As the air begins to cool and the leaves start to change colors, it’s a perfect time to plan a trip to Clarksville, Tennessee. Located at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red rivers, this mid-size Tennessee city boasts plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, along with scenic autumn views and mild temperatures.

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

“Even through October and early November, it’s still normally very comfortable for outdoor recreation or enjoying the riverwalk,” says Michelle Dickerson, media and marketing director at Visit Clarksville Tennessee.

Advertisement

Historic downtown Clarksville overlooks the river and includes original architecture from the mid-19th century, making it a pleasant spot for outdoor dining in the fall. In addition to numerous restaurant options, the downtown area features local shops, public art, parks and museums. Agritourism is also popular in the autumn, with plenty of opportunities to visit pumpkin patches and working farms. If you’re heading to Clarksville this fall, here are eight must-see attractions:

Historic Collinsville. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

1. Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement

Located in the southwest corner of Montgomery County, this 40-acre property features 16 historic buildings dating from 1840 to 1880. Each building contains furnishings authentic to the period, and visitors can stroll at their leisure via a self-guided tour. Other structures on the settlement include a tobacco-drying house, smokehouse, church, wildlife center and schoolhouse. Regular admission is free for ages 6 and under and is $8 for ages 7 and up.

2. Cumberland Riverwalk

Fall is the perfect time to explore the Cumberland Riverwalk, one of Clarksville’s most scenic developed trails. It begins at the southern border of McGregor Park and connects to the Red River Trail. At its southern end, the riverwalk connects to the city’s Upland Trail in the downtown area via a pedestrian bridge over Riverside Drive. “The riverwalk is about 2.5 miles and ever-expanding,” Dickerson says. “It’s a very scenic area any time of the year, but especially in the fall.”

Clarksville greenway. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

3. Greenways and Bike Trails

There are plenty of options for fall outdoor recreation along the miles of greenway and bike trails in Clarksville. The Clarksville Greenway is a paved, 9-mile long-abandoned railway with diverse scenery, including creeks, bluffs, native wildflowers, a bridge, open vistas and wildlife. “A grant has been secured to develop a pedestrian overpass over the Red River to eventually connect the riverwalk trail with the Clarksville Greenway,” Dickerson says. “Within a few years, visitors will be able to cycle 10-plus miles from downtown to North Clarksville.”

See more: 10 Inspiring Reasons to Visit Clarksville This Fall

4. Customs House Museum & Cultural Center

This architectural gem in downtown Clarksville was constructed in 1898, and the original building is still part of the museum. A newer building was added on in 1996 and houses permanent and rotating exhibits, as well as a large, interactive model train. “The Customs House Museum is a blend of art and history, and with changing exhibits, there’s always something fun to see and do here,” Dickerson explains.

See more: 6 Agritourism Destinations to Visit This Fall

Fort Defiance Civil War Park. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

5. Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center

One of the few intact earthen-works forts left in the U.S., Fort Defiance Civil War Park overlooks the Red and Cumberland rivers atop a 200-foot bluff. The site is home to an interpretative center that tells the story of what life was like during the Civil War era in Clarksville through several perspectives, including a soldier and a young girl. The site also includes a park and walking trails for enjoying beautiful fall weather.

See more: 10 Reasons to Spend a Day in Historic Granville

Roxy Regional Theatre. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

6. Roxy Regional Theatre

The historic art deco Roxy Theatre located in downtown Clarksville features live professional theater and musical productions. The building, built in 1947, seats around 130 people, offering an intimate atmosphere for attendees. The Roxy has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will reopen for its 39th season on Sept. 10.

A statue of Wilma Rudolph at Liberty Park.
Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

7. African American Legacy Trail

The African American Legacy Trail showcases untold stories to honor the African American history of Clarksville, Tennessee. “There are about 24 spots along the trail that span the entire county,” Dickerson says. “Along the way, people can visit historical sites such as cemeteries and schools and will learn about local people, including Wilma Rudolph, the first African American female sprinter to win gold at the Olympics.” Download the Visit Clarksville TN app to find all the stops along the historic trail.

Dunbar Cave State Park. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

8. Dunbar Cave State Park

Dunbar Cave is the site of significant prehistoric Mississippian Native American cave art dating to the 14th century. The 144-acre park offers seasonal cave tours May through September and hiking trails, wildlife viewing and picnic areas to admire the beauty of fall leaves changing color.