than gold to the builders of young America. The treasure was iron ore, and it lured men by the hundreds to this area of Middle Tennessee. The site of the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at Montgomery Bell State Park.

Montgomery Bell State Park website

The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center and a museum housing documents and artifacts. Also on the park is beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance of historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine years ago. The collection includes his Nobel Peace Prize that is on display.

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park website

Cove Lake State Park's 673 acres are situated in a beautiful mountain valley setting on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Mountains. There are scenic nature trails and bike trails leading through the open grasslands and woodlands. In the winter, several hundred Canada Geese make this lakeshore their feeding ground. Nearby is the Devil's Race Track whose steep pinnacle rock affords a panoramic view.

Cove Lake State Park website

Upon completion, the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park -- the state's only linear park -- will be 300 miles, cutting through 11 Tennessee counties from the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the Tennessee-Virginia-Kentucky border, to the Signal Point near Chattanooga. One hundred fifty miles of the Cumberland Trail are open and ready for exploration.

Cumberland Trail State Park website

Environmental and Nature based field trips. Guided and Self Guided Options available. They offer a variety of educational programs for schools and homeschool groups. All programs can be customized to fit your curriculum and the needs of your group.

Audubon Acres website

The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in the heart of downtown Chattanooga brings to life the amazing stories of ordinary people who demonstrated extraordinary heroism under the most difficult circumstances. Spending an hour or more here will inspire your group with the values demonstrated by Medal of Honor recipients - Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice and Commitment. Your group is sure to leave encouraged knowing that they too have the potential to be a hero. Your visit can be tailored to reinforce and expand on content covered in your "classroom".

National Medal of Honor Heritage Center website

Our educational programs aim to cultivate and inspire an interest in science and the importance of nature with hands-on, experiential learning that leaves a lasting impact on kids of all ages. Field Trips can be self guided $5.50 per Student and $10 per Adult for Self Guided. Please Call for rates on Guided Programs. Full list of Programs on website.

Reflection Riding Arboretum website

The Coker Museum is located inside World Famous Honest Charley Speed Shop. Inside you will find vintage cars, hot rods, motorcycles, trucks, buses, airplanes, rare engines, and memorabilia. You will also be able to view our working woodshop, fabrication area, paint booth, and machine shop. With over 100 vintage cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and even 3 airplanes hanging overhead, the history that can be found here is very impressive. Cost is $10 for adults, $8.00 for children 5-12. Free for children under 5.

The Coker Museum at Honest Charley Speed Shop website

Situated on the shores of scenic Chickamauga Lake not far from the city of Chattanooga is 353-acre Booker T. Washington State Park. The park is named in honor of the famous leader, Booker Taliaferro Washington. Washington was born into slavery at Hale's Ford, Virginia, but with great determination he secured an education and went on to become one of our great Americans. He is perhaps best known as a former president of the Tuskegee Institute, a black organization for higher education.

Booker T. Washington State Park website

Dunbar Cave is located 60 minutes northwest of Nashville and about one and a half miles northeast of downtown Clarksville, TN in Montgomery County. Dunbar Cave is the most prominent of several caves located in this designated natural area. In the roomy mouth of the cave, square dances, radio shows, and big band era concerts were once held.

Dunbar Cave State Park website

Red Clay State Historic Park is located in the extreme southwest corner of Bradley County in Tennessee, just above the Tennessee-Georgia state line.

Red Clay State Park website

The Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points is a regional history museum, cultural, and arts center telling the story of the Ocoee Region.

Museum Center at 5ive Points website

The museum main gallery features the permanent exhibit includes a visual display of object and images from the near Eastern and Classical worlds representing over 2,000 years of history.

Biblical Resource Center & Museum website

Cumberland Mountain State Park is situated on the Cumberland Plateau, a segment of the great upland, which extends from western New York to central Alabama. It is said to be the largest timbered plateau in America. This 1,720-acre park was acquired in 1938 as a project of the Farm Security Administration to provide a recreational area for some 250 families selected to homestead on the Cumberland Plateau.

Cumberland Mountain State Park website

Hiwassee Scenic River Park is located on Spring Creek road at U.S. Hwy. 411, the Ocoee river on U.S. Hwy. 64. The Hiwassee was the first river managed in the State Scenic River program. A 23-river mile section, from the N.C. state line to U.S. 411 North of Benton, has been declared a Class III partially developed river. This stretch of river offers canoeing, rafting, fishing, hiking and nature photography. A scenic portion of the John Muir trail winds through the river gorge. Numerous public access sites provide boat-launching ramps. At the Gee Creek campround, picnic areas, sanitary facilities and primitive camping are available. Adjacent is the Gee Creek Wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest.

Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park website

Unconditional surrender of Fort Donelson created jubilation throughout the North and silence in Dixie. It was the North's first major victory of the Civil War.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield website

In 1867, Fort Donelson Cemetery was established as the final resting for Union soldiers and sailors initially buried in the Fort Donelson area.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery website

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is open from daylight to dark each day. The Visitors Center, which houses an interpretive facility with information, historic displays, and a theater, is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Picnicking is available at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park with tables and grills provided. A two-mile fitness trail constructed jointly between the park and adjacent hospital is also available.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park website

The park was named for General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the intrepid Confederate cavalry leader, who on November 4, 1864, attacked and destroyed the federal supply and munitions depot at (Old) Johnsonville at the mouth of Trace Creek. His operations were concentrated along the river in the vicinity of the park and the town of Eva.

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park website

Park Activities/Amenities:Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking Trails and Picnic Facilities.

Bledsoe Creek State Park website

This is America's most visited national park. Famous for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park website

Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to learn about natural history in an exciting and engaging environment with the new 7,000-square foot annex. The building will feature a rooftop outdoor classroom with a weather monitoring station, a cafe, an indoor wet lab, and a second outdoor classroom. Excavations for this year have begun on the fossil site. Visitors can tour the fossil site and see the paleontologists hard at work in a fossil dig pit.

Gray Fossil Museum website

We are a small farm just south of Greeneville, TN. We have a Gift Shoppe, Event Hall, Small Playground & Games along with farm animal feeding. We would love to have your group or individual family visit and enjoy a Day of Family Fun on the Farm.

Gnome Hollow at Dixon Hill Farms website

The site honors the life of the 17th President, Andrew Johnson. Johnson is known as the Defender of the Constitution for his work to reunify a nation torn apart by civil was after the assissination of President Lincoln.

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site website

Recently planted native wild flowers draw hummingbirds, butterflies and nature lovers to Big Cypress Tree State Park in Weakley County. The 17 distinctive wild flower beds are complemented by a number of benches that make it easy for visitors to relax and watch wildlife. These gardens are a wonderful place to see beautiful colors, enjoy nature or even practice your photography.

Big Cypress Tree website

Offering tours of the farm to homeschool groups. Herb & Plow is a certified naturally grown fruit and vegetable farm. This certification abides by the organic standards based on the USDAs National Organic Plan(NOP), and requires regular farm inspections implemented by other CNG farmers. The farm grows over 50+ varieties of fruits and veggies.

Herb & Plow farm website

The 1,200-acre Harrison Bay State Park, with approximately 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline, was originally developed as a Tennessee Valley Authority recreation demonstration area in the 1930's. This beautiful wooded park is a haven for campers, boaters and fishermen, as well as picnickers and other day-use visitors from Chattanooga and the surrounding tri-state area.

Harrison Bay State Park website

Chickasaw State Rustic Park is situated on some of the highest terrain in west Tennessee. A park recreation director, on duty during the summer months, conducts group games, arts and crafts, evening movies, campfire programs and hay rides.

Chickasaw State Park website

The Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) is Sumner County's premier arts organization. Art exhibitions are completely free to the public. Goodwill donations are accepted, and all funds are used to support arts education and outreach activities.

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center website

The 1,642 acre Fort Pillow, located in Lauderdale County on the Chickasaw Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, is rich in both historic and archaeological significance. In 1861, the Confederate Army built extensive fortifications here and named the site for General Gideon J. Pillow of Maury County. Because of its strategic location, the fort was taken by the Union Army who controlled it during most of the war. Remains of the earthworks are well-preserved.

Fort Pillow State Historic Park website

Long Hunter State Park is situated along the shore of J. Percy Priest Lake. It consists of four units: Couchville, Baker's Grove, Bryant Grove and Sellars Farm. Picnicking, swimming, hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, nature photography and wildlife observation are among the activities available to park visitors. Planned activities include interpretive and recreation programs for the general public and environmental education programs for school and other interested groups.

Long Hunter State Park website

Standing Stone State Park covers nearly 11,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau of north-central Tennessee. The quaint and rustic park is noted for its outstanding scenery, spring wildflowers, fossils and other natural diversity.

Standing Stone State Park website

Situated in a remote section of the upper Cumberland Plateau, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is known for its geological, botanical, and scenic wonders. The park lies within the 19,200-acre Pickett State Forest, and adjacent to the massive 120,000 acre Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, both areas containing prime wilderness country. Visitors to the park can explore large rock houses, natural sandstone bridges, scenic bluffs, and wild mountain streams. Spring brings dazzling displays of wildflowers, summer an abundance of blackberries and wild blueberries, and autumn a patchwork of colors to the countryside. The park memorializes and preserves the unique work of the Civilian Conservation Corps CCC, who first developed the park.

Pickett State Park website

Indian Mountain State Park is a multi-use facility in Campbell County near Tennessee's northern border. In addition to providing camping and recreation opportunities, the 200-acre park is unique in that it was developed on reclaimed strip mine land. Park visitors can enjoy fishing at the two small lakes, picnicking, camping, and two walking trails. Park visitors have the opportunity to view a variety of wildlife.

Indian Mountain State Park website

Warriors' Path State Park was named for the park's proximity to the ancient war and trading path used by the Cherokee. Since that time, the park land has known a long history of travelers, and is still a pathway for modern-day outdoor enthusiasts. The 950-acre area was acquired from the Tennessee Valley Authority is 1952, to serve the people who live in or visit this section of Northeast Tennessee. It is situated on the shores of TVA's Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River.

