Planning a Clarksville weekend itinerary? I spent a long weekend in Clarksville, Tennessee, from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, and this is exactly how I spent it, stop by stop. It’s a mix of museums, easy hikes, a winery, two hands-on workshops, and a lot of good food, and it’s paced so you’re never rushing. Use it as-is, or pick and choose the parts that fit your trip.
Thank you to Visit Clarksville for hosting me on this trip. As always, all opinions are my own.
Table of Contents
In a Rush? My Clarksville Weekend Itinerary at a Glance
Thursday: Check in downtown
Friday: Customs House Museum, Dunbar Cave, Beachaven Winery, Old Glory, pottery class
Saturday: Starry Night mural, downtown walk, The Mailroom, Fall at the Farm, Liberty Park, stained glass workshop, Yada
Sunday: The Mad Herbalist, Rotary Park, the Riverwalk, Silke’s Old World Bakery
Book Ahead: DoubleTree by Hilton Clarksville Downtown | River City Clay | ArtLink Clarksville | The Mad Herbalist
Where to Stay in Clarksville
I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 50 College Street, and its location is the biggest reason to book it for a Clarksville weekend itinerary. You can walk to almost every downtown restaurant, shop, and workshop on this list, and the Cumberland Riverwalk is reachable on foot from the hotel’s lower level. My room looked out over the Cumberland River, and I caught the sunset from the window on Friday evening.
Tip: The hotel entrance is off Main Street, on the left side of the building.
Thursday: Arrive and Settle In
I flew into Nashville and drove about an hour to Clarksville, arriving Thursday night and checking in downtown. If you get in early enough, Strawberry Alley Ale Works is right across First Street from the DoubleTree, and Insomnia Cookies is across from the hotel parking lot if you just want something sweet before bed.
Friday: Museums, Caves, Wine, and Pottery
Breakfast at The Amsterdam Local
Start the day at The Amsterdam Local, a Dutch-inspired cafe on Madison Street. I had an iced salted honey cream latte and a bagel with cream cheese. Parking in the lot next door is paid, but there are often free spots behind First Christian Church.
Customs House Museum
The Customs House Museum opens at 10 a.m., and admission is $12 for adults ($5 for kids ages 3 to 17). Go straight to the lower level for the Bubble Cave and the model train exhibit, then work your way up through the galleries (my full guide to things to do in Clarksville has more on each exhibit). On your way out, look for the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural down the hill on Commerce Street under the old railroad bridge.
Dunbar Cave State Park
Next, drive a few minutes to Dunbar Cave State Park, which is free to visit. Cave tours only run from May through September (with the most tour days June through August), so in October I walked the one-mile loop past the cave entrance and along the boardwalk by the lake.
Beachaven Winery
From Dunbar Cave, head to Beachaven Winery near I-24. I did a tasting flight of two sparkling wines and two dry whites and drank it at a picnic table on the lawn. Flights of four 3-ounce pours are $12, or you can do a quick tasting of four 1-ounce samples for $4.
Lunch at Old Glory and Silo Park
Then drive west to Old Glory Distilling for a late lunch. I ordered the Mexican street corn dip, a strawberry lemonade, and the Grind burger with fries, then walked around Silo Park out back.
Pottery Class at River City Clay
After a break at the hotel and a sunset over the river, walk to River City Clay on Franklin Street for a 6:30 p.m. pottery wheel class ($50 for the two-hour session). I made two bowls (it’s much harder than it looks), and they’ll be mailed to me in about a month. I ended the night with wings at the DoubleTree bar.
Saturday: Downtown, Brunch, and Stained Glass
Morning Walk and the Starry Night Mural
Saturday is a walking day. I started at the Clarksville Starry Night mural on Madison Street, then crossed the old iron truss bridge and wandered downtown past the Roxy Regional Theatre, the fountain, the old street clocks, and the “God Bless Clarksville, Tennessee” sign on Strawberry Alley. If you need coffee before brunch, Mug Shot Coffee is right on Strawberry Alley.
