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Reach For the Stars in Rutherford County

From adrenaline-pumping rock-climbing adventures to a critically acclaimed food scene, this Middle Tennessee community is booming

By Kevin Litwin on May 22, 2019

Rutherford County TN
Murfreesboro / Photo Courtesy of Kuss Memorial

Aiming High

More than 16,000 square feet filled with boulders, ropes and rock walls are available to adventure seekers at Climb Murfreesboro, an indoor climbing adventure that also offers public fitness and yoga classes. 

No previous experience necessary–the wall climbing areas are open to all levels and abilities, and even include a special kids’ climbing zone. Professionals are available on-site to provide instructional classes intended to develop fitness, climbing skills and character.

Off the Clock in Rutherford County
Rutherford County TN
Murfreesboro / Photo by Jeff Adkins

Prices at Climb Murfreesboro vary: A day pass is $16; $22 if you include the harness and shoes. You can also add an introductory lesson to that package for a total of $27. On Fridays from 5-10 p.m., check out the special student climbing session for only $12.

Rutherford County TN
Murfreesboro / Photo by Karen Skidmore Smith/Carpe Artista

The Big Picture

The historic Depot District in Smyrna received a major facelift in 2014, and now it is the focal point of a growing arts district in the town. 

The Depot District Arts Fest encompasses the full month of June, starting with the Simply Smyrna Celebration, a street fair music festival the first Saturday of June.

That is followed by the Art Crawl on the second Saturday of June and followed by a number of other arts activities the following weekends in June. 

Rutherford County TN
Murfreesboro / Photo Courtesy of Kuss Memorial

Blue Angel Memorial

Get a glimpse of an actual Blue Angel F/A-18C Hornet at the Captain Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial at Lee Victory Recreation Park in Murfreesboro

Tragically, Kuss, a Marine captain, lost his life at the age of 32 when his F/A-18C Hornet crashed during a June 2, 2016, test flight – a day before the Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna

The 21,600-pound jet on display at Lee Victory Recreation Park is similar to the aircraft flown by Capt. Kuss. The entire memorial cost $1.4 million to construct and was made possible with donations from across the U.S.

The official dedication ceremony took place June 9, 2018, and featured a flyover by Captain Kuss’ former Blue Angels Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312.

Recreation in Rutherford County: Fun in the Sun

Tee to Green

Rutherford County gives golfers plenty of high-quality options to get out on the links.

Indian Hills Golf Course in Murfreesboro, an 18-hole, par 72 public course spans 6,800 yards and features the picturesque Stones River flowing through it. Murfreesboro also offers Old Fort Golf Club, a public 18-hole golf course along the banks of the Stones River adjacent to Fortress Rosecrans, and  Cedar Crest Golf Course, on 175 acres of farmland. Another popular Murfreesboro course is the 9-hole Veterans Administration Golf Course.

In Rockvale, Champions Run Golf Course features a challenging 18-hole, par-72 course as well as a large driving range and 10,000-square-foot practice green. Smyrna Golf Course offers 9- and 18-hole courses, plus an 8,000-square-foot putting green and driving range. 

But if you’re looking to take your game up a notch, check out Smyrna Golf Course for a game of FootGolf – a powerhouse combo of soccer and golf that involves kicking a standard-size soccer ball down the fairways and aiming for greens that are equipped with FootGolf holes measuring 21 inches in diameter.

Rutherford County TN
Photo by Nick Bumgardner

Dig In

Rutherford’s dining scene is teeming with hot new spots perfect for indulging your inner foodie. Maine lobster rolls, anyone? Pop on over to Cousins Maine Lobster food truck for a bite of the classic East Coast sammie. Cousins Maine Lobster also has a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Almaville Road in Smyrna.

Clean eating gets gloriously elevated at CoreLife Eatery, where you can find bone broth bowls and grass fed steak on a bed of purple (yes, purple) rice. 

Other eateries in Rutherford County’s deep roster of eateries include The Alley on Main, Five Senses Restaurant, Dog Haus Biergarten, Andy’s Frozen Custard, BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse, Bubba Gandy Seafood, Juicy’s Wellness Café and Party Fowl Murfreesboro.

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