Monthly Roundup
Free Things To Do This June in the Tullahoma Area
Because summer with kids is long and the budget is real. Here's a running list of genuinely free family fun across Coffee, Bedford, Franklin, Grundy, and Rutherford Counties — story times, summer reading, nature programs, and more.
June 2026School's out, y'all. ☀️ And while there's plenty to spend money on this summer, there's also a surprising amount of genuinely free fun within about 50 miles of Tullahoma. So I made you a no-cost list — splash pad, parks, waterfalls, the nature center, and free library programs all month. Screenshot it, save it, and pull it up the next time someone says "I'm booooored."
I split it two ways to make it easy: specific dates to circle first (free hikes, a maker market, Free Fishing Day, an MLB skills day, free outdoor movie nights, and a brand-new splash pad opening June 13), then everything that's always free all month — parks, waterfalls, the nature center, splash fountains, and the Lannom Summer Reading Program. Everything here costs you nothing but gas and a packed lunch.
📣 Know a freebie I missed?
This is a living list — drop it in the comments and I'll add it! Y'all always know about the good stuff before I do. 💛
SAT
JUNE 6
10–3
JUNE 6
10–3
Summer Maker Market at The Fly
The Fly Arts Center · 204 S Main St, Shelbyville · 10am–3pm · Stroll a curated market of handmade goods from local artists — candles, pottery, paintings, textiles, jewelry, and more. Like Etsy in real life. Admission and parking are always free.
Free
All Ages
SAT
JUNE 6
11am
JUNE 6
11am
Tree & Wildflower ID Hike — Old Stone Fort
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park · 732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester · 11am · Join a park naturalist for a guided hike around the Enclosure Trail to identify native trees and wildflowers and learn about the Old Stone Fort ecosystem. Free, and a lovely slow morning in the woods with the kids.
Nature
Free
SAT
JUNE 6
all day
JUNE 6
all day
Free Fishing Day — Statewide (incl. Tims Ford)
Anywhere in Tennessee's public waters · TWRA's annual Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day means anyone of any age can fish free without a license — including at Tims Ford and other state park facilities. Even better for families: kids 15 and under fish free the entire week, June 6–12. Grab a pole and make some memories on the water.
Nature
Free
All Ages
THU
JUNE 11
5:45pm
JUNE 11
5:45pm
MLB Pitch, Hit & Run — Waggoner Park
Waggoner Park, Greene Field · Tullahoma · 5:45pm · A free MLB skills competition from Tullahoma Parks & Rec for boys and girls ages 7–14 — test your pitching, hitting, and running and compete for a chance to advance in MLB's official youth competition. Register through Tullahoma Parks & Rec — details on their Facebook event.
Free
Ages 7–14
SATS
JUNE–JUL
at dark
JUNE–JUL
at dark
Movies Under the Stars — Fountains at Gateway
The Fountains at Gateway · 1500 Medical Center Pkwy, Murfreesboro · Murfreesboro Parks & Rec puts on a free family movie on the plaza every Saturday at dark, June 6–July 25, with food trucks on site. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. June lineup: Jun 6 How to Train Your Dragon · Jun 13 Brave · Jun 20 Lilo & Stitch · Jun 27 Zootopia 2. Text MOVIE to 38276 for weather/cancellation alerts.
Free
All Ages
Free Every Week in June
ALL SUMMER
Summer Reading at Our Area Libraries
Every library in the area is running a free Summer Reading Program this year (the theme is "Unearth a Story") — story times, performers, crafts, scavenger hunts, and prizes all summer long. Sign up at your local branch:
Coffee County Lannom Library (Tullahoma) · Franklin County Library (Winchester) · Shelbyville–Bedford County Public Library.
📖 A full summer reading guide is on the way — I'm putting together a dedicated post with each library's complete schedule. Watch for it soon!
Free
All Ages
📖 A full summer reading guide is on the way — I'm putting together a dedicated post with each library's complete schedule. Watch for it soon!
WEEKLY
Nature Programs — Tims Ford State Park
Tims Ford State Park Nature Center · 570 Tims Ford Dr, Tullahoma · Free ranger- and naturalist-led programs run regularly through the summer. Some require free registration at tnstateparks.com. Call ahead for the current schedule: 931-968-3536.
Nature
Free
FRI
5:30pm
5:30pm
Fun at Frazier — Friday Nights
Frazier McEwen Park · 216 Big Springs Ave, Tullahoma · A free family series every Friday at 5:30pm all summer — bounce houses, music, crafts, and food, no registration needed. June's themed nights: Art in the Park (Jun 12), Cultural Appreciation Night (Jun 19), and Game Night (Jun 26).
Free
All Ages
MON
3–6pm
3–6pm
Tullahoma Farmers' Market
South Jackson Civic Center · Tullahoma · Every Monday, 3–6pm through September. Free to browse — local produce, baked goods, and makers. A fun, low-key outing, and a great way to let the kids pick out a fresh snack.
Free to browse
All Ages
THRU
SEP 7
SEP 7
Free Museum Days for Military Families
Through Labor Day, active-duty military families get free admission at Blue Star Museums — including our own Hands-On Science Center (Tullahoma) and the Discovery Center (Murfreesboro). Just show a military ID at the door, good for up to five family members.
