Discover Clarksville: History and Nature

Explore Clarksville through a range of interests: historic architecture, exhibitions, nature conservation, and trails along the water. If you’re planning a stay, you can organize your days around these interests. Clarksville is about 45 minutes northwest of Nashville; actual travel time varies. The time of year can also matter if cave tours or the seasonal market are part of your plans.

Historic Sites and Architecture

The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is partially housed in the historic Federal Post Office and Customs House, built in 1898. The building’s former function and its current use as a museum offer a concrete glimpse into Clarksville’s architectural and urban history.

Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center is home to one of the best-preserved earthen fortifications in the United States. The outer earthworks, powder magazine, and gun platforms are still visible there. The Interpretive Center features exhibits about the area and the fort during the American Civil War. The physical remains and their historical context can be seen side by side.

In the historic downtown, you’ll find mid-19th-century facades along Franklin Street, Public Square, and 2nd and 3rd Streets. The African American Legacy Trail offers a different perspective: it runs through Montgomery County and shares the far-reaching and distinctive history of Clarksville’s African American community. Topics include community gardens, historic churches, and influential figures in sports, music, and business. The trail thus adds cultural and community stories to the area’s architectural history.

Museums and Interactive Exhibits

At the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, the “Exploring Our Town” exhibit offers an interactive, educational approach to Clarksville’s history. In the Bubble Cave, visitors can make giant soap bubbles and learn about the science behind cave formations. The “Huff & Puff Model Train” exhibit features interactive push buttons and seasonal scenes. The three formats offer different highlights: local history, hands-on science, and a model train exhibit. Details and schedules may change; check the latest information if a specific exhibit is important to your visit.

The Wade Bourne Nature Center is a museum and event venue that includes a nature discovery area for children. Conservation and environmental education are central to its mission; the center connects visitors with their natural surroundings. Here, the focus is on our relationship with nature, while the exhibits at the Customs House Museum offer different ways to explore history and science.

Outdoor Trails and Scenery

The fully paved Clarksville Greenway is nine miles long and suitable for biking, skating, running, and walking. Streams, cliffs, native wildflowers and trees, a scenic bridge, and open views characterize the landscape; wildlife is also likely to be spotted there. The two-mile Cumberland RiverWalk follows the river and connects downtown with the waterfront. The routes differ considerably in length and described character: the Greenway offers several ways to get active amid varied scenery, while the RiverWalk follows the river.

Seasonal Activities and Planning Your Visit

Dunbar Cave State Park is home to charcoal drawings left by Indigenous peoples of the Mississippian culture. During cave tour season, from May to September, visitors can take guided tours to see the drawings. Check tour availability before your trip.

The Downtown Market is held on Saturdays from May through October at Public Square. Stalls offer handmade goods, crafts, baked goods, and produce; check the specific market dates to match your stay. Group tours at the L&N Train Station can also be included in your plans: they include a visit to the renovated depot and its interpretive exhibits. Since tour arrangements and reservation requirements may change, check the current conditions in advance.

For an overview of the wider trip: Montgomery.