Fall break is just around the corner, with schools hitting pause for a few days in October. How are you going to entertain the kids—and yourselves? Take a much-deserved break in Rutherford County, TN, where there’s so much to do. Whatever your interests, you’ll find it here. Relax, we’ve got it.
Places to Play
Rutherford County is filled with places to run, climb, paddle and explore. After a few weeks of school, your kids may be eager to get outside and let off some steam. If you and your family members are outdoor lovers, you can start on the water. The Stones River provides plenty of outlets for a fall paddle; stop by Stones River Kayak to enjoy a water adventure at your own pace. You can rent a kayak, paddle board or fishing gear and spend a laid-back day on the river.
If you have smaller children, Blue Water Catfish Farm may be more their speed. This catch-and-release pay lake has fishing for all ages, tournaments, a pavilion and picnic tables, and big TVs for relaxing.
For land-based fun, check out all that the county’s parks, trails and greenways have to offer. Hurricane Creek Greenway offers boat access as well as great options for trail running and just a nice fall walk.
Barfield Crescent Park in Murfreesboro has almost everything you could ask for in family fun. With a disc golf course, volleyball, horseshoes and trails for walkers, joggers and mountain bikers, you can spend the day playing here. There are playgrounds, campsites, restrooms and a Wilderness Station with family events and classes throughout the year.
Miracle Field and Freedom Playground provide options for children and adults with physical restrictions.
Sharp Springs Park in Smyrna is 360 acres of fun, with ponds, disc golf and beautiful views of Percy Priest Lake. Historical signage from Sharp Springs to Lee Victory Park adds an educational element. Disc golf fans can also spend some time on the Central Valley Disc Golf Course, a mix of open and wooded sections. To learn more about trails and greenways in the county, check out our previous blog.
Fall is a great time to be out on the water. Get into a boat and leave the rest of the world behind. Percy Priest Lake is both scenic and serene, with places like Fate Sanders Marina to stop along the way for food and even more fun. Get the guide to water fun here, and get started on your lazy lake day.
Entertainment centers, adventure parks and escape rooms are another option for entertaining the kids. Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center offers bowling, arcade games, virtual reality games, bumper cars and more. Go USA Fun Park has arcade games, mini golf, batting cages and go karts.
Sixty Minute Escapes is an escape room with award-winning games designed in-house.
Climb Murfreesboro is the largest indoor climbing center in the state, with more than 20 climbing stations, kids’ area and fitness and yoga classes.
Historic Adventures
Life in Cannonsburgh Village is always entertaining for children. Little ones will love a new take on food at Cannonsburgh Toddler Adventures: Fall Vegetables Show & Tell with Storytime Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Learn all about fall vegetables of different shapes, sizes and colors. Stories will introduce cooking implements and techniques used while living in the log cabins. Make your reservation by September 19.
Older students and history buffs can explore the area’s past at Stones River National Battlefield. Guided caravan tours led by park rangers happen every Saturday. You can combine history and the outdoors on the first Saturdays of October and November with Riding Through History: A Bicycle Tour of Stones River. This ranger-led tour through the park and along the greenway includes stops at critical battle sites. It’s a ride of more than five miles, so please come prepared with water, sunscreen and snacks. Although the ride is at a moderate pace, it is not recommended for children under 10. Reservations are required.
Farm Fun
Fall is the perfect time to explore Rutherford County’s agricultural roots. Start your farm tour with a trail ride at Fancy Forest Farm in Eagleville. You’ll find well-trained, gentle horses to take you on miles of trails on this 90-acre farm (ages 7 and up only).
Visit the Triple A Farms monthly craft fairs on Sept. 30 and Oct. 28. Shop for local, handmade jewelry, crafts and other products, snack your way through food truck options, and let the kids play in the Kid Zone. Best of all, it’s free.
Fall means lots of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and more family fun. Explore all the things to do at Lucky Ladd Farms and others in our farm fun blog.
Picturesque Walden Pumpkin Farm in Smyrna has plenty of family and children’s activities, including hay rides, corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pumpkin train, Food Depot and more.
The Farm at Route 8 Shady Lane has evening activities including a flashlight maze (bring your own flashlight) and Haunted Woods. Let the little ones explore the toddler maze, and buy a pumpkin to take home.
Science and Nature
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring has hands-on exhibits that connect science to everyday life, as well as programs in the arts, science and culture. This center offers both special and ongoing events. Events include weekly events and fall break camp. Be sure to make reservations for the free, spooky-themed all-access night on Oct. 12.
This year, the Discovery Center is sponsoring a Lantern Parade to light up the night at Gateway Island on October 19. Come for the complimentary grilled cheese sandwiches provided by Electric Griddle, stay to make a paper lantern (or bring one you made at home) and enjoy the live music before the parade begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Earth Experience is the first Museum of Natural History in Middle Tennessee. It’s a dynamic, interactive museum, a working paleontology lab and dinosaur bones and fossils you can touch! Dig into Dino Days 2023 on Oct. 21-22, part of the TN STEAM Festival; there’s a fossil dig for small children, rock sale, crafts and the Jurassic Park Jeep.
New and Upcoming Events
There’s always something happening in Rutherford County, and fall is no exception.
Unleash your love for pups at the Cynosport® Dog Agility World Games. Presented by Purina Pro Plan. The games return Oct. 18-22 to the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, with competitions in multiple events and a vendor fair.
Check out special events at The Fountains, a shopping and entertainment venue with multiple restaurants and boutiques. Bring blankets or chairs and enjoy Movies Under The Stars at 7 p.m. every Saturday night at The Fountains, Sept. 23 through Oct. 28.
Be part of the festive atmosphere at the Friday Night Market in the Boro/Food Truck Fest. Shop, play and eat at the last event of the season on Sept. 29 at Patterson Park. There are kids’ activities for the times when the grownups want to shop for local merchandise and indulge in delicious food truck fare.
If football fires up your family, get in on the excitement of an MTSU home game. Gather your tailgate gear and come cheer the Blue Raiders on Sept. 23, Oct. 4 or Oct. 10.
Martin’s Home and Garden Fall Festival, Oct. 14, has a little something for everyone. All ages will enjoy the food trucks, vendors, games and live music.
Fall is all about family fun. And these are just a few of the many Rutherford County places to go for your Fall Break escape. We can’t wait to see you here.