Warriors' Path State Park website

This unique linear park located along the Harpeth River in Middle Tennessee offers natural, cultural, and recreational day use areas rich in historic significance and natural beauty. Canoe access areas are located at all sites (excluding archeological areas) providing beginner and advanced paddlers opportunities to float this beautiful class II river.

Harpeth River State Park website

History speaks through the Museum of East Tennessee History's permanent and changing exhibits, which focus on East Tennessee's rich history and heritage. Traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian and other venues also share special stories from our past. The Museum's new permanent signature exhibit, Voices of The Land: The People of East Tennessee.

East Tenneessee Historical Museum website

This 4,038-acre park, located on the Norris Reservoir, began in 1933 as the first Tennessee Valley Authority project. Miles of trails lead hikers through deeply forested valleys and ridges. Many other attractions await your finding at Norris Dam State Park.

Norris Dam State Park website

David Crockett State Park was dedicated in May of 1959, in honor of one of Tennessee's most famous native sons.

David Crockett State Park website

Cedars of Lebanon State Park is named for the dense cedar forest that existed in the Biblical lands of Lebanon. The park contains 900 acres which are used for intensive recreation. An additional 8,100 acres are operated by the park Division as a natural area and by the Forestry Division as a State Forest.

Cedars of Lebanon State Park website

Davy Crockett's Birthplace has been preserved by the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as an historic site within the state park system. The site consists of 105 partially wooded acres of land along the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee.

Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park website

This 1, 247-acre area is located on the east banks of the Tennessee River in the state's picturesque Western valley. Tradition has it that Mousetail Landing received its name during the Civil War period when one of the area's tanning companies caught fire. The exodus of mice fleeing the burning tannery was so profuse that the area in proximity of the park became known as Mousetail Landing. The scenic Buffalo River flows nearby, providing opportunity for family canoe float trips.

Mousetail Landing State Park website

This State Archaeological Park is dedicated to the preservation, protection, study and interpretation to the public of this significant survival of ancient culture. The park offers educational and entertaining programs, which increase understanding of the Old Stone Fort, archaeology, and Native American cultures. The museum includes exhibits that orientate the visitor to the Old Stone Fort and its setting, the hilltop enclosure mound site's broader significance and the culture of its builders.

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park website

The heavily forested, 3,687-acre park lies on the southern shore of TVA's Norris Reservoir approximately 25 miles north of Knoxville. Visitors to the park will find a wealth of activities to meet any interest from guided nature tours to backcountry camping.

Big Ridge State Park website

T.O. Fuller State Park was the first state park east of the Mississippi River open to African Americans and only the second in the nation. The park was later changed from Shelby Bluffs to T.O. Fuller State Park in 1942 in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller who spent his life empowering and educating African Americans.

T.O. Fuller State Park website

The Brooks is your art museum, a place where you can experience the transformative power of art. As one of the largest and most innovative art museum in the American South, the Brooks is recognized nationally for the museum's innovative educational programs, continual community outreach, and world-class art collection.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art website

Bordering on the mighty Mississippi River, two-thirds of this 13,467-acre park are bottomland hardwood forests of large oak, cypress and tupelo. The park also contains two lakes and many miles of hiking trails. The Meeman Museum and Nature Center is named for Edward J. Meeman, courageous conservation editor of Scripps-Howard newspapers who helped establish this park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park maintains a boat ramp on the Mississippi River. Deer, turkey, beaver and some 200 species of birds are abundant.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park website

South Cumberland is one of the newer Tennessee State park. Almost all of our park lies atop the Cumberland Plateau and, unlike most state park, ours is made up of ten different areas located in four different counties. The Visitor Center is located between Monteagle and Tracy City on Highway 41. From here the various components of our park are managed. Visitors can also obtain information and directions from the visitor center.

South Cumberland State Park website

Panther Creek State Park, covering approximately 1,435 acres, is located on the shores of Cherokee Reservoir, an impoundment of the Holston River. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located about 45 miles south.

Panther Creek State Park website

The People's Path and America's First National Scenic Trail. The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is more than 2,175-mile long footpath stretching through 14 eastern states from Maine to Georgia. Conceived in 1921 and first completed in 1937, it traverses the wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral, and culturally significant lands of the Appalachian Mountains.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail website

The Old Natchez Trace was a 500-mile footpath that ran through Choctaw and Chickasaw lands connecting Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. Today there are four separate trails totaling 65 miles and they are administered by the Natchez Trace Parkway. The website offers historical information about the trail for those who cannot visit in person.

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail website

Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable trails. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail website

The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The website offers historical information about the battle for those who cannot visit in person.

Stones River National Battlefield website

Learn about the history of the cemetery and search our list for soldiers buried there.

Stones River National Cemetery website

Adventure Science Center is Nashville's hands-on science and technology museum. In addition to interactive exhibits on human biology, space, music and sound, physical science, virtual reality, and physics, Adventure Science Center is home to the Sudekum Planetarium. See an educational planetarium show, explore science and leave enriched!

Adventure Science Center website

Madame Tussauds Nashville is focused on American musical Icons, and provides an interactive experience where your students have the opportunity to step into iconic musical scenes from past and present in a way that is educational and fun. Nashville's newest school field trip option offers additional workshop experiences for a more in depth look at the 250 year history and artistry of our amazing wax figures. $9 Museum Admission $3 Workshops.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum website

A unique collection of vehicles that crosses curriculum boundaries. Your ride includes stops around the globe with lessons in art, engineering, design, history, politics, mathematics, and language. At Lane Motor Museum, the collection items are used as tangible teaching tools! Learning Lane (Experiential Learning K-12) Self-Guided Tours, Guided Activities, Demonstrations, Customizable Tours, and Learning Lane on the Move Program Price: $6 per student or $3 per student with a group rate. Lil' Learning Lane (Preschool Programs) Geared towards ages 3-5. Every 4th Thursday 10:30-11:30AM

Lane Motor Museum website

Radnor Lake State Park is located in Davidson County in the midst of the Overton Hills, south of Metropolitan Nashville in the Oak Hill Community. This natural area provides a variety of scenic spots and a diversity of natural habitats ranging from the lake, to streams and placid sloughs. Wildlife and numerous species of plants are in abundance. It is a place that provides scenic, biological, geological, and passive recreational opportunities not found in other metropolitan areas of Nashville's size.

Radnor Lake State Park website

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is located in the shadow of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. The 19-acre park is designed to complement the Tennessee Capitol Building, give visitors a taste of Tennessee's history and natural wonders, and to serve as a lasting monument to Tennessee's Bicentennial celebration.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park website

The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates an ancient trail that connected southern portions of the Mississippi River, through Alabama, to salt licks in today's central Tennessee. Today, visitors can experience this National Scenic Byway and All-American Road through driving, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping. The website offers historical information about the parkway for those who cannot visit in person.

Natchez Trace Parkway website

Located off U.S. Hwy. 70, the park is named for Military Governor Andrew Johnson. This 600-acre park on the eastern side of Kentucky Lake overlooks the site of the Battle of Johnsonville. Interpretive tours are available.

Johnsonville State Historic Park website

AMSE tells the story of national and global security, science, research, engineering, technology development, and environmental restoration successes that have occurred in Oak Ridge since the very first days of the Manhattan Project. The museum also has several educational programs and traveling exhibits.

AMSE - American Museum of Science and Energy website

Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area website

The historic park includes the York family farm and the grist mill he operated for many years on the banks of the Wolf River.

Sgt. Alvin C. York Historic Park website

Pickwick Landing State Park is located just south of Pickwick Dam, 12 miles south of Savannah, TN., in Hardin County. The lake and river offer excellent fishing, boating, swimming and a marina. Accommodations on the park include a modern Inn and Restaurant, cabins and camping. There is also a beautiful and challenging golf course. The park contains 1,400 acres of forested hills and hollows. There is a 2.8 mile trail to explore and enjoy the wildlife and plant life around the lake. Picnicking, swimming and play fields are also available.

Pickwick Landing State Park website

A paradise of more than 20,000 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular outdoor recreation areas in America. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. While Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is the highest waterfall in the eastern United States, other waterfalls in the park are Piney and Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Cascades.

Fall Creek Falls State Park website

Pinson Mounds, one of two state archaeological park, is a special park, set aside to protect the prehistoric remains found there. Managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Division of State park, the Pinson Mounds grouping consists of at least 15 earthen mounds, a geometic enclosure, habitation areas and related earthworks in an area that incorporates almost 1,200 acres. Pinson Mounds is a national historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park website

Big Hill Pond State Park lies in the southwestern part of McNairy County and encompasses approximately 5,000 acres of magnificent timberland and hardwood bottom land. Cypress Creek and Tuscumbia River border the property. Several oxbow lakes and sloughs add to the waterway. The flood plain adjacent to both the Tuscumbia River and Cypress Creek contains small oxbow lakes and swamp areas which are desirable habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and fishing.

Big Hill Pond State Park website

Roan Mountain State Park encompasses 2,006 acres of southern Appalachian forest at the base of 6,285 foot Roan Mountain. Park elevation ranges from 3,000 feet in the valley to around 3,700 feet on surrounding ridges. Rich hardwood forests allow for a great diversity of life and a wide range of outdoor activities. Park guests have opportunities to hike along creeks and ridges, fish for trout, play tennis, swim, tour a century old farmhouse, join rangers and naturalists for educational programs, and enjoy mountain music concerts.

Roan Mountain State Park website

The scenic beauty of this wooded park is dominated by the Great Falls of the Caney Fork River - an imposing limestone gorge (called a gulf in southern culture). It provides scenic overlooks, waterfalls and deep pools for fishing, rock-hopping and exploring. Located at the confluence of the Collins and Caney Fork Rivers, this 883-acre park has a natural sand beach on Center Hill Resevoir. Historic features of the park include a 19th century textile mill and one of Tennessee's early hydroelectric plants

Rock Island State Park website

Shiloh National Military Park contains four important Civil War entities: Shiloh Battlefield, Shiloh National Cemetery, Shiloh Indian Mounds, and Corinth Battlefield. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.

