12 South works well for families, but it’s worth being specific about what that means and what it doesn’t.
What Makes It Family-Friendly
Sevier Park is the main reason. The 20-acre park at the southern end of the strip has two playgrounds, a small soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, and walking paths. The Sevier Park Community Center has a gym and fitness room. Kids have somewhere to run while adults recover from brunch. The park also hosts family-oriented events including the annual Halloween Parade (October) and Sevier Park Fest (first weekend of May).
The neighborhood’s walkable layout works for families with older children. Everything on the strip is close together, the sidewalks are wide, and traffic is manageable. Strollers are common on weekends.
Kid-friendly restaurants exist on the strip. Bartaco has casual enough energy that a family with kids fits in easily. Frothy Monkey welcomes all ages. Wanna Spoon — a cereal bar with ice cream — is built for children. Five Daughters Bakery donuts are universally approved by people under 12.
Schools nearby: Waverly-Belmont Elementary, zoned for this area, is well-regarded and runs programs focused on music and art. For families moving to Nashville rather than visiting, the school situation in 12 South is notably better than in many Nashville neighborhoods.
The Honest Qualifications
12 South on a weekend morning is busy with brunch crowds, bachelorette groups filtering up from Broadway, and shoppers. It’s not chaotic, but it’s also not a quiet family outing. The restaurants with the longest waits (Butter Milk Ranch, Urban Grub) are not designed with impatient children in mind.
The boutiques are mostly adult-oriented. White’s Mercantile has some children’s items and gifts. Made in TN has candy and food products that kids enjoy. But a family that wants to do the full 12 South shopping experience may find that adults and children have different agendas.
There is no dedicated children’s attraction on or near the strip. The Nashville Zoo (which is excellent for families) is about 15 minutes away by car.
For a family visit, the formula that works is: arrive early (before 10am on weekends), have breakfast at Frothy Monkey, walk through the neighborhood, spend time at Sevier Park, and leave before the brunch crowds peak around noon. The neighborhood rewards families who use it like a neighborhood rather than a tourist destination.
Sources
- Homes.com, 12 South Neighborhood Guide: homes.com/local-guide/nashville-tn/12-south-neighborhood/
- Trolley Tours Nashville, Ultimate Guide to 12 South (November 2025): trolleytours.com/nashville/12-south
- McSquared Luxury, 12 South Neighborhood Guide: mcsquaredluxury.com/neighborhoods/12-south
- Seeing Tennessee, “A Local’s Guide to 12 South in Nashville”: seeingtennessee.com/nashville-12-south/