It’s back-to-school season once again! Time for students of Austin Peay State University and other surrounding schools to return to Clarksville and start settling into your routines.
From incoming freshmen to seasoned upperclassmen, we’re here to help set you up with great new places to study with coffee, opportunities to get out and explore, and fun activities for your visiting family.
Local Coffee Shops
Studying and coffee shops go hand in hand, and they’re the perfect place to visit solo or with new friends and classmates. You’ll come for a nice place to focus, and you’ll stay for delicious food and drinks.
Flora & Ivy: The newest coffee shop to open downtown, this quaint spot carries local goods as well as having a dedicated book room for the BookTok girlies. Only about a fifteen-minute walk from APSU campus
Asulon Collective: This café in downtown Clarksville serves fantastic coffee, as well as tea, pastries, and other goods. It’s about a ten-minute walk from the APSU campus, so consider them your new go-to study and lunch spot.
Plumb Line Coffee: This locally owned and operated coffee shop is also an easy walk from campus! They offer espresso shots, pour-over coffee and seasonal lattes, and if you get hooked on their brews, they also offer bags of coffee beans to make a cup at home.
The Amsterdam Local Café: This sweet coffee spot is immediately welcoming, like walking into a friend’s cozy living room. It’s full of places to lounge and get lost in a book (or textbook!) both inside and outside. In addition to a wide variety of staple and seasonal coffee options, The Amsterdam Local Café can double as a great place for you and your friends to unwind around a charcuterie board.
Outdoor Adventuring
As the summer sun is replaced by fall foliage, you’ll have plenty of beautiful days ahead to explore the great outdoors in Clarksville. From a peaceful solo walk in nature to a planned day of fun with friends, it’s a great time to get out and about.
Liberty Park: There’s always something to do in Liberty Park. Take advantage of walking trails, fishing, event space, a dog park, and even outdoor exercise equipment. And at just a five-minute drive from the APSU campus, going for a gorgeous scenic walk after class is a breeze.
Clarksville Greenway: For a peaceful scenic walking and biking opportunity, look no further than the beloved Clarksville Greenway. As you pass under bluffs and over bridges while traversing the nine-mile trail, be sure to stop and smell the wildflowers.
Upland Trail: A continuation from the downtown Riverwalk, Upland Trail is an urban walking path that currently links the Riverwalk to an overlook bridge, dubbed “The Cage”, at the north end of Valleybrook Park. The trail runs alongside historical buildings and homes and utilizes an abandoned railroad bridge near the park.
Don’t Forget The App - We all come back to our phones eventually, that’s why it’s so great to get out and be unplugged for a while. As you adventure through all the local trails and parks, you should earn something while you’re at it. Download the VisitClarksvilleTN app to complete 20 unique themed-interest Challenge Trails, and earn customized pins and other great prizes! The two newest additions are the Pizza Trail and Third Spaces Trail.
Family Weekend Fun
Family Weekend for APSU is September 26-28, so now is a great time to fire up the family group chat and start sharing ideas and planning your activities.
Eat: The Mailroom is a Clarksville staple for a reason and a great place to bring visiting family! Housed inside an old post office and boasting a beautiful patio, the large food and drink menu has something for everyone.
Play: Fun for the whole family is waiting at the The City Forum! You’re never too old for the rush of go-kart racing, or the satisfaction of crushing your family members at laser tag. Find all of that plus bowling, arcade games, and more.
Shop: For the family member who loves great oldies and nostalgia, take them by AndVinyl to browse the cool and eclectic record selection. And for the bookworms in your midst, take them to Hudubam Booktraders to pick out a great new read, or take their chances with a fun and mysterious “blind date book.”
There’s Always More to Explore
@visitclarksvilletn Good vibes all around 🤙 What’s your pick? #visitclarksvilletn #travel #thingstodo #localclarksville #apsu #fortcampbell ♬ original sound - Kristin Chirico
Once you’ve checked all these items off your Clarksville bucket list for the new school season, don’t sweat it on new ideas! Follow Visit Clarksville on TikTok and Instagram for new events and things to do every week.
