Fun, Educational and Free Field Trips to Plan This School Year By Jennifer Smeltser

Going on field trips is a big part in the lives of homeschoolers. If you are anything like me, you are probably always looking for an excuse to just go somewhere. There are a lot fun and educational places to visit in the Williamson County area. Did you know many of them have free admission days for your children, and sometimes you, to enjoy everything the venues have to offer?

The following is a list of locations in or around the Williamson County area. It is not exhaustive, but gives you a starting point for
making plans to get out of the house and include a visit sometime during the new school year.

1) Tennessee State Museum (TSM) includes visits to the Military Museum (MM) and the State Capital. Admission to see the permanent exhibits in the TSM, MM and State Capital are free.

TSM hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

MM hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

State Capital hours: Guided tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2) Introduce your child to art at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Although admission is not free for adults, your children, up to 18 years of age, enter free. College students with valid school IDs also receive free admission on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; except on Frist Fridays.

Frist hours: Monday through Wednesday, and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

3) If you have a train lover, the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum should be on your list. The museum is fun and educational for all ages, and offers free admission to children 14 years old and younger. Admission for adults is quite reasonable.

Museum hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4) Go back in time at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum. Admission is free and visitors will see a collection of 19th and 20th century farm and home artifacts as well as a one-room school, gardens, nature trails and more.

Museum hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5) Lane Motor Museum had to be included, because there are too many interesting vehicles that will amaze not only your children, but you. With 150 unique cars and motorcycles that date back as far as the 1920s, this working museum is one to not be missed. Admission is free for children ages five and under.

Museum hours: Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What places in the Williamson County area do you enjoy visiting on field trips?

 Jennifer Smeltser writes for HomeLife Academy. HomeLife Academy is an official private school serving thousands of home educators. For more of Jennifer's articles, visit the HomeLife Academy Blog.