15+ Best Things To Do in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a great place to visit if you want to escape the city life’s hustle and bustle. It has many things to offer its visitors, like parks, museums, art galleries, and much more. Let’s talk about the best things to do in Murfreesboro, Tennessee!

Things to Do in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Tour Museums

Visiting museums is a great way to spend a day in Murfreesboro, TN. The city has several museums focusing on the Civil War and its impact on the area. Some museums specialize in the history of Murfreesboro since its pioneer times. If you’re interested in art or history, there’s something here for you.

Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

This is the place for you if you want to know how people lived in Murfreesboro during the Civil War. The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County tells the history of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. It focuses on Murfreesboro as a battlefield during the Civil War.

The Heritage Center houses exhibits, educational events, and public programs featuring the history of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. You can visit this place for free! You don’t have to pay to join its events.

The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM/ The Heritage Center houses the Main Street Murfreesboro institution, which aims to preserve the historic downtown business district of the city.

Murfreesboro Center for the Arts

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The center has been operating since 1994 as a non-profit community center. It provides various diverse artistic opportunities accessible to people from all races and backgrounds. Since it opened, the center has presented theatrical performances, musical concerts, visual art shows, and ballet performances. The school has several education courses. The building containing the center is an Italianated structure built in 1909 as an office for the postal service. The library continued as a library until the 1960s, when it moved away. It was renovated beautifully before opening for art.

Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center

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The original Bradley Academy structure was a modest log cabin school near Stones River. It sat near the site of the actual county seat, Old Jefferson. The Academy was built on land granted by Revolutionary War officer John Bradley. Consequently, the school’s name is taken from this benefactor.

Bradley Academy quickly became a reputable academic institution in the Middle Tennessee area. Although originally built for white students, the Academy eventually allowed African-American students to enroll.

The building was completed in 1917 and opened in 1918 as the new African American school. Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center now features a historic classroom, a Civil War exhibit, and an Early Settlers for Murfreesboro and Rutherford County exhibit.

Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History

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Located at Middle Tennessee Natural History, The Middle Tennessee Natural Museum is the first natural history museum in Middle Tennessee. The museum is in Tennessee and contains many items from around the world. This museum houses much more objects in the collection than they can show in space and includes fossils, minerals, gold, rocks, and archaeological objects. It consists of two rooms of minerals, two for rock fossils and one for meteorites. It is a 38-foot-long T.-rex dinosaur that can stand about as high as the room and comprises over 300 bones collected.

Feel Royal at the Historic Oaklands Mansion

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You must experience the Royal Taste when traveling to and from Murfreesboro. Oaklands Manor is perfect for this activity. This beautiful home was built near Maney Avenue.

This house symbolized Middle Tennessee’s prosperity between 1815 and 1862. It has a historic status and a well-maintained interior, giving the impression of a palace.

This house museum offers a unique opportunity for tourists visiting Tennessee for various historical items such as furniture and décor. The ambiance, art, and valuable objects are unforgettable.

Do you want to travel to new locations, or are you bored? You should go to Murfreesboro’s Oaklands Mansion to kill your boredom. The home is highly known for its incredible history and serves as a historic house museum.

A family outing to the museum might be significant. The museum’s stunning houses and halls make it an ideal location for a special occasion. Furthermore, the cost of renting a space for your event is relatively low. This is the perfect combo of having a good time while simultaneously celebrating.

The staff is accommodating and pleasant. They will grant you entry to the mansion and other areas of the site.

Spend a day at the Discovery Center

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The Discovery Centre in Murfreesboro is among the best places to visit and is enchanting for children and adults. There’s something for everyone at the parks, museums, and parks. The Discovery Center has tripled visitors’ experiences. It contains dense vegetation, walk paths, and a small waterfall. There are beautiful creatures such as cute otter-shaped turtle-like fish that swim seamlessly on water and many more. A few other places provide playgrounds for kids. Various birds reside here, and bird-watching here can be an exciting experience. The view from the shore is excellent.

The Discovery Center was founded in 1986 as the Children’s Museum Corporation of Rutherford County. It offers hands-on educational opportunities to the community. The Discovery Center is a thriving community and tourism hub, with over 120,000 families and kids visiting the exhibitions annually.

Discovery Center has immersive exhibits for children. There are also programs and events for people of any age! Take note that you have to buy tickets to visit Discovery Center.

