Remember when I made a list of travel goals for the year? Well, I’m not sure where this year has gone, but after looking at that list, I feel like I’m staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. I really don’t think there will be time for it all!

Fortunately, I was able to make my Clarksville trip happen recently on a day trip to Downtown Clarksville. Initially I had wanted to do an overnight trip, but that wasn’t in the cards. It’s a little under an hour away, so I made a day trip instead! After talking with the amazingly helpful Michelle from the Clarksville Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, I had my day trip all planned out.

Being a Saturday, I started my morning at the Clarksville Downtown Market. I parked right across the street (I love small towns, free parking!) and pretty much left the car there while I adventured through downtown. The Downtown Market is in the city’s public square, across from Old City Hall, the Parks and Recreation offices and the shops. The market offered pretty much anything you’d need from produce, meats, dairy products and baked goods to candles, art and some clothing. There were a few food trucks too!

From there I mostly walked around, exploring and taking photos. Downtown Clarksville is small, but charming. The street with Old City Hall and the Parks and Recreation Center looked like something out of a midwestern movie. Franklin Street, the main shopping/dining street, also looks like something out of a movie. [Or maybe a country music video about small towns and home? Either way, very charming.]

I found my way over to the Customs House museum, one of the places Michelle had recommended. Random fact: it’s the second largest general interest museum in Tennessee. The building was built in 1898 as a post office and customs house for the tobacco trade at the time and the museum expanded into an adjacent building in 1996. The exterior architecture is so different, you’d never think you’re in Tennessee. The feature exhibit was the Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper. Woah, it was impressive.The one color line etching ones were my favorite. Moving throughout the museum, there were exhibits about local heros Wilma Rudolph, Jeff Purvis and Pat Head Summitt, exhibits about the history of Clarksville, the tobacco trade, and interactive childrens exhibits downstairs. I would venture to say there’s something for everyone!

After about an hour and a half browsing the exhibits, I continued my walking tour up Franklin Street. I walked past a group making pottery in Horsefeathers, artists working in the Downtown Artists’ Co-Op, and a bride and her family taking photos throughout downtown. I stopped in Couture Crush, a trendy boutique that almost felt out of place on this old fashioned block. Upon Michelle’s recommendation, I took a peek into Journey’s Eye, a studio and store with all kinds of eclectic finds, from repurposed furniture to beautiful handmade jewelry.

I meandered a bit further down Franklin Street, past the shops, to see an entire block of unused storefronts. It was actually pretty incredible, like all of a sudden these people vanished. I later learned that the tornado in 1999 ravaged much of Clarksville and hugely diminished the downtown area’s businesses. The buildings still look pretty intact to me. In fact, if anyone is looking to film a movie or show and needs to build a downtown street, COME HERE. It’s perfect. Plus, the Trinity Episcopal Church is across the street and it is stunning. Grey brick. Red doors. Stunning!

Turning a random corner, past more unused space I came upon another beautiful church, the First Presbyterian Church. Also gorgeous. Have I mentioned I love old churches?

These few hours led me to Yada Yada Yada Deli, pretty much the only lunch spot in the downtown area aside from the pub. Very low key spot with a small menu and hometown vibe. Not shabby!

After refueling, I drove over to McGregor Park and the Clarksville River District where families were having picnics, kids were playing and people were jogging through. I can definitely see this as a great jogging path, especially during the school year when Austin Peay is back in full swing.

Speaking of Austin Peay – I ended up driving around for a bit to see the school and ended up getting a cold brew at Plumbline Coffee. Definitely a good place to do work.

Clarksville is mostly known for being a military town, being the home to many who work at Fort Campbell, but I didn’t quite realize the city’s extensive military history. Fort Defiance Interpretive Center is just across the river and commemorates the military fort that once stood on it’s grounds. While it does have a visitor center with lots of information at the ready, the land is basically grounds with a walking trail, which actually leads up to a residential street. The trail is lined with two (not original) cannons and some informational stands, pointing out different things about the history of the fort, the area and its inhabitants over the years.

I wrapped the day up with dinner and show, courtesy of Michelle (thank you again!). We ate at Roux Americajun, a new dinner restaurant on Franklin Street. It’s definitely a trendy place, with varied cocktails, exposed brick and a speakeasy! I ordered the Shrimp & Grits with grilled shrimp. Delicious!

The show part of the evening might have been my favorite part of the whole day. The Roxy Regional Theatre was doing it’s season-ending show, Steel Magnolias. The entire show is set up on one stage, the beauty parlor. The six woman cast was excellent and honestly the entire production was so well done. We met Ryan, the Executive Director, before the show and you can tell he is full of energy and charisma, so it’s not surprising he directed it. I loved it! I would actually come to dinner and a show here again, it’s a wonderful concept that I haven’t quite found in Nashville.

Woah. That was way more than I expected. Thank you to those who read this far down! I’m loving exploring Tennessee. Next stop, Memphis!

Pin for later: