As a Nashville mom, I think the Frist Art Museum is a must-visit for families

Nashville is known as Music City, and it makes sense that visitors want to see places like the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum while they’re here. However, as a local mom, I think that the Frist Art Museum is actually one of the best spots to visit with kids.

I first went to the art museum before having children to see one of the temporary exhibits on display. Last summer, my husband and I took my young children back with us and enjoyed it so much that we got a membership for our family.

An art museum might seem like an intimidating place to take children, but the Frist Art Museum is set up to be very family-friendly.

Here’s a quick overview of the museum before I get into the reasons why I think the Frist is a perfect place for families. Make sure to read to the end of the article for tips to make your visit easier.

Info About The Frist Art Museum

• 🎟️ Entrance: $20 adults, free ages 18 & under
• 🕛 Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Thu, 10 am – 5:30 pm Fri-Mon, Closed Tue-Wed
• 🖥️ Website
• 🌎 Google Maps
• 👶 Strollers allowed

Entry Into The Museum Is Free For Everyone 18 And Under

Budget is one of my top priorities when deciding where to take my kids. Visiting attractions in Nashville with a family can get pricey. However, since the Frist Art Museum is free for ages 18 and under, it’s one of the more affordable things to do in Nashville. 

You only need to pay for adult admission, which is $20 per person. There are discounts for seniors, military, and college students as well.

Like I said earlier, we have a membership to the museum. I think the cost of an annual membership is worth it for families if you live nearby and plan to visit a few times a year. 

There’s also a free membership tier available for residents in Davidson County and other nearby counties for those under a certain household income, which makes visiting the museum even more accessible. 

The Martin Artquest Is An Incredible, Interactive Space For The Whole Family

Since I skipped the Martin ArtQuest before I had children, I wasn’t sure what I would find there, but it turns out that the space is so cool. 

The interactive space allows visitors to create their own art using different techniques like drawing, painting, printing, collages, and more. The theme for the space typically centers around one of the exhibitions currently on display in the museum. 

I’ll be honest, we don’t always look at every gallery when we visit because my kids are still young and have short attention spans. I do try to spend at least a few minutes in the gallery that relates to the ArtQuest. I think that my kids will make more of a connection between the two once they start to reach elementary age. 

The ArtQuest space has something interesting for all ages. The light wall definitely attracts younger kids, as does the station with building materials. My kids love doing the watercolor station, too. 

Older kids seem to enjoy the printmaking station and the animation station. As an adult, I’d like to give the zoetrope a try, but my little ones can’t stay focused long enough for that quite yet. 

The theme of the ArtQuest changes out three times each year, so there’s something new to try even if you come back frequently. 

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The Cafe Cheeserie Has Both Kid-friendly And Adult-friendly Food

The Cafe Cheeserie is one of my favorite parts of the Frist Art Museum. It’s run by the Grilled Cheeserie, which is one of the popular local restaurants in Nashville. 

You can get pastries or quick grab-and-go snacks if the kids need a small snack to keep them going. But if you have the time, it’s worth getting lunch (or dinner if it’s a Thursday night). 

The menu changes seasonally, but adults and kids alike will love the salads, sandwiches, and soups available. Even picky kids will like the grilled cheese or the mini charcuterie board. 

Being able to eat really good food while at the museum makes your day much easier if you’re visiting Nashville. And even if you live nearby, sometimes it’s nice not to have to think about what to do for lunch on a morning out. 

The Museum Is Just The Right Size, Not Too Large And Overwhelming

The Frist Art Museum is housed in a 1930s Art Deco building that used to be a post office. While the building is beautiful, it is a bit smaller than you might expect for an art museum in a major city. However, this does mean that you can realistically see a good amount of the museum before kids start to get overwhelmed, especially if you have older children.

In addition to the Martin ArtQuest area, there are usually three temporary exhibitions along with an interesting display in the main entry hallway. The exhibitions switch out on a staggered schedule, so one of them is usually new every other month or so. Even though the museum is small, there’s always something new to see.

Tips For Visiting The Frist Art Museum

Check the programs and special events schedule

The Frist Art Museum sometimes has special programs for children and families. The most frequent one is Family Sunday, which includes special multi-sensory stations in the galleries, a Family ArtLab project, and tours geared toward families.

Pack a picnic lunch or snack if you don’t want to eat at the Cafe Cheeserie

I love grabbing a meal or snack at the Cafe Cheeserie, but another good option is to bring something with you. There are tables set up in the shade outside the museum entrance. The courtyard area is pretty and peaceful, so it definitely adds to your experience as a whole.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the galleries, so you’ll want to eat before you head inside or keep the food in your vehicle until after your visit if you’re parked nearby.

Read a picture book with your children before you visit

The staff in the Martin ArtQuest usually puts together a list of picture books that relate to one of the museum’s current exhibitions. If you have time, picking out one or two of the books to read before you come to the museum can make the visit more interesting for kids (and maybe even for you as well).

Decide if it’s worth parking in the museum parking lot

Visitors to the museum can get discounted parking in the museum parking lot with validation. I try to park in the museum lot whenever I visit because the discount is significant. However, the parking lot is small, and it can be a hassle to get in unless you visit Nashville’s off-season. 

The discount rate only applies for the first 3 hours. If you plan to visit other attractions nearby in Downtown Nashville and the Gulch, it could be cheaper to park somewhere else instead.

Visit the Martin ArtQuest after you’ve seen the rest of the galleries

The Martin ArtQuest is on the second floor, so you’ll naturally visit the two galleries on the first floor before heading upstairs. However, you have to pass the entrance to the Martin ArtQuest to get to the other gallery on the second floor.

It’s tempting to stop in the ArtQuest first, but if you have young children, as I do, it’s very hard to convince them to leave the ArtQuest to see the final gallery. The ArtQuest is just too much fun. This is probably less of an issue for older children.

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The Frist Art Museum is family-friendly without being centered completely around kids, which makes it a great experience for both kids and adults. I initially was hesitant about the idea of bringing kids to an art museum. Now, I can’t stop telling everyone I know just how great the Frist is.

For more family-friendly ideas for Nashville, check out my guide to the best things to do in Nashville with kids or the best things to do in Nashville with toddlers if you have younger children.