Based in 1794, two years earlier than Tennessee turned the nation’s sixteenth state, Clarksville, Tennessee is a metropolis crammed with genuine experiences, websites and provoking those who unlock a wealthy historical past and tradition. Whereas close by Nashville is well-liked for bachelor events, faculty aged-tourists, and people seeking to occasion the night time away at concert events and honky tonks, Clarksville presents extra family-friendly and daytime actions and is simply an hour away. By venturing off the crushed path, guests will take in the tradition and relish the experiences that make this metropolis a singular and memorable place.
Expertise nature and historical past on a neighborhood tour
Kids make butter at Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement – courtesy of Go to Clarksville TNDunbar Cave State Park – Dunbar Cave State Park presents a multifaceted cultural expertise that highlights the park’s wealthy music historical past, cave artwork from the indigenous individuals who inhabited the world through the 14th Century, and Affricanna City, a spot of refuge for self-liberated enslaved African People following the Union Military’s seize of Clarksville in 1862. Guided cave excursions are supplied from Might to September, permitting guests to view the notorious darkish zone cave artwork for themselves. The park is open year-round for mountaineering, fowl watching, picnics, and viewings of historic markers all through the property.Fort Defiance – Positioned atop a 200′ bluff on the confluence of the Cumberland and Crimson Rivers, Fort Defiance is among the few intact earthen works forts left in the USA giving guests an opportunity to step again in time and achieve an understanding of the area’s position in probably the most pivotal chapters in American historical past. The Interpretive Heart homes artifacts, reveals, and interactive shows, offering an immersive journey via the Civil Struggle period. One notable audio show permits guests the possibility to listen to the tales of these affected by the Struggle Between the States together with troops from each armies, an enslaved particular person, a neighborhood enterprise proprietor, and extra. Go to through the holidays for a Nineteenth-century Christmas celebration and make period-appropriate ornaments. Simply outdoors the interpretive middle, guests will discover a United States Coloured Troops Monument. This statue honors the USCT, who had been males of African descent, a lot of them previously enslaved, who enlisted within the Union Military to battle for his or her freedom.Historic Cemetery Excursions – Seek for household names at Clarksville’s historic cemeteries. Established on February 23, 1800, Riverview Cemetery is the oldest recognized public burial floor within the space. It’s wealthy in historical past and has the stays of many early pioneers, settlers, civic leaders, and statesmen, in addition to women and men of all of the American wars. Greenwood Cemetery was based in 1872. The cemetery is the ultimate resting place of a lot of Clarksville’s most notable residents together with Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, the founding father of Austin Peay State College, and Frank Sutton who performed Sgt. Carter on the sitcom Gomer Pyle, USMC. Guided excursions of each cemeteries are supplied through the fall months.Historic Collinsville – Step again in time at Historic Collinsville. The Pioneer Settlement supplies an genuine glimpse into the day by day lives of these dwelling within the space all through the 1800s, whereas the Weakley Home Museum, opening in April 2024, takes guests into the private dwelling and collections of Collinsville founders, Glen and JoAnn Weakley. Guests can discover 16 restored log properties and outbuildings brimming with period-accurate furnishings and artifacts, in addition to take part in actions like making butter. The immersive expertise extends to month-to-month particular occasions with vigorous demonstrations, hands-on actions, and costumed interpreters who deliver historical past to life via storytelling and interactive reveals. Historic Collinsville is open Thursday – Sunday, April – October.Historic Downtown Strolling Excursions – Embark on a self-guided strolling tour of downtown and revel in historic structure from the mid-1800s. Dozens of buildings are on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, together with the First Presbyterian Church and Trinity Episcopal Church. As you discover, preserve an eye fixed out for Clarksville Then & Now Path panels that inform the tales of our historic buildings. See images of what was, examine former companies, and scan a QR code to be taught extra about every constructing.Port Royal State Historic Park – Nestled on the Montgomery County border, this historic park not solely showcases the colourful historical past of a Nineteenth-century buying and selling city however can be an essential level of reflection on the tragic occasions of the Path of Tears. Guests can discover the well-preserved construction that tells the story of Port Royal’s previous, providing insights into early commerce and day by day life, earlier than strolling the identical path taken by over 10,000 Cherokee on their final night time in Tennessee. Guided Townsite Excursions are supplied Friday-Sunday. The park is open for mountaineering and picnics day by day.
