Visit Rutherford County

What to Do and See in Rutherford County

Outdoor Activities

A short drive from Murfreesboro, Shelbyville’s Nearest Green Distillery is the home of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Learn about the inspiring history of the spirits’ namesake while sampling true Tennessee whiskey. And don’t forget to swing by their restaurant, Chuck’s Barrel House BBQ, for mouthwatering pork, chicken and more.

Speaking of good eats, you can find plenty of them at Williamson Family Farm in Murfreesboro. A certified Transitioning Organic Farm, guests can pick-their-own berries, apples, pumpkins and even check out the farms’ bee community at various points throughout the year. 

For the history buff, Cannonsburgh Village is a reconstructed Southern village from the late 1800s, complete with a town hall, gristmill, one-room schoolhouse, working blacksmith’s shop and more. Don’t miss seeing the World’s Largest Cedar Bucket while you’re there. 

At Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, you can visit the site of one of the  bloodiest battles of the Civil War. Plus, the surrounding area is home to several unique variations of plants and animals, some even unique to Tennessee. 

Visit the Oaklands Mansion and Oaklands Park to see the native tree arboretum, heritage flower and vegetable gardens, Maney Spring, walking trails and more. Plus, you can take a variety of guided and self-guided tours of the miraculous mansion itself throughout the week. 
 

A visit to Smyrna brings more must-do activities. Walden Pumpkin Farm is a family-run fall seasonal farm where you can stock up on pumpkins, get lost in a corn maze, jump on a hayride, visit the animal barn and try the famous Tennessee slip and slide. 

In Eagleville, you can horse around at Fancy Forest Farm (literally). Their horses are trained for family-friendly fun, making their guided horseback trail rides a must. 

Lucky Ladd Farms is an award-winning agricultural park with something for everyone. Meet animals in the petting zoo, bounce on the giant jumping pillow, take a walk on the nature trail and more. Make sure to hit the downtown Eagleville area while you’re there for great shopping. 

If you’re headed to La Vergne, stop by Veterans Memorial Park to get some energy out. This park includes sports fields, a basketball court, tennis court, in-line hockey rink, skate park, playground and more. 

Indoor Activities

If you’re into the arts, get your fill at the Springhouse Theatre Company. This local theater has year-round, high quality productions, including past shows like “The Sound of Music” and “White Christmas.” They also offer summer camps for kids and educational events for adults throughout the year. 

The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is another fun family option, shaping young minds with hands-on educational and cultural activities like a minitown, super slide and water works exhibits. 

If you’re looking for some nightlife or a place to catch the game, head to Sullivan’s Sports Bar. Great food is a given, but they also have dart boards, pool tables, a jukebox, game machine and TVs for sports games. 
 

Where to Eat in Rutherford County

After a day of playing, satisfy your hunger at one of Rutherford County’s 425 plus restaurants. 

• Five on Black is a new restaurant that recently opened off the downtown square. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails and delicious burgers, steaks and more. 
• City Café is Murfreesboro’s original meat and three, serving simple, tasty, American comfort food. 
• Primrose Table boasts upscale dining with casual hospitality with made-from-scratch comfort food. 
   

• In Eagleville, don’t miss Grindstone Cowboy, which was opened by country music star Craig Campbell and his wife, Mindy in 2022. The restaurant, coffee shop, bar, and music venue serves local coffee and delicious lunch options, and hosts evening shows until 10 p.m. 
• Sorrelles Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is the go-to spot for fresh pasta and Italian classics. 
• Expand your palate in La Vergne at Chon Thong Thai Café, a locally owned Thai restaurant serving authentic dishes. 
• Stop by Deli Pupuseria Puerto La Union, where they’re serving up delicious pupusas – a thick, round corn tortilla stuffed with savory fillings that originated in El Salvador. 
   

Smyrna offers lots of tasty options, including Champy’s Chicken, which started in Chattanooga but has locations in Smyrna and Murfreesboro, boasting some of the best fried chicken from a Mississippi family recipe. After, tame your sweet tooth at Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream. This family-owned, homemade ice cream shop makes small-batch ice cream with flavors ranging from classic vanilla and strawberry to unique offerings like blueberry lavender, brown sugar bourbon and more.

More to Explore

While the places mentioned above are a great start, there’s plenty more to explore, see and eat in Rutherford County. For a full listing of attractions and restaurants, plus information on events and seasonal happenings in the area, check out visitrutherfordtn.com.