With food prices steadily increasing, electricity, gas, and our daily living expenses significantly increasing, more and more of us are looking for ways to still entertain our kids without breaking the bank. However, it is possible to find things to do that are free, by donation, or less than $5 for an adult and accessible to children.
They are all outside of Nashville, and the perfect activities to do with the kids that are economical on a tight budget.
1. Hike Bledsoe Creek, State Park
The park has 57 campsites and six miles of hiking trails in the woods and along the lakeshore. One mile of the trail is paved, accessible to wheelchairs and persons with disabilities, and open year-round, and no fee to use the paths.
Bledsoe Creek State Park is not only an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, but it is also a chance to learn about history. The area was once hunting grounds for the Cherokee, Creek, Shawnee, and Chickamauga Native American tribes. You can learn more about the history when you visit the second on the list.
Located: 400 Zieglers Fort Road Gallatin, TN 37066
2. Explore Bledsoe Fort Historical Park
The park is an 80-acre park that features an outline of the buildings that were part of the original Bledsoe Fort from the 1780s. The park also contains the Rogans Cottage, an Irish-Style stone cottage built by an Irish immigrant, Hugh Rogan. Along with two other log cabins and a cemetery you can explore. The hiking path leads to the old springhouse, and each spot has an information marker where you can learn more.
Open year-round.
Located: 2923 Hartsville Pike, Castalian Springs, Tennessee.
3. Visit the Douglass-Clark House
Elmore Douglass established the Douglass-Clark House as a home in 1786 while Tennessee was still part of North Carolina. The house was used for a courthouse, and future president Andrew Jackson used the house while he practiced law. The house is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Open year-round for guided tours; closed all major holidays and the third full week in January. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Admission Free.
9 am-4:30 pm
Located: 2115 Long Hollow Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee
4. Visit Mary´s Magical Place Playground
The park was named for Mary McAuley, a child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy; she lived in a wheelchair. She could not participate in most parks, hence this new park style for all. The park is designed for those of all abilities.
Free
Location: 140 Scotch Street, Hendersonville, Tennessee.
5. Octagon Hall
Octagon Hall was built by Andrew Jackson Caldwell and served as a union hospital during the Civil War and a hideout for Confederate soldiers. The house also has a dark history and has been known to have paranormal activity. However, we did not witness any when we visited, and the children loved exploring the house and grounds.
The cost is donation based, at 5 dollars for adults; however, they are not strict on taking a donation, there is a jar, and you can contribute if you like.
Tours are offered every Wednesday to Saturday from 9 am - 3 pm; the last tour starts at 2:30.
Location: 6040 Bowling Green Rd. Franklin Ky 42134
I hope there is something on the list that you can find entertaining and affordable this summer.
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