Clarksville & the Nashville Corridor

"Clarksville's own. And actually good."

Blackhorse has been brewing in Clarksville since the 90s. House-brewed beers, solid pub food, outdoor seating, and a room that fills up with people who are actually enjoying themselves. It's the kind of neighborhood anchor that makes a mid-sized city feel livable. The Nut Brown Ale is a permanent fixture on the menu for a reason.

"The new wave. Worth every pint."

Newer addition to Clarksville's emerging craft beer scene, housed in a renovated space downtown. The beer program is serious, the kitchen punches above its weight, and the vibe is the kind of relaxed-but-intentional that you didn't necessarily expect to find in Clarksville. The city is changing. This is evidence of it.

"Catfish by the Cumberland. Do not drive past this."

River country catfish, hush puppies, coleslaw, and sweet tea. The Catfish House has been doing this for decades and doesn't need to modernize. The fish is fresh. The portions are enormous. The prices are from a time when food was supposed to be affordable. This is Tennessee river culture on a plate.

"Roy Acuff played country music in a cave. This is that cave."

Dunbar Cave is a 110-foot-wide cave opening that contains some of the oldest Native American cave art in Tennessee (around 5,000 years old). In the 1930s-40s, it was a resort — the cave's constant 58-degree temperature made it a summer destination, and Roy Acuff literally played country music concerts inside the cave. Tours go in. The swimming hole out front used to be the resort pool.

"The art happened gradually, then all at once."

Downtown Clarksville has quietly developed one of the better outdoor mural collections in the state. Walk the blocks around Public Square and Franklin Street and you'll find commissioned works by regional and national artists. Free, self-guided, and a completely different picture of Clarksville than the one outsiders hold.

"170,000 acres between two massive reservoirs. 45 minutes west."

Land Between the Lakes is one of the most underrated recreation areas in the eastern US. It sits between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley — two of the largest man-made lakes in the world — and offers elk watching, bison range, dark sky astronomy, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Elk & Bison Prairie has free-ranging herds visible from the road. The Homeplace Living History Farm will stop you cold.

"Expanding trail network along the Cumberland River."

The Clarksville Greenway system has grown significantly over the past decade and now offers multiple connected trail segments along the Cumberland and Red Rivers. Morning runs with river views, evening bikes with fog rolling in off the water. The city is investing in it. Take advantage.

"One of the best state history museums in the country. Free."

Worth the 45-minute drive. The Tennessee State Museum opened in its new building in 2018 and is genuinely world-class — comprehensive coverage of Native American culture, the Civil War (Tennessee was the most contested state), Reconstruction, country music, and civil rights. Free admission. Go.

"One of the better zoos in the South."

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is consistently ranked among the better mid-sized zoos in the country. Significant naturalistic habitats, a strong conservation program, and a playground that will destroy your kids in the best possible way. 45 minutes from post.