Shiloh National Military Park website

Shiloh National Cemetery was established in 1866 and has more than 3,500 Union graves. In 1933 responsibility of the cemetery was transferred from the War Department to the National Park Service.

Shiloh National Cemetery website

Edgar Evins State Park is located on one of the most beautiful reservoirs in Tennessee. Wildlife is abundant and includes three different owl species, numerous hawks and wintering bald eagles as well as the rare Cerulean Warbler, a summer resident of the park's mixed hardwood forests, which include stands of Tulip Poplar, Oak, Hickory, Buckeye and Wild Cherry. An observation tower at the Visitor Center offers a spectacular view of Center Hill Lake and the surrounding hillsides.

Edgar Evins State Park website

Offering a variety of field trip options on a range of topics from Tennessee History to Hands-on living history farm days. Groups or Co-ops can book a program of their choice from our website or individual homeschooling families can join one of the 5 Homeschool Field Trip Days scheduled for each school year. All ages and grades are incorporated into these programs to allow full families a learning opportunity.

Historic Sam Davis Home and Museum website

The park commemorates the survival of the Cherokee people and their forced removal from their homelands in the Southeastern United States in the 1840s. More than 16,000 Cherokee traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat along this path with devestating consequences between 1838-1839.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail website

Burgess Falls State Natural Area, located in Middle Tennessee, lies on the eastern edge of Tennessee's Highland Rim adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau and is noted for its natural beauty. Sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, rolling water and abundant mixed forest, characterize this area. The Falling Water River drops approximately 250 feet, providing numerous waterfalls, breathtaking scenery and overlooks. The park is home to over 300 species trees and plants and an abundance of wildlife. Park visitors can visit the large Native Butterfly Garden located adjacent to the upper parking lot.

Burgess Falls State Park website

Honeysuckle Hill Offers field trips for K-4th grade that include a Plant Life Tour and Rockin' Tour. $8 per person. The Plant Life Tour geared toward children in K-2nd discusses the different stages of the plant life, parts of the plant and what plants need to grow. Students get to plant a seed that they take home. The Rockin' Tour geared toward children in 3rd-4th teaches that rocks and minerals are non-living material found in the ground that can be very useful in our lives. Students get their hands wet panning for gemstones in our Gemstone Sluice, taking their treasures home.

Honeysuckle Hill Farm website

Reelfoot Lake State Park, located in the northwest corner of Tennessee, is one of the greatest hunting and fishing preserves in the nation. The lake encompasses 25,000 acres (15,000 of which are water) and harbors almost every kind of shore and wading bird, as well as the golden and American bald eagles. Other animals are also diverse and abundant here. Its many species of flowering and non-flowering plants attract botany enthusiasts from all over the country. Cypress dominates the margins of the lake, but many other trees and shrubs are also present.

Reelfoot Lake State Park website

This 1,200-acre site is the location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. Nearby were the principal towns of the Cherokee Nation including Tenase, namesake of our state, and Tuskegee, birthplace of the genius Sequoyah, commemorated by the Cherokee Nation's Museum. Today the fort and the 1794 Tellico Blockhouse overlook TVA's Tellico Reservoir and the Appalachian Mountains.

Fort Loudoun State Park website

Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is situated in the beautiful Cumberland Mountains of eastern Tennessee. The 13,122 acres of relatively undisturbed forest contain some of the richest wildflowers areas in Tennessee. The mountainous terrain varies from an elevation of 1,340 feet to over 3,000 feet on 16 different mountain peaks. Frozen Head, elevation of 3,324, is one of the highest peaks in Tennessee west of the Great Smoky Mountains. From its observation tower on a clear day, one can plainly see the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee Ridge and Valley, and the Great Smoky Mountains. In winter, the mountain peaks are often capped with snow or ice while the lower valleys remain unadorned, thus giving the park's namesake, Frozen Head. The park's lush vegetation, small streams, waterfalls and beautiful mountains make Frozen Head one of Tennessee's most scenic park.

Frozen Head State Park website

Experiencing the Obed - The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Obed Wild and Scenic River website

With the many acres of scenic woodlands, the park includes four lakes, a swimming beach, a 47 room resort inn and restaurant complex, cabins, group lodge, camping areas, picnicking sites, playgrounds, a ball field, a regulation pistol firing range, picturesque hiking trails, a wrangler camp, 250 miles of horse riding trails, a park store, and archery range.

Natchez Trace State Park website

Tims Ford State Park, located on the Tims Ford Reservoir in the rolling hills of southern middle Tennessee, is an outstanding recreational area and fishing paradise. Long before the construction of Tims Ford Dam on the headwaters of the Elk River, the area was used extensively by the Indians as a hunting and fishing territory. Archaeological excavations uncovered numerous artifacts and occupational sites, indicating that man had occupied the area as much as 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.

Tims Ford State Park website

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Nashville guide, kid favorites, main courses, deep thoughts.

I'm Lindsay Ferrier, a Nashville writer with a passion for family travel, exploring Tennessee, and raising kids without losing my mind in the process. This is where I share my discoveries, along with occasional deep thoughts, pop culture tangents and a sprinkling of snark. Want to get in touch? Use the CONTACT form at the top of the page.

15 Fall Family Field Trips Near Nashville

Nashville guide , travel.

October 11, 2019

Cooler weather is (finally!) here, which makes it the best time of year for weekend family field trips. I’ve always had two ulterior motives when planning weekend activities for my family — No matter what we do together, I want my kids to get active or I want them to learn something. Fortunately, there are tons of options in and around Nashville and many are in Rutherford County. Check out this list of some of my favorite family field trips near Nashville and you’ll never run out of ideas for things to do with your kids this season!

Check out a nature backpack at the Wilderness Station and explore Barfield Crescent Park.

Barfield Crescent Park is worth the drive to Murfreesboro all on its own. This gorgeous park has more than 7 miles of paved and unpaved trails that will take you through limestone sinks. cedar glades, and flower-filled meadows and alongside the Stones River, and it’s perfect for families.

Stop first at the park’s awesome Wilderness Station for a map and check out nature backpacks for the kids from one of the employees — They can choose either wildflower, bird, tree, or insect-themed packs for their walk and I can tell you from experience that a nature backpack makes kids a whole lot more excited about a family hike! Call 615-217-3017 for more information.

Source: Walden Farm

Visit a farm.

Did fall even happen if you didn’t visit at least one farm with your family? Two of Middle Tennessee’s most popular fall farms just happen to be in Rutherford County. Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville is an agrarian wonderland that includes a petting zoo, hayrides, slides, a tractor train, a tire mountain, a corn maze, a toddler maze, duck races, a pumpkin patch, a playground, and much more. Walden Farm in Smyrna also has a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a pumpkin train, farm animals, a play area, a corn maze, a hay mountain, and more. Either way, you can’t go wrong  — The fall farm experience was one our absolute favorite things to do when our kids were small.

Lead your own Ghost Tour around historic (and totally haunted) Murfreesboro.

One of my favorite stealth mode moves to get my kids interested in local history  is to research ghost stories about the places we’re visiting. Many of them play into major events that took place there, and the kids are a whole lot more interested in learning about a battle or historic event if they know old Horatio McFeathers III might make a ghostly appearance while they’re there. Not long ago, I turned up some great ghostly tales about Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. Downtown Murfreesboro in particular is loaded with ghost stories — (The totally true story about the Murfreesboro courthouse is a doozy — You’ll never look at it the same way again!) Spend an autumn afternoon finding the ghostly sites and telling their tales and you’ll be teaching them quite a lot about how Americans used to live in the process!  Check out my ghostly guide to Rutherford County here .

Check out one of Middle Tennessee’s incredibly rare cedar glades. 

You might not have known Middle Tennessee is home to a globally unique, almost desert-like ecosystem known as a limestone cedar glade . Here, cacti, rare and endangered wildflowers, and succulents thrive and a vast network of caves lies just beneath the rocky limestone surface.  These glades exist only in the central eastern United States– Most are in Middle Tennessee a short drive from Nashville, and ours are different from any on earth. In fact,  they’re so special that Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro has a Center for Cedar Glade Studies entirely devoted to them! Check out this list of protected glades open to the public , research them with the kids ahead of time, and then check them out for yourself — You’ll be amazed at the things that grow there! And be sure and check the event schedules of Long Hunter State Park and Cedars of Lebanon State Park — Both offer seasonal guided tours of the glades and they are fascinating.

Explore historic Cannonsburgh Village.

Rutherford County has managed to save many of its most important and interesting historic structures by simply moving them to a central location. That’s the idea behind Cannonsburgh Village , an outdoor village in the heart of Murfreesboro where you can explore an actual gristmill, school house, telephone operator’s house, the University House, the Leeman House, a museum, a caboose, the Wedding Chapel, a doctor’s office, a general store, a blacksmith’s shop, a well, and other points of  interest. The structures are open to the public between May 1 and December 1 and you can either take a free self-guided tour or pay a small fee for a guided tour. I absolutely love taking my children to this place — It’s filled with all kinds of historic artifacts and odds and ends that have been donated to the county over the years and the number of structures keeps kids from getting bored while they learn.

Earn your Greenway 100 t-shirt by logging 100 miles of bike riding on the Stones River Greenway.

We regularly make the trip to Murfreesboro to ride on its amazing Stones River Greenway. The 13-mile greenway takes you alongside the Stones River, past the Stones River National Battlefield, over bridges, past playgrounds, and through forests and there are 13 trailheads, so you can explore different sections at different times if you like. I love this greenway, so I was excited to see that a Greenway 100 Club has been created. Join the club, log 100 miles of riding your bike on the greenway (this may sound like a lot, but I regularly ride 12 miles in about an hour on my clunker bike, so it’s not an impossible goal over time!), and earn a t-shirt, coffee mug, and car decal for your efforts. If you’ve been trying to inspire your family to get healthier, this is one great way to do it. For more information on joining the Greenway 100 Club, call 615-217-3017 or email [email protected].

