{"id":339641,"date":"2025-12-11T20:12:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T20:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/murals-museums-markets-more\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T20:12:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T20:12:36","slug":"murals-museums-markets-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=339641","title":{"rendered":"Murals, Museums, Markets & More"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Clarksville, Tennessee is a riverside city with an identity that is constantly evolving. Whether you\u2019re strolling past street murals, hunting for vintage treasures, or hiking ancient caves, Clarksville rewards the curious traveler.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning a visit (or just wondering what makes this city tick), here\u2019s a thoughtfully curated guide to the best things to do in Clarksville.<\/p>\n

1. Explore Local Art Downtown\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\"Artwork<\/figure>\n

Downtown Clarksville has a thriving creative scene, and three of its artistic anchors are just a few blocks apart.<\/p>\n

The Downtown Artists Co-op<\/strong> is a collective-run gallery featuring monthly exhibits and a rotating showcase of local painters, photographers, ceramicists, and textile artists. You\u2019ll often catch the artists themselves hanging work or greeting guests during First Thursday Art Walks.<\/p>\n

Just a short stroll away, the Lorenzo Swinton Art Gallery<\/strong> is one of the most exciting Black-owned creative spaces in the city. Founded by artist and former U.S. Marine Lorenzo Swinton, the gallery houses bold, Afrocentric pieces and often hosts sip-and-paint nights, community events, and rotating exhibits that spotlight underrepresented voices.<\/p>\n

Completing the trio is Drafts by Olasubomi (DBO) Gallery<\/strong>. This vibrant space hosts open-studio hours, live art showcases, poetry readings, and rotating exhibits. It\u2019s also where you\u2019ll meet the namesake artist, Olasubomi Bashoru.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Visit the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center<\/h2>\n
\"Museum<\/figure>\n

Step into one of Tennessee\u2019s most architecturally distinct buildings, originally a post office and customs house from 1898.<\/p>\n

The Customs House Museum<\/strong> features everything from regional history to a hands-on kids\u2019 area where you can step inside a giant bubble.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It has one of the largest interactive model train displays in the region, with buildings modeled after the town and unique easter eggs like a cow being abducted by aliens.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss the upstairs gallery showcasing contemporary Southern artists or the hall dedicated to famous local athletes, including Wilma Rudolph.<\/p>\n

3. Get Lost in Books and Vinyl<\/h2>\n
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Start at HUDUBAM Booktraders<\/strong>, a cozy independent shop that feels like a well-loved secret. I enjoyed the pride flags throughout, the display on banned books, and the titles recommended by staff members. They host readings, pop-ups, and events that bring together creatives and readers alike.<\/p>\n

For audiophiles, AndVinyl<\/strong> (just up the street) is a haven of retro sound. Flip through crates of vinyl records, pick up a vintage turntable, or attend one of their occasional DJ pop-ups and listening nights.<\/p>\n

4. Take a Stroll in Nature\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\"View<\/figure>\n

Just minutes from downtown, Dunbar Cave State Park<\/strong> feels like an ancient escape. You can walk shaded trails, spot herons by the lake, or take a guided cave tour that explores prehistoric Indigenous art dating back to the Mississippian era.<\/p>\n

The cave itself was once a concert venue but its story goes back thousands of years. The rock art inside includes spiritual symbols carved by the original inhabitants of this land.<\/p>\n

Nearby, the Wade Bourne Nature Center<\/strong> inside Rotary Park<\/strong> is an educational center with displays and exhibits about local flora and fauna. The park itself is a peaceful escape for nature lovers, with over 100 acres of land, a playground, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hike its wooded trails, relax by the creek, and keep an eye out for birds. I enjoyed the sensory trail put in by the Eagle Scouts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No visit to Clarksville is complete without a walk along the Cumberland Riverwalk<\/strong>, a beautifully maintained path stretching from McGregor Park all the way to the F&M Bank Arena and beyond.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re biking, jogging, or just sipping coffee on a bench, you\u2019ll pass historic markers, playgrounds, and stunning views of the water. The riverwalk is especially magical at sunrise and sunset.<\/p>\n

5. Celebrate Local History\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\"Posing<\/figure>\n

Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center<\/strong> offers more than battlefield facts. The museum tells the story of Clarksville\u2019s occupation during the Civil War with empathy and depth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Outside, you\u2019ll find reconstructed fortifications that bring the history to life and if you time it right, you can attend a living history event. I was able to see a canon be fired.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In downtown Clarksville you\u2019ll find a statue honoring the 19th Amendment<\/strong>, celebrating women\u2019s right to vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clarksville\u2019s contribution to women\u2019s history is also reflected in Liberty Park\u2019s Wilma Rudolph P<\/strong>avilion<\/strong>, which honors the three-time gold medal Olympic track star and Tennessee native with a statue, event center and memorial walkway.<\/p>\n

Rudolph overcame childhood polio to become the fastest woman in the world, a symbol of resilience that continues to inspire.<\/p>\n

The same park holds a plaza honoring another gold-medal Olympian with a bronze statue of Coach Pat <\/strong>Head <\/strong>Summitt<\/strong>, a University of Tennessee women\u2019s basketball coach. As a coach, she acquired 1,098 career wins, the most in college basketball history at the time of her retirement.<\/p>\n

6. Snap Photos of Clarksville\u2019s Iconic Murals<\/h2>\n
\"Mural<\/figure>\n

Clarksville has leaned into its creative streak with a burst of colorful street art. Three murals in particular have become must-sees:<\/p>\n