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10 Family Friendly Things to do in Clarksville, TN
Tennessee is one of the biggest hidden gems in the US. We have visited many different cities all with a lot to offer so when we got invited to visit Clarksville, we jumped at the chance! We didn’t know too much about this area of Tennessee before visiting, but we can now confidently say it’s a great city to visit (even with kids!)
1- Customs House Museum
Customs House Museum is one of the best things to do in Clarksville with kids for sure! It is now one of our favorite museums we have visited with kids ever! This Museum is not just for kids and there are also several Adult areas as well.
Our Toddler absolutely loved the train area where there were buttons everywhere making it so he could control the trains or make things light up or different scenes happen- it was so cool! He also loved the craft room, fishing, The Grocery Store and the Bubble Cave! This Museum is an absolute must!
2- Defy Trampoline Park
Defy Trampoline Park is so fun for kids with several different play areas including Dodgeball, Basketball and Foam Pits! Definitely plan on visiting for a couple or hours because it is so kid friendly and one of the best things to do in Clarksville.
Tip: (If you have little kids, try to bring them early in the morning or afternoon before bigger kids get out of school)
3-Beachaven Winery
Tennessee’s oldest single-family-owned winery, Beachaven serves award winning wine and champagnes. It’s fun for families with Live music and food trucks every Saturday and Sunday, May – October. There are also picnic tables and lawn games.
4- Self-Guided Art Tour
There are dozens of fountains, sculptures and murals that make Clarksville unique. You can use the VisitClarksvilleTN App – Trails – Public Art Tour to navigate.
5- Downtown Commons
Downtown Commons is a big open area which is perfect for little ones to run around and get their energy out. There are fun Water areas and an Imagination playground. There is also live music and food trucks on weekends! Definitely one of the best things to do in Clarksville.
Things to do in Clarksville
6- Wade Bourne Nature Center and Rotary Park
Wade Bourne Nature Center is one of the best things to do in Clarksville for families and it is especially perfect for little kids wanting to learn more about animals and nature. There are a few small animals and interactive displays in a scenic setting.
Our toddler absolutely loved it. I think he could have stayed here all day if we let him. It’s not a huge space, but they did a great job on the displays- one area has an interactive bird sounds display and then there’s another area where you get to feel animal fur and then guess which animal is behind it.
There’s a very cute small play area with books and then a little tree with stuffed animals filled all around it. There is also a small area with about 5 different animals like frogs, lizards and a snake.
Rotary Park is huge and filled with trails, a park, picnic benches and a big open field to play. There is also a Frisbee golf course. The park here is really great for kids and there is a really fun creek that a lot of families and kids were playing in.
7-Liberty Park
Liberty Park is a whopping 146 acres! The park includes a 10-acre fishing pond, a community-built playground, walking trails (total 1.8 miles), a 4-lane boat ramp into the Cumberland River, 4 pavilions, the King’s Run Bark Park, multi-purpose sports fields, the Clarksville Marina and Liberty Park Grill. This park is a perfect place to spend an afternoon with the family!
8- Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center
Located on a bluff 200 feet above the confluence of the Red and Cumberland Rivers in Clarksville, Tennessee, the Fort Defiance site has been a hub of activity for more than two centuries.
It was originally inhabited by Native Americans. The area became a trading center and settlement. Then during the Civil War, the hilltop was chosen by Confederate troops as a site to construct a fort to defend the river approach to Clarksville.
In February 1862, the fort was captured by Union forces, renamed, and occupied for the remainder of the war. The site was a magnet for runaway and freed slaves, and many were employed in and around the fort.
The City secured a $2.2 million federal grant in 2008 that was combined with local funding to begin the construction of the Interpretive Center and nearly a mile of walking trails. The more than 1,500-square-foot Interpretive Center features exhibits about the surrounding area and the fort during the Civil War era.
9- Dunbar Cave State Park
Dunbar Cave is a prehistoric site for the entire Eastern Woodlands and has been used for thousands of years and is actually the site of significant prehistoric Mississippian Native American cave art dating to the 14th century.
The hike there is great for families and you can even book tours inside the cave! This was one of our favorite activities and best things to do in Clarksville!
10- Sanctuary on Main
Sanctuary on Main is a Coffee Shop, Cafe and Yoga Studio! This space is absolutely amazing and there are so many little details to look at. It’s fun for the whole family because there’s a big back yard and patio with lawn games!
Where to Eat in Clarksville
The Mailroom:
The Mailroom is a hidden gem located in the heart of downtown Clarksville. They have made from scratch meals and craft cocktails in a historic building in Clarksville with a lovely patio view over historic downtown.
It has vintage inspired decor and is located in an old post office. This is definitely one of the top things to do in Clarksville, TN and one of our favorite restaurants there.
Strawberry Alley:
Strawberry Alley is a restaurant and ale works located in Clarksville, TN with pub food and craft beer. They actually have their own on-site brewery. We loved the pretzels in cheese and BBQ Chicken salad with sweet potato fries.
Legends:
Legends is a hidden gem known for their BBQ food located near the riverfront. You can get delicious meat entrees with traditional BBQ sides. We tried the BBQ ribs with baked beans and coleslaw and a pulled pork sandwich with potato salad and tater tots and we enjoyed it all.
Blackhorse Pub and Brewery:
Blackhorse Pub and Brewery is a lively bar and restaurant located right in downtown. I highly recommend the pizzas! We got one to share with the whole family and it tasted very fresh and delicious. We also enjoyed their chicken chef salad and they had a good kid’s meal selection for kids.
Cafe 931:
Cafe 931 is a great spot to go for a quick healthy breakfast. They had delicious fruit and açaí bowls. They also had a whole play area for kids.
Caprigios:
I highly recommend this little hidden gem in Clarksville, TN. The staff was great and very friendly and the pizza was very good. I also recommend trying the cheesesticks and they even have cannoli for dessert.
Madeleine’s Cafe:
Madeleine’s Cafe is a quaint French-inspired bistro that serves up exquisite pastries, delicate crepes, and rich coffee in a warm and inviting setting. From the vintage decor to the friendly service, Madeleine’s Cafe exudes a certain je ne sais quoi that will transport you to the boulevards of Paris.
Pinky’s Up:
This colorful and lively cafe serves up vibrant, Instagram-worthy drinks and treats that are almost too pretty to eat. From unicorn lattes to mermaid-tail ice cream cones, Pinky’s Up is a sweet haven for anyone with a sweet tooth and a sense of whimsy.
Founding Frothers:
If you’re looking for a top-notch coffee experience in Clarksville, I highly recommend checking out Frothers. This hidden gem serves up expertly crafted cups of joe in a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Where to Stay
The Homer House:
The Homer House is a cozy two-bedroom Airbnb located in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. It’s within walking distance to local shops and restaurants.
This is where we stayed on our visit and loved it! It was so nice to have a full kitchen as well where we could cook meals. It’s also easily walkable to all of downtown Clarksville.
More Fun Things to do in Clarksville
