Clarksville Springs to Life With Food, Spirits and Outdoor Activities

Just an hour north of Nashville, the idyllic college town of Clarksville makes use of its Cumberland River perch and wooded surrounds with ample outdoor activities, spirit sampling and restaurants. Here are some fun places not to miss next time you're passing through.

Beachaven Vineyard & Winery

Beachaven Vineyards and Winery boasts a handful of different wine varieties, a gift shop and a cozy tasting room where visitors can indulge in complimentary samples. A bevy of free activities can be experienced like the popular Jazz on the Lawn every other Saturday starting in May and DJ on the Dock, themed food truck parties one Thursday each month from April through October. 

Clarksville Downtown Market

Experience a slice of local life at the Clarksville Downtown Market. Starting in late May, more than 70 vendors set up shop in the City Hall parking lot every Saturday through October. There's nowhere better to stock up on local food, produce and handmade products. 

Dunbar Cave State Park

For the outdoorsy set, Clarksville delivers in spades through a number of hikes in the vicinity, as well as spots like Dunbar Cave State Park, which is two miles from downtown. Caves and sinkholes crisscross this 110-acre natural area with Dunbar Cave and Swan Lake being the highlights. The park is filled with angling and other wildlife spotting opportunities. Cave tours with a park ranger are available from May through July, and there are a number of trails traversing the park.

Old Glory Distilling Co.

Specializing in hand-crafted, small-batch spirits, Old Glory is the brainchild of Clarksville native and firefighter Matt Cunningham, who distills a varied mix of Tennessee whiskey, vodka, rum and "smooth" moonshine. The 20,000-square-foot distillery hosts special events and is open to the general public for tours, tastings and more.