Nashville is a beautiful, wonderful city, but it's always good to get out of town every once in a while to explore what's going on elsewhere. The good news for you Nashvillians out there: you don't have to go far to find one of the best day-trip destinations in the state. Just an hour north of the city, Clarksville has tons of fun activities, museums, parks, and restaurants that the whole family will love. If you haven't been, you need to put Clarksville on your bucket list ASAP. Check it out!
The City of Clarksville sits just a short, 1-hour drive north on the Cumberland River from Nashville. This river city is known for its charm, which includes its beautiful 1.5-mile Cumberland Riverwalk along the river's banks.
When you walk through downtown, you might notice some unique architecture, most notably the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center. This building was built in 1898 as the area's main postal hub, and it saw a lot of incoming and outgoing mail due to the area's booming tobacco business. Today it's a museum with art galleries, local history, and a kids area. Find out more at the Customs House Museum website.
What better way to spend a day trip than with a visit to one of the oldest wineries in the state? The Beahaven Winery is actually the oldest single-family-owned winery in the state, and it serves up award-winning wines all year round.
If exploring the beautiful Tennessee wilderness is more your vibe, then you'll want to be sure to check out Dunbar Cave State Park. Archaeologists have found Native American artifacts in the cave dating to over 10,000 years ago, but more recently in the 1900's, the cave was the site of local dances and concerts. Needless to say, this is a great spot for both history and nature buffs in your family!
Like many places in Tennessee, Clarskville also has its fair share of Civil War History. You can visit the city's preserved Civil War fort at the Fort Defiance Civil War Park. The park offers tons of interactive exhibits and learning opportunities for all ages.
Another lesser-known but equally interesting Clarksville museum is the Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell. The museum primarily features the history of the base's 101st Airborne Division, including authentic and original weapons, heavy artillery, and aircraft from as early as WWII. The museum is currently only open on weekdays, so it's usually a good idea to contact them and/or check their website before going.
After a long day exploring Clarksville, what better way to end it than with a dinner at the rooftop patio of Strawberry Alley Ale Works, a craft brewery and restaurant known for their good times and beautiful views. We'll see you there!
If you're looking for somewhere to go that's a little closer to home, then you have to try out Honeyfire BBQ (and their incredible banana pudding).
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