Discover museums and trails
A show on the Customs Home – courtesy of Go to Clarksville TNAfrican American Legacy Path – Uncover the expansive and distinctive historical past of Clarksville’s African-American group with the African-American Legacy Path. From group gardens and historic church buildings to athletic, musical, and enterprise trailblazers — even an inspiring Olympic Champion — this path has many tales to inform.As The River Flows Museum At Mcgregor Park – Study About The Historical past Of The Cumberland River And Its Significance To Clarksville’s Growth Via Mcgregor Park’s Because the River Flows Museum. The museum’s panels start with pre-settlement occasions and the habitation of indigenous individuals, persevering with via to the fashionable day.Customs Home Museum And Cultural Heart – Inbuilt 1898 as a US Submit Workplace and Customs Home for the flourishing tobacco commerce, this architecturally fascinating construction is now the state’s second-largest normal historical past museum that includes a number of reveals detailing Clarksville’s wealthy historical past. “Turning into Clarksville: Honoring Legacies of Management” makes use of interactive software program, participating movies, and native artifacts to showcase Clarksville’s historical past and the people who impacted the group. Explorer’s Touchdown includes a hands-on academic exhibit for kids, Exploring Our City. This interactive exhibit highlights the completely different components that impacted the institution and progress of Clarksville, from farming, building, and transportation to space wildlife and the Cumberland and Crimson Rivers. Make sure you obtain the Exploring Our City Self-Guided Strolling Tour for little ones to discover attention-grabbing and historic buildings round city.Wade Bourne Nature Heart At Rotary Park – Find out about pure historical past with hands-on actions and dwell animals native to the world together with a 500-gallon aquarium with native fish species. Wade Bourne Nature Heart’s reveals usually are not restricted to the within of the constructing. Outdoors, guests will discover pollinator, butterfly, and rain gardens. The middle hosts weekly applications that educate youthful audiences in regards to the pure world. The middle is a tribute to Clarksville native Wade Bourne, probably the most acknowledged and revered journalists within the area of searching, fishing, and useful resource conservation.
Get pleasure from artwork, music, and theatre
Downtown Artists Co-Op – Convey dwelling a bit of native artwork from The Downtown Artists Co-op. This affiliation consists of over 30 gifted native artists. Guests to the gallery will discover pottery, jewellery, work, drawings, and extra accessible for buy. The DAC hosts the First Thursday ArtWalk every month from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. This occasion not solely showcases native artwork however permits attendees to fulfill the artists behind each bit at 20 areas. The First Thursday Artwork Stroll shows items all through downtown outlets, galleries, and eating places.Artsville Fest – Participate in Clarksville’s annual downtown inventive arts pageant through the first week of October. Artsville Fest consists of visible and performing arts, dwell large-scale artwork reveals, intimate interactions with artists and makers, and far more.Artlink – Create one thing particular throughout your time in Clarksville with this free inventive arts program. ArtLink’s mission is to ignite ardour and construct character via creativity.WIlma Rudolph & Pat Head Summitt – The legacies of those two hometown heroes, trailblazers and champions proceed to encourage individuals from around the globe. A 3-time gold and one-time bronze Olympic medalist who overcame polio as a baby, Wilma Rudolph stands in bronze in Clarksville’s Liberty Park outdoors the doorway to her namesake constructing, the Wilma Rudolph Occasion Heart. The tales of her athletic and social achievements are exhibited on the Customs Home Museum. Gold and Silver Olympic Gold Medalist Pat Head Summitt had, on the time of her retirement in 2012, coached extra profitable NCAA video games than every other males’s or girls’s basketball coach. The Pat Head Summitt Memorial Statue and Legacy Park illustrate her story on the north finish of Liberty Park.Reside Musical Performances – Clarksville is lucky to have many musical teams concerned within the performing arts together with the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, the Cumberland Winds, and Austin Peay State College’s Division of Music.Roxy Regional Theatre Performances – Expertise the cornerstone of Clarksville’s leisure by attending a dwell efficiency on the Roxy Regional Theatre. The current Roxy Theatre opened its doorways in 1947, displaying motion pictures till 1980 and opening for dwell theatre in 1980. The Roxy produces 10 primary stage occasions yearly together with a number of particular occasions all year long.Tennessee Music Pathways – Achieve a deeper understanding of the individuals, locations, and genres that make Tennessee the ‘Soundtrack of America’ via the Tennessee Music Pathways. A statewide driving tour, the Pathways represents tons of of landmarks throughout the state and spans seven genres of music: blues, bluegrass, nation, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll. Clarksville is dwelling to 5 official Pathways areas.
