Looking for a Relaxing Getaway? Check out Clarksville, Tennessee

Clarksville, Tennessee, is a vibrant city blending history, outdoor adventure, and an up and coming arts scene. Best of all it is only a 5 hour drive from Little Rock which makes it a perfect getaway for Arkansas residents.

Clarksville is nestled along the Cumberland River north of Nashville and is the home to Austin Peay State University. Best of all it offers a variety of experiences for all ages!

We loved our recent visit to this charming town. My husband and I recruited the grandparents to babysit our daughter and we went as a couple. However, this would also be a great place to go as a family with children.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee.

1. Explore Historic Downtown Clarksville

Start your visit in downtown Clarksville, where you will stroll along the picturesque streets, enjoy the architecture, pop into boutique shops, eat at delicious restaurants, enjoy drinks at a local brewery and take in the great art galleries and street art.

Key downtown attractions include:

• The Roxy Regional Theatre: A beautiful and iconic venue that has been entertaining Clarksville since 1947. Catch a live play or a musical in this beautifully restored art deco theater. They produce 10 main stage events every year as well as other events. Check out the schedule and see if you can catch a show while you are in town.
• Customs House Museum & Cultural Center: This is one of Tennessee’s oldest and largest museums. It was first opened in 1898 as the post office and customs house for the flourishing tobacco trade. Today it is an excellent general information museum. it offers a diverse collection of art, science, and history exhibits. The stunning architecture of the museum alone is worth a visit. It is absolutely beautiful!

Here are some more nearby getaways that we think Arkansans might enjoy!

2. Military History

Clarksville is known for its strong military connection and is the home of Fort Campbell, an active U.S. Army installation. For a deep dive into military history you will want to check out the following sites:

• Don F. Pratt Museum: Located on the Fort Campbell military base this museum is filled with authentic memorabilia. Here you can learn about the history of the 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagles, 5th Special Forces and 160th Special Operations. You can also view various military aircraft, equipment and monuments. Visitors will need to get a visitor’s pass at Gate Four to gain access to the facility.
• Fort Defiance: Fort Defiance overlooks the Red and Cumberland Rivers atop a 200′ bluff. This was an earthen works fort during the Civil War. In fact, it is one of the few intact earthen works forts in the US! The interpretive center tells the history of the site from the time of Clarksville’s earliest settlers. There is also a breathtaking view from this point of the Clarksville skyline.

3. Visit Dunbar Cave State Park and Dunbar Cave

A visit to Dunbar Cave State Park is one of the MUST things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee! This is a 144 acre state park centered around the prehistoric Dunbar Cave.

• Dunbar Cave: Dunbar Cave is the highlight of this amazing state park. The cave has Native American art dating back to the 1300’s. At one point the cave was even a music venue for locals. Today the drawings and carvings are protected but f you are visiting during the cave tour season (May through September) you can take a tour to see them!
• Hiking: There are some fun short hiking trails in the park that are perfect for families.

4. More Great Parks and Outdoor Activities in Clarksville, TN

• Liberty Park: For a perfect mix of relaxation and recreation we definitely recommend Liberty Park. The park is situated along the Cumberland River and includes a 10-acre fishing pond, a community-built playground, walking trails (total 1.8 miles), 4 pavilions, and a dog park. It is perfect for families. This is also a great place for sunset views!
• Downtown Commons: The Commons is an amazing gathering place in downtown Clarksville with a playground, shady spots to sit, water features, public art and more!
• Rotary Park: An excellent 111 acre nature park with over five miles of hiking/biking trails. This is another great place for kids. It has playground areas and a large open play space. There are also mountain biking trails, hiking trails, pavilions and picnic tables, disc golf, and a sand volleyball court. Be sure and check out the 4200 square foot Wade Bourne Nature Center while you are there!
• The Clarksville Riverwalk is a scenic trail along the Cumberland River, perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll. This is a beautiful developed trail which follows the Cumberland River from the southern border of McGregor Park and then connecting with the Red River Trail. This trail eventually connects with the Clarksville Greenway. At its southern end, the Riverwalk connects to the city’s Upland Trail (and heart of historic downtown) via a pedestrian bridge over Riverside Drive.

5. Learn about Pioneer History

• Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement: Minutes from downtown Clarksville is the Historic Collinsville pioneer settlement. If you are traveling with children they will love seeing this Plan a road trip to explore the sprawling countryside of Tennessee at Historic Collinsville, which includes a 40-acre Pioneer Settlement and the Weakley House Museum. Travel back in history with a self-guided tour audio of 16 restored log homes and outbuildings in an open-air setting. Guided tours of the Weakley House Museum take place hourly. Authentic period furnishings and artifacts fill most buildings and illustrate rural life before and after the Civil War.

6. Taste Local Food and Drinks

I have to tell you that we were SO impressed with the food and brew scene in Clarksville, Tennessee. There was truly excellent food and coffee and local breweries in town. It was very exciting to have so many great restaurants in such a fun atmosphere.

Here are some must try places!

• The Mad Herbalist: I absolutely LOVED this place. It was such a vibe – almost like a secret alchemist workshop. There were amazing tea blends as well as specialty teas which could be ordered with a customizable tray of scratch-made snacks. It was a perfect place to relax.
• The Mailroom: This restaurant is located in a former post office. It serves scratch-made global dishes inspired by the destinations of the mail that used to pass through the building. Isn’t that such a fun concept. You can try all kinds of dishes from Korean beef bowls to pesto rigatoni!
• Blackhorse Pub and Brewery: A great local favorite! They serve their own brews and have a bar with some excellent specialty cocktails. There are also great handcrafted pizzas, entrees, and appetizers. I definitely recommend the beer cheese dip as a starter!
• The Thirsty Goat: This place has the theme of “whatever floats your goat.” It is both quirky and charming. It is a coffee shop, or a pizza place, or a beer garden, or an outdoor gathering spot…basically whatever you want it to be. They have excellent pizza and I had the MOST delicious cream soda.
• The Amsterdam Local Cafe: A great coffee shop with AH-MAZING baked goods. I highly recommend.
• Miss Lucille’s Cafe: This lovely cafe is located inside an antique marketplace so after you are tired of shopping pop into Miss Lucille’s. Here you will find super fresh food with a bit of southern inspiration.

7. Visit the Old Glory Distilling Co.

• Distillery tour: I think that if you drink spirits then a tour and tasting at the Old Glory Distilling Co. is a must. We had a great time on our tour of this excellent distillery and absolutely loved learning about and sampling their local Tennessee whiskey and vodka.
• Silo Bar: Even if you don’t take a tour you can stop by the silo bar and sip on a craft cocktail made with their signature spirits in a laid-back, Southern-chic setting.
• Restaurant: The Old Glory Restaurant was excellent. We were so impressed with the freshness and made from scratch taste of every dish we tried. Everything was absolutely delicious and I’m still dreaming about the brisket sandwich.

In our opinion Clarksville, Tennessee, is a hidden gem with something for everyone. Whether you’re exploring its historical sites, savoring local cuisine, or enjoying the great outdoors, this charming city is worth a visit.

I hope that you enjoy your visit to Clarksville, Tennessee. I think that it is a place that most Arkansas residents would love to experience.

Thanks for stopping by!