If you’re searching for a charming weekend getaway, consider exploring the incredible things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee. Conveniently located about 45 minutes northwest of Nashville, Clarksville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. And it’s easy to see why!
As the home of Austin Peay State University, Clarksville has the energy of a college town paired with the charm and hospitality of a small town. Foodies will find a vibrant dining scene in Clarksville, complete with locally-owned restaurants, plentiful local spirits and coffee shops abound. The city also offers engaging museums, ample shopping and beautiful outdoor spaces just waiting to be explored.
Whether you love the arts and local history or enjoy eating and exploring the outdoors, you’ll find something unique to experience here. The next time you’re in the area, be sure to check out these 10 fun things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Visit Clarksville. However, all opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents
The Best Places to Stay in Clarksville, Tennessee
The Homer House
When it comes to choosing a place to stay when I travel, I often opt for boutique hotels or short-term rentals. For my stay in Clarksville, The Homer House was the perfect option.
Not only is this cozy vacation rental spacious enough to have the amenities you’d want in a home away from home, but it’s also within walking distance to many of the most popular things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Equipped with laundry, a full kitchen and a charming outdoor patio space, The Homer House has everything you need to relax after a full day of exploring Clarksville. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home was great for me as a solo traveler but would also be perfect if you are traveling with family or planning a weekend getaway with friends.
Other Clarksville Accommodations
As a college town, Clarksville has plenty of options for accommodations. Whether you’re looking for a traditional chain hotel or a cozier short-term rental, there are lots of options to places to choose from.
Things to Do in Clarksville, Tennessee
Find Inspiration in Clarksville’s Public Art
Wandering a community in search of public art is one of my favorite ways to get to know a new city. In Clarksville, you’ll find no shortage of public art. In fact, many of the murals and sculptures you’ll discover while exploring the city were created by local artists, depicting or memorializing a unique piece of Clarksville history.
Downtown you’ll find colorful murals that make for fantastic photo ops. Be sure to snap your picture in front of the God Bless Clarksville Mural painted by local artist Olasubomi Aka-Bashorun (located on the Strawberry Alley side of Mildred & Mable’s). You’ll also discover a series of bronze statues that pay tribute to famous Clarksville residents and historic events, from actor Frank Sutton of Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. to Olympic athlete Wilma Rudolph.
You’ll find a complete list of all of the great public art in Clarksville on the local tourism website.
Enjoy a Meal at a Delicious Restaurant
One of my favorite things about Clarksville is its vibrant dining scene. While you’ll definitely find traditional Southern cooking in this Tennessee community, be prepared to be delighted by the unique concepts and burgeoning new eateries worth exploring here.
Explore Dunbar Cave State Park
One of the most popular things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee is to visit Dunbar Cave State Park. This 144-acre park is an Eastern Woodlands prehistoric site and Dunbar Cave is believed to have been a sacred place for indigenous peoples in the area.
From May through September, you can take a guided tour of Dunbar Cave to experience this natural wonder as well as the cave art that is preserved there. You’ll also find beautiful outdoor spaces in this state park, which has three miles of hiking trails of various difficulty levels.
Unfortunately, I visited Clarksville during the winter months so the cave wasn’t open for guided tours. But I look forward to visiting again to experience this unique natural wonder.
Dunbar Cave State Park, 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road in Clarksville, Tennessee
Search for Antique Treasures
It’s no secret that I like to fit in some antique shopping and thrifting whenever I travel. Luckily for me (and you), Clarksville is teeming with incredible local shops full of antiques and vintage treasures.
- Miss Lucille’s Marketplace (2231-L Madison Street in Clarksville, TN): This is the mecca of vintage and antique shopping in Clarksville. With more than 52,000 square feet of space and 200 different vendors, you can easily spend hours wandering Miss Lucille’s Marketplace.
- The Radical Relic Antiques & Collectables (2448 US-41 ALT in Clarksville, TN): There are all sorts of treasures to discover at The Radical Relic. Whether you collect a specific genre of antique or just want to browse, this well-curated collection of vendors is absolutely worth a visit.
- Warehouse 41 Antiques & More (1216 College Street in Clarksville, TN): What began as a store for new and used furniture has now expanded into a second concept and entire warehouse full of antiques, vintage and more. With two stories of vendors to browse, Warehouse 41 is a fun place to shop, no matter what you’re searching for.
Sample Local Wine
For wine lovers, a tasting at Beachaven Winery should be one of your essential things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee. Opened in 1986, Beachaven is a family business that has spanned three generations. This charming winery now produces more than 25 different Tennessee wines using Tennessee-grown grapes.
