Have you ever experienced Tennessee in the summer? Beautiful blooms and lush gardens greet the sunrise and twinkling lightning bugs fill fields as the sun goes down. But everything in between is as hot and humid as a statewide sauna. As a winter weather gal, summers in the South usually find me submerged in any body of water or nestled firmly under the nearest A/C.
Whether you’re up for braving the heat with a stroll down Main Street, cooling off with a float down the Harpeth, or, like me, adamant on indoor activities, Williamson County has a draw for all.
As warmer days approach, we’ve gathered some of the county’s top indoor activities that are all fun and games.
Joyfull Arcade
Get your gamer on in Spring Hill at Joyfull Arcade, perfect for kids and kids at heart to play the day away fully indoors. The arcade has plenty of retro games like Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and Playstation, plus classics like Pac-Man and Sunset Riders. Newcomers include Nintendo Wii, a racing simulation, and VR games. The arcade also hosts birthday parties, offers memberships, and has a mobile arcade for gaming on the go.
Sticks & Stones Axe Co.
Axe throwing is the new thing. If you’ve never been, it’s just like it sounds—think bowling-meets-skeeball—but instead of balls, you’re heaving axes. Sticks & Stones is owned by a husband-and-wife duo in Franklin and opened up shop in early 2022. Since then, droves of throwers have enjoyed their shot at the bullseye during evenings, Thursday through Sunday. Remaining days are for private events only, so for any summer birthdays or corporate outings, this is a perfect option! And yes, there’s a bar.
Quarter Bandits Arcade
Spring Hill arcade, Quarter Bandits, is a neon-lit destination for family fun. Find rows of vintage games here from Dig Dug to Golden Axe and many, many more. In addition to the classic arcade setup, you’ll find rows of themed pinball machines ranging from The Beatles to Star Wars, Ghostbusters, and Hook. Daily game passes start at just $15 per person, with package deals and parties available to book, too.
Pretty Cool Cards
Ready to dust off those old collectible cards? Or, maybe you’re looking to pick up the hobby while things heat up outside? Pretty Cool Cards has you covered all around — it’s a one-stop shop for collecting and trading, well, pretty cool cards. From pop culture to sports, you never know what you may find here. Check out the store for regular trade nights, new product drops, and awesome gift baskets for the collector in your life.
Trivia at Curio Brewing Co.
Franklin’s only craft brewery hosts a lively trivia night every Wednesday in partnership with Nerdy Talk Trivia. Grab all your smart friends (that’s what I do, at least) and try your hand at answering fun facts in categories like sports, pop culture, history, and geography while competing for “Curio cash.” While Curio Brewing Co. serves up plenty of crisp craft beers, that’s not the only thing brewing. Fuel your brain with a cup of their house-made drip coffee, lattes, teas, and more.
Extreme Escape Games
Imagine embarking on a real-life treasure hunt, complete with interactive gadgets inside an inventor’s workshop. Or, setting out on the “ultimate candy challenge,” the prize being ownership in a colorful and sugar-covered candy factory. Or, perhaps you’d like to try your hand as a spy for the FBI? Whichever scenario strikes your fancy, find them all at Extreme Escape Games in Cool Springs or Spring Hill. Grab a group and set out on the ultimate quest to break out, and win some treasure (or an entire candy factory) in the process.