Free w/ military ID
All Ages
Free Outdoors — Open All Month
No tickets, no registration — just show up. Perfect for a free morning before it gets too hot, or to cool off by the water on a scorcher.
Tims Ford State Park Nature Center
570 Tims Ford Dr, Tullahoma · Live animals, hands-on exhibits, and a cool, indoor place to explore — totally free to walk through. Open Thursday–Monday. A great low-key outing when you need air conditioning and the kids need something new. Call ahead for hours: 931-968-3536.
Nature
Free
All Ages
Rutledge Falls — the easy one for littles
Rutledge Falls Rd, Tullahoma · A 40-ft waterfall with a short, easy walk (about ¼–½ mile round trip) to the overlook, plus a shallow pool that's perfect for cooling little feet on a hot day. It's on private property that the owners generously keep open to the public — stay on the marked trail and follow the posted rules. Fun fact: it was featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie.
Nature
Free
Great for littles
Machine Falls — Short Springs Natural Area
200 Short Springs Rd, Tullahoma · The big, dramatic 60-ft one. The trail to the observation platform is doable for families (about 15 min in), but reaching the base means steep wooden steps and walking across creek rocks — so this is better for sure-footed, bigger kids than toddlers. Free. Parking is limited; go on a weekday to beat the crowds.
Nature
Free
Bigger kids
💦 Waterfall heads-up
Middle TN waterfalls run lower in summer than in spring — go a day or two after rain for the best flow. And rocks near falls get slick: water shoes and a close eye on the littles are worth it.
Free Ways to Splash This Month
SAT
JUNE 13
9am
JUNE 13
9am
Miracle on the Mountain — Grand Opening
Coalmont (Grundy County) · Hwy 108 & 56 junction · Opening Saturday, June 13 at 9am, this is billed as the largest inclusive playground in Tennessee — with a fully ADA-accessible splash pad, an adaptive zip line with a strap-in chair, and heritage-themed play areas designed so every kid can play together. Free to enjoy. It's about a 40-minute drive up the mountain from Tullahoma, but the inclusive design makes it worth the trip — especially if you've got a kiddo who's been left on the sidelines at other playgrounds.
Free
Inclusive / ADA
Splash pad
Miracle Field Splash Fountain — Murfreesboro
120 Dejarnette Ln, Murfreesboro (next to Sports*Com) · An inclusive playground with a baseball-shaped water fountain — free, and a perfect way to cool the littles off on a hot day. Open sun-up to sun-down, with the fountain running through October.
Free
Splash fountain
The Wetlands at Discovery Center — Murfreesboro
502 SE Broad St, Murfreesboro · The outdoor wetlands boardwalk behind the Discovery Center is free to walk (indoor admission is separate), and in summer the colorful fountains mist over the walkways — shady, cooling, and a fun free wander even if you skip going inside.
Nature
Free outdoors
Splash Pad at The Fountains at Gateway — Murfreesboro
1500 Medical Center Pkwy, Murfreesboro · A free interactive splash pad right on the plaza — let the kids cool off while you grab a bite from the onsite eateries or play cornhole on the lawn. Open 11am–9pm daily. Stick around on summer Saturdays for free Movies Under the Stars (above). fountainsatgateway.com
Free
Splash pad
Free Parks & Playgrounds
All free, all open sunrise to sunset. Pack a picnic and a water bottle and you've got a whole free morning.
Frazier McEwen Park — Tullahoma
Big Springs Ave, Tullahoma · Home of the Rotary Rocket Playground (aerospace-themed, rubberized surface), two covered pavilions, restrooms, and access to the Rock Creek Greenway — a flat ~1-mile walking/biking path along the creek and over little bridges. The best all-around free park in town.
Free
Playground
Waggoner Park — Tullahoma
Tullahoma · Ball fields, playground, and a fenced Bark Park (open sunrise to sunset) if you want to bring the dog along too.
Free
Jefferson Street Park — Tullahoma
Jefferson St, Tullahoma · A neighborhood park with playground and restrooms — handy for a quick stop on the east side of town.
Free
East Park Arboretum — Tullahoma
908 Country Club Dr, Tullahoma · A certified arboretum with 60+ kinds of native and non-native trees, a paved walking trail with outdoor fitness stations, and shady Natural Area & Outdoor Classroom paths great for spotting wildlife. There's also an 18-hole disc golf course, and it links up with the Russell Nelms Bike Trail. Free and open daily.
Free
Arboretum
Rock Creek Greenway — Tullahoma
Runs alongside Frazier McEwen Park · A paved, flat, shaded path perfect for strollers, scooters, and new little bikers. Free and open all day.
Free
💦 Pack for the water
Water shoes, a towel, and a change of clothes live in my car all summer. Splash spots are come-as-you-are, and a soggy ride home is a lot more fun when there's a dry shirt waiting. 🧺
🌻 New around here?
Every week I compile a free guide to family-friendly things happening within about 50 miles of Tullahoma — Coffee, Bedford, Franklin, and Rutherford Counties. Subscribe to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning at tullamama.com.
"Summer's long and the budget's real — so I keep a running list of the free stuff so you don't have to hunt for it. Screenshot this, save it, and come back when somebody declares they're bored by 9am. 🧡"
— Jennifer @ Tullamama 🧡