The year is officially halfway over, and we’re now in the hottest month. That means you should always have water with you, and be aware of the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion. If you have kids, July is their last month of freedom before school begins in August, and it’s also home to the biggest national summer celebration — Independence Day. Here are some ideas for how to spend your July. We have even more ideas on the City Cast Nashville podcast.
Nashville sure does know how to put on a show. (Jonathan Ross / Getty Images)
🎆 Where to Celebrate the 4th of July
Shooting off fireworks in Nashville is illegal, so you’ll need to find someplace to watch them outside of your backyard.
Downtown’s big fireworks extravaganza — considered one of the best in the nation — has events all day long for kids and adults. It will be packed, so you’ll want to get there early. Several nearby restaurants and businesses have firework-watching events, like Pinewood Social, the Adventure Science Center, and SkyBar.
If you want to avoid the Downtown hubbub, several surrounding towns offer events for the Fourth. Pegram has activities from morning to night, starting with a parade at 10 a.m. This one is especially good for kids, with bouncy houses, rides, and two playgrounds. We went last year and had a blast. The Downtown Band plays at 7 p.m. at Brentwood’s Crockett Park, with fireworks later in the evening. Mount Juliet also has a great fireworks display and activities for all ages starting at 5 p.m.
If you want some early fireworks viewing, Hendersonville, Smyrna, and Fairview celebrate on July 3.
We spend many a summer day creek hiking. (Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)
🚣 Take to the Water
Temperatures can easily get into the triple digits. Finding good water holes is a July essential.
Kayaking the Cumberland is a fantastic way to spend the day. Or venture to one of Nashville’s lake beaches, like Old Hickory Beach and the Anderson Road Recreation Area. But first, make sure you understand swim safety guidelines.
While not as fancy as Nashville Shores and SoundWaves, Wave Country and Brentwood’s Splash Park are super fun for kids, and much cheaper.
Edwin Warner Park has creek access behind the nature center and behind Shelter 6, though the nature center creek can dry out in the summer. Deerwood Arboretum also has several places to play in the Little Harpeth River. Just walk the trail and venture down any wooden steps you find. (If you love rocks, you’re in for a treat.)
😋 Try Some New-to-You Food
For the foodies, Nashville hosts several festivals in July, from Burger Week to the Hot Chicken Festival. Check out our guide for attending July’s food festivals!
😰 Find Indoor Activities When the Heat Gets to You
Listen, sometimes July can just get too dang hot to be outside. Make sure to survey our event picks to find fun indoor activities. Local library branches also offer a plethora of activities for all ages, like zoo adventures, Dungeons & Dragons groups, and gentle yoga.
