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Kid-friendly attractions in and around Memphis
Kid-friendly attractions in and around Nashville
Kid-friendly attractions in and near Kingsport, the Smokies and Chattanooga
 

When the air is cool, take your kids to Memphis Zoo to see animals including zebras, southern white rhinos, giraffes, sloths, bears and lions among other creatures. Plan your visit around the annual Zoo Boo where kids can dress up and trick-or-treat around the zoo. Fun activities include a Mad Scientist lab, pumpkin hunt, Jack-o-lantern jamboree, candy stations, tunnel of doom, Dracula’s Disco, Mermaid Bay and so much more.

Shelby Farms Park – Memphis 

Bring the kids to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens for Cheekwood Harvest, a six-week celebration of all things fall. Pick out the perfect pumpkin, explore the three pumpkin houses at the pumpkin village and find scarecrows throughout the garden. Your children will love exploring the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden where they can explore nature, art and history. Then, go to the Trains! exhibit to experience an enchanted train station combining a traditional depot with the natural form of a tree.

Oaklands Mansion – Murfreesboro

Take a self-guided tour of Oaklands Mansion to experience a slice of Tennessee history. Oaklands was built in four phases over two generations of the Maney family from 1815 to before the Civil War. Inside, you’ll see a collection of furnishings, artwork and personal items. After your tour, step outside and explore the Native Tree Arboretum, heritage flower and vegetable gardens and walking trails. You can even marvel at a 250+ year-old history white oak tree. Oaklands Park is also open to leashed dogs.

Soar Adventure Tower - Franklin

Stretch your legs and enjoy autumnal scenes during the kids' fall break at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium in Kingsport. See animal habitats like wolves and owls, take a barge ride with a naturalist to learn about the park history and wildlife like beave lodges, blue herons, black bear and more. Kids will love the adventure course, featuring three different adventures with high and low ropes and a zip line. Over 40 miles of hiking trails snake through the 3,650-acre park and 32 miles of biking trails that provide fun for mountain bikers of all skill levels. 

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster - Pigeon Forge

Have a fright on the ride of your life during Coasts & Goblins at Rocky Top Mountain Coaster. Kids 13 and up can enjoy 20 acres of bone chilling fun on Tennessee's longest mountain coaster weekends now through Oct. 31. Control your speed to fly by to escape the goblins out to get you or slow down for creepy close ups. 

Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga 

See exotic and native creatures from Tennessee at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. In the River Journey building you can see native Tennessee fish as well as fish that inhabit rivers around the world. Next door in the Ocean Journey building, see sharks, jellyfish, penguins and even lemurs in the Tropical Cove. Kids will love the butterfly garden, too. ODDtober is a celebration of strange creatures around the world and in Tennessee all October-long. Fun fall touches are in the exhibits, including flickering pumpkins with an eerie glow that flash along with the pulses of an electric eel.

Museum of Appalachia - Clinton

Meet farm animals and learn about Appalachian pioneer life at the living history museum, Museum of Appalachia, about 66 miles from the Smokies. Over 250,000 artifacts are housed in three buildings displaying folk art, musical instruments, Native American artifacts, baskets and quilts. The 65 acres outside has 35 log cabins, barns, schools, gardens and churches. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop on site.
 

For more fall travel inspiration, check out the following articles:

Things to Do in Tennessee This Fall

Add These Tennessee Fall Festivals to Your Calendar

Choose Your Fall Adventure in Tennessee