Thanks to Nashville’s notoriously unpredictable weather, it can get cold and rainy at any time of the year. You can always hunker down at a bar or restaurant, especially one equipped with games, but why not be a bit adventurous when you’re trapped indoors? Here are the best ways to play without stepping foot outside.
The Best Indoor Activities in Nashville
The Climb Gyms
Break a sweat while reaching new heights at The Climb Gyms, located in West Nashville and East Nashville. Since Nashville weather is so unpredictable, we recommend purchasing the 5-visit pass which includes unlimited climbing, access to all climb facilities, and fitness and yoga classes.
Tee Line Curling
Grab your friends and head over to Tee Line for some curling. This family-friendly sports and recreation venue is the first venue to offer curling in Nashville! Partipaticants must be 10+ to curl and any children between the ages of 10-14 are recommended to wear headgear on the ice. Things can get pretty chilly, so warm athletic clothing is a must.
K1 Indoor Karting
If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, K1 Indoor Karting has the answer. Hop on one of their European-style all-electric karts with speeds that approach 45 mph on the indoor track. Races start at $25.95 with memberships available.
Axe Throwing
What has been considered a traditional Canadian backyard pastime is now one of the most popular indoor activities nationwide. Bad Axe Throwing, situated in the SoBro neighborhood, not only offers axe throwing but also is a full restaurant and bar. Looking to accommodate a large party? Bad Axe Throwing has you covered! This establishment can host large groups of 30 or more.
Bowling
Photo Credit: Brooklyn Bowl
Bowling is the ideal bad-weather group activity. Brooklyn Bowl is the most popular, high-end bowling option in Nashville with great food and drinks. Lanes are first come first serve, the cost is $15 per half hour for up to eight people, shoe rentals are $2.95, and socks are available for $3. Pinewood Social is another bowling option with six reclaimed wood lanes, vintage ball returns, scoring tables, and food and cocktails just a few steps away. Lanes are $67.50 per 90 minutes for up to 8 people Monday through Thursday and $90 per 90 minutes for up to 8 people Friday through Sunday. Tee Line also has four bowling lanes. If you’d rather go to a good old-fashioned bowling alley, there are still a few out there, including Eastside Bowl, Franklin Lanes, Donelson Bowl, and Strike & Spare’s multiple locations.
Duckpin Bowling
If you make your way Downtown to Lower Broadway, you’ll find duckpin bowling at Nashville Underground. Nashville Underground’s first floor, Bowl & Bull, features four lanes, arcade games, a mechanical bull, and prizes. For larger groups, we recommend checking out Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar + Arcade. This popular Gulch establishment combined concepts so guests can enjoy duckpin bowling, themed pinball machines, over 30 classic arcade games, video games, foosball, bocce ball, and drinks all at the same time. This gaming mecca is a crowd-pleaser for all types of groups.
Trivia Nights
Trivia is almost like a sport in Music City—things can get very competitive. Popular trivia nights around town include M.L. Rose in Sylvan Park (Monday at 8:00pm), Bottle Cap in 12 South (Tuesdays at 7:00pm), and Von Elrod’s in Germantown (Wednesdays at 7:00pm).
Arcade Games
From pinball machines to skeeball, arcade bars have it all. Up-Down Nashville, located in East Nashville, is a 10,000-square-foot arcade bar with over 80 arcade games from the ‘80s and ‘90s, skeeball alleys, and a Nintendo 64 gaming console. If you make your way over to the Gulch you’ll find 16-Bit Bar and Arcade which features over 30 classic arcade games and video games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Mario Bros. Down in South Nashville is the Game Terminal where gamers can enjoy over 200 vintage and new arcade games and pinball machines.
The Escape Game
Photo Credit: The Escape Game
The Escape Game is one of the most popular indoor activities in Nashville. The interactive phenomenon features scenarios of varying plausibility (like Ruins: Forbidden Treasure and The Heist), and players must work together to free themselves from a room within 60 minutes. Can your team crack the code—maybe even in record time?
Topgolf
This is not your typical golf outing. The goal of Topgolf is to hit microchipped golf balls at various targets in a giant outfield—your score is calculated by computerized readers on the field based on distance and accuracy. With more than 100 covered climate-controlled hitting bays, plus a full-service restaurant and bar, you could spend an afternoon here without having to step foot outside.
Karaoke
Nashville is well acquainted with classic karaoke bars, like Ms. Kelli’s, Santa’s Pub, WannaB’s, Lonnie’s, The Lipstick Lounge, and Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole. Expect to take in some stellar performances, but don’t be too intimidated to grab the mic yourself—there are plenty of average and below-average singers in Music City, too.
Ice-Skating
Bring out your inner Chazz Michael Michaels at the Centennial Sportsplex rink, which offers public ice skating and skate rentals throughout the year. For ten bucks ($7 for rink access and $3 to rent skates), you can blow off some built-up energy and take embarrassing videos of your friends who have never hit the ice.
Did we leave off a fun indoor activity in Nashville? Let us know in the comments!
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Indoor activity – ax throwing!