CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – From trampoline park jumping to go-cart racing to roller skating and ice skating, there’s plenty to do in Clarksville, both indoors and outdoors.
If you need some ideas, here’s your Clarksville Now guide to the top 10 family-friendly things to do this summer.
1. Dunbar Cave tours
Tours of Dunbar Cave include amazing histories and cool natural features. The tours are offered from May through the end of September. To go into the cave, you must purchase a tour ticket. Reservations for tour tickets are highly recommended as they frequently sell out. Flashlights (no cell phones) are required for each person, and they are available for purchase in the gift shop. Dunbar Cave is a sacred place for indigenous people; therefore, photography inside is not allowed. There are multiple tours to choose from with varying difficulty levels and minimum ages for children. Hours of operation are Sundays through Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dunbar Cave is located at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, (888) 867-2757.
2. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Get your heartbeat racing with and defy gravity at Clarksville’s only trampoline park. Sky Zone is a space to move, create and be yourself. And there’s enough room for everyone, so all kids – and kids at heart – can play together. The parks are full of one-of-a-kind attractions designed to push your limits, allow you to fly higher, laugh harder, and have tons of fun. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sky Zone Trampoline Park is located at 310 Needmore Road, 931-919-3802.
SPECIAL OFFER: Get two 90-minute Sky Zone passes plus socks for $27.99 at Home Sweet Savings.
4. Ford Ice Center
The newly opened F&M Bank Arena comes with a new ice skating rink, offering a cool indoor activity to break away from the summer heat. Public skating is open to everyone between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Registration is $12, with or without skates, and free skate rental is available on-site. Sessions will be held Thursdays through Sundays at various times, depending on scheduling. The Ford Ice Center also offers a wide range of activities for the public, from pickup hockey games to figure skating. Hours of operation Sunday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Ford Ice Center is at 150 College St., 931-919-2330.
3. Pinnacle Family Entertainment Center
If you’ve never tried Pinnacle, it’s a large entertainment venue with bowling and more, all of it family- and friend-focused. In addition to 32 professional bowling lanes, Pinnacle hosts PSL – the Pinnacle Sports Lounge – every night with DJs, karaoke, poker, live music on Saturdays, and even dance lessons. Cosmic bowling for the night owls. A state-of-the-art arcade with redemption. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sundays through Mondays 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pinnacle Family Entertainment Center is located at 430 Warfield Boulevard, 931-647-2695.
SPECIAL OFFER: Get an hour of Pinnacle bowling and shoes for five people for $20 (value $40) at Home Sweet Savings.
5. The City Forum
Go-Karts, laser tag, bowling, mini golf, arcade, and more: The City Forum has so many attractions there’s bound to be one perfect for you. There’s enough activity to keep the kids busy, and pints for adults who are ready to relax. City Forum is open Tuesday through Thursday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2231 Madison St Suite D, 931-919-5051.
6. Downtown Commons
A night out with family and friends in Downtown Commons listening to music or watching a movie might be the ideal way to end a hot summer day. Downtown Commons is set to host a variety of concerts and events this summer and you don’t want to miss out. Family Movie Night run through the end of September. You can keep up with all the events on the Clarksville Now Summer Fun Guide.
7. The Flip’n Axe
Is the summer heat getting to your head? Let off a little steam at The Flip’n Axe. The modern sport of axe throwing involves a competitor throwing an axe at a target, attempting to hit the bullseye as near as possible. Hours of operation are Mondays 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 1 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Flip’n Axe is at 2121 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, 931-444-6408.
8. Historic Collinsville
Take a step back in time this summer with a trip to the Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement. 16 restored log homes and outbuildings on 40 rolling acres in an open-air setting. Authentic period furnishings and artifacts fill most buildings and illustrate rural life before and after the Civil War. Minutes from downtown Clarksville, Collinsville is the perfect place to provide a safe and fun learning environment for children. Historic Collinsville is open Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 4711 Weakley Rd, Southside, TN 37171, 931-245-4344.
9. Magic Wheels Fun Center
Magic Wheels Fun Center provides roller skating, an indoor playground, and an arcade and has been serving Clarksville and Fort Campbell for 37 years. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Wednesday 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursdays 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Magic Wheels is located at 1671 Fort Campbell Boulevard, 931-906-7300.
10. Pools and splash pads
Cooling off from the summer heat at one of Clarksville’s many pools and splash pads is definitely a surefire way to beat the heat. For recreational and lap swimming, New Providence, Beachaven Pool, and Swan Lake are open to all with admission fees. Pool operation hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Splash pads are free to all and can be found at Dixon Park, Edith Pettus Park, Heritage Park, and Lettie Kendall Park. Hours of operation for splash pads are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fun stuff nearby
Beech Bend Park and Splash Lagoon: The park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has the thrill of classic amusement rides and the splashing fun of a water park. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the park offers many different attractions, a campground and a Dragstrip Raceway. Beech Bend Park is at 798 Beech Bend Road. The park is open seven days a week over the summer, and hours vary. For more, call 270-281-7634.
SPECIAL OFFER: Get two tickets to Beech Bend Park and Splash Lagoon for the price of one at Home Sweet Savings.
Southern Lanes: This Hopkinsville, Kentucky, entertainment center is a family-owned business with 16 bowling lanes, a pro shop, a snack bar, an arcade, bumper cars, mini-golf, and a full bar with pool tables! Southern Lanes is at 3001 Canton Pike. They’re open Monday-Tuesday 1-11 p.m., Wednesday noon-11 p.m., Thursday 1-11 p.m., Friday 1 p.m.-midnight, Saturday 9 a.m.-noon, and Sunday noon-10 p.m. For more, call 270-874-2265.
SPECIAL OFFER: Get a $50 pass at Southern Lanes for only $25 at Home Sweet Savings.
For all the events going on in Clarksville, keep up with the Summer Fun Guide or visit the Clarksville Now events page.
Chris Smith contributed to this report.