Whether you’re here for the long haul, in the area temporarily while attending MTSU, or just in for a visit, get out and explore Murfreesboro and everything the community offers—great food, natural beauty, live music, shopping, entertainment, sports and history mixed with a little Southern hospitality.

Here’s your semi-official guide to getting the most out of the Middlest town in Tennessee.

Welcome to the ’Boro. Make yourself at home!

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Game On

Need something fun to do? Don’t just sit on the couch and stream. Murfreesboro has lots of entertaining activities.

Find miniature golf, an arcade, go-karts, batting cages and a driving range at Go USA Fun Park.

Climb Murfreesboro boasts a massive indoor rock climbing gym, a blast for beginners yet offering plenty of challenges for seasoned climbers.

Main Event opened a new facility off of Medical Center Parkway offering laser tag, VR games, bowling, billiards and dining, all under one roof.

Other local spots to bowl a game include Strike and Spare, within the Stones River Town Center, and Lanes, Trains and Automobiles, off of Church Street.

Throw axes and burn off energy in the rage room at Tennessee Axe and Smash.

Play retro games and pinball at Flashback Arcade.

For roller skating, Skate Center West on West College Street brings the roller disco energy.

Rutherford County has a healthy darts scene. Throw steel at Bullseye’s, Fat Willie’s, Tommy’s Sports Bar, Smyrna Sports Pub, Sullivan’s and Seasons of Murfreesboro, with the Stones River Darts Association and Premier League Darts of Middle Tennessee presenting organized events.

Take youngsters to the Discovery Center museum for an educational and fun experience.

Murfreesboro also has multiple escape rooms.

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Get Outside

Get moving on the scenic Murfreesboro Greenway, a fantastic 15-plus mile system of paved walking and biking trails running alongside the Stones River. Travelers pass through shaded woods, open fields and even historic sites as they venture between multiple Greenway access points scattered throughout the town. It’s also ideal for locating a fishing spot, viewing wildlife or finding a shady picnic area.

Murfree Springs Wetlands, next to Discovery Center on Broad Street, is a popular spot to view lots of wildlife from a scenic, elevated boardwalk path. The wetlands are home to otters, turtles, herons, frogs, fish and more.

For a secluded walk, head to Flat Rock State Natural Area, a rocky patch of wild terrain just outside of town with a three-mile trail. The cedar glade is home to a large variety of native Tennessee wildflowers.

Old Fort Park features a large playground, tennis and pickleball courts, a skate park and the Fortress Rosecrans Civil War earthworks, as well as Greenway access.

The Old Fort Park Skate Park and Pump Track has become a gathering site for area skateboard, roller blade, scooter and bike enthusiasts.

Barfield Crescent Park offers a free disc golf course, hiking trails, playgrounds, the Wilderness Station, tetherball, volleyball and mountain bike trails.

Other city parks include Oaklands Park [pictured], McKnight Park, Cason Lane and Rogers Park.

And golfers in the area can play Old Fort [pictured], Indian Hills, Cedar Crest and Champions Run golf courses.

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Local History: The Past Is Present in Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro has deep Tennessee roots. Take time to explore Oaklands Mansion, a Civil War-era home now a museum near downtown Murfreesboro.

Visit Stones River National Battlefield and Cemetery and walk the grounds where thousands fought and fell in a pivotal Civil War battle, where many Union soldiers and historic figures rest; plenty of walking trails are available in this area as well.

Check out Cannonsburgh Village, a re-creation of 1800s Murfreesboro, complete with a gristmill, school house, church, post office and other log structures that offers a look at pioneer life. Cannonsburgh is also home to the Rutherford County Blacksmith Association, Murfreesboro Art League and Stones River Car Club.

Plus, find a monument marking the center point of the great state of Tennessee on Old Lascassas Pike, not far from the MTSU campus. Although, come to find out, it may be a few yards away from the exact geographical center of the state, pay the obelisk a visit.

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Local Eats

Start with the classics like Slick Pig BBQ (some of the finest smoked wings in town, as well as delicious potato salad, pulled pork, catfish, white beans and other Southern favorites), the long-loved Demos’ for steaks, spaghetti and soups, and soul food from legendary lunchroom Kleer-Vu.

Toot’s is still a go-to for burgers, fried pickles and wings—definitely try the onion rings!

Also feeding Murfreesboro for decades, check out Sir Pizza for that crunchy, square-cut throwback pie and Far East Cafe on Main Street for General Tso’s chicken and Chinese comfort food.

