The Best Things to Do in Clarksville Tennessee for Everyone

Last Updated: April 1, 2024

Just one hour northwest of Nashville is the charming town of Clarksville, Tennessee. Talk about a smaller southern city that packs a powerful punch! Occasionally, I come across cities that fly under the radar and wonder how they’ve been kept a secret for so long. Clarksville is one of those towns that I categorize as a sleeper hit. I think of it often and I can’t wait to visit again. So, here are the best things to do in Clarksville for everyone!

Thank you to Visit Clarksville for hosting me. As always, all opinions and recommendations are my own. This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through these links. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Things to Do in Clarksville Tennessee

Dynamic. That is probably the word I would use to describe Clarksville. I couldn’t get over the variety of activities the city offers for families, romantic getaways, or even weekend girls’ trips. Whether you’re artsy, a foodie, a history buff, need a kiddie park or enjoy craft beverages, there are all those things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee. And much, much more!

Clarksville Greenway

The city has done an incredible job turning an abandoned railway into the Clarksville Greenway. This approximately 9-mile paved trail is part of the Rails to Trails initiative. Running along the Red River, the views are gorgeous, wildlife is abundant, and the foliage is beautiful, especially in fall and spring.

Biking or walking the trail is a fantastic way to exercise, unwind, or catch up on great conversation!

Look closely. Do you see her?

You might even see wildlife!

TIP: Parking is most plentiful at the Heritage Park access point. Restrooms are available, and the Greenway also welcomes leashed pets.

Customs House Museum

Moms, museum enthusiasts, history buffs, architecture lovers, and everyone else…listen up! The Customs House Museum is quite fascinating and THE perfect place to learn all about Clarksville. In addition, the architecture and the way it lights up at night are bonuses and make for stunning photography.

For kids, two unique features particularly stand out. The first takes a child through learning how a community is formed. Think…where does our water come from? How do we construct a building and equip it with electricity? How do we get our food from farm to table? All of these things are shown and explained at a child’s learning level and are even quite interesting for adults.

I have a confession to make. My inner kid truly came out at the Customs House, and the Bubble Cave (the second unique feature) mesmerized me. How much fun are all these bubbles? Well…they may or may not have had to make me leave this room…🤷🏻‍♀️😇

Austin Peay State University

No visit to Clarksville is complete without seeing Austin Peay State University. I’m betting you either haven’t heard of it or had no idea where it was until right now. Am I on point? Well, now you know!

APSU features options of a major university yet presents them with a small, college-town feel. Named for the former governor of Tennessee, Austin Peay, the school offers 125 undergraduate and 50 graduate fields of study!

Dunbar Cave State Park

One of the more fascinating parts of Clarksville is Dunbar Cave State Park. Dating back to prehistoric times, the 144-acre park features 14th-century Mississippian Native American cave art.

On a tour of this impressive site, I was fascinated to see the ancient drawings and hear the guide explain all they have learned about the people through these drawings. While no one knows what the drawings themselves mean, they are protected and, today, are sacred to indigenous people in the area.

Dunbar Cave features impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The photos don’t do it justice as lighting is by flashlight only. At one point, we turned all flashlights off to experience what it is like to be in complete darkness!

Watch where you step. I almost died when I realized how close I came to stepping on both these cuties!

TIP: Wear a jacket inside the cave. It stays fairly cool year-round.

Street Art

Note: Unfortunately, this particular mural is no longer present as it was temporary for a special event.

One of my favorite things to see when traveling? Street art or murals! Clarksville has an impressive amount of them relative to its size.

Photo courtesy of Visit Clarksville

This “Last Train to Clarksville” is one of the newer murals on the block. Find it next to 136 Commerce Street!

The artists’ talent never ceases to amaze me, and there’s usually an interesting backstory and meaning to how each one came into existence. More on this later on…

Beachaven Vineyards and Winery

For a fun day trip any time of year, consider visiting Beachaven Vineyards and Winery. This family-owned winery has been around for over 35 years. However, the family has made award-winning wines using Tennessee fruit for over 50 years!

I was particularly impressed with the different options Beachaven offers for an authentic experience. Whether you wish to have a single tasting, try an entire flight, or do both with a behind-the-scenes tour, they cover it all!

We had the opportunity to try a few different wines and I surprised myself. Only one year prior, I took a wine-tasting trip to Napa where I started to appreciate wine for the first time. Although still quite green, I felt I knew a little more about what I was doing and about the tasting process. Therefore, I was able to appreciate Beachaven wines all the more!

