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Are you looking for some affordable family fun this summer? Airfare is sky high, and gas prices are insane this summer – so why not look for a family activity that’s a little closer to home? We’ve pulled together a list of 9 family-friendly activities for this summer to help you do just that!

In Middle and Eastern Tennessee, there’s no shortage of family-friendly places to explore without breaking the bank. What better way to make memories together than to share fun experiences outdoors? 

Check out some of our favorite family-friendly activities for this summer:

1. Take a picnic!

Address: Anywhere

This may be the easiest outdoor activity on the list! Pack up a picnic lunch, and enjoy time with your kids in the backyard, at a park, on a lake, in the woods, or at a roadside stop on the way to one of the fun destinations on our list! Simply taking a weeknight meal outdoors makes a routine experience an adventure. Picnicking is the ultimate family-friendly summer activity! Can’t you just taste the watermelon now?

2. Cuddle Goats at Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery

Address: 285 Harmony Ln, Smithville, TN 37166

A visit to Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery is sure to be a big hit, especially if you plan ahead and make reservations to cuddle goats or tour the farm. You might even get to feed a baby goat, pet a donkey, give an emu a treat, or brush a llama! 

Harmony Lane Farm is a family-owned, Grade “A” Dairy and farm store that’s a big hit with families. Even if you don’t get to cuddle with the animals, you can still tour the 64-acre farm and go home with soap, lotion, or fresh dairy products, like artisanal cheeses, caramels, fudge, and even ice cream.

The goat cuddling and farm tours aren’t free, but they do provide affordable, memorable experiences for every member of the family.

3. Canoe the Caney

Address: 17055 Smithville Hwy, Silver Point, TN 38582

We’re a little biased, but we think it’s hard to beat a day out on the water with your family!  We offer canoe and kayak rentals, and we never tire of taking in the scenery and watching for wildlife along the Caney Fork River or at Center Hill Lake. Watch for bald eagles, goats, river otters, turtles, fish, and plenty of birds! Don’t forget to pack a lunch, so you can stop for a picnic in the shade, or grab lunch at the Caney River Tavern. 

With a variety of excursions offered, you can choose your own adventure to ensure the whole family has a blast on the Caney Fork River. 

If you love paddling with us, grab a season pass for even more affordable fun all season long! 

4. Hike to the Waterfall at at Cummins Falls State Park

Address: 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501 

306 rugged acres comprise this park, where you can enjoy a hike, a swimming hole, and the majestic Cummins Falls on a day visit. Hiking into the gorge and down to the base of the waterfall is a fun adventure, but the hike is pretty technical, and conditions can change quickly. If you have young kids, this isn’t the trip for you. Wait to explore until they are a bit older and can appreciate the wonder of Tennessee’s 8th largest waterfall after a strenuous hike to its base. The swimming hole and waterfall make the trek worthwhile!

Make sure to plan your visit in advance, as Gorge Access Permits are required for any visitors wishing to enter the gorge or travel down to the waterfall’s base. Permits are available on the state park’s website for review and access. Plus, the park is only about 30 minutes from Burgess Falls, so you can fit in both waterfalls on your adventure.

5. Visit Historical Monuments

Address: Varies

Yes, we could feel that eye roll coming from the back seat, but what better way to bring history to life than to stop and explore some of the monuments that are all around us? Tennessee is full of historical sites that tell the stories of our ancestors, from Native American life to Civil War history, and so much more. 

Visit Tennessee’s historical monuments to learn about the people and events who have shaped our state – and our country! Plan a day around visiting multiple sites, seek out a walking tour, or simply put one historical site on the agenda each time you venture out for a day trip. It’s a fun way to get out and discover the people and ways of life that came before us. 

6. Tour Deerwood Arboretum & Nature Center

Address: 320 Deerwood Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027

Looking for an easy stroll or bike ride along a scenic path? Walk or bike your way along paved bike and jogging pathways while you explore 27 acres of this Level 2 state certified Arboretum. A wildflower meadow, Nature Center Complex, ponds, and more than 29 species of trees make this a special addition to your summer vacation. 

Add in migratory birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, and you’ll have plenty to see on a nice jog, walk or ride around the arboretum.

7. Hike Fiery Gizzard Loop Trail

Address: Fiery Gizzard Recreation Area/131 Fiery Gizzard Rd, Tracy City, TN 37387

This is such a cool place to hike and explore with older kids! It’s been named one of the best trails in the country, so we’re not the only ones who think it’s an awesome place to hike. With about a 12-mile trail, plenty of swimming holes, waterfalls, rock scrambles, and some of the best scenery in the state, this is a must-see destination for families who are ready to get outdoors and explore. The trail is rocky, narrow, and challenging, so don’t bring your littles; wait until they’re older and ready to enjoy all that this area has to offer.

Love to camp? Then bring you gear and take advantage of one of the four different campsites in the Fiery Gizzard area. 

8. Enjoy the Lake Life at Center Hill Lake

Address: Resource Manager’s Office, 158 Resource Lane, Lancaster, TN 38569

At Center Hill Lake, there’s so much to do, all in one place, that you can plan your whole vacation around the lake.  Rent a boat, kayak or jet ski, take a tour, dive in for a swim, camp, hike through a state park, fish, visit a breathtaking waterfall (or several) . . .Center Hill Lake has it all! With so many things to do and see, this is an excellent place for an inexpensive family vacation this summer. 

Where else can you spend a day on the lake AND get your fill of waterfalls? From the water, you can access Burgess Falls and Fancher Falls, plus Rock Island, where you can see Twin Falls and Great Falls. 

Plus, Center Hill Lake is adjacent to Burgess Falls State Park and Edgar Evins State Park, so you won’t run out of outdoor areas to explore. 

Contact Canoe the Caney to schedule a waterfall excursion and enjoy beautiful coves, waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife and nature. 

9. Take a Jet Ski Waterfall Tour at Center Hill Lake

Address: 17055 Smithville Hwy, Silver Point, TN 38582

The jet ski waterfall tour starts with your shuttle ride to the lake where you board your jet ski. Your guide will take you out on a scenic and exhilarating ride around one of the large islands before you venture into the secluded coves leading to the falls. The first stop is Burgess Falls, known for its majestic cascades. Your guide will help you off of the jet ski and let you explore the falls and the grounds of the old abandoned power station that used to operate there. While you’re there, you’ll learn some interesting history of of the area. 

After a thirty-minute stop at Burgess, your guide will then lead you to the truly Hidden Falls, which landed Canoe the Caney a spot on Travel Channel. There, you can truly see why this falls made it to the Episode of “Secret Swimming Holes.” It truly is a hidden gem and an experience your whole family will treasure.

After your stay at the hidden falls, your tour will continue with about 30-45 of play time on the jet ski before returning back to the dock. We take care of everything for you and can even include a lunch. 

We hope you enjoy our list of family-friendly activities for this summer. In the comments, let us know which is your favorite, or what you suggest adding to the list.