Brunch at The Mailroom and Coffee at Asulon Collective
The Mailroom opens at 10 a.m. for Saturday brunch. I had a cherry lime agua fresca and a breakfast sandwich with their potatoes. Afterward, I walked to Asulon Collective for a maple vanilla iced latte while the downtown shops opened around 11 a.m.
Fall at the Farm at H&S Farms
Next, drive out to Fall at the Farm at H&S Farms on Seven Mile Ferry Road. The fluffy highland cows were the highlight for me, but admission also covers more than 15 attractions, including a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, a giant corn pit, and a barrel train. Tickets are $15 per person ($7.50 for seniors 60 and up, and free for kids 2 and under), and the farm is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. during the fall season.
Liberty Park
In the early afternoon, drive over to Liberty Park to see the Pat Head Summitt statue and the views over the Cumberland River. The park also has a Wilma Rudolph statue at its other end.
Stained Glass Workshop at ArtLink
At 4:30 p.m., I took a two-hour stained glass workshop at ArtLink Clarksville on Franklin Street and made a ghost suncatcher ($45, ages 16 and up) that I got to take home the same day.
Dinner at Yada on Franklin
Dinner was a short walk away at Yada on Franklin: parmesan fries and a non-alcoholic cocktail to start, then a ribeye with broccoli. If you’d rather have live music, Skyline 500, the rooftop bar above Joe’s Garage, hosts events on some weekends.
Sunday: Tea, Trails, and the River
Brunch at The Mad Herbalist
Check out of the hotel by 11 a.m. and head to The Mad Herbalist for an 11 a.m. brunch reservation. I ordered the tea flight (Hocus Pumpkus, Autumn Berry, and Frosted Flora), the avocado toast, and a small order of French toast.
Rotary Park
Walk off brunch on the trails at Rotary Park. The first half mile from the main trailhead is paved, and in late October the woods were full of yellow and orange leaves.
The Cumberland Riverwalk and Silke’s Old World Bakery
Before leaving town, I stopped at McGregor Park to walk a stretch of the Cumberland Riverwalk and cross the green pedestrian bridge, then made one last stop at Silke’s Old World Bakery on College Street, which is a great place to grab treats for the road. Plan to leave Clarksville about three hours before your flight out of Nashville.
Tips for Planning Your Clarksville Weekend Itinerary
Rent a car. Downtown is walkable, but Dunbar Cave, Beachaven, Old Glory, Fall at the Farm, Liberty Park, Rotary Park, and The Mad Herbalist are all a short drive away. Only have one day? Try my day trip from Nashville to Clarksville instead.
Book workshops in advance. The pottery and stained glass classes are scheduled sessions with limited spots.
Check seasonal hours. Dunbar Cave tours only run May through September, and many downtown shops don’t open until 11 a.m.
FAQs About a Clarksville Weekend Itinerary:
Is a weekend enough time in Clarksville?
Yes. A Clarksville weekend itinerary from Friday to Sunday covers all the highlights. Arriving Thursday night, like I did, gives you three full days without rushing.
What’s the closest airport to Clarksville?
Nashville International Airport (BNA), about an hour’s drive away.
When is the best time to visit Clarksville?
I visited in late October, when the trails were full of fall color. If touring Dunbar Cave is a priority, plan your trip for June through August, when tours run most days.
Final Thoughts: My Clarksville Weekend Itinerary
This Clarksville weekend itinerary balances time outdoors, local history, hands-on workshops, and great food, and it works whether you’re coming from Nashville for a quick getaway or flying in from farther away. For more detail on each stop, see my full guides to things to do and where to eat below.
More From My Clarksville Trip
What to do: 11 Best Things to Do in Clarksville, TN | Where to eat: Where to Eat in Clarksville, TN: 7 Best Spots I Tried on My Weekend | Day trip: Day Trip from Nashville to Clarksville
Until next time, happy wanderings!
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