During my visit, I took part in the winery’s Tour and Tasting Experience, which costs $10 per person and includes a tour of the grounds and winemaking facility followed by a wine tasting. My favorite samples were the light, bright sparkling Beachaven Cuvée and dry Barrelhead Red.
Beachaven Winery also hosts a variety of live music events that draw quite the crowd to their beautiful outdoor space surrounding the winery.
Beachaven Winery, 1100 Dunlop Lane in Clarksville, Tennessee
Tour a Distillery
It only seems right that one of the popular things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee is sample Tennessee whiskey. To do so, I recommend visiting Old Glory Distilling Co. Opened in 2016, this grain-to-glass distillery produces small batch Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon that’s worth writing home about.
If you want to get a taste of what Old Glory is all about, the distillery offers tours seven days a week on the hour. While walk-up tours are available, the distillery recommends booking in advance as they can fill up during busier times. If you’re interested in taking the distillery tour, be sure to wear closed toed shoes and bring your ID so you’re able to sample spirits following the tour.
After your tour, head to the newly-opened Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park for a bite to eat and (of course) a beverage or two made with Old Glory’s selection of spirits.
Old Glory Distilling Co., 451 Alfred Thun Road in Clarksville, Tennessee
Shop at Small Businesses
In addition to incredible antique stores, Clarksville is full of unique local shops and small businesses. If you’re exploring downtown Clarksville, especially the Franklin Street area, here are a few of my favorite places to pop in:
- HUDUBAM Booktraders (110 Franklin Street, Suite 101 in Clarksville, TN): I can never resist an indie bookstore and HUDUBAM is a charming Clarksville option! Stop by to get great recommendations for your next read.
- Pups Plants & Goods (117 A Strawberry Alley in Clarksville, TN): A shop with houseplants and vintage goods? Sign me up! I wandered into this charming shop and was so delighted by the vintage curation alongside the awesome plant selection that it made me wish that I lived closer.
- River City Clay (115 Franklin Street in Clarksville, TN): Whether you’re looking to try your hand at ceramics or just want to appreciate art made by someone else, River City Clay is an essential stop in downtown Clarksville.
Learn About Local History at the Customs House Museum
Step back into Clarksville’s past with a visit to the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center. This engaging museum is housed in a historic 1898 structure that was once a Federal Post Office and Customs House. The historic complex was built to handle the large volume of domestic and foreign mail as well as business relating to the tobacco trade that once a large part of Clarksville’s economy.
Today, the building has been converted into a museum that showcases the city’s history and artistic spirit. I loved learning about local history and the leaders who helped the city grow in the historic post office. The Lucy Dunwody Boehm Porcelain Collection, which is on permanent display, also absolutely blew me away.
Then, head downstairs to continue exploring local history in a more hands-on way. Especially if you have a family with younger kids, this one of the most fun indoor things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Explorers Landing section of the museum features an interactive market as well as the popular Bubble Cave, where you can even stand inside a giant bubble. Be sure not to miss the Huff & Puff Express Model Trains, which is one of the largest model railroad layouts in the region and includes lots of fun, interactive buttons and switches.
Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, 200 S. 2nd Street in Clarksville, Tennessee
Plan Your Own Coffee Shop Crawl
If you enjoy trying out local coffee shops when you travel, this is the place for you! This community is home to a wide variety of local coffee shops where you can get your caffeine fix, grab a quick breakfast or fit in a bit of afternoon emailing in a cozy environment. Plus, with so many things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee, you’re going to need some extra caffeine to keep you moving!
Discover some of my favorite coffee shops in Clarksville and plan your own coffee shop crawl during your time exploring the city.
Attend an Event at the Downtown Commons
From a vibrant arts scene to thriving restaurant, there are lots of things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee. And the Downtown Commons is a beautiful community gathering space where you can get in on the action. Located in the heart of downtown (and right across the street from The Mailroom), this beautiful outdoor space to gather, relax and enjoy the fresh air. With plentiful seating, open spaces for kids to play and public art, you’ll find something for everyone here.
The Downtown Commons also hosts all sorts of community events from live music and family movie nights to special holiday events. Check the community calendar to see what’s on the schedule.
Downtown Commons, 215 Legion Street in Clarksville, Tennessee
Let's Be Social
Want even more offbeat adventures, roadside attractions and world's largest things? Follow Olio in Iowa on your favorite social media platforms, and tag #OlioOnTheRoad when you have quirky adventures of your own.
Share Your Thoughts
I would love to hear from you! What are your favorite things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee?