Donut Country, Buster’s Place and Miller’s Grocery (out in Christiana) are also local institutions.

Murfreesboro has a strong Thai and Lao scene; local diners can hit Pad Thai Cafe, Lemongrass, Taste of Thai, SaBaiDee, Ladna 88, the Bangkok and many other Southeast Asian eateries for their ginger wings, pad see ew, curry and spring rolls.

 

There’s a Mexican restaurant or taco shop on almost every corner. Explore the taquerias, trucks and mercados from Carmen’s Taqueria to Mexico Tipico, Cinco de Mayo to Mexiven to Nacho’s; there’s So-Cali, Oscar’s, Taqueria Mi Oaxaca, Margarita’s, Maya Grill and so many more.

For Indian cuisine, hit Clay Pit, Ugadi, Taste of India or Tandoor.

 

Pizzerias and Italian flavors can be found at Marina’s on the Square, La Cucina Italiana, Sal’s and Luca’s Pizzeria.

Primrose Table, Five Senses, Parthenon Grille and Steakhouse Five offer a more upscale experience.

And Murfreesboro includes a wealth of other dining establishments, from Jamaican to poke to meatloaf.

Need something sweet? Cool off at Janarty’s or Karin’s Kustard.

 

Murfreesboro has an abundance of coffee spots. Popular spots include Joanie’s (on the Square and on St. Andrew’s), Brass Horn, Just Love, Red Bicycle and Coffee Fusion.

Rutherford County has three Farmers Markets—the Murfreesboro Saturday Market on the Square, the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market in downtown Smyrna and the Rutherford County Farmers Market at the Lane Agri-Park.

Although the community has lost a few good ones recently, Murfreesboro’s craft beer scene continues to brew up goodness. Middle Ground Brewing Co., Cedar Glade Brews, Hop Springs Beer Park and Tailgate Brewery are all popular spots for trivia nights, live music, games and meet-ups.

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Downtown Murfreesboro

By day, downtown Murfreesboro is filled with unique boutiques, brunch spots, and history.

Stroll around the Murfreesboro Public Square, admire the architecture, browse through some of the local shops. Grab brunch or coffee at Joanie’s, have lunch at The Alley on Main, Dominico’s Italian Deli, or grab coffee, boba tea and dessert at Oflow Brews & Bakes.

Perhaps visit the Center for the Arts, Rutherford County Courthouse Museum, or the Murfreesboro Saturday Market during the summer months.

At night, grab dinner and catch live music at Boro Bourbon & Brews, sing karaoke at High Society, stop in for a cocktail at One of 19, dance at Whiskey Dix and drop by Liquid Smoke, if you’re a cigar fan.

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Let the Music Play

Main Street Friday Night Live on the Murfreesboro Square during warm months has become a popular attraction bringing cover bands, dancing and family fun.

Gallagher Fest has become a downtown street festival tradition, and the Roots Rendezvous project will keep the spirit of Uncle Dave Macon Days ringing through the hills.

The area has lots of jam nights where all of the talented local players can converge at a variety of venues including Boro Bourbon & Brews, Hank’s, Hop Springs, Seasons 2 Bar and Grill, the Smyrna VFW and Front Street Pub.

Check out Eagleville’s Grindstone Cowboy, owned and operated by country music artist Craig Campbell, regularly featuring live music.

The MTSU School of Music often offers free or donation-based concerts from jazz ensembles to symphony performances to senior guitar or horn recitals.

Be sure to check the Pulse Concert Calendar each week for live music in Murfreesboro!

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There’s a Festival for That

If there’s a food, Murfreesboro probably has a festival to celebrate it—Boro Hot Chicken Festival, Cheesecake Festival, Berry Fest, Oreo Fest (yes, really), Banana Pudding, the list goes on.

Hot Chicken Festival

Vendor market events have become a popular way for those who enjoy eating, shopping and socializing to spend a leisurely day. These events feature food trucks, craft vendors, live music, eating contests, and enough fried indulgence to write home about.

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Go Blue!

Middle Tennessee State University has a huge impact on the Murfreesboro area and offers many events and attractions for students and townies alike. With the largest undergraduate student body in the state, MTSU fills its calendar with a variety of activities open to the public.

Whether you’re catching a Blue Raider Football game at Floyd Stadium, watching a theater department production at Tucker Theatre, visiting the Baldwin Photographic Gallery, taking in a concert at the Wright Music Building, or attending a visiting lecturer, there’s always something happening on the MTSU campus.