Murfreesboro sits at the geographic center of Tennessee, about 34 minutes southeast of Nashville, and there is a lot packed into it. You will find one of the most important Civil War battlefields in the country, a historic downtown square, miles of paved greenway, a major university, and family attractions that keep locals busy year-round. Here are the best things to do in Murfreesboro, whether you are visiting for a day or settling in for good.
- Walk the 570-acre Stones River National Battlefield and its national cemetery.
- See the world’s largest cedar bucket at Cannonsburgh Village.
- Log a few miles on the Stones River Greenway.
- Explore hands-on exhibits at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring.
- Shop and eat at The Avenue Murfreesboro or the downtown square.
Step Into Civil War History
History is Murfreesboro’s calling card, and it starts with Stones River National Battlefield. The 570-acre park preserves the site of one of the war’s bloodiest battles, with a visitor center, museum, driving tour, and walking trails, plus a national cemetery where more than 6,000 Union soldiers are buried. Cannon-firing demonstrations and living-history events run through the year, and admission is free. Part of Fortress Rosecrans, a large Union earthwork fort built after the battle, is also preserved in town as a spur of the park.
Cannonsburgh Village and Oaklands Mansion
Just a few minutes away, Cannonsburgh Village recreates a Tennessee pioneer town from the 1830s through the early 1900s, with a working gristmill, one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and the world’s largest cedar bucket out front. It is free to walk through, and each July it hosts the Uncle Dave Macon Days festival of old-time music. Nearby, Oaklands Historic House Museum tells the story of an antebellum plantation and the families who lived through the war on the ground where it was fought.
The Historic Square
Downtown, the Rutherford County Courthouse anchors one of the oldest town squares in the state. Built before the Civil War, it once served as a watchtower and more. The square around it is the heart of local life, and the visitor center offers free guided walking tours that fill in the history block by block.
Get Outside on the Greenway and in the Parks
For outdoor things to do in Murfreesboro, start with the Stones River Greenway. The City of Murfreesboro maintains a paved, accessible trail system that runs roughly 12 miles along the Stones River and Lytle Creek, with fishing piers, canoe access points, and spur trails that connect to the battlefield and to Gateway Island, a 14-acre park tucked between the water and Medical Center Parkway.
On the south side, Barfield Crescent Park spreads across more than 430 acres with hiking trails, a disc golf course, and the Wilderness Station nature center. Paddlers can put in on the Stones River for a calm afternoon on the water, and just north in La Vergne, the 14,000-acre Percy Priest Lake opens up boating, fishing, and swimming. When the Tennessee summer sets in, Boro Beach, the city’s newer aquatic attraction, cools everyone off with an outdoor pool and giant water slides.
Family-Friendly Fun in Murfreesboro
Families have plenty of options here. The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is a 32,000-square-foot interactive children’s museum with hands-on science and water-play exhibits, plus 22 acres of adjacent wetlands and walking trails. For young dinosaur fans, the Earth Experience natural history museum shows off fossils, gems, and full dinosaur displays.
A short drive out, Lucky Ladd Farms packs more than 100 animals and dozens of activities into a 60-acre farm park, with seasonal draws like a corn maze and strawberry picking. Add Go USA Fun Park, the escape rooms downtown, and Boro Beach in summer, and there is no shortage of things to do in Murfreesboro with kids.
Shop and Dine at The Avenue and Downtown
The Avenue Murfreesboro is billed as Tennessee’s largest open-air shopping and dining center, with more than 100 national brands and local boutiques plus a wide range of restaurants. For something with more character, the downtown square delivers local kitchens, antique stores, and specialty shops, along with Hattie Jane’s Creamery for scratch-made ice cream.
Murfreesboro’s craft scene has grown, too. Mayday Brewery and Hop Springs Beer Park pour local beer with room to hang out, and downtown’s Boro Bourbon & Brews pairs an extensive bourbon list with live music. A little way out of town, Short Mountain Distillery offers tours and tastings on a working farm. In all, the county counts more than 375 restaurants, so the options run well beyond the square.
Arts, Music, and MTSU
Middle Tennessee State University shapes the city’s energy. As the largest undergraduate university in the state, with more than 26,000 students, MTSU brings concerts, theater, lectures, and Conference USA athletics that anyone can enjoy. Off campus, the Center for the Arts stages performances and rotating gallery shows in a striking Italian Renaissance building downtown.
For a uniquely local outing, the Nissan plant in neighboring Smyrna runs a motorized tour through its massive assembly line, where you can watch vehicles, including the all-electric LEAF, come together from raw steel to finished car. The Miller Coliseum, meanwhile, hosts horse shows and events throughout the year.
Seasonal Festivals and Events
Murfreesboro’s calendar stays busy year-round. Each July, Cannonsburgh Village hosts Uncle Dave Macon Days, an award-winning celebration of old-time music, clogging, and crafts named for the Grand Ole Opry’s first star. Downtown fills up each May for Gallagher Fest, a street festival of live music and local food. Through the warmer months, the square runs a Saturday farmers market along with regular art and music nights, and the holidays bring a Christmas parade and lights around the historic courthouse. Checking the Visit Rutherford County events calendar before a weekend is the easiest way to see what is on.
Free and Low-Cost Things to Do
You do not need to spend much to enjoy Murfreesboro. Several of the best experiences are free:
- Stones River National Battlefield, including the museum, driving tour, and trails.
- The Stones River Greenway, open year-round for walking, running, and biking.
- Cannonsburgh Village, free to explore at your own pace.
- The downtown square, with its historic courthouse, murals, and free guided walking tours.
Add in the city’s parks and seasonal festivals, and you can fill a weekend without opening your wallet.
FAQs
What is Murfreesboro, TN known for?
Murfreesboro is the geographic center of Tennessee, the home of MTSU, and the site of the Civil War Battle of Stones River. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with a lively downtown square, a long greenway, and Tennessee’s largest open-air shopping center.
What are the best things to do in Murfreesboro, TN?
Top picks include Stones River National Battlefield, Cannonsburgh Village and the world’s largest cedar bucket, Oaklands Historic House Museum, the Stones River Greenway, the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, and shopping and dining at The Avenue and the downtown square.
Is Murfreesboro, TN good for families?
Yes. Family favorites include the Discovery Center children’s museum, the Earth Experience natural history museum, Lucky Ladd Farms, Boro Beach, and Barfield Crescent Park. The greenway and many historic sites are free and stroller-friendly.
What free things are there to do in Murfreesboro?
Stones River National Battlefield, the Stones River Greenway, Cannonsburgh Village, and the downtown square with its historic courthouse and free guided walking tours are all no-cost ways to spend a day.
What is there to do in downtown Murfreesboro?
Downtown centers on the historic Rutherford County Courthouse square, lined with local restaurants, boutiques, antique shops, and bars with live music. It is also the hub for festivals and free guided walking tours.
Thinking About Making Murfreesboro Home?
Spend enough time in Murfreesboro and it starts to feel less like a day trip and more like home. That is how plenty of Rutherford County residents got here in the first place. If you are thinking about making the move, a JVM pre-approval shows what you can afford in the area, so you can start your search with a clear number and a strong offer in hand.
Ready to call Murfreesboro home? Contact JVM Lending for a fast pre-approval and a personalized rate quote.
Thinking About Making This Your Home?
See what you can afford in the area before you start your search.
Sources
- National Park Service, Stones River National Battlefield
- Visit Rutherford County (Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau), attractions and events
- City of Murfreesboro, parks and greenway system
- Middle Tennessee State University, enrollment and events
