Late summer and early fall are great times to be outside having fun and getting some fresh air in Middle Tennessee. There is a lot to explore in Murfreesboro, with many outdoor attractions accessible at no cost.

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Splash Pad at the Fountains at Gateway

Children can splash and play in the splash pad fountains during warm weather. The fountains light up in brilliant colors at night for a neat art display. Cornhole boards are also set up on a large turf area nearby for anyone to use. This also has ample room for kids to run around and burn some energy, or for families to spread out and have a picnic. The soda fountain and ice cream shop, Sodabar, is located at the Fountains if you want to purchase a cold treat to enjoy. Fountains occasionally projects movies and sporting events on a big screen at this area.

IF YOU GO: Fountains at Gateway is located at 1500 Medical Center Pkwy., Murfreesboro.
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Hop Springs

Set on 84 acres of land, Hop Springs includes wet and dry dog parks, a walking trail and a disc golf course, which all ages can enjoy for free.

IF YOU GO: Hop Springs, located at 6670 John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro., is also home to a brewery and outdoor music venue. Gates are open 1–9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
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Cannonsburgh Village

This replica of an early Tennessee village, known as Cannonsburgh, represents about a 100-year period from the 1830s to the 1930s. Guests can self-tour the buildings, including a gristmill, schoolhouse, telephone operator’s house, a museum, a doctor’s office, general store and blacksmith’s shop, view the antique tractor exhibit and explore the creek on the property.

IF YOU GO: Cannonsburgh Village is located at 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro. Buildings are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sundays from 1–4 p.m. For more information, call 615-890-0355.
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Stones River National Battlefield

This 570-acre park located along Stones River commemorates the Battle of Stones River, a key part of the American Civil War. Guests can visit the Stones River National Cemetery where 6,850 soldiers are buried and see the Hazen Brigade Monument, the oldest American Civil War monument standing in its original location.

Visitors can walk, run or bike on trails in the park. The Murfreesboro Greenway leads into the park as an access point for visiting bicyclists and pedestrians.

IF YOU GO: Stones River Battlefield is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at 3501 Old Nashville Hwy., Murfreesboro.
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Barfield Crescent Park

Visitors can enjoy this large community park, which offers seven miles of easy to moderate hiking and walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course that goes in and out of the woods, and 12 private campsites. Dogs on leashes are allowed on the park trails. The park closes one hour before sunset.

IF YOU GO: 697 Veterans Pkwy., Murfreeboro.
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Downtown Murfreesboro

Find the murals in town and take some pictures. Some of these locations for a selfie or fun family picture are on the square as well as at the underpass of Broad Street and West Main Street.

IF YOU GO:
Dreamingincolor at 504 N. Maney Ave.
The Bug Man building at 314 W. Lokey Ave.,
Dave’s Cave at 216 W. Vine St.
Catron & Fowler, Attorneys at Law, 303 N. Walnut St.
Slick Pig, 1920 E. Main St.
Northfield Elementary School, 550 W. Northfield Blvd.
Patterson Park, 521 Mercury Blvd.
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Murfreesboro Greenway

Enjoy hiking, walking, running, bicycling and in-line skating along 13 miles of Greenway trail, or paddle alongside the Greenway trail on the Stones River. The Greenway connects historical sites, parks, neighborhoods and businesses throughout Murfreesboro. It is also a conservation corridor preserving natural and cultural resources.

Trailheads include Broad Street, Cannonsburgh, Cason, Fortress Rosecrans, General Bragg, Manson Pike, Old Fort Park, Overall Street, Redoubt Brannon, Thompson Lane and West College Street.

A few of the trailheads are at historic areas. The Thompson Lane Trailhead accesses the McFadden farm property, where an engagement in the Battle of Stones River occurred. The Redoubt Brannon Trailhead is right across the street from the remains of Redoubt Brannon. Redoubt Brannon was used by Union troops to guard Old Nashville Pike and the L & N Railroad.

IF YOU GO: The Greenway trailheads are open from daylight to a half-hour before sunset.
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Oaklands Park

This park is located beside the historic site Oaklands Mansion. Park guests can stroll around the grounds and hike on the trail. The park is home to The Trail of Trees, planted with trees that are indigenous to Tennessee. Each tree is identified with a marker. The Quercus Alba/White Oak, called “The History Oak,” towers above the park. It sprouted in the 1770s and is now 60 inches in diameter.

“Oaklands Park is a registered arboretum, meaning that a large majority of trees in the park are native to the state and labeled with their common and botanical names,” said Connor Moss, Oaklands Mansion’s Master Gardner and Special Events Representative. “Guests are free to walk the grounds during regular park hours at no charge. Oaklands Park also hosts a large natural wetland area. There, park visitors can see a variety of native flowers as well as wetland animals such as turtles, snakes, frogs and a variety of birds.”

IF YOU GO: Oaklands Park is located at 423 Roberts St.
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Gateway Island

The College Street trailhead connects to Gateway Trail and Island. Gateway Trail is a loop circling a small lake. Gateway Island has the lake, wildlife and cascading waterfalls available to view.

IF YOU GO: Open from daylight til 10 p.m. 365 days a year and located at 1875 W. College St., Murfreesboro.
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The Wetlands at Discovery Center

From The Discovery Center parking lot, trails travel through flooded willow swamps, mature hardwoods and open water wetlands that provide for a wide variety of species to be found. Spring and fall songbird migration can be excellent. The Wetlands is good place to view wildlife and guests frequently see and can get up-close photos of birds, wood ducks, raccoons, cranes, frogs and otters. There are many kinds of birds residing in the area. If you look closely through the wetlands and woods, you might see a night heron.

IF YOU GO: 502 SE Broad St. and open from daylight until a half-hour before dark.

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