TIP: Prices for all flights and tastings are VERY affordable. I highly recommend the flight which comes out slightly cheaper and features larger samples.

NOTE: Prices at the time of article publishing and subject to change.

We also toured the winery, learned the Beachaven process, and got an up-close look at ALL the things!

On weekends from April to October, try Music on the Lawn and enjoy live music and food trucks. The rest of the year features happy hours and other seasonal events.

TIP: If you don’t have time to jet out to the main location, Beachaven recently opened Beachaven Downtown, a tasting room located on the corner across the street from The Roxy!

Downtown Commons

The Downtown Commons is an area for Clarksville residents to gather and features historical markers, public art installations, and the Tennessee Discovery Trail. The space hosts various events throughout the year and encourages a relaxed atmosphere.

Clarksville’s Downtown Commons quickly became a top favorite of mine, especially at night. I thoroughly loved the lighting and the installations. Together with the backdrop of the church, it just made for cool, nighttime photography!

This was perhaps one of my favorite photos I took during my time in Clarksville. This is Window to the World, located in Downtown Commons. It is an eight-foot cast-iron sculpture designed to mimic the windows of the First Presbyterian Church across the street. Isn’t it gorgeous at night?

Public Art Installations

Back to street art. If you haven’t already noticed, Clarksville holds art very close to its heart. In turn, Clarksville stays close to my heart. Nothing speaks to me louder than a city that shows its love for art. Whether that’s sculptures, street art, or water features, Clarksville has it!

TIP: Clarksville is a city I would travel to for its public art alone. Be sure to complete the Public Art challenge, one of the impressive 18 Clarksville challenge trails!

Historic Collinsville

Clarksville, Tennessee has so many unique activities and Historic Collinsville is another highlight. Wind back time to the 1800s and experience an authentic “hands-on” approach to how settlers lived. This was the desire and creative vision of JoAnn and Glenn Weakley.

In 1974, the Weakleys embarked on the adventure of authentically restoring log cabins and outhouses to preserve memories and life experiences of how ancestors lived. Today, Historic Collinsville is owned by Montgomery County Government and operated by Visit Clarksville.

Plan your visit and enjoy guided tours by historical interpreters. See Mr. Glen’s impressive arrowhead collection that he found onsite and Mrs. JoAnn’s extensive quilt collection. Their attention to detail truly brought the entire vision to reality and is one of the many things to do in Clarksville Tennessee that shouldn’t be missed!

TIP: Have you ever made butter? I hadn’t and it made a lasting impression on me! If I could recommend ONE thing at Historic Collinsville, it would be to add on butter making for only $1 more!

River City Clay

Yet another art form proudly exhibited in Clarksville, a visit to River City Clay is a must! Born out of the pandemic to combine their common interests, Ken Shipley, a former APSU art professor, and his wife, Melody, opened River City Clay in downtown Clarksville.

Internationally recognized potters, the couple has a combined 80 years of experience! We met Mr. Ken and watched him expertly (and seemingly effortlessly) make masterpieces right before us. He patiently answered all of our questions and had a gentle yet intriguing manner reflecting his former art professor status. I could have listened to him for hours!

Interested in trying your hand at pottery? Take a single nighttime workshop. Interested in learning pottery? Sign up for an 8-week course. All skill levels are welcome!

TIP: If you can’t do a workshop or class, you can purchase one of their many masterpieces to take home for decor!

Old Glory Distilling Company

With each activity in this post, I find myself saying, “This was a favorite”. I have lots of them which is a tribute to Clarksville and indicative of just how much fun I truly had! Obviously, our night at Old Glory Distilling Company will always stand out in my mind.

Why? Because. Because this small-batch Tennessee bourbon distillery kept the surprises coming all night long. Not just a distillery, Old Glory also functions as an event space and has a restaurant and silo park. We got the opportunity to attend a private party in the event space and it was nothing short of spectacular!

But, more on that in a moment.

First, tour Old Glory Distilling Company and see how it makes its bourbon, whiskey, gin, vodka, and moonshine! Born and raised in Clarksville, Matt (how he likes to be addressed) started the company when he was just 22 years old. He is quick to say that this isn’t his distillery but Clarksville’s distillery as he wanted to create something the city would be proud of.

While I can’t speak for the citizens of Clarksville (since I am not one), I hope (and think) they would say he nailed it. I certainly think so and it’s a spectacular activity to add to any Clarksville itinerary!