If the kids are too little for this activity, don’t worry! Print out this greenway scavenger hunt and explore the greenway on their level. You’ll also want to check out the stretch of greenway near Murfreesboro’s Gateway Island — Thanks to an Eagle Scout project, this section now features several Little Free Libraries, which are boxes filled with free books you can borrow and return, all donated by members of the community.

Learn more about the greenway system and download a map here.

Take your family on a wetland walk.

Right behind the Discovery Center, you’ll find one of Middle Tennessee’s most fascinating city parks.  A raised boardwalk takes you over the Murfree Spring Wetlands and this protected natural area is absolutely teeming with wildlife. You’ll see all kinds of birds, fish, and other animals, including a family of raccoons that lives inside a tree hollow and a large and active beaver population. This is a fantastic spot for your kids to learn about wetlands and spot interesting wildlife. Also be sure to check out Murfree Spring, while you’re there, which is right behind the Discovery Center building. Park in the Discovery Center lot to access both (free!) areas.

Tour Oaklands Mansion.

The Oaklands Mansion   tour in Murfreesboro is fascinating and it’s a great family field trip option if you have older kids. The family that lived there was a little different from other wealthy families in their day — They reserved the opulent front rooms of their home for their guests, but lived very simply themselves in the back rooms of the house. The differences between the two sets of rooms are really interesting. The Oaklands staff also has done an excellent job of seamlessly weaving the truth — that the mansion was built and maintained by the family’s slaves — into the narrative. For added fun, consider visiting the mansion on one of its upcoming Flashlight Nights — Bring your own flashlight and explore the mansion in the dark! Outside the mansion, be sure to take the wetlands trail down to Maney Spring. It’s a local favorite.

Learn about a young Civil War hero with a fascinating story at the Sam Davis Home.

Confederate soldier Sam Davis was only 21 when he chose death by hanging rather than giving information to Union troops. He famously said, “I would rather die a thousand deaths than betray a friend” before he died and the story of his brief life is truly fascinating — My kids aren’t that into history (YET!), but they were totally fascinated by the Sam Davis story. It led to some interesting family discussions after we toured his family home. Admission to the Sam Davis Home in Smyrna includes a guided tour of his home and its grounds as well as admission to a museum built in his honor. Be sure and watch the short film in the museum before you take the tour.

Learn about one of the Civil War’s most important (and bloodiest) battles at Stones River National Battlefield.

If you haven’t taken your kids to the Stones River National Battlefield yet, it’s time. Grab a map from the Visitors’ Center and take a self-guided tour or take one of the many free guided tours offered on Saturdays and Sundays. You can opt for a walk through a section of the battlefield with a ranger or a ride in a car on a guided caravan drive (the battlefield is huge), but I’ve heard the best way to experience it is on one of the Saturday morning bicycle tours, which are offered in the summer and early fall.

Across the street at the  Stones River National Cemetery , Hallowed Ground Lantern Tours are offered seasonally. Carry a lantern through the cemetery at dusk and listen to re-enactors reading actual letters from and about some of the soldiers buried there.

The battlefield holds LOTS of special events and historic reenactments, which can be a great way for your kids to learn about the Civil War. Check out the upcoming events schedule here.

Sign up for a family-friendly activity with Outdoor Murfreesboro.

Can’t think of anything to do? Let Outdoor Murfreesboro provide the inspiration! Every time I look at its list of upcoming events, I want to sign my family up for every one of them. Right now, for example, there’s a guided family float down the Stones River coming up, an overnight family camping trip at Barfield Crescent Park, and homeschool classes at the Wilderness Station. Other regularly-scheduled activities include guided hikes for families and adults, stroller walks with other moms on the greenway, ‘Wild Things’ classes that teach children about animals and nature, night hikes, kayak floats, festivals, and more.  Check out Outdoor Murfreesboro’s Facebook events page to keep up with all that’s going on.

Source: Bradley Academy Museum

Learn what life was like for African American children at the turn of the century at the Bradley Academy Museum.

100 years ago, the little-known Bradley Academy Museum in Murfreesboro was  a school for African American students. Today, it’s a museum showcasing the school’s history as well as local Civil War history and exhibits on some of Rutherford County’s earliest settlers. The museum doesn’t get many visitors, but those who’ve visited say you can learn a lot about slavery and segregation in Middle Tennessee here — definitely a history all of our kids could benefit from learning more about.  Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm.

Make it a day of learning at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring.

This interactive children’s museum is simply the best, and I found it to be much more manageable (and less intimidating to my kids) than Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. At the Discovery Center , you’ll find tons of activities for every age and stage here from toddlers up to about age 11. Run your own city in Tiny Town! Learn about the human body in the Five Senses exhibit! Go down the 2 ½ story super slide! Climb aboard the fire truck! Create art in the Creation Station! Participate in one of the special programs that take place each day! Check out one of the center’s rotating temporary exhibits! There’s plenty to do here and I can guarantee your entire family will love it.

See tons (literally!) of dinosaur bones, fossils, rocks, and minerals at Earth Experience.

Many people out there still don’t know that Murfreesboro has the only natural history museum in Tennessee, and that’s a crying shame. Earth Experience showcases the vast fossil collection of MTSU professor Alan Brown, who digs with his students for dinosaur bones in Montana every summer. It’s also filled with rocks, gems, minerals, and archaeological relics, many of which are from Tennessee. Earth Experience is open Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Special classes for kids are also regularly scheduled — Call (615) 900-8358 to find out what’s happening.

Source: Nissan Smyrna

Tour the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant.

Everyone who’s been on the Nissan tour tells me it’s fascinating, and it’s definitely on my bucket list of family experiences. You’ll ride a motorized vehicle through the plant and learn how cars are made. Kids ages 10 and up are allowed on the tour and they love it! Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations are required and should be made at least four weeks ahead of your visit. To request a tour, call (615) 459-1444, or email  [email protected] .

This post was written in partnership with the Rutherford County CVB.

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Whether in person or online, we are excited to provide you and your students with a day of learning experiences that is out of this world! Click here to jump to the field trip reservation form. Download the Learning Expedition Guide to see all our education offerings. 

In-Person Field Trip Options

Adventure Science Center is welcoming group visits to the museum once again with the following guidelines:

• Any group of 20 or more students qualifies for School Group Pricing
• Exploration of the science center should be conducted in 1:10 chaperone to student ratio
• Groups must reserve their Field Trip at least 2 weeks in advance (exceptions made on a per case basis

School Groups (In-Person Field Trip)

School Group rates apply only to tax-exempt K-12 schools, preschools, year-round daycares, head start programs, and organized home schools. To qualify for the school group rate, each group must have 20 or more students and register prior to their visit. 

Metro Nashville Public School Groups

• MNPS Student Admission = FREE
• 1 teacher/chaperone admitted FREE per every 10 students
• $20 for non-members
• $0 for members

Non-Metro Nashville School Groups

• Student Admission = $7 per student
• $0 for member

Non School Groups (In-Person Field Trip)

Non-school groups with a tax ID number, including but not limited to camps, non-profits, after-school programs, churches, scouts, youth groups, and tour companies may qualify for group pricing. 

To qualify for group pricing, groups must: 

• Reserve a visit 2 weeks in advance
• Have at least 20 paid visitors
• Include at least one (1) adult for every ten (10) youth

General Admission:

Adult (13+) - $20 Youth (2-12) - $16 Toddlers (Under 2) - Free

Planetarium Show (Additional cost):

Adult (13+) - $7 Youth (2-12) - $7 Toddlers (Under 2) - Free (must sit in lap)

Book your visit by filling out the reservation form below.

FIELD TRIP/GROUPS RESERVATION FORM

Field trip request.

This is a form for the field trip request that lives on the field trip page.

• Your Name *
• Organization/School Name *
• Type of Group (Please select one) * School group: K-12th grade Homeschool group College/University Camp Church group Scout group Non-profit group Other: _____ (fill in the blank)
• Organization/School Address * Street Address Address Line 2 City Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah U.S. Virgin Islands Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code
• Organization/School Phone *
• Cell phone *
• Email address *
• Visit Type (select one) * K-12 School Group Non-School Group
• Sudekum Planetarium (additional cost. seats up to 160. Most shows run 35-minutes.)
• Hands-On STEM Lab (additional cost. up to 30 students per lab. 55-minutes per lab.)
• Dissection Lab (additional cost. up to 30 students per lab. 55-minutes per lab.)
• Demonstration (additional cost. seats up to 120. 25-minutes per demonstration.)
• None of the above
• First date preference * MM slash DD slash YYYY (Adventure Science Center is CLOSED on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
• Second date preference * MM slash DD slash YYYY (Adventure Science Center is CLOSED on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
• Estimated Number of students *
• Estimated Number of non-teacher, adult chaperones *
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The 51st BGS Field Trip will focus on the hydrology and geology of the northern Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. The karst of the Cumberland Plateau is extensive, unique, and has created some of the greatest caves in the eastern United States. Field trip stops will focus on the stratigraphy of the Plateau, and will visit some of the more famous recharge features, discharge features, and karst windows in an attempt to provide some context, scale, and give the participants an idea of the character of several major karst systems in Tennessee. 

The Field trip will be led by Ben Miller & Brian Ham

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Choose Your Family Vacation in Middle Tennessee

Family-friendly activities in and around Nashville are abundant - from waterfall hikes to farm tours and attractions kids will love.

Featured in this Article:

Cheering at a Ballpark or Hiking at a State Park See the Sea or See the Stars Bountiful Botanical Gardens or Geological Wonders Rock Climbing Gym or Treetop Adventure Chocolate Craving or Picture-Perfect Pies Small Town Charm or Big City Lights Up A Waterfall or Down A Waterslide Pet the Goats or Feed the Alpacas  

Bring the family to Middle Tennessee for a memorable vacation filled with outdoor adventures like waterfall hikes and attractions that help kids learn about the world around them in a fun way. Farm tours, minor league baseball games and a stop (or two) at local bakeries round out the many offerings. Here are some family vacation ideas in Middle Tennessee.

Cheering at a Ballpark or Hiking at a State Park?

Nashville sounds at first horizon park - nashville.

