A natural destination for a wonderful walking, shopping and dining combination, The Avenue Murfreesboro off Murfreesboro’s Medical Center Parkway is one of my go-to places for a great meal and interesting shops for perfect gifts to perfect home finds.
1. The Restaurants
When it comes to dining, I love Bar Louie for its spacious patio and delicious burgers and flatbreads. It’s great for a date night for my husband and I, but we’re just as happy to go with our kids who love the patio. If high-end brews are your thing, don’t miss the extensive taps next to the craft menu at BJ’s Brewhouse, and let the littles have fun choosing house sodas just for them. Make the night extra special at Longhorn Steakhouse where seared steaks and house sides elevate the evening.
For the lighter side, try Newk’s for amazing sweet tea, salads, soups, and fabulous homemade cakes, or Mimi’s Café for French-inspired dishes, sandwiches, and decadent desserts. While any of these restaurants can fill a sweet-tooth craving, there’s nothing like a stop in at CeCe’s frozen custard for swirled creamy goodness with all the toppings.
2. Family-Friendly Shopping
Shopping with young kids in tow is always a bit of a gamble, but we never go wrong with a long peruse inside Barnes and Noble, where the cozy aisles show well-stocked shelves of classics and bestsellers next to whimsical games, quality toys for children, and lovely reading chairs and tables. Second to it is a ramble through Michael’s Craft Store where the kids head straight for the model cars and science kits, while I lose myself in the frame and basket organizer aisles for far too long. We all enjoy browsing scents at the Buff City Soap Company and watching the latest batch of soaps get cut and set out. My daughter adores the chips of soap she gets whenever we go, and I love the irritant-free formulas they offer both in body soap and in their laundry powders. Of course, along our way, the kids love to find the art at The Avenue, including the inspiring murals by Ironbrush Murals next to Bed Bath and Beyond, and the adorable statuettes celebrating childhood throughout the center.
3. Styles for All
When it’s just my husband and I, we usually wind up at Best Buy, or at Dick’s Sporting Goods for new outdoor gear. I shop LizardThickett, Maurice’s, and Altar’d State for updated fashions, and Belk’s is my go-to for party dresses and evening wear. Sephora and Ulta Beauty offer a wealth of beauty standards from body care to makeup to professional hair styling tools. When the kids are growing again, I make stops to The Children’s Place and Carter’s for awesome deals and great selections.
4. Home-Making
We’re in the process of giving rooms in our house some much-needed love, and The Avenue has beautiful décor choices. Whether you’re refreshing rooms like we are, decorating your cute Air BnB, or needing some upgrades, check out Haverty’s, Kirkland’s and World Market for stylish additions and accents, or Bed, Bath, and Beyond for kitchen essentials and great prices on linens.
Come birthdays, holidays, or the need for a special hostess gift, I like to look at Mimi’s Boutique. Another no-fail choice is Francesca’s with perfect little finds for friends, from jewelry to quirky stationery to fun art pieces.
There are plenty more than four reasons to visit The Avenue, and you’ll want to find your own! Join The Avenue’s A-List, their email membership which notifies members of special deals, VIP events, get swag and other special offerings throughout the year. Find out how to be on the inside with The Avenue Murfreesboro at https://theavenuemurfreesboro.com/the-a-list.
Laura Beth Payne is a writer and homeschooling mama living in Murfreesboro with her husband, two children, and adorable cat. A native of the city, she spends her time exploring local spots and writing about where families can go for their next adventure. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram at Murfreesboro Mama.