Try out any of these awesome places in Nashville next time you can’t think of anything to do. From arcades to adventure parks, Nashville is ready with a number of great ways to spend a few hours.
Game Terminal
4.8 ★
Starting off this particular list is the popular Game Terminal on Terminal Ct. Whether you are in the mood to relax outdoors on a big patio or have a hankerin for some video games, Game Terminal is there for you every day. Opening at 3 pm during the week and 11 am on weekends, Game Terminal is the kind of place that covers nearly five decades in gaming entertainment. With over 250 game machines, this place will keep you busy for hours if you let it. Grab a drink and decide whether you want to play games inside on the machines or out in the courtyard. They keep a series of large scale games outdoors and plenty of seating for friends to watch. Throughout the 10,000 sq ft of space that Game Terminal takes up, you never know what you might run into around any corner. Most of the machines at this location are free, but some do require tokens so be prepared for that.
16-Bit
4.4 ★
In Nashville, The Gulch is an ever growing neighborhood that is known for being the place that has a little bit of everything you are looking for. From food to venues, shopping and much more, The Gulch has a stellar reputation for housing establishments that are one of a kind. This includes 16-Bit, a nostalgic bar with rooftop seating on Grundy St. Take a vacation from all that The Gulch has to offer with a place that specifically gives you permission to be a kid again once you cross through their doors. Themed nights occur often and generally feature a special drink price throughout any event being hosted at 16-Bit. Throughout the day, 16-Bit is family friendly until 9 pm when they go into full bar mode. More than 30 vintage games line the floors of this place, not to mention the decor that will have everyone remembering their favorite movies from back in the day. Grab snacks to refuel between rounds of Mortal Combat and let 16-Bit bring your inner child out for a while.
Up-Down
4.6 ★
The tale as old as time is one that 80’s and 90’s kids will remember fondly. Beer, pizza, arcade games, and beating the high score all go hand-in-hand with the best memories of being a teenager. Open seven days a week, Up-Down invites you to come in and try any of their 60 craft beers. All of their games cost 25 cents so this is the perfect opportunity to clean out a change jar, just like the old days. Though we are past the days of saving up an allowance every week, there is something to be said about getting to carry around a pocket full of quarters instead of using a card like most modern arcades. Order a slice of pizza when you get hungry, maybe even order one to be delivered if you’re impressed by the menu. Located on Woodland St, Up-Down is open from 3 pm – 3 am (opening at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday) with a fair amount of free parking to utilize.
No Quarter
4.8 ★
Take all of the best qualities that we love in dive bars and mix the concept with an arcade, complete with a pinball league that people take pretty seriously. At No Quarter, the vibes are meant to remain low key and everything feels casual, even as you are getting pumped over beating someone else’s high score. They are open until 2 am every day, but Wednesdays are when the competitive league gets together for real fun. If you want to play some pinball in a place that is inviting but cozy without an expansive crowd taking over, No Quarter is waiting for you on Main St with wine, cocktails, and craft beer. Don’t expect them to let you place a reservation ahead of time, No Quarter is a first come first serve kind of place where fair is fair.
The Rabbit Hole VR
4.9 ★
Next time you are in charge of the entertainment at a big event, consider renting a video game from The Rabbit Hole VR. This is not your average group activity, especially for people who don’t play games much to begin with. Tailoring the needs of any party booked, the professionals at The Rabbit Hole VR will make sure that you get exactly what will fully immerse all of your guests. Just give them a call and let The Rabbit Hole VR take care of the rest. They take care of Nashville and many surrounding areas, so places like Franklin can get in on the fun if needed. Try adding virtual reality to your next party and see just how many people start begging to be added to your guest list.
LEGO Store at Opry Mills Mall
4.7 ★
We as a society have moved past the idea that LEGO is an activity meant to be enjoyed by only children. With sets created for every niche movie character or scene you can think of, adults have taken over the LEGO scene and raised the expectations to a professional level. Shopping at major stores won’t cut it for the types of people that love building more than the average jungle scene or spaceship. That’s where the LEGO store at Opry Mills Mall comes to the rescue. Find exactly which piece you are looking for and even get custom characters printed on site. These employees take the art of LEGO building seriously, maybe even more so than anyone you have met before. Upon walking in, you might be surprised to find that they have an old set that isn’t even available on resale sites. From 10 am – 8 pm daily, you can visit the LEGO Store at Opry Mills Mall when you want to see more blocks in one place than even the most dedicated collector can show off. This location also features a number of interactive activities, making the establishment more than a store but also somewhere to play.