TIP: Conducted daily tours can be booked online. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes. Also, those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

After the tour, we attended an event that night. We enjoyed handcrafted cocktails with in-house spirits, a giant, multi-table buffet, and live music for entertainment.

I had the Pineapple Rum Punch from the craft cocktail menu and the Peach Bourbon Tea from the Signature Cocktails menu. They were both fantastic but my favorite was the Pineapple Rum Punch. Equally as delectable was the over-the-top impressive buffet!

While we were dining, drinking, and mingling, the entertainment began. I had previously seen who it was on the program and was super excited.

Former lead singer of Lonestar, Richie McDonald, sang all of the hits he made with the band which just happen to be some of my favorite songs appearing regularly on my playlists!

Upon conclusion of his set, I was “amazed” (if you’re a fan you’ll see what I did there 😉) to meet Mr. McDonald! He is as nice as he is talented!

Miss Lucille’s Marketplace

Stop by Miss Lucille’s Marketplace to get your shopping on. This self-proclaimed “eclectic marketplace with over 52,000 square feet of space” is where you want to look for local artisan crafts and quirky, one-of-a-kind items to bring back!

Miss Lucille’s is an antique mall featuring a café, coffee shop, and oh-so-many booths full of some of the coolest unique items I’ve ever seen!

TIP: Perfect for mother/daughter outings, girl’s day outs, bachelorette parties, and family outings to exhaust the kids…🙃

Fort Defiance

Continuing with the history in Clarksville, Fort Defiance is a Civil War Park and Interpretive Center. Located where the Red and Cumberland Rivers come together, the site was used during the Civil War to set up a fort to detect and defend the river access to Clarksville.

Native Americans were the original inhabitants and white settlers arrived in the late 18th century. The Union captured the fort and occupied it for the remainder of the war. The well-preserved Fort Defiance was donated to the City of Clarksville in 1982, and in 2008, construction began on the 1,500-square-foot Interpretive Center.

Today, visitors can view exhibits and learn more about the fort and its role in the Civil War!

Wade Bourne Nature Center

I visited Wade Bourne Nature Center right before I sadly had to depart Clarksville. The photo above should say it all. As you can see, I had a horrible time! 😂 Seriously, the Center is for kids AND kids at heart!

Clarksville native, Wade Bourne, was an avid outdoorsman. His love for hunting, fishing, and all things nature-oriented were brought to life in the Center bearing his namesake. The Wade Bourne Nature Center promotes conservation and nature education and encourages “embracing life outdoors”.

TIP: This is a great one for the kiddos rain or shine. The nature discovery area is a one-of-a-kind area that teaches children about the world around them!

Tanglewood House

While the Tanglewood House isn’t open to public visits, it is available for weddings and events. The venue continues to carry out the vision of Adolf and Phila Hach, which is a “gathering space for life’s most important moments.”

Mrs. Hach was a flight attendant and became a chef. She created the first in-flight catering menu, and flew with many US presidents!

Since 1964, the Tanglewood House has hosted parties, weddings, and other events. They have sizeable indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for a range of guests. The House even offers all-inclusive packages for micro-weddings!

We ate incredible food, tried our hand at biscuit making, and enjoyed some good old-fashioned bluegrass music!

TIP: The Mad Herbalist is right next door and you can have lunch (Thursday-Sunday, 11a-3p) and see some of Tanglewood’s grounds nearby.

Where to Stay in Clarksville

We stayed at this fairly new Holiday Inn on the northeast side of Clarksville. If I’m being honest, it had been a long time since I had stayed at a Holiday Inn so while it was new, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I was pleasantly surprised. The rooms are quite spacious, have nice amenities and touches, and an impressive shower. Bonus is that it’s right down the street from Old Glory Distilling Company! 🙌🏼

Where to Eat in Clarksville

Whew, I have a very long list! Clarksville is most definitely a foodie destination. I wrote this separate post to highlight the best of Clarksville eats and treats!

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See? I told you this small, southern town really is a powerhouse on the sly! Definitely one of the South’s best-kept secrets. Wouldn’t you agree? Hopefully, this inspires you to visit Clarksville Tennessee, and when you do, I want to know about it!

Have you already beaten me to the punch? If you have visited Clarksville, please drop your best tips and recommendations below. Not only does it help out other travelers but I always learn too. Win-win for everyone!

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Heather