The museum is an excellent place to spend time with children. The park offers a variety of enjoyable activities. Furthermore, the personnel is quite pleasant and helpful, and the charges to access the various play areas are incredibly reasonable.

The museum is designed to keep children safe, so you don’t have to worry about them getting hurt. There is also a fishing pond outside the museum. There is an outdoor area where you may see live wildlife.

Many trees in the park and the branches provide shade for people who like to picnic on the grass. In reality, the park has some lovely landscaping and water features. The water park is a terrific place to cool off on a hot day.

Outdoor Activities

Aside from the beauty of Murfreesboro, TN’s historic sites and buildings, its natural side is fantastic. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation in Murfreesboro, and the most remarkable is its hiking trails. There are also great parks for kids to play at and enjoy outdoors!

Take a Nature Walk on the Stones River Greenway

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Stone River Greenway has offices at Cason Lane. It is surely an opportunity for you to discover Murfreesboro’s gastronomical heritage. There are numerous activities for people to enjoy.

The Stones River Greenway has a beautiful lake, a miniature waterfall, lush green valleys, and forests with a variety of trees on each side of the river, which generally stays orange or brown, giving the landscape a constant autumn-like feeling. The park includes an excellent bridge with wooden bridges and an extensive forest for tourists. You may ride bikes, walk along paths, fish in the lakes, birdwatch, and ice skate here.

Walk Along the General Bragg Trailhead

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The General Bragg Trailhead leads to the Stones River Greenway System and lies along West College Street. This trailhead will give you the best sights, and you’ll see the difference between nature and the city while having an adventure!

The General Bragg Trailhead has a picnic pavilion with a restroom. There are also several picnic spots along the way and a playground for kids! The trailhead also has a water fountain.

You will walk on paved trails along the Stones River while following this trail. You’ll see wildlife and picturesque river views along the General Bragg Trailhead. This trail is perfect for families and for people who like walking trails!

Enjoy Following Thompson Lane Trailhead

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The Thompson Lane Trailhead lies northeast of Broad Street. It has a lot of amenities you will appreciate.

Take advantage of the park and relax when you feel a little exhausted. You can also use picnic tables when you eat your packed lunch.

Aside from the main trail, many hidden ones are perfect if you are an adventure-seeker. This is also great for families and friends who like playing hide-and-seek!

Visit Historic Sites

Murfreesboro is full of history, but if you’re looking for something to do that’s both fun and educational, here are some of the best things to do in Murfreesboro.

See the Stones River National Battlefield

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Stones River National Battlefield is a park along Old Nashville Highway in Murfreesboro, TN. This is an important historic site where a battle of the American Civil War took place: The Battle of Stones River.

The Battle of Stones River was one with a lot of casualties and consequences. Stones River National Battlefield will allow you to explore the fields and forests where the battle occurred from December 31, 1962, to January 2, 1863.

The oldest civil war monument, the Hazen Brigade Monument, still stands in its original position outside the Stones River National Cemetery.

Pay Respects to Heroes in the Stones River National Cemetery

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The Stones River National Cemetery lies inside the Stones River National Battlefield. 6,850 people are buried in this cemetery. Major General George Thomas supervised the troops to retrieve the bodies from the battlefield in Stones River, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Franklin, Cowan, and Tullahoma.

Over 6,100 Union forces soldiers who passed during the Civil War rest in this cemetery. It is also the final resting place of nearly 1,000 veterans who served after the American Civil War.

Walk Around Fortress Rosecrans

The Fortress Rosecrans Trailhead is located inside Old Fort Park, right off Golf Lane. Fortress Rosecrans Trail is a loop with cross-connectors. It travels via several of Fortress Rosecrans’ remaining parts. A 0.2-mile offshoot from the greenway begins south of the West Fork Stones River in Old Fort Park. A 0.4-mile spur from the Overall Street Trailhead leads to the Fortress Rosecrans Trailhead.

Fortress Rosecrans, built by Union troops between January and June 1863 (after the Battle of Stones River), was the largest enclosed earthen stronghold built during the Civil War. It was an essential supply depot during the Union Army’s push to Chattanooga. In April 1866, Fortress Rosecrans was abandoned. It is currently a part of the Stones River National Battlefield.

