This what to do in Clarksville TN post is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #tnvacation #madeintn
Nashville is an amazing place, but sometimes it can feel a little crowded. The Tennessean reports that Nashville grows by 100 people each day. When the Music City walls start closing in, it’s good to take a day trip to experience a new place and get some space. Cue Clarksville! Clarksville is a 45-minute drive from Nashville and gives you all the fun, food, and shopping that you’d find in Nashville but with fewer bachelorette parties and tourists.
Clarksville is actually one of the state’s youngest cities with a median age of 30. The Visit Clarksville website says, “In Clarksville, this blending of heritage and hipster yields energy and vibrancy that you just have to experience for yourself.”
I headed to Clarksville on a rainy Saturday in January. The local university, Austin Peay, was still on winter break and it felt like I had the entire city to myself. I was excited to experience the energy and vibrancy for myself!
Read about what to do in Clarksville TN for the day.
What to Do in Clarksville TN
EAT
Yada Yada Yada Deli
Located in downtown Clarksville, Yada Yada Yada Deli is a great way to start the day. Start your day in Clarksville with coffee, pastries, and if you’re there on a Saturday, their yummy eggs benedict. If breakfast isn’t your thing, stop by for a smoothie, sandwich, or coffee. Yada, yada, yada, everything on their menu is amazing.
Miss Lucille’s Cafe
One of the most amazing places to grab lunch in Clarksville is at Miss Lucille’s Cafe. Everything on their menu looked amazing, but settle on the Smokehouse Nachos as an appetizer. For an entree, try Fannie’s Chicken Salad Sandwich and Sadie Mae’s Grilled Cheese. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here so bring an appetite.
Roux Americajun
Roux is a newer restaurant in Clarksville that features New Orleans cuisine. The menu features crescent pies, po’boys, shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and much more! No matter what, you have to get some beignets for dessert!
SHOPPING
Journey’s Eye
Journey’s Eye is a home decor store that specializes in one-of-a-kind pieces. There you’ll find a wall of banjo’s, a gorgeous chessboard and other home decor odds and ends. The owners frequently travel searching for unique pieces to sell so you never know what you’re going to find in there!
Humble Universe Distributors Used Books
If you love digging around in charming bookstores, I know just the place! It’s easy to start looking through the bookshelves and spend hours discovering authors and reading up on topics like philosophy and women’s issues.
AndVinyl
Love music? AndVinyl is the place for you. Here you’ll find new and used vinyl as well as cool band t-shirts. The vinyl is affordably priced and they have a wide selection of artists and genres from Justin Bieber to Childish Gambino. Definitely dig through and find your favorite album.
Down On The Alley Vintage
The cutest little vintage shop located on a small corner of downtown, Down on the Alley sells vintage clothing, jewelry, and other nic nacs. The employees are so warm and friendly and love sharing the stories behind the vintage pieces they sell.
Miss Lucille’s Marketplace
After having lunch at the cafe, work off your meal by walking around the marketplace. Here you’ll find an eclectic marketplace full of so many goodies and gems. The first half of the marketplace is vendor booths. With over 200 vendors, you’re bound to find something whether it’s jewelry, antiques, or other handmade goods. The second half of the marketplace is a furniture design space. They have tons of chairs, couches, tables, and other furniture. The pieces reminded me of Restoration Hardware but were more affordable. You definitely feel inspired and ready to decorate after walking around!
EXERCISE
Urban Trails
On a beautiful brisk day, get outdoors! During our walk, we saw many people out running and enjoying the trails. You see great views of the city and also hear all the birds chirping along as you walk. The trails are historic and tell a small part of Clarksville history as you walk. Read all about the three trails here.
Planet 3 Extreme Air Park
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy a trampoline park. When you get to Planet 3, you buy a ticket and a pair of no-slip socks, put your personal items in a cubby and have fun! Planet 3 has foam pits, dunk zones, a ninja obstacle course, extreme dodgeball, and an open jump area. They say twenty minutes of jumping is the equivalent to an hour on the treadmill. This is great exercise while also having so much fun bouncing around.
There is so much more to do and see in Clarksville, but this is all we conquered in a day. We have a list of places to go at a later time and will definitely be back since it’s such a short distance from Nashville. It’s the perfect place to get away and slow down a little.
Loving this what to do in Clarksville TN feature? Take a look here for more of my travel favorites!
What a fun place to visit! I love that marketplace, it looks like a wonderful place for discovering new things!
XOXO
Cathy
This looks like such a fun place to visit! Love all the restaurants!
I’ve driven through Clarksville a million times but never stopped for more than gas! Looks like I need to some time.
What a cute little town! Would love to check this out in the future!
Sounds like a great little getaway, and wonderful that it’s so close to you!
Chic on the Cheap
Okay, Clarksville sounds REALLY cool! who knew! Definitely adding this to my list for when I finally get down to nashville (and area) for a vacation!
Clarksville looks so cute! I need to get down ASAP and check out some of these spots.
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Looks like such a cute town! Wouldn’t mind spending the day there. And eating all of that food!!!
xo Laura Leigh
Louella Reese
looks like such a fun trip!
It seems like there’s a lot to see, do, and EAT in Clarksville. I’ve never been to TN, but I’ve wanted to make a trip there at some point in the near future. Now I have an idea of some spots to visit.
What an adorable town! Definitely craving beignets after seeing this! 🙂
Clarksville looks like such a cute little town! I’d love to visit sometime.
This looks like such a fun town to visit! I’ll have to keep this in mind for future trips!
Clarkesville looks so appealing to my millennial heart! Being that its such a young city I bet there are endless things you want to do (and places to eat – that food looks unreal!)
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Such a cute little town to explore! All of the food looks so yummy!
Looks like such a cute little town!! And those beignets looks amazing!!
How fun! I am definitely adding this to my list! I can’t imagine a town with the median age of 30! lol! I live in a retirement town where the median age is more like twice that. haha!
This looks like so much fun, and all of that food looks amazing!
It looks so charming! Love your trip roundup! xo