12 Must Do’s while in Clarksville, Tennessee

If you are looking for one of Tennessee’s hidden gems that can make for an unforgettable weekend getaway, then Clarksville may just be that! Recognized as one of the best places to live in the US, this town offers plenty of activities as well as tons of outdoor things to do for those that love nature. If you plan to visit, make sure to take the below into consideration to make it one of a kind adventure.

Get creative with River City during a Pottery Class

This was our first time taking a pottery class and our instructor, Rebecca, could not have been more patient and informative to our group. Pottery may seem easy at first, but it is quite intimidating. However, once you get the hang of the process, you may just make a small dish yourself that you will be proud of. Very fun activity, especially for a date night or an outing with friends.

Kayak with Float Ya Boat

What is the best way to enjoy the outdoors you may ask? By a kayak or a float that you can rent from these guys! We opted for a kayaking, which was incredible given the river is quite calm and you can stroll at your own pace. There are plenty of little spots where you can stop and enjoy all the sounds of nature. We saw a few people on the floats, and we would love to do that next time: it looked like so much fun! Depending on the river’s depth, it takes about 1-1.5 hours to kayak through it without stopping. Your instructor will drop you off at the start point and you will kayak/float where you park your car, so it’s super convenient!

Brunch at The Amsterdam Local

If you need anywhere, this spot needs to be added to your list! We stopped here for breakfast, but they serve food all day (7am-7-pm). Our avocado toasts were delightful, and we really enjoyed them in this cute & cozy vibe. They have plenty of indoor sitting options along with a decent size patio that you can also enjoy. The best part is: everything is locally sourced, which is incredible. Who knew you can feel like you are in Netherlands, right here in Clarksville?!

Put your taste buds to work at Distillery Tour at Old Glory

Old Glory Distilling is a must stop for everyone! Not only do they distill lots of their own spirits, but they have a restaurant that is full of delicious options along with a huge outdoor area with live music and plenty of space for kiddos to run around. If you have some time, we highly recommend going on a tour to learn more about their spirits and their distilling process. Let’s just say we brought few “gifts” home as their products are one of a kind and certainly worth trying.

Stay at The Tanglewood House

Even though this place is not a hotel nor Airbnb, it is a wedding venue that is now expanding their horizons by adding a few cabins into their mix for extended stay. If you are looking for a place to have a wedding, this would be the perfect paradise for it. The cabins are gorgeous, the site itself is stunning, and at night you truly become one with the forest just by listening to the sounds of nature (it’s the best!). Inquire about extended stay directly with Tanglewood House.

Explore Downtown and Shop Around

Clarksville’s downtown is full of quirky shops, murals, local bars, and gorgeously decorated restaurants. It is super walkable, so taking a stroll was super fun while exploring some hidden gems. This area is full of entertainment all year round, whether it is a farmers’ market, a parade, concert, or a festival, you are more likely to stumble across something fun taking place.

Grab Lunch at The Mad Herbalist

Located right on The Tanglewood House’s grounds, is this incredible tea house that serves yummy lunch along with tea (you can have it spiked too!). Their décor really feels like a tree house with lots of wooden accents and rustic vibe. There is plenty of space, so if you are thinking of hosting an event, this place would be perfect for it!

Hike Dunbar Cave State Park

Even though currently the caves themselves are closed for touring due to floods back in spring, the park itself has plenty to offer, so it’s still certainly worth a stop. You can still get up to the cave quite close and enjoy its views. The park offers few different trails where you can enjoy a hike along with wildlife (if you get lucky enough!).

Enjoy a wine flight at Beachaven Winery

Considered as a pioneer of winemaking in Tennessee, this winery has been family owned since it opened 39 years ago, and won many awards for their incredible wines. They have plenty of options whether you like dry, sweet, reds, or whites, everything is incredibly tasty, and the best part is that you can try it all. They have live music and food trucks on certain days, so bring a lawn chair, positive spirits, and your taste buds, and you are in for a treat.

Get competitive at The City Forum

The biggest indoor entertainment complex in Tennessee can be found right here. If you are looking to bowl, play arcades, maybe even go kart, this place has it all and will keep everyone entertained. Dock 17 restaurant is a great stop, under the same roof, if you need to refuel between the games and enjoy a good Big Loud Trucker Burger.

Go Antique Shopping at Miss Lucille’s Marketplace

Located at the City Forum, Miss Lucille’s antique shopping center is the perfect place to easily spend an hour (or 3) exploring all the 200 vendors and their gems. We loved how diverse and eclectic these products were. Ranging from clothing, to jewelry, to furniture, to vintage finds, there is easily something that will pique your interest.

Refuel with a beer at The Star-Spangled Brewing or Tap This

We only consider a new place explored if we try their local brews! Luckily, Clarksville has a few to offer which carry a variety of tasty beers. The Star-Spangled Brewing is a special forces veteran and locally owned brewery (considered one of the most patriotic breweries too!). They specialize in the barrel aging process which makes for a unique but tasty beer. Tap This is a bar where you can pour your own beer, cider, and other beverages. We loved the idea of being able to pour as little or as much as we wanted and be able to try a variety of beverages. This place just recently opened, but we saw lots of potential for being the best hang out spot in Clarksville.

We loved Clarksville and how much it has to offer, so we hope you will too!

Happy Exploring!

XoXo

Adri & Kam