Tour around the Historic Cannonsburgh Village

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Did you know that Cannonsburgh was the original name of Murfreesboro? Now, it is the name of a Southern village reconstructed to remind us what life was like during the old times. Cannonsbrough Village has a gristmill, a town hall, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a general store, a blacksmith’s shop, and a log home. The World’s Largest Cedar Bucket resides at Cannonsburgh Village.

The log house is called the Leeman House because the Leeman family owned it in Milton. It was relocated to Cannonsburgh Village when the village was created. The log house is now a reception hall that is available for rent.

Cannonsburgh Village is a peaceful and tranquil village where you can unwind. It’s a nice area to roam about and snap stunning shots of the village. In addition, the village is well-kept. You may view a copy of the world’s largest cedar bucket in the town.

You can also choose to see some of the village’s exhibitions. Picnic places are located throughout the park.

The best part is that there is no entry fee; however, donations would be greatly welcomed. If you are planning a trip to Murfreesboro, stop by.

See the Geographic Center of Tennessee

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The “Obelisk,” indicating Tennessee’s geographic center, was inaugurated on June 26, 1976. Dr. John T. Cunningham donated the land on which this monument stands.

In 1834, the state of Tennessee commissioned Professor James Hamilton to determine the state’s geographic center. They wanted to position the state capital as close to the state’s center as possible. However, the capital remained in Nashville due to circumstances and politics, despite Governor James Knox Polk’s desire to relocate it to Murfreesboro. The Rutherford County Historical Society placed an obelisk near the state’s geographic center 12 miles northeast on Old Lascassas Road in 1976.

Leisurely Activities

Murfreesboro is an excellent place to enjoy leisurely activities. The town’s laid-back atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy leisurely activities.

You can take a walk through the beautiful scenic trails at Barfield Crescent Park or relax on the banks of the Stones River. There are many other things to do in Murfreesboro, but these are among the most popular attractions.

Experience Peace at the Wat Lao Buddhist Temple

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The Wat Lao Buddhist Temple stands along the Old Nashville Highway. Its beauty and origin attract travelers, and its ambiance is calming and relaxing.

A red wall encircles the entire prayer area and acts as a Buddhist burial place. To honor the dead, their ashes were put within the stone wall. Their families and friends bring offerings and gifts for them, and flowers, drinks, and food accompany their photos.

Stroll around Murfreesboro Bark Park

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The Murfreesboro Bark Park is near the General Bragg Trailhead, just off West College Street. It welcomes all dogs and their owners, with two spaces for large breeds and smaller dogs. During the warmer months, the play areas are walled so that dogs can run freely and water is accessible.

Bring your canine companions to this spacious enclosed dog park for some off-leash fun. There’s a tiny dog area with a shaded picnic table for humans and a modest dog agility apparatus. There is also a large dog park with plenty of space for them to run, tables, benches, and a picnic shelter for you. You can also take your fur buddy in the agility area and finish with an on-leash walk along the greenway. It follows the West Fork Stones River right past Bark Park.

Pick Strawberries at the Batey Farms

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Batey Farms is probably the most popular among the small and large farms in Murfreesboro, TN. Every spring, the farm opens its strawberry area for public picking.

Guests can pick as many berries as they want with a busket (a combination bucket and basket). All berries are sold by the pound. Relax under one of the farm’s shade trees once you’ve collected your berries. You can even bring a picnic blanket and lunch to enjoy.

Watch Games at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University, the state’s largest college, hosts some of the region’s most exciting sporting events. If you’re not ready to interact with others, there are over 40 miles of greenway paths in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.

Breathe Fresh Air in Barfield Crescent Park

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Visiting Barfield Crescent Park is a great way to enjoy the fresh air while admiring Murfreesboro’s natural beauty. You’ll find it on Veterans Parkway. It encompasses a large area.

Following the original site, the park begins to take deeper routes into richer greenery. As a result, the gardens and lawns are frequently used by youngsters, as there are numerous rides on the playground that keep toddlers entertained.

Barfield Crescent Park also keeps a dynamic atmosphere, so you’ll never get bored there. Hiking trails are a great way to get some fitness.

There are various picnic spots throughout the park. It is an ideal location for walking your pet and bonding with them.

Barfield Crescent Park is a park that is perfect for families. Kids can run around and play on a green field that is nearby. There is a playground for the children to enjoy. A wildlife center with live animals, a convenience store, and a gift shop are also available.

