Free in Murfreesboro: Stones River National Battlefield, 15 miles of greenway, Cannonsburgh Village, Bark Parks, summer concerts on the Square and more.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Hours and details come from the National Park Service, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation’s park and event pages and Main Street Murfreesboro, linked below.
Murfreesboro’s biggest free attraction is Stones River National Battlefield, the Civil War battlefield and national cemetery on the city’s north side. Add 15 miles of greenway, a pioneer village with free self-guided tours, two off-leash dog parks and a calendar of free festivals, and you can fill a weekend without opening your wallet.
Who to call
- Stones River National Battlefield: 615-893-9501
- Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation: 615-890-5333
- Cannonsburgh Village: 615-890-0355
- Main Street Murfreesboro: 615-895-1887
History
- Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway: the site of the Battle of Stones River, fought from Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 2, 1863. Nearly 7 miles of trails, cannons along the tour road, the visitor center and the national cemetery. The park service lists it as fee-free. The main entrance is at 1563 N. Thompson Lane. Rangers run free programs, including anniversary walks around New Year’s and the Memorial Day ceremony; children can earn a Junior Ranger badge.
- Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St.: about 100 years of early Tennessee life, from the 1830s to the 1930s, with a gristmill, schoolhouse, telephone operator’s house, doctor’s office, general store, blacksmith shop, caboose and the World’s Largest Cedar Bucket. Self-guided tours are free. Hours: November to March, Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; April to October, Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Call first; it can close for private rentals.
- Fortress Rosecrans: walk the free 0.9-mile Fortress Rosecrans Loop past the earthworks of the largest enclosed earthen fort built in the Civil War.
- The Public Square: the 1859 Rutherford County Courthouse is the centerpiece of downtown’s 20 blocks; see our downtown guide.
Outdoors
- The greenway: 15 miles of paved trail in seven sections, open from daylight to a half hour before sunset. See our walking and biking trails guide.
- Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Parkway: 430 acres, open sunrise to 9 p.m., with two playgrounds, more than 7 miles of walking trails, more than 7 miles of mountain bike trails and an 18-hole disc golf course.
- Murfree Spring Wetlands: 25 acres at Maney Avenue and Broad Street, a favorite of bird-watchers and nature photographers.
- Bark Parks: two fenced, off-leash dog parks, at 1540 W. College St. and 1100 Cason Trail. See our dog-friendly guide.
- Playgrounds: Kids’ Castle at Old Fort Park and the new Patterson Park splash pad. See our kids’ activities guide.
Free events through the year
| When | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays, May to October, 8 a.m. to noon | Murfreesboro Saturday Market (free to browse) | The Square |
| Summer and fall Fridays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Friday Night Live concerts (June 5, July 3, Sept. 25 and Oct. 16 in 2026) | The Square |
| Summer Thursdays, 1:30 to 3 p.m. (June 11, July 9 and July 23 in 2026) | Splash Out with fire trucks | City parks |
| June 20 in 2026 | Juneteenth Celebration | Bradley Academy Museum |
| Saturday before Labor Day in 2026 | Hummingbird Festival | Wilderness Station |
| Oct. 24 in 2026 | Harvest Days | Cannonsburgh Village |
| First Friday of December | County tree lighting | The Square |
| Second Sunday of December | Christmas parade | Main Street |
For this week’s free events, see things to do this weekend.
Almost free
- Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 S. Academy St.: the 1917 school building that served Black students, now a city museum. Open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, $1 ages 12 and under.
- Oaklands Mansion: the house museum opens its mansion and grounds free on one Sunday in May; in 2026 it was May 17. See its Free Day in May page.
- Wilderness Station programs: many Outdoor Murfreesboro nature programs cost $5.
What this means for you
- A free Saturday: the Saturday Market in the morning, the battlefield after lunch, the greenway at sunset.
- Rainy day: the battlefield visitor center, then the Bradley Academy Museum on a Friday or Saturday.
More guides: parks and trails, kids’ activities and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stones River National Battlefield free?
Yes. The National Park Service calls Stones River a fee-free park: no entrance pass is needed for the battlefield, its trails or the national cemetery at 3501 Old Nashville Highway.
Is Cannonsburgh Village free?
Yes. Self-guided tours of the city’s pioneer village at 312 S. Front St. are free. Winter hours, November to March, are Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; from April to October it also opens weekends.
Are there free concerts in Murfreesboro?
Main Street Murfreesboro’s Friday Night Live concerts on the Square are free, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. In 2026 they ran June 5, July 3, Sept. 25 and Oct. 16.
What free events does Murfreesboro hold every year?
The Christmas parade and county tree lighting, Harvest Days at Cannonsburgh, the Juneteenth Celebration, the Hummingbird Festival and Splash Out are all free, and the city’s Celebration Under the Stars fireworks on July 4 can be watched free.
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