Great Big Game Show
5.0 ★
Have you ever had big dreams of getting to star on an episode of a game show? At the Great Big Game show in Opry Mills, you can make those dreams come true with the full experience. Everything from trivia challenges to prop rounds are to be expected when interacting with the Great Big Game Show. Just take a look at their schedules and sign up with at least two friends to get the game started. They can host up to 12 people at most and you’re welcome to book multiple sessions if needed. The Great Big Game show is where you put random life skills to the test in an exciting and new way. Be the talk of the town when you book this mind-blowing experience for the people you don’t mind getting a little competitive with. Age groups range from six years old to grown folks so this can be an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Open from 8 am – 12 am daily, they have room for your reservation all throughout the week.
The Escape Game
5.0 ★
Speaking of games, The Escape Game is understood to be one of Nashville’s finest companies. With three locations ranging from downtown to Berry Hill and the Opry Mills mall, The Escape Game is quickly growing as people come in to experience their various rooms. With every group package, you get to choose from a variety of rooms and themes, with multiple rooms able to be accessed with each session. From 8 am – 12 am every day, your family and friends will love working together with your guide. You are even allowed to ask them for as many hints as you want with no penalty to the game. All around, The Escape Game is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Themes like prison break and playground make your experience as easygoing or anxiety inducing as your group can handle. Find out why they call themselves “The best escape game” in the entire town.
The Adventure Park
4.8 ★
Unlike the other establishments mentioned on this list, The Adventure Park in Nashville is not a building that can be described easily. The Adventure Park is an outdoor experience that will have you testing limits and pushing boundaries while getting the privilege of doing so while surrounded by Nashville’s surreal beauty. This is Nashville’s largest adventure park and the one that you will want to visit if you can. Climbing trees and ziplining might appear to be a complicated process but you don’t have to worry about a thing. Staff members are qualified to teach you everything you need to know for this self guided tour. More than 150 treetop platforms wait for you with clearly marked difficulty levels on all of the rope trails so you can pick your intensity as you go. Find out what you’re made of at The Adventure Park, they have something for all ages from the children’s playground to the expert level courses. Check their website to find out what their seasonal hours are before you plan your visit.
Gamepoint
4.8 ★
Let’s wrap things up with an establishment that truly does embrace the oldschool vibes of game night without the frills and buttons and flashing lights. At Gamepoint inside of Bongo Java on 11th St, they are passionate about board games. Whether your dnd group is on the search for a table, or you want to gather a group of friends to borrow one of the games from their library, Gamepoint is ready to adhere to any level of board gamer. With over 400 games available to pick from, you can get down with childhood favorites or take on the challenge of something brand new. Gamepoint’s gaming area is open daily from 10 am – 7 pm so there is no excuse to not take advantage of this local business. Game night (or day) doesn’t have to include a complicated planning process when Gamepoint is involved and you will love the overall ambiance of this simple yet elegant location. Order a cup of coffee or a drink and some food from the Bongo Java side of this establishment and don’t worry about anything except playing the best game you can. At Gamepoint, the point of everyone’s day is playing games. You’re not going to find a more inclusive spot than this one.
Conclusion
At The Nashville Insider, we are just as invested in your good time as you are. When you visit Nashville, we know that picking places to go can be overwhelming. Not knowing the area means that you can never really be sure of what you’re going to get. Using our articles as a guide, you can lessen the load of planning whenever you have a question about where to eat, hang out, or spend time while in Nashville. Don’t forget to look into booking a tour on our bar bike, the affordable and unique way to get to know this area better. Next to our guides section, getting insight from a local tour guide is the best way to gain some insight into Music City’s best establishments. The Nashville Insider and NashvilleBarBike.com are always invested in you, so take advantage of these resources to make your trip to Nashville even better than you could imagine.