As a result, you will always find something lovely and unique to purchase every time you go, ensuring that you never leave empty-handed.

Have a Picnic at the Old Fort Park

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Old Fort Park is especially great for children to use their energy. It has a playground sectioned to areas for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. There are picnic tables everyone can use inside and outside the playground. There are also restrooms nearby.

Aside from the child-friendly facilities, Old Fort Park also has several walking trails and shady areas perfect for a picnic.

Go to the Murfree Spring Wetlands

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Murfree Spring Wetlands is a park on the corner of Maney and Broad streets that is popular with nature photographers and birdwatchers. The wetlands are surrounded by paved walking pathways and raised boardwalks, and the Discovery Center is nearby.

Murfree Spring Wetlands educates children and adults about water’s importance in daily life. The details capture the mechanical and industrial appearance of the apparatus in the old plant. It also shows the fluid properties of water in the environment. These are aimed at a child’s interest and sense of wonder. Several pieces of outdated pump equipment from the water treatment facility were retrieved and restored as environmental artworks in the square.

Have a Leisurely Stroll around Gateway Island

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Gateway Island is a great location for picnics, weddings and receptions, photo shoots, birthday parties, and other events. The Murfreesboro Greenway System’s Gateway Island Trail, which offers a well-lit route for runners and walkers, is commonly used by charities for fundraising events.

The ideal location for a leisurely stroll is here! The animals on the trail at Gateway Island are always entertaining to observe. There are ducks, turtles, and extremely attractive birds there. Here, you may unwind in the presence of the natural world and wildlife.

Unwind at the McKnight Park

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McKnight Park is a community park in Murfreesboro’s northernmost section. It has a fitness gym, sports facilities, a playground, and multipurpose fields.

The gym in McKnight Park boasts a 1/16-mile track, aerobics area, exercise equipment, game room, conference room, 25-yard indoor swimming pool, 50-meter outdoor pool, and sand volleyball court. The Stones River Kiwanis girl’s softball program is housed at a complex with four youth softball fields and a concession stand.

Star Plex is a five-field youth/adult baseball/softball complex with food stands and restrooms. The David Price Miracle Field is a playground and special needs baseball field created to promote inclusive play for children of all ages and abilities.

Play Arcade Games at GO USA Fun Park

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The GO USA Fun Park is a family-run entertainment complex. The owners made it: to offer enjoyable activities for other families.

Bring the entire family to GO USA Fun Park for a day of go-karting, batting cages, mini-golf, a driving range, and arcade games. Pack the van and spend the afternoon bowling at Murfreesboro Strike & Spare or leaping around at Sky Zone Trampoline Park.

Test Your Wits in an Escape Room

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Have you ever wished you could enter a movie and take on the role of the protagonist? In these Murfreesboro escape rooms, you play the role of the main character. The narrative-driven escape games will place you and your team in the middle of an exciting and engrossing journey that you will both remember for a long time.

Nissan North America, Inc. Tours

This website offers photos and video tours from Nissan North America – Smyrna manufacturing facility. It gives an excellent insight into the operations at Nissan North America. After a brief introduction video, the visitor takes 50 passengers from the giant Nissan plant to the site. Nissan’s Altimas Maxima and Pathfinder models are among the popular vehicle manufacturers, such as Nissan’s electric vehicle LEAF. The LEAF. The stadium covers about 60 million sq. ft. and has 113 pitches. All visitor headsets have noise-proof headsets – the building can be noisy.

Tour the Mayday Brewery

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Located in a beautiful old building in downtown Murfreesboro Mayday Brewery offers a place to hang out on Saturday and Sunday. It offers fantastic craft beers and live music.

The popular tap room is located close by the brewery in a large brick-filled room with a large communal table, a large mural on the walls, and a line on tap with rotating beer bottles. Every Monday, special themed activities include costumes, live music, and special brewing. This guided walk in the brewery will take place Saturday morning. Every time there’s a food truck there, no one can sneeze.

Eat at West 22 Tacos Restaurant

West 22 Tacos Restaurant serves authentic Mexican food. Executive chef Austin Garcia, originally from Mexico, has a goal to create his restaurant one day. He began his journey after moving to Tennessee. His family and daughters are delighted to see his goal come true in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Wesr 22 Tacos Restaurant is open Monday-Thursday at 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Friday-Saturay at 10:00 AM-9:00 PM. This restaurant is closed every Sunday.