Playground

Right next to the Parthenon in the middle of Centennial Park, this spot is hard to beat for a weekday morning or weekend outing with kids. The climbing structure and slides work well for a pretty wide age range — toddlers through older kids can all find something to do without getting in each other’s way. Shade trees and covered seating mean you’re not just standing in the sun watching the clock, which honestly makes the difference in a Tennessee summer. There’s a solid open grass field nearby for burning off extra energy, plus picnic tables if you’re making a full afternoon of it. Parking is easy enough, and the whole place stays well-kept — it’s the kind of park locals actually come back to.