Downtown ClarksvilleA City on the Rise
A $115 million arena, a Nashville Predators ice rink, a major university, and a growing restaurant scene — all within walking distance of each other in the heart of the city.
The Heart of the City
Downtown Clarksville Is Growing Fast
For years, downtown Clarksville was a quiet historic district with a handful of restaurants and the Customs House Museum. That changed fast. In November 2020, Montgomery County broke ground on a $115 million multi-purpose arena. Three years later, F&M Bank Arena opened its doors alongside the Ford Ice Center, operated by the Nashville Predators.
The arena sits at 101 Main Street, steps from Austin Peay State University and the Cumberland River. New restaurants, a rooftop bar, a renovated hotel, and a parking garage have followed. The area that once went quiet after 5pm is now one of the most active entertainment corridors in Middle Tennessee outside of Nashville.
APSU has been the anchor of this part of the city since 1927. With the arena now next door and a club hockey team practicing at the Ford Ice Center, the university's presence in downtown life has never been stronger.
Franklin Street, Downtown Clarksville
101 Main Street
F&M Bank Arena
The arena is owned by Montgomery County and operated by Sabertooth Sports and Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Nashville Predators organization. Austin Peay State University signed a 30-year lease as the primary tenant.
What Happens at F&M Bank Arena
The arena hosts APSU Governors men's and women's basketball games throughout the season, replacing the Winfield Dunn Center which served as the team's home from 1975 to 2023. It also hosts the Red River Spartans of the United States Premier Hockey League, major concerts, conventions, banquets, and community events.
The Nashville Kats of Arena Football One call the arena home in 2026. The complex includes a practice gym for APSU basketball with 11 hoops, a scoreboard, and a state-of-the-art sound system. A second floor is dedicated to figure skating and youth skating programs.
150 College Street
Ford Ice Center Clarksville
The Ford Ice Center opened alongside F&M Bank Arena in July 2023. It is operated by the Nashville Predators and is part of the same network as the Ford Ice Centers in Bellevue and Antioch. The facility is open year-round for public skating, lessons, and hockey programs.
The ice center is the home rink for the APSU Govs club hockey team. The Govs played their first home games there in April 2024 and made their Bridgestone Arena debut against Vanderbilt in January 2025. The program has grown quickly and brought a new level of sports culture to the Clarksville community.
Visit Ford Ice Center website
601 College Street
Austin Peay State University
APSU was founded in 1927 and named after Austin Peay, the 36th Governor of Tennessee. It has grown into a comprehensive university with over 10,000 students and six colleges covering arts, business, education, health sciences, STEM, and graduate studies.
The university operates a second campus at Fort Campbell, making it one of the most military-friendly universities in the country. APSU competes in the ASUN Conference at the Division I level and fields teams in basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, golf, lacrosse, and club hockey.
Key Downtown Destinations
Places to know in and around the downtown core
F&M Bank Arena
101 Main Street, Clarksville, TN
A $115 million, 250,000-square-foot multi-purpose event center that opened in July 2023. Home to APSU Governors basketball, the Red River Spartans hockey team, and major concerts and events. Seats up to 6,000 for concerts and 5,500 for basketball.
Visit websiteFord Ice Center Clarksville
150 College Street, Clarksville, TN
Year-round public ice skating and the home rink of the APSU Govs club hockey team. Operated by the Nashville Predators, the same organization behind Ford Ice Centers in Bellevue and Antioch. Open to the public seven days a week.
Visit websiteAustin Peay State University
601 College Street, Clarksville, TN
Founded in 1927, APSU is Clarksville's university and one of the city's largest employers. It serves over 10,000 students across six colleges and offers a Fort Campbell campus for military-connected students. The Govs compete in the ASUN Conference.
Visit websiteShelby's Trio
Downtown Clarksville, TN
A three-story restaurant and bar development built directly across from F&M Bank Arena as part of the downtown revitalization. Features a rooftop bar and two restaurants, making it a natural stop before or after arena events.
DoubleTree by Hilton Clarksville
1 Hotel Pl, Clarksville, TN
The renovated Riverview Inn, now a DoubleTree by Hilton, sits steps from the arena and the Cumberland River. Part of the Riverview Square development that includes new shops and restaurants along the riverfront.
Visit websiteCustoms House Museum and Cultural Center
200 S 2nd St, Clarksville, TN
One of the largest art and history museums in Tennessee, housed in a historic federal building in the heart of downtown. Free admission on Tuesdays. A cornerstone of Clarksville's cultural scene.
Visit websiteFind Businesses Near Downtown
Whether you are looking for a restaurant before a game at F&M Bank Arena, a coffee shop near APSU, or a service business in the downtown area, the ClarksvilleBiz directory has you covered.
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