Area FAQs

What kind of bugs should I worry about?

We have bugs like everyone else and every few years we have cicadas. We’ve got mosquitoes in the summer that can be pesky depending on your area but overall, nothing overwhelming to deal with. We also have ticks so you should check yourself and your dogs in the warmer months, especially after hiking or walking through treed areas and tall grass.

Do you have venomous spiders?

We have a variety of spiders but the only ones which are a concern are black widows and brown recluse spiders. Black widows are rare and stay to themselves in dark nooks. Wolf spiders are often mistaken for brown recluse spiders so be sure to know the difference. Wolf spiders will kill the brown recluse, so they’re good to have around. Most wolf spiders have “racing stripes” running down their backs and the legs are a bit thicker. Brown recluse have longer, thinner legs and a patch on their thorax that looks like a violin.

Link: https://a-z-animals.com/blog/wolf-spider-vs-brown-recluse-five-main-differences-explained/

Do you have venomous snakes?

We have a lot of snakes and most are not venomous. We do have a couple, like rattlesnakes and water moccasins. Check the State website for pictures and descriptions of our natural snake population.

Link: https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/reptiles/snakes.html

Is there a lot of traffic in Murfreesboro?

We are a mid-sized city and do get traffic build-ups. The good news is that these build ups are

predictable so you can plan your day or travel route around these. There are a lot of roads crossing all over and around the city so you can always find another route to get you where you need to go if you

want to avoid the slower direct path.

What is the commute to Nashville like?

The commute to Nashville on I-24 can get very slow. There are a lot of people working in the Nashville area, so we see congestion every morning and every evening during the week. If you can time things so you leave before or after the main rush, you’ll get there much quicker! We are only about 30 minutes

from downtown Nashville if you go outside of rush hour.

What kind of seasons can I expect?

We get all four seasons! Some are longer or shorter than others, but we see them all. Spring is beautiful. It’s cool and the flowers are everywhere: yards, gardens, on the side of the road, and in the trees. Summer comes in and hangs around for a long time. You’ll usually see warm weather through most of October before the cooler weather finally creeps in. Fall comes in playing peek-a-boo. You’ll get cool, warm, cool, warm, cool again. Finally, in October, it will stick around for good. The fall colors here are gorgeous. Our more spectacular fall colors are highlighted in our mountainous areas like Chattanooga or Gatlinburg which are only a 2-4 hour drive from Murfreesboro and make for an excellent weekend trip. Then winter shows up around the end of the year. Winter gets dry and cold and hangs around, usually sticking with us into April. We see a couple glimpses of spring trying to break through and then it warms up for good in May.

Do you get a lot of snow?

We typically don’t get much snow. You can expect 2-3 snow events each year, on average. Schools and non-essential businesses will usually shut down. Our snow tends to present as icy roads, not soft snowy roads, which causes a different type of hazardous condition that the northern drivers aren’t used to. We brine ahead of snow forecasts, but we can’t cover all the back roads. Because of this, Tennesseans like to be careful and stay home. We don’t have enough annual snow to justify the extra spend on extensive snow readiness.

Do you get a lot of tornadoes?

We are on the edge of Tornado Alley but we rarely get large scale devastation like you see in other states. Tornadoes are possible year-round but the peak season is March-May. It is best to have a safe place in your home's interior or a tornado shelter and to know what to do if you are away from home when one hits. We are used to tornadoes and therefore have excellent warning systems including sirens that are regularly tested, good weather forcasts, and even a severe weather twitter account. @NashSevereWx and @RuthSevereWx are credible hosts who watch the storms and talk about specific areas and the concern levels in those areas. They will name street names and intersections. This is the kind of information I like when I’m worried about the possibility of a tornado.

Shelter Link: https://ema.rutherfordcountytn.gov/evacuations

Severe Weather Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/RuthSevereWx?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Are there any places for hiking?

Yes! I love to go hiking and have been to so many places that are beautiful and exciting. We have hiking for all skill levels. Easy paved paths, difficult rough terrain, short trails, long trails, and everything in between. Some take you in a loop and some take you to an overlook or a waterfall. There is always

something to see on each trail. Hundreds of hiking options from inside Murfreesboro city limits to all around us within, 2.5 hours or less which makes for a great day trip!

Are there any lakes, rivers, or waterfalls?

Yes! We have many lakes and rivers that are close enough to enjoy. The closest lakes to Murfreesboro are Percy Priest Lake, Tim’s Ford Lake, and Center Hill Lake. You can rent boats, swim, eat at the marina

restaurants, camp, and much more! We also have quite a few rivers in the area. You can canoe and kayak, enjoy lazy river tubing, swim, and camp at the rivers. If you want white water rafting, you’ll have to get further into the mountains. On top of these options, we also have a lot of waterfalls you can visit in under a 2.5 hour drive. Many of the waterfalls in our area have pools at the bottom that are accessible for swimming. It’s a great way to cool off while hiking.

What about fishing?

We’ve got all kinds of fishing in our area. Rivers, lakes, fly fishing, you name it. Visit the TWRA website for more details.

Link: https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing.html

What about hunting?

We have so many options for hunting. Game of all sizes and seasons. Duck, deer, turkey, and so much

more! Visit the TWRA website for more details.

Link: https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting.html

Will I see a lot of celebrities?

Yes, you will likely see celebrities all over Middle Tennessee. We are not like other big areas with

paparazzi and fans going nuts. Nashville is a safe and quiet place for our celebrities. We are courteous and give them space while watching from a distance. Some will take pictures with fans but we don’t

overrun their space and overwhelm them. Nashville is known as a safe haven for celebrities, and we’d love to keep it that way! We love our celebrities, and they love our area. I’m sure you’ll see some if you go out enough.

Some celebrities I’ve encountered at everyday locations like restaurants, drive throughs, and Target:

Jason Aldean, John Rich, Taylor Swift, Wynona Judd, Mike Wolf of American Pickers, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Carrie Underwood.