Calling First Horizon Park home, the Nashville Sounds are Music City’s very own minor league baseball team. Fun for the whole family, the Sounds offer various promotions and special gameday events throughout the season. Join the Sounds on Sundays for Family Fun Day where kids can run the bases after the game and receive kid-focused giveaways and activities on gameday. Stunning views, great fans, great prices, and great baseball, a Sounds game never disappoints. Quick tip: Check the Sounds website for game dates and related promotions; their season runs from Spring to Fall.  

Burgess Falls State Park - Sparta

Venture to Sparta, Tennessee to witness one of the state’s most beautiful cascades. With walking trails that offer many excellent views, the hike to the main falls is mostly shaded and not too long. Along the way, you’ll encounter a number of smaller (yet still incredible) falls that all lead to Burgess Falls State Park’s largest and most spectacular waterfall, the perfect day trip from Nashville for families. There is even a playground near the parking lot and restrooms.  Quick tip: This park is quite popular, so try and arrive earlier in the morning to avoid bigger crowds.   

See the Sea or See the Stars?

Nashville zoo at grassmere - nashville.

Known as one of the best outdoor adventures in Nashville, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is the perfect family day trip. With shaded walking trails throughout, the zoo features a multitude of animals and exhibits like Critter Encounters (where you can get up close with some of the zoo’s most beloved and personable animals like tortoises, goats, and birds), the African Savana (featuring zebras and ostriches), Jungle Route (flamingos, lemurs, monkeys, pandas, and bears), and Unseen New World (full of reptiles and a multitude of sea creatures). From creepy crawlies to the cutest creatures, Nashville Zoo has an array of exhibits sure to captivate the whole family. Quick tip: For families with young children, the Jungle Route includes plenty of animals, a rope bridge, and interactive areas that doesn’t take very long to complete. 

Sudekum Planetarium at Adventure Science Center - Nashville

Experience a start-of-the-art 63-foot dome theater at the Adventure Science Center’s Sudekum Planetarium where you and your family can see planetarium shows, laser shows, and featured events like concerts. Spend the day and walk around the science center which has plenty of interactive, hands-on exhibits to keep the kids buys for hours. Finish with a trip to the center’s planetarium where you can experience an educational, yet enjoyable narrated show featuring the solar system and special topics like the “Dark Universe” that is fun for every age.    

Bountiful Botanical Gardens or Geological Wonders?

Cheekwood estate & gardens - nashville.

Visit Cheekwood , a magical 55-acre botanical garden tucked away only 30 minutes from downtown Nashville . Experience renowned seasonal festivals like the breathtaking display of 150,000 spring flowers for Cheekwood in Bloom during the spring, over 1 million Christmas lights during Holiday Lights for the winter season, and the famous Pumpkin Houses during Cheekwood’s Harvest season. And for young children, a number of areas throughout the gardens like the Children’s Garden and TRAINS! exhibit feature plenty of interactive opportunities for fun. Check out Cheekwood’s website to discover the schedule of daily events.

Cumberland Caverns - McMinnville

Spark a sense of wonder and awe by road tripping from Nashville to tour the Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville . Marked by unique rock formations and incredible beauty, the caverns are one of the largest caves in all of Tennessee. There are a variety of options for tours, including an overnight cave adventure and daily guided tours. You can even catch a concert in the live music venue located within one of the caverns (be sure to check the schedule of events on the Caverns’ website). Quick tip:  The temperature in the caverns is a steady and comfortable 56-58 degrees year-round, so make sure to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt.

Rock Climbing Gym or Treetop Adventure?

Climb nashville - east/west nashville locations.

Looking for a different and exciting activity to do with the kids? With two convenient Nashville locations, visit Climb Nashville for one of the best indoor rock-climbing experiences around. Offering walls for first-time climbers and climbing veterans alike, Climb is the perfect place to learn, practice, and have fun. With guided instruction and rental equipment available, new climbers can learn the basics from a professional in a hands-on environment and try out their new skills on numerous beginner walls throughout the facility. Experience this fun and challenging activity for all ages.

Treetop Adventure Park - Hermitage

Discover an extensive treetop adventure course at Treetop Adventure Park in Nashville. Set in the scenic woods of Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort , the courses feature over 100 exciting obstacles like suspension bridges, huge zip lines, cargo nets, rope swings, and more. Including adult, junior, and kid’s courses, it will be fun for everyone in the family. With a friendly, well-trained staff and clean, well-maintained, and naturally beautiful landscape, Treetop Adventure Park is the perfect way to spend the day and even get in some exercise.

Chocolate Craving or Picture-Perfect Pies? 

Chocolate covered strawberry cafe - gallatin.

Got a sweet tooth? In addition to their delicious desserts, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Café in Gallatin features a wide variety of tempting lunch menu items with unique pairings. Choose from a wide and inventive variety of soups, salads, and sandwiches, all with fresh ingredients and each served with a complimentary chocolate-covered strawberry. Dishes like the Smoked Turkey Swiss Sweet Apple Hummus and Cucumber Slice Sandwich and Cobb Salad Sandwich and drinks like the Strawberry Lemonade and Strawberry Twist are delightful. And be sure to enjoy some signature desserts like the White Chocolate Cheesecake and Carmel Pecan Apple Cake. No matter what you choose at Chocolate Covered Strawberry Café, it will certainly be tasty.

The Country Gourmet - Murfreesboro

Seek out sweets at The Country Gourmet in historic downtown Murfreesboro . Here, you'll find over 3,000 items from Tennessee and around the world. Choose a few gourmet chocolates to try from truffles to churro toffee bites, chocolate covered strawberries and shortbread cookies.

Pie Sensations - Columbia

If you love pie or just crave a sweet treat, then Pie Sensations in Columbia is for you. Rated #1 in Paula Deen’s Pies Across America, this bakery is known to have some of the best, award-winning pies, cakes, and desserts around. Enjoy delightful and legendary pie favorites like the Coconut Cream, Chocolate, Key Lime, Peanut Butter Silk, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Banana Cream. If pie isn’t your thing, Pie Sensations also offers a variety of homemade candy and cupcakes that are sure to please. Quick Tip: Pie Sensations can deliver, so you can enjoy pie wherever, whenever.  

Small Town Charm or Big City Lights?

Rent a houseboat at wildwood marina resort - granville.

Located on the Cordell Hull Lake in Granville, Tennessee , the Wildwood Resort and Marina is a hidden gem located in the heart of Tennessee’s lush wilderness and just an hour’s drive from Nashville. It's the perfect Tennessee family trip getaway. With a variety of lodging options, you can book a stay in resort Airstreams, rooms in the lodge, tiny (and regular-sized) cabins, and you can even book a houseboat. Called “harbor cottages,” these houseboats are docked at the marina and offer spectacular views of the lake. There is a private shower and bathroom, full kitchen, covered outdoor dining area, and plenty of spaces to hang out and enjoy the unique experience with the whole family. Able to sleep 6 people, these two-floor houseboats provide a great way for everyone to relax and have fun around the resort, all with the amenities and comforts of home. 

Historic Cheekwood Birdsong Lodge - Ashland City

Situated on the banks of Sycamore Creek in Ashland City, Tennessee , the Historic Cheekwood Birdsong Lodge is a beautiful historic home you can rent for your family getaway. Very comfortable, welcoming, and peaceful, this large cottage features plenty of amenities, supplies, and even has activities and games for the children. There are indoor and outdoor areas for gathering, a large screened-in porch, and large yard perfect for the little ones to explore. The property also features a stocked pond and several fire-pits with seating. Check out this charming lodge for rent only 25 minutes away from Nashville.

Up A Waterfall or Down A Waterslide

Machine falls - tullahoma.

Take the kids to frolic in the water at Machine Falls in Tullahoma . The 5-mile loop trail is considered a moderately challenging route and takes about 2 hours to complete. The trail is beautiful any time of year and leads you to beautiful natural views, wildflowers, rock formations and more.

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort - Nashville

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort is located on the shores of Percy Priest Lake and has eight water slides, a gigantic water pool and Kowabunga Beach, a four-story water treehouse and sprayground. If you want to take it easy, take a leisurely float down the lazy river or head to the beach where you can soak up the sun.

Pet the Goats or Feed the Alpacas?

Noble springs dairy - franklin.

Cuddle baby goats at Noble Springs Dairy in Franklin for a unique farm experience. Spend time petting the goats and spending a relaxing day on the farm. Guided educational tours take place at 11 a.m. where you can see farm activities, including the milking parlor and cheese making facility. Then, support the small farm with a purchase of some of the culinary and skin care products made on the farm. 

Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery - Smithville

Relieve stress by snuggling and feeding the Nigerian dwarf goats, feeding emus treats and brushing llamas' wool at Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery in Smithville . Tickets are $10 per person (children under 2 are free) and reservations are required. Goat cuddling experiences are offered 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Farm tours are also offered 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and include seeing the barns, milking a goat by hand, seeing other animals like cows, piglets, ducks and free-range chickens, and sampling fresh goat cheese, goat milk fudge and caramels. Tickets are $20 per person (the baby goat cuddling/petting/feeding of the donkey, emus, goats, parrot pictures and llama lounge experiences are included in your tour price). 

Mistletoe Farm - Franklin

Meet baby and adult alpacas at Mistletoe Farm Alpacas in Franklin. Private visits are $50 for up to 5 guests for 30 minutes or $100 for up to 10 guests for a full hour. After you get your fill of cuddles and Instagrammable photos, check out the studio farm store for all the products made from the alpaca fluff and other souvenirs from tumblers, t-shirts, baseball caps and even miniature felted alpacas.

Explore even more family-friendly adventures in Middle Tennessee .

Places in this article

Wildwood Resort & Marina

Destination resort & marina on Cordell Hull Lake. Lodge & cabin accommodations, Airstreams, live music, boat & kayak rentals & restaurant on site.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cafe

Delicious lunch spot in Gallatin

Treetop Adventure Park

Treetop Adventure Park is Nashville's #1 ropes course and zip line park. It is an adventure course in the beautiful woods of Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort with 100 exciting obstacles including 10 zip lines, 5 ropes courses, and more.

