This post was sponsored by Visit Clarksville. All photos and opinions are mine alone and should not be used without written permission. This post contains affiliate links.
Every summer, my husband, kids, and I load up in the car and take a week long (or so) road trip across the country. Last year, we took a road trip to Utah and back in a week. This summer, we decided to go to the East coast. Along the way, Visit Clarksville invited us to experience their beautiful city and see what they have to offer families like ours.
So whether you’re in the area taking your kids to college at Austin Peay State University, or visiting loved ones at Fort Campbell, here’s my guide to everything you need to know about going to Clarksville, Tennessee with your family.
Where to Stay
Best Western Plus Atrium Inn & Suites
If you want to be close to the mall and lots of restaurant options, this is a great place to stay. They also have a free breakfast in the morning
Riverview Inn
If you’re looking to stay where all the action is, I recommend this hotel right near the heart of downtown. At the Riverview Inn, you’re close enough to walk to all the restaurants, shopping, and arts that downtown Clarksville, TN has to offer.
What to Eat
Breakfast
Choppin’ Block on Madison
My husband loves hole in the wall type breakfast places and this is definitely one. You know the ones – there’s no frills, you eat off styrofoam plates, and the waitresses call you “sweetie”. We opted for the BLT, omelette, sausage biscuit, and pancakes. Everything was good, but they definitely aren’t in hurry.
Moss’ South
Another day in Clarksville, so another day for a hearty breakfast at a hole in the wall diner on the outskirts of town. Close the Dunbar Cave, you’ll find this little place. The waitresses were all super friendly and helpful and we were the youngest people in there, by more than half. But it was a good breakfast for the price. Everything came out hot and fresh.
Lunch
Johnny’s Big Burger
It’s not much to look at from the outside, but the burgers are more than worth it! The burgers are moist and delicious and Just make sure to bring cash, because cards aren’t accepted. If you like honey buns, get the warm honey bun dessert that’s served with ice cream on top.
West Coast Taco Shop
This vibrant restaurant is a fresh take on California/Mexican quick service food. You order at the counter and can help yourself to the salsa bar while you wait. We opted for the carne asada soft tacos, carne asada burrito, chicken quesadilla, and crunchy beef tacos. Everything was hot, fresh, and delicious! The Texas girl was so happy to find Mexican food so far from home.
Dinner
Strawberry Alley Ale Works
This was my favorite meal from our trip! The soft pretzels with cheese sauce for an appetizer are a must! I hate soft pretzels that are too hard, and these were just perfect! The chicken bacon macaroni and cheese was to die for (and a generous portion size). I had leftovers for later and I was sad when I finished them. It was just that good. The Alley Mule was potent, delicious, and just what I needed after a full family day of fun. Overall, it’s got a great atmosphere and is a neat place to hang out and have a meal. The kids also loved being able to see the tanks where the beers are made.
Snacks
Thistle Sweets
I love macarons and this place makes some great ones! I had been following them for a while before we made our trip to Clarksville, so I was excited to see if their macarons tasted as good as they looked. We got there at the end of the day, so the options were limited, but the apricot and vanilla flavors were great! I didn’t love the chai one, but then again, I don’t like chai, so take that for what it’s worth. While I was there, they said it’s actually better to pre-order the flavors you want so that you get exactly what you want. So there you go. They also have a super cute store and photo op places outside, so be sure to take a few pictures while you’re there. Speaking of visiting, they have very limited store hours, so check their website or Instagram page to see when they’ll be open.
Frozen Fuel
This place was awesome! The owners are so nice and they make all of the ice cream in house – both with dairy and dairy free. The chocolate velvet flavor was rich dark chocolate and my husband loved it in his shake. My son and I opted for the mint chocolate chip and it was really great too! They also served the ice cream with a pretzel stick and it was the perfect salty/sweet combination!
What to Do
Planet 3 Extreme Air Park
Having never had tried a trampoline park before, we were all super excited to see what this new craze is all about! And all four of us absolutely loved it! You’ll start by signing a waiver, then choosing how long you’ll be jumping for and purchasing a park of their anti-slip socks. Once that’s all done, you’re off! They have a ninja-warrior style area with obstacles, rows of trampolines, a rock wall, a dodgeball area, trapeze bar with foam pit, jousting, and a toddler area with trampolines and a foam pit for the smaller ones. We had the best time and even us parents got in on the action! But I could see how this would be a great place to take your kids when you’re tired and they have more energy than you do.
Dunbar Cave State Park
Looking for some free, natural fun outdoors? Dunbar Cave State Park is just the place to see nature, go for a hike, or explore a cave. They’re open from 8am to sunset and have hiking trails for every level of hiker. Since we have little ones with short legs, we opted for the “Short Loop Trail” that is .7 miles and has a mostly paved surface with limited inclines. While on our hike, we saw ducks, a frog, butterflies, and a doe with her fawn. The kids loved it! If you’re looking to get a cave tour (the only way to actually get in the cave), you’ll need to make a reservation.
The City Forum
During those extreme temperatures of high highs and low lows, this is the place to go. It just so happened that we were visiting when it was hot, so we welcome the all-indoors activities they have to offer here. They have go karts, bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, mini golf, and a huge arcade. To save time, you can sign the waiver online for the go karts – and you will definitely want to drive the go-karts. If you’re looking for a deal, be sure to check their website because they offer different value options for almost every day of the week. We were there on a Wednesday and Wednesdays are half price on the arcade games – which my kids (and us parents) appreciated. We also did the bumper cars, but I don’t recommend those as they weren’t near as exciting as the go-karts.
Downtown Commons
We went here after we went to Frozen Fuel for ice cream and it was the perfect way to spend an evening. The kids enjoyed playing with the big blue blocks and running around on the astroturf, while my husband and I sat on the Adirondack chairs and relaxed. They also have concerts there some nights, so make sure to check their website for event dates.
McGregor Park Riverwalk
What a great place to watch the sun set. It’s got a long water way where boats speed past and you can sit on a park bench or walk along the pathway to walk off your dinner or enjoy a romantic stroll.
Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
Judging from the reviews online, I wasn’t exactly sure of what we were getting ourselves into by going to this place, but we decided to check it out anyway. This museum is inside the old post office and features tons of artifacts from Clarksville’s early days. Inside the museum, you can see videos, photos, and knick-knacks from Clarksville’s history. The lower level is all for kids and kids at heart! There’s a puppet show area, building blocks, Lincoln logs, and the coolest bubble exhibit ever! They also have an extensive model train set up where you can push a button and turn on the lights in the shops or make the airplane’s propellers spin. On certain days and times, you can also see them run the trains!
If you’d like to see more family travel tips like these, follow me on Pinterest!