Eat like a neighborhood
Native meals in Clarksville, Tennessee – courtesy of Go to Clarksville TNJohnny’s Huge Burger – Maybe Clarksville’s most iconic spot, Johnny’s Huge Burger is a group staple. Positioned in Downtown Clarksville straight throughout from Austin Peay State College, one would possibly miss this hole-in-the-wall joint if they are not on the lookout for it. Johnny’s nonetheless operates in the identical place it was established in 1965, a small white constructing with counter seats that enable diners to speak with the cook dinner whereas their meals is being ready. First-timers will need to have a burger. Made the nice, old school means and served with every thing on prime, you actually can’t beat it. For dessert, their signature Bun and Cream is a additionally should. This grilled honey bun with ice cream is beloved by locals and guests alike. Consuming at Johnny’s is not only a meal; it is actually an expertise that permits you to savor the guts and soul of Clarksville. Native Tip: Johnny’s is money solely, however they’ve an ATM positioned by the register.Blackhorse Pub & Brewery – Based in 1992, Blackhorse Pub & Brewery has been a downtown anchor since 1992. With a menu providing every thing from flatbreads to steaks, there are three issues friends should attempt throughout their eating expertise. To begin off the meal, order Blackhorse’s Beer Cheese Dip, made with their Barnstormer Crimson Ale and served with tortilla chips. It is the Quantity One vendor on their menu. You can even select to improve to their savory mushy pretzels as your dipping choice. When the server asks for entree orders, go for one among Blackhorse’s signature pizzas. Go the lighter route with the Whitehorse or go all out with the Coronary heart Assault. Including the garlic crust elevates the flavour, regardless of the pizza alternative. Do not forget to depart room for dessert as a result of you’ll not wish to miss out on The Huge Cookie – a heat chocolate chip cookie pizza completed with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Native Tip: Not able to go dwelling at closing? Enterprise upstairs to the Taproom, open till 3:00 AM, to take pleasure in a spherical of pool or shuffleboard and proceed sipping on Blackhorse’s brews.Pbody’s – Tucked contained in the Clarksville Nation Membership, Pbody’s presents a big menu of consolation meals served in even bigger parts. Diners will discover every thing from burgers and BBQ to catfish and tacos on the menu. With so many choices for entrees, we are going to make the dessert alternative straightforward for you – get the banana pudding. Now there are two methods you may method this, order the normal banana pudding or go for the fried choice! Both means, you may’t go unsuitable. Native Tip: Pbody’s serves complimentary parmesan garlic chips to every desk when seated. The most effective half? They’re bottomless, so eat as many as your coronary heart needs!The Catfish Home – A regional favourite for the reason that late Nineteen Seventies, The Catfish Home serves hand-breaded catfish, hand-cut fries, handmade desserts plus all the opposite Southern sides you’ll anticipate like coleslaw (mayonnaise or vinegar-based), fried okra, white beans with relish and extra. The usual order is a two- or three-piece fillet with evenly breaded catfish fillets. Native Tip: Earlier than or after your go to, sit down (or “relaxation a spell” as you would possibly hear) in a rocker alongside the broad entrance porch.