Photo © Chris Lancia, Grid Square Recon
Clarksville, Tennessee, is a place where adventure meets art, where courage gives birth to creativity, and where hipster complements historic. Two Olympic Champions were born among the natural beauty of the city’s rivers and trails. The stories of Wilma Rudolph and Pat Head Summitt continue to inspire athletes and dreamers today. Visitors cannot help but sense this determination and passion among brewers, sculptors, muralists, small business owners, and many more who make Clarksville a truly memorable destination.
The city’s mild year-round temperatures make outdoor activities enjoyable throughout the year. Boating, fishing, kayaking, golf, mountain biking, hiking, cycling, and rock climbing are popular every season. May through September, visitors can also enjoy guided tours to explore Dunbar Cave, the only public cave in the world with visible 14th Century Native American Mississippian art.
Unwind with refreshing activities like sampling at Beachaven Vineyards & Winery. Now in its third generation of leadership, the award-winning operation is the oldest single-family-owned winery in Tennessee. The winery is equally adored for its music series. Singer-songwriters take the stage every weekend, May through October, and larger Jazz on the Lawn events take place monthly. If you prefer mead, whiskey, craft beers, or creative cocktails to wind down, there’s no shortage of those spirits throughout the city as well.
A city’s creative talents and passions are evident in its commitment to public art. Visitors can find inspiration from more than 30 sculptures, murals, and fountains throughout the community. Most of these impressive pieces were created by Clarksville’s own resident artists. Explore them using the Visit Clarksville app Public Art Trail to navigate your adventure. Add in gallery visits, a live theater performance, and time at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center with its blend of art, cultural and interactive exhibits for all ages.
Art, history, and inspiration intersect in the stories of legends Wilma Rudolph and Pat Head Summitt. Born into odds that told them they couldn’t succeed, these two ladies overcame challenging circumstances to achieve greatness in their fields. Although told she would never walk without a brace, Wilma Rudolph became known as the fastest woman in the world at age 20 when she won three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics.
Playing high school basketball was not an option for Pat Head in Clarksville schools at the time, so her family moved to a neighboring county where she could compete. Within a few years, she earned a silver medal as a teammate and, four years later, a gold medal as a coach. Pat spent 38 years as head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. At the time of her retirement, she had coached more winning NCAA games than any other men’s, or women’s basketball coach had at that time.
Planning a getaway to Clarksville also means you’ll find a surprisingly global flair among local restaurants. As home to the 101st Airborne Division and Austin Peay State University, the city’s ethnic diversity is apparent in its culinary scene. Indian, Korean, Mediterranean, Filipino, French, German, and more all hold their own alongside tried-and-true Southern staples like smoked pulled pork, biscuits, and fried catfish.
Explore more about this middle Tennessee city and start planning your 2023 adventure at visitclarksvilletn.com
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About Clarksville, TN
Hip at heart, authentic from the start! That’s Clarksville, Tennessee. Our rich history and gorgeous downtown architecture are bordered by a major and meandering waterway — the Cumberland River. Our charming downtown is filled with vibrant and passionate business owners who love their community and are actively involved in making it better.