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort

Located 10 miles from downtown on Percy Priest Lake, enjoy a water park, ropes courses and zip lines, RV campground, lakeview cabins, marina, and boat rentals.

Cumberland Caverns

Discover a magnificent world hidden just beneath your feet.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

Adventure Science Center

Opening every mind to the wonders of science and technology, fostering a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Where animals, nature and fun converge

Burgess Falls State Park

Burgess Falls State Park, located on the Falling Water River is noted for its natural beauty and four waterfalls that cascade down from over 250 feet in elevation. The last of these falls is the most spectacular, plunging more than 130 feet into the gorge

Nashville Sounds

Take me out to the ballgame with the Nashville Sounds

Choose Your Middle Tennessee Adventure

Plan a trip to Middle Tennessee to experience outdoor adventure, foodie experiences, small towns and more.

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Chattanooga is filled with Tennessee experiences. Just ask lifestyle blogger, Anna Liesemeyer of In Honor of Design, who recently took her family to experience them.

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A Made in Tennessee Journey to Knoxville

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School Field Trips

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Recommended

School groups LOVE The Adventure Park at Nashville!

Our school field trips get your students out from behind the desk and into adventure!

Get your students outside and into an environment that encourages them to use their minds and bodies. Students will feel motivated and gain problem solving skills, improve their motor skills, and build self esteem and confidence.

The Adventure Park is more than just a fun activity: By successfully completing challenge courses, students gain a positive mindset leading to leadership skills, facilitating a hands-on approach to your lesson plan—supporting your classroom dynamic and courses in a unique, engaging way.

School Field Trip Packages Include:

• 3 hours of climbing and zip lining
• All necessary climbing equipment
• Safety briefing and practice time – no climbing experience needed!
• Free bus parking
• No charge for non-climbing participants

Ask our Group Sales Team for details about support for individuals with special needs.

Incorporate your outing into your lesson plan!

Take advantage of our free lesson plan materials, including Adventures in STEM and Maker Space.  Get your class excited about their trip and motivated to learn concepts that will come to life on their visit.

Access Materials

Download our school field trip planner.

We’ve put our best tips, information, and resources together to help make your school field trip planning a breeze in the trees! The planner includes an organizer checklist and our best ideas for hands-on lesson planning.

Let’s Talk About Food!

Everyone is welcome to bring their own food, snacks, and drinks. Check out our Food page for other local options.

Other Details for Your School Field Trip

Check out our Group FAQs for all of the details you need to plan a successful field trip!

Call (615) 610-9500 or contact us to book!

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Tennessee Field Trips

The Titanic Museum – Pigeon Forge

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Nashville

The Lost Sea – Sweetwater

Crockett Tavern Museum – Morristown

Andrew Johnson  National Historic Site – Greeneville

David Crockett State Park & Museum – Lawrenceburg

Lucky Ladd Farms – Eagleville

Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga

Adventure Science Center – Nashville

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum – Chattanooga

Shelby Farms Park – Memphis

Tennessee Museum of Aviation – Sevierville

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge – Springville

Sill Hollow Farm – Greeneville

Long View Ranch – Mosheim

Cumberland Caverns – McMinnville

Nashville Zoo – Nashville

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Science, Art & History Come Alive on Field Trips in Pigeon Forge

Despite the boom in tourism and touristy attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and area residents have managed to preserve their culture into an incredible wealth of knowledge and learning opportunities. From environmental sciences to artisanship to Native American and pioneer history, the Smoky Mountains is your all-in-one field trip for any grade!

Visit the Smokies for a day or construct an awesome overnight field trip in a large group cabin your students will remember for a lifetime because you will be hard-pressed to find downtime in between the plethora of activities, museums, and exhibits. Here are 10 awesome field trip ideas in the Smoky Mountains for teachers and parents who homeschool!

• Environmental Science and Ranger-Led Field Trips Kindergarten through High School The National Park Service is an outstanding resource for your next science field trip with staff that can help you plan the entire process for both ranger-led and teacher-led field trips. There are cool salamander research field trips for both middle and high schoolers that teach students about the local wildlife and how studying these animals closely provides researchers information on climate change and environmental challenges such as water and air pollution! There are tons of options, so take a look at the NPS’s wide range of materials for teachers and field trips to the Smokies!
• Arts and Culture in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community 3rd- 8th Grade Artisanship and handmade goods have a rich, long history in the Smokies, providing tons of historical context and value to your lessons on early life and culture of North American settlers. This 8-mile loop is a fantastic way to share these lessons with your students while staying on a budget! You can eat along the loop or host a great picnic lunch (even MORE budget-friendly) in Cades Cove.
• Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge 3rd-8th Grade What could make this week-long event hosting a wide range of educational lectures, activities, and tours on subjects from science to history to arts even better? Oh, that’s right, it’s FREE! Simply pre-register your students for particular classes to ensure availability and begin your adventures with one of the country’s top wildlife education events!
• Science and History in Cades Cove 3rd-8th Grade The biodiversity of the Smoky Mountains comes together in the beautiful mountain valley nestled into the heart of this national park. The 11-mile loop is full of gorgeous scenery, wildlife, and historical structures preserved by the park. This is another budget-friendly field trip, and you can visit the teaching materials link aforementioned for scientific and historical teaching materials provided by the National Park Service!
• Native American Culture and Art in Cherokee, North Carolina 2nd-8th Grade As one of the only Native American Reservations federally recognized in the South, this jewel is a one-of-a-kind experience when teaching your students about indigenous cultures of North America. With numerous shops, museums, and events such as the 106th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair , there are ample opportunities to take advantage of this rich resource of preserved cultural beauty with your class.
• Science and Geology in the Tuckaleechee Caverns 5th-8th Grade While the area’s staple attraction is the towering, majestic mountains, there is even more to be discovered below the surface! Daily tours, open to the public from April 1 to October 31 and November 1 to the 15, through the underground caves of the Tuckaleechee Caverns supply your class with a cool adventure filled with historical, geological, and biological facts.
• Some Weird Science and History in the Ghost Town of Elkmont, Tennessee 5th-8th Grade Like wandering the streets of a scene plucked out of The Walking Dead, this abandoned town is a unique opportunity to show your students the biological impact of humans and what happens when they remove themselves from the ecological system. Owned by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont is a designated Historical Landmark and is a great detour to other stops like Cades Cove.
• History on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 3rd-6th Grade Departing from Bryson City, this scenic steam/diesel train ride is an out-of-the-norm way to tour the Great Smoky Mountains! With discounted group rates, the GSMR narrated car is the perfect way to enjoy your ride with your class while sitting back and letting a local author, poet, and storyteller, Horace Kephart, take your students back in time with historical facts, local ghost legends, and commentary on the scenes through the train windows.
• A Field Trip Designed For Online Schooling!! 2nd-9th Grade Imagine the impossible: taking your students along the thousands of miles along the Appalachian Trail which cuts through the Great Smoky Mountains…without spending any money! Thanks to the Great Smoky Mountains Electronic Field Trip , teachers can cover subjects such as animal and plant biodiversity, climate change, and history with an incredible HD video, fun games at the end of each lesson, and a tour to encourage remote learning while staying hands-on!
• Science, History, and Art at the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage 1st-12th Grade This Smoky Mountain event is an educator’s gold mine, not to mention, the student discount is great (Students under 15 are FREE, while students 15+ are only $15 in contrast to adult registration of $50-$75!) This event is so prestigious and great (it’s coming up on its 69th year!) that it was sold out during pre-registration for the 2018 event held in April. Make this an overnight field trip of a lifetime and participate in hikes, classes on journaling and photography, and informative hands-on lectures about animal and plant biology…and SO much more!

Okay, so you want to plan an overnight field trip, but how on earth do you house your students without digging deep into parents’ and teachers’ pockets? Book a Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Cabins lodge! Not only can you avoid pricey hotels and spread out students, but the amenities also keep your kids plenty entertained before curfew and during downtimes! Eating, meetings, and hanging out as a group is immeasurably easier in one cabin. Check out your options here and begin planning the field trip of your students’ lifetimes!

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Discover Live and Virtual Arts Experiences in Our Season for Young People

For the 2024-25 school year, Tennessee Performing Arts Center offers exceptional performances for students, available in-person and virtually. Discover how the performing arts brings high quality instructional opportunities to inspire and connect, from theatre, music, and literature, to history, geography, and science.

In-Person Performances

• Charlotte's Web October 21-25, 2024 at 10:30 AM
• Benzaiten November 8, 2024 at 10:30 AM
• Under Pressure! November 18-22, 2024 at 10:30 AM
• A Christmas Carol December 5, 6, 10 & 11, 2024 at 10 AM
• Fisk Jubilee Singers® February 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
• Step Afrika! February 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
• Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny February 13-14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
• Astronaut Group 1 February 24-28, 2025 at 10:30 AM

Virtual Performances

• Walk Together Children September 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
• Dr. Kaboom's Newton's Laws of Motion September 16 – December 13, 2024
• Jacked! October 18 - November 22, 2024
• Doodle Pop November 1-29, 2024
• Miss Nelson Has a Field Day February 10 - March 7, 2025
• The American Revolution April 1-29, 2025
• Diary of a Wombat April 1-29, 2025

Learn More About the Season for Young People

Enter your information to join our mailing list., high-quality instructional material.

A field trip to TPAC offers exceptional performances for PreK – 12 students. Learn more about the Season for Young People.

Policies & Procedures

We want to make experiencing the performing arts easy for you. Be sure to read our policies & procedures before making a reservation.

Educator Resources, Travel Grants & Subsidies

TPAC offers opportunities to make participation fun, educational, and affordable for each and every student.

Standards & Curriculum Connections

Discover ways to integrate each performance into your curriculum with educational teaching standards.

Teacher Workshops

Learn about cross-curriculum instruction with one of our highly interactive, entertaining, and informative workshops.

In-Person Performances | $10 per student

Performance Details are Subject to Change

Charlotte's Web

October 21-25, 2024 at 10:30 am.

Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman. She will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig but also ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring madcap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship.

Run Time: 60 minutes

Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Literature Based, Music, Relationships and Family, Perseverance, Friendship, Communication, Loyalty

Grades K – 5

November 8, 2024 at 10:30 AM

TAIKOPROJECT’s latest full-length work shatters gender stereotypes and challenges notions of femininity and masculinity in the taiko world. Channeling the Japanese goddess Benzaiten, their new concert blends percussive power and strength with consummate grace and movement. Featuring edgy and opulent new costuming by kimono couture master Sueko Oshimoto and visionary compositions by Artistic Director Masato Baba, BENZAITEN unites Japanese tradition with modern American innovation. Instruments featured are authentic taiko drums, bamboo flutes, marimba, koto (Japanese harp), voice, and the group’s 350-pound mother drum.

Curriculum Connections: Music, Rhythm, Rhythmic Patterns, Instrumentation, Percussion, Group Performance

Grades 3 - 7

Under Pressure!

November 18-22, 2024 at 10:30 am.

Doktor Kaboom, along with a magnificent cast of volunteers, demonstrates the power of something all around us, which although we cannot see it, affects us all. Pressure. Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment messages, Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! clearly illustrates physical science concepts which are also metaphors for some of the real-life mental and emotional pressures we all experience. In this new show, Doktor Kaboom will validate the pressures students may feel, and offer tools and life lessons for alleviating and dealing with the difficulties that face us all. Created by David Epley, Seattle, WA and co-commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts, Family Theatre.

Curriculum Connections: Science, Physical Science, STEAM, Theatre, Health, Respect for Others, Perseverance, Positive Attitude, and Responsible Decision Making

Grades 3 – 8

A Christmas Carol

December 5, 6, 10 & 11, 2024 at 10 am.

In this heartwarming and spectacular production of A Christmas Carol , Nashville Repertory Theatre artistic director Micah-Shane Brewer brings Charles Dickens’ classic story to life on stage. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they lead the miserly prosperous curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Through these encounters, Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of kindness and generosity. The production features stunning sets and costumes that transport the audience to Victorian England and the timeless story is sure to be loved by audiences of all ages.

Run Time: 165 minutes with one intermission

Curriculum Connections: Historical Literature, Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Economics and Civics, Theatrical Presentation

Grades 5 - 12

Fisk Jubilee Singers®

February 5, 2025 at 10:30 am.

Discover the history and explore the stories of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers’ original nine members in this choral performance under the direction of Dr. G. Preston Wilson. The current singers of the ensemble reflect on their roles as students and preservers of the group’s legacy during this blissful experience of beautiful storytelling through song.

Curriculum Connections: TN and US History, Fisk University and the Fisk Jubilee Singers®, Listening and Reacting, Choral Singing

Grades 5 – 12

Step Afrika!

February 7, 2025 at 10:30 am.

This show introduces audiences to stepping through both a traditional and contemporary lens. Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.

Curriculum Connections: Musicality, Dance, Group Work, African History, Rhythm, History

Grades K - 12

Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny

February 13-14, 2025 at 10:30 am.

Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both tales feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s staged adaptation will bring a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.

Curriculum Connections: Puppetry, Visual Art, Literature, Rhyming, Rhythmic Patterns, Repetition, Passage of Time

Grades K – 3

Astronaut Group 1

February 24-28, 2025 at 10:30 am.

The story of the original Mercury Seven Astronauts comes to life in an original theatrical production. Chosen from hundreds of crackerjack pilots for their fitness, intelligence, and courage, Project Mercury was more than the story of individual missions. It defined the manned space flight program to come, from Gemini to Apollo eventually taking mankind from the earth to the moon. Share Alan Shepard’s exhilaration as he breaks the earth’s atmosphere for the first time. Race with John Glenn as he makes the split second life-or-death maneuvers during reentry, and feel his relief when he emerges safe but drenched with sweat.

Curriculum Connections: World and American History, Social Justice, Science & Math, Storytelling, Political Science, English, Creative Writing, Current Events, STEAM

Grades 5 – 8

Free Virtual Performances

Walk together children.

The 150th Anniversary of the Fisk Jubilee Singers®

September 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025

In Walk Together Children: The 150th Anniversary of the Fisk Jubilee Singers® , former director Dr. Paul T. Kwami and his students pay tribute to the original nine members of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who were organized as a choral ensemble in 1871 to perform and raise money to support Fisk University. As today’s singers explore the personal stories of the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations in Walk Together Children, they reflect on their roles as students and preservers of the world-renowned choral group’s rich legacy. Inviting viewers to share in their unique bond and learn the significance of the Negro Spirituals and their value in today’s culture, the film is a dual concert event celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Fisk Jubilee Singers and a call to action for the bright future ahead for Fisk University and all of Nashville.

Created in collaboration with Dr. Kwami and director Jon Royal, the film is produced by Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).

Run Time: 55 minutes

Curriculum Connections: TN and US History, Fisk University and the Fisk Jubilee Singers®, Choral Music

Dr. Kaboom's Newton's Laws of Motion

September 16 – december 13, 2024.

Described as “part Mr. Wizard and part Mr. Rogers,” Doktor Kaboom uses the excitement of rocketry to present Newton’s Laws of Motion in multiple, over-the-top, demonstrations. Each of Newton’s 3 laws is clearly explained, comically demonstrated, and followed by a DIY project that students can do as a class, in groups, or individually. 3 Laws, 3 lessons, 3 projects!

Run Time: 32 minutes

Curriculum Connections: Sir Isaac Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion: Inertia, Acceleration, Action/Reaction, Safe Science, Math, Costume and Set Design, Character, Improvisation, Understanding, Respect, Cooperation, Making good choices, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication

by Idris Goodwin

October 18 - November 22, 2024

It’s Jack and the Beanstalk with a modern-day twist. In this reimagined world, Jack and his mother struggle to live happily ever after. When his farm can’t feed him, his community can’t support him, and his mother can’t take care of him, Jack takes matters into his own hands. After climbing the beanstalk and stealing the giant’s goose, Jack flees home and discovers the goose’s golden eggs have a mysterious, intoxicating power that turns his world upside down. Directed by Jamie McKittrick, Metro Theater Company’s Jacked! fuses storytelling and poetry with nonstop hip-hop and break-beat music by Jackie “Jackpot” Sharp in this fresh, energetic virtual production that uses hand-drawn animation based on visuals by artist Nick Kryah.

Run Time: 40 minutes

Curriculum Connections: Storytelling, Narration, Problem-Solving, Family Dynamic, Helping, Rhyming, Poetry, Music, Sound Design, Digital Technology, Role Playing, Imagination, Creativity

Grades K – 4

November 1-29, 2024

A mischievous duo starts to doodle… and ends up creating a whole imaginative world! They invite us along on their sea adventure with a tiny little turtle. What will happen as we follow their vivid drawings into this beautiful watery world, and will they return the turtle to the sea safely? This touching and playful non-verbal show by BRUSH Theatre uses live musicians who perform the accompanying score and sound effects, stunning interactive animation projections and live whiteboard drawings, and an abundance of theatrical imagination.

Run Time: 52 minutes

Curriculum Connections: Performance & Interactive Design, Clowning and Physical Theatre, Music & Composition, Sound Design, Projection & Digital Technology - Perspective, Light, Scale, Animation; Ocean habitats and sea life, Role Playing, Imagination, Creativity

Grades PreK – 2

Miss Nelson Has a Field Day

February 10 - march 7, 2025.

Return to Horace B. Smedley School where the Smedley Tornadoes have never won a football game. In fact, they have never even scored a single point! With such a poor record and a team that is out of control, kind-hearted Miss Nelson comes to the rescue when she enlists the help of her alter ego, the ill-tempered Miss Viola Swamp, to coach the team and whip them into shape. Considered by all to be “the meanest substitute teacher in the whole world,” Coach Swamp applies her trademark discipline to the players’ training, demanding tough exercises and no back talk. In the end, the team changes their attitude, pulls together, sharpens their skills, and manages to win the biggest game of the year.

Run Time: 65 minutes

Curriculum Connections: Reading, Writing, Comprehension, Vocabulary, Measurement, Teamwork, Collaboration, Encouragement, Discipline, Dedication, Resilience, Creativity, Theatre, Music

The American Revolution

April 1-29, 2025.

History in 50 minutes—seven actors, two feet off the ground, share 21 square feet of space and recreate the entire American fight for independence from Lexington to Yorktown. Using only the actors’ bodies, voices and (pantomimed) cannons, this production by Theater Unspeakable evokes an epic time period in American history. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, the American Revolution displays the company’s rowdy brand of bare-boned and imaginative physical theatre.

Run Time: 50 minutes

Curriculum Connections: American History, American Revolution, Groupwork, Spatial Awareness, The New World, Sons of Liberty, Independence, Boston Tea Party, Physical Theatre, Storytelling, Comprehension, Creativity

Diary of a Wombat

Millions of young people around the world have adored the multi award-winning picture book,  Diary of a Wombat . Now this iconic work, written by Australian Children’s Laureate (2014 – 2015) Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley, comes to the stage. Meet Mothball, the naughtiest wombat in Australia. Bored with her daily routine, Mothball goes in search of shelter and food, creating chaos in the lives of the humans around her. Doormats, trash bins, and washing lines are no match for this mischievous marsupial. Between a packed schedule of scratching, sleeping, and eating, Mothball discovers that with a bit of persistence, humans are quite easily trained! This delightful non-verbal adaptation by Monkey Baa Theatre Company features puppetry, movement, and live cello music from a team of revered artists.

Run Time: 45 minutes

Curriculum Connections: Animal Behavior and Habitat, Storytelling, Theatre, Instrumental Music, Biodiversity and Change, Ecosystems, Supply and Demand, Responsible Decision Making and Behavior

Travel Grants

TPAC can assist with travel costs by completing our Travel Grant Application. Schools pay for their transportation, and the grant awards reimburse 50% of that expenditure. Funds will be distributed after required documentation is submitted to TPAC.

Ticket Subsidies

TPAC covers a large percentage of performance costs to ensure all students have access to performing arts experiences. When requested in advance, we can provide ticket subsidies to schools in need of funding assistance.

