I recently took my seven-year-old to the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in Murfreesboro, and we loved it. While I’d taken her a few times as a toddler, we hadn’t visited since the pandemic, and I wanted to see if it was as great as I remembered. Some areas are specifically geared towards toddlers, but my daughter still had a blast. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting.
💦 What’s Inside
On the first floor, kids can splash and experiment at several sensory water stations, play pretend at a farmers market and restaurant, create masterpieces in an art room, climb aboard a fire truck, and visit turtles and fish in the aquarium section. Kid-friendly science experiments are scattered throughout. There’s a separate area for toddlers only, with pretend play stations and soft mats for playing on without being trampled by bigger kids.
Climb the book-themed stairs, or take the elevator to the second floor, where kids can play musical instruments from all over the world. There’s also a miniature town with a train set, an auto mechanic pretend play area, and more science experiments. Kids can take a twisty slide to return downstairs.
If you’re paranoid about germs, like me, there’s hand sanitizer everywhere, and I found it surprisingly clean.
The Murfree Spring wetlands. (Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)
🛝 What’s Outside
The center has a patio outside with messier and nature-themed experiments, like dirt cooking and bubble making. Have a snack at one of the picnic tables or benches surrounding a pond, and visit the owl. The pond also has a water feature, and stepping stones toward the parking lot. Behind the pond is a short trail where kids can see the Murfree Spring wetlands.
On the far side of the parking lot is a small playground geared toward toddlers. My daughter thought it was “boring,” but she loved it when she was a toddler! The larger trailhead, where you can really explore the wetlands, is beside the playground. It’s mostly wooden boardwalks with some paved trails, and are stroller and wheelchair friendly. We spotted turtles, red-winged blackbirds, and great blue herons. Fellow hikers told us about beavers building along the trail, but I’m afraid my daughter’s non-stop talking likely scared them off! You don’t need a ticket to the center to play on the playground and explore the trails, and there’s a separate bathroom.
Tips for Visiting
Tickets are only $12, and you can leave and come back throughout the day, as long as you keep your wristband. Don’t expect something like The Adventure Science Center. This is smaller and geared toward younger kids. It’s perfect for ages 1-8, though I saw some older elementary kids upstairs with the musical instruments.
The center has frequent events, and if you live close and have a toddler or preschooler, I’d say it’s worth springing for a membership. Expect to spend 2-3 hours here or longer.
The one negative is a lack of food. You’ll have to go somewhere else for lunch, or pack a picnic to eat outside.