THANKS TO OUR EDUCATION PARTNERS

It means you’ll be unable to see the entire stage from those seats.

We sell these seats because for many fans the limited view is not a problem, and the tickets are clearly labeled at time of purchase (see photo below). Limited view seating varies event to event and could be something as small as a tiny corner of the stage being blocked from view. Call our box office at 615-782-4040 for additional information on limited view seating.

Seats marked with “Limited View” during purchase path

Andrew Johnson Theater

Many shows impose ticket limits to allow as many people as possible to have equal access to seats. This is done as a deterrent to third party vendors, i.e. scalpers, who may purchase large blocks of seats and then resell them online at an inflated cost. The term “household” refers to any shared information on one or more accounts. This includes, but may not be limited to matching names, mailing and billing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and credit card numbers. Any households that purchase more than the allowed number of tickets may have their order(s) refunded without notice.

Andrew Jackson Hall

Click for seat views and a detailed seating chart

James K. Polk Theater

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Out in the Field: Where’s Your Troop Going?

We are consistently amazed by the incredible activities that our troop leaders coordinate. If you need inspiration for a future troop meeting, read on!

Traditional meetings are always a great time, but if your troop is looking to mix things up a little, try a field trip! Whether you visit a community center down the road or go on a camping adventure, there are so many badges you can earn when you go on troop excursions! One good resource for ideas: our community opportunities page. 

Here are some field trips that a few local troops have tried out lately. Way to go to all of these troop leaders; coordinating field trips takes a little extra planningtt!

Hillary Capes of Troop 883 coordinated a flower workshop for her troop at the Nashville Flower Market! During the workshop, each Girl Scout learned about the different types of flowers they were arranging and created beautiful arrangements to take home. As a florist herself, Hillary shared her passion with her troop and they walked away from the workshop with a new skill set and appreciation for nature! This outing also helped the Girl Scouts earn their Junior Flower Badge and work towards another business badge. Way to go, Hillary!

Cadijah Rogers of Troop 199 took her troop to the Belmont Curb Event Center to watch a Fisk University Gymnastics meet! The team competed against Greenville University and made history in their hometown debut. The troop witnessed some incredible athletic abilities and experienced the significance of a team’s debut competition. This taught the Girl Scouts the importance of persistence and teamwork. What an incredible experience!

Hillary Hatcher of Troop 2548 took her troop to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga for a “Sleep in the Deep” overnight! Her troop saved the money for the experience, and they had a great time camping underneath the wildlife. Their experience included a guided program of the sea creatures, a “Scavenger Hunt After-Dark”, snacks and breakfast. The troop had a blast, and this unique experience will be a treasured Girl Scouts memory for years to come.

Nicole Batts of Troop 52 coordinated a marathon field trip weekend last October! It began on Saturday with a Build-a-Bear excursion, Behind the Scenes tour and lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant, Halloween happenings at the Opryland Hotel, and the day concluded with a living room sleepover. On Sunday, the troop worked on their Agent of Change Journey with a Harry Potter theme! The day ended with a bridging ceremony, and the Girl Scouts received their new Junior uniforms. This weekend was no small feat!

If you have fun field trip ideas to share, reach out to us at [email protected] ! And be sure to send pictures!

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Middle Tennessee Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource for field trips for students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about Tennessee’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more in Middle Tennessee. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below to learn about these types of field trips.

• Financial Support
• Children's Museums & Indoor Fun
• Archaeology/Paleontology
• Government, Civics & Presidents
• Historic Places
• Historical Boat Excursions
• History Museums, Exhibits & Sites
• Living History
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• Agricultural Education
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• Farms, Mazes, Pick-Your-Own
• Planetariums & Astronomy
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Lane Motor Museum

The Lane Museum collection specializes in European cars.  Your visit includes stops around the globe with lessons in art, engineering, design, history, politics, mathematics, and language.

Nashville Children's Theatre

Nashville Children’s Theatre offers wonder, music and drama in their field trip school time performances. NCT has a variety of fun drama workshops that will enhance your group’s trip to the theatre.

Nashville Symphony | Schermerhorn Symphony Center

The Nashville Symphony offers education opportunities both here and outreach including Young People’s Concerts, Open Dress Rehearsal & Ensembles in the Schools.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

The Nashville Zoo is a zoological garden and historic plantation farmhouse which contains 6,230 individual animals and 339 species. Offers field trip activity stations, tours and hands-on activities.

Oaklands Mansion

Oaklands Mansion , the plantation home of the Maney family, offers tours and seasonal hands-on activities that focus on chores from the mid-1800s.

Shuckle's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

At Shuckle’s-Corn-Maze-&-Pumpkin-Patch, students & scouts will learn how corn is grown and the uses in manufacturing of this food source.  Learn about the feeding & care of animals.

Sudekum Planetarium

The Sudekum Planetarium,at the Adventure Science Center, features state-of-the-art digital projection and surround sound to present programs on a wide range of sciences, history, culture and laser shows.

Tennessee Agricultural Museum

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum hosts tours, hands-on activities and demonstrations that are rooted in a historical context, agricultural education, science, math, and even language arts.

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Tennessee Performing Arts Center offers performances in theatre, dance, music, storytelling, opera, puppetry, by local, national, and international performing arts companies.

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame recognize people who became notable for participating in some form of sport in the American state of Tennessee through interactive exhibits.

Tennessee State Capitol

Guided and Self-Guided tours of the Capitol are available, on Legislative (meeting) days, visitors may view the Senate and the House of Representatives from the galleries.

Tennessee State Museum

Experience Tennessee history at the Tennessee State Museum where youth groups can create their own Tennessee learning adventure. Combine with a trip to the Tennessee State Capitol.

• Memphis Field Trip Ideas for Middle Schoolers

For Midwestern or Southeastern middle school classes, Memphis is a hop, skip, and a jump to exciting educational opportunities. With history dating before the Civil War and a culture rooted in music, Memphis is educational on interdisciplinary fronts, to say the least. So if you're within driving distance, and you're searching for the perfect field trip destination for your middle schoolers, look no further than Memphis!

National Civil Rights Museum

The Civil Rights Movement is first introduced to young students in middle school so this would be the perfect time to sink your students into the history of the nation. Memphis saw trouble in its day, but it also raised many leaders to fight back the tide of hate and aggression with peace and non-violent protest such as Benjamin Hooks and Maxine Smith. Memphis' NCRM was established in 1991 in a significant building, the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Within the rooms are interactive and poignant exhibits on the history of Civil Rights in America going all the way back to the first instances of slavery in the colonies. There are five permanent exhibits, over 250 artifacts, and more than 40 video displays and films to clearly portray the truth of the issue.

Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum

We're sure your middle school students would enjoy a field trip inside the world of music! They will learn that Memphis was the home of Elvis "The King" Presley, where many stars first earned their status among celebrities and rock stars, and where music evolved from the "oldies" to the rock and soul they all know and love. Located on famous and historic Beale Street, the Rock N' Soul Museum lays out the history and evolution of music from the Rural Culture and Music of the Mississippi Delta to the influence of Sun Records and Youth Culture in the city. Learn about music greats like B.B. King, Elvis, and Roy Orbison, and explore even the history of America and learn how music helped heal a country in civil distress.

Pink Palace Museum

A single glance at the Pink Palace is enough to tell you it's not like any other museum. A sprawling mansion of pale pink, the aptly named Pink Palace Museum started as a private home to the founder of the Piggly Wiggly chain of grocery stores, Clarence Saunders. Today it's owned and operated by the Pink Palace Family of Museums which also maintains a handful of other landmark homes and museums in Memphis. Inside the mansion, your group will have free reign to explore everything from the science of nature to the cultural history of Memphis, the history of the Pink Palace, and more. There's also a full 3D theater and a planetarium that performs daily.

C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa

Formerly known as the Chucalissa Indian Village, the C.H. Nash Museum is an active archaeological cultural site with roots in the 15th century. The Native American history on the site is what is known as a Walls Phase mound site dating from 1000 to 1500 AD and renowned nationwide for its abundance of well-preserved remains, architectural and otherwise. The museum and other educational facilities on site are operated with the help of the University of Memphis, and the park includes a nature trail, arboretum, an interactive archaeology lab, the real-life mound complex, and wonderfully educational exhibits that explore the history of Native Americans and prehistoric civilizations in North America.

Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum

On the first floor of the Memphis Central Station, you'll encounter the history of the Memphis railroad system. With a transportation and trade history steeped in the railroad tradition, Memphis has an enduring love for the locomotive. The Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum showcases the variety of the rails with artifacts including an ATCS Monitor, railroad tools, a full-size trolley exhibit, and a train simulator.

Fire Museum of Memphis

Located in an old Fire Engine House No. 1, the Fire Museum of Memphis is the best of its kind in the entire country. Not only does this wonderful museum enlighten on fire safety, it showcases the history of fire fighting. The Fire Museum of Memphis was the first of its kind to examine data on fire prevention and effectiveness and showcase this knowledge to the general public through exhibits and regular demonstrations. Here, you can explore exhibits holding artifacts like early American and European fire fighting helmets, historic fire engines, antique fire fighting toys, and a safe fire demonstration room which simulates the effects of a burning building. You will also find a memorial wall to the firefighters of Memphis who have died in the line of duty.

Shelby Farms Park

Chances are, your students will have visited a zoo and a city park in their time but they've never seen anything like Shelby Farms Park. Five times the size of Central Park, Shelby Farms has a multitude of activities and attractions beyond the natural setting, giving your group plenty of options for an educational and fun afternoon trip outdoors. Firstly, you have the Shelby Farms Greenline, trails, and a Woodland Discovery Playground to enjoy nature in its finest setting. However, you also have the option to enjoy it from above with the Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course with zip lines and rope courses, as well as a laser tag, paintball, and disc golf course. Finally, the piece de resistance is the herd of buffalo roaming the park. Come and learn about the ecology and environmental aspects, then the biology and conservation practices of the buffalo on-site, and finish your trip with a laser tag session.

Written by Josh Hettinger

View all posts by: Josh Hettinger

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