The 19 Best Things To Do In Franklin, Tennessee Plan a road trip to this charming city just south of Nashville. By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 4, 2025 In This Article View All In This Article What To Do In Franklin What To Do In Leipers Fork What To Do In Arrington Where To Stay Close Credit: STACY K. ALLEN The city of Franklin might be small compared to Nashville, its neighbor to the north, but it has developed a big reputation over the years. Various media outlets (including this one) have proclaimed the city the "prettiest," "most charming," "friendliest," and "most romantic" as well as a "Southern dream town" and the "nicest place in the South." That is quite a lot of hype for any location to live up to, but year after year, Franklin continues to attract visitors and new residents. It's easy to spend an activity-packed weekend in Franklin, especially if you venture out to surrounding towns Leipers Fork and Arrington. Here are our top picks for fun things to do in the area. 14 Small Towns In Tennessee With So Much Charm What To Do In Franklin Stroll The Revitalized Downtown Take a stroll around the vibrant 16-block historic downtown district, and you'll find it hard not to be charmed. Main Street is lined with handsomely restored buildings, many from the Victorian era, that house an impressive array of small businesses, both old-fashioned and decidedly modern. Beginning in the early 1980s, the city and local preservation organizations like the Downtown Franklin Association took on the task of restoring many of these formerly run-down gems—like the historic Franklin Theatre, an Art Deco building from 1937 where people now watch movies and hear live music. When you enter a space with creaky wood floors in Franklin, chances are that they're original. The local outpost of White's Mercantile, a shopper's paradise owned by singer-songwriter Holly Williams, fills the ground floor of a circa-1900 building with clothing, home goods, and gifts (like hand-beaded coin purses saying "Howdy"). For gifts, accessories, barware, holiday decor, and more, swing by Tin Cottage located on Main Street in an 1897 building that was once a mercantile and furniture store. From there, browse the old and new titles at Landmark Booksellers, which occupies one of the earliest Greek Revival-style structures in Middle Tennessee, dating back to 1808. franklintheatre.com, 419 Main St., Franklin, TN 37064 whitesmercantile.com, 345 Main St., Franklin, TN 37064 tincottage.com, 334 Main St., Franklin, TN 37064 landmarkbooksellers.com, 114 E. Main St., Franklin, TN 37064 Fuel Up At Downtown Bakeries Credit: STACY K. ALLEN Just off Main Street is Biscuit Love, a busy cafe that occupies the Corn House, a Queen Anne-style home built in 1892. There, you can order an oat milk latte with your Southern Benny (a buttermilk biscuit topped with shaved country ham, eggs, and sausage gravy). Take an afternoon break for tea service—or coffee or hot chocolate—at Triple Crown Bakery. Pair with their homemade desserts or pastries. At Merridee's Breadbasket, stock up on pastries and bakery items or sit down and enjoy a bowl of soup or a slice of pot pie. biscuitlove.com, 132 3rd Ave. S, Franklin, TN 37064 triplecrownbakery.com, 118 4th Ave. N, Franklin, TN 37064 merridees.com, 110 4th Ave. S, Franklin, TN 37064 franklinbakehouse.com, 100 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064 Study Local History History has been preserved here in more weighty and significant ways as well. As you explore the city center, you're never far from a landmark or sign pointing out its role in the Civil War, particularly the Battle of Franklin, one of the last major conflicts. At the center of the town square, a monument to Confederate soldiers who died in the battle has stood since 1899. In recent years, residents have pushed for a more inclusive display, and in 2017, local pastors and community leaders created the Fuller Story project, an effort to educate the public about the African-American experience before, during, and after the war. Visitors can learn the history from five markers added in and around the square and see a bronze statue of a U.S. Colored Troops soldier that was erected in the public square. slavestosoldiers.org Cuddle Baby Goats Visit Noble Springs Dairy for goat cuddles, and leave with seasonal artisanal goat cheese, goat milk soaps, and more. Just a short drive from downtown Franklin, visitors can tour this farm’s milking parlor and cheese-making facility and interact with the animals. There are special baby goat cuddling dates where guests can snuggle with the farm’s newest members, and Goats and Guitars events feature live music, goat cuddling, and cheese boards from the farm. noble-springs.com, 3144 Blazer Road, Franklin, TN 37064 Shop The Farmer's Market On Saturdays year-round, the Franklin Farmer’s Market is hopping with locals doing their weekly shopping run. Pick up the freshest produce, eggs, and meat; browse handmade items made by local artisans, and don't forget to pick up a fragrant bag of kettle corn. You'll also want to grab breakfast tacos from nearby Mojo’s Tacos while you’re there. franklinfarmersmarket.com, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064 mojostacos.com, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064 Get Back To Nature Stretch your legs and take in the beautiful surroundings at one of Franklin's many hiking paths. Locals like Timberland Park, just southwest of the State 96 entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway. Choose from nine trails of varying difficulty, and borrow a walking stick (made from a reclaimed branch found on the property) as you set out. For dramatic vistas, head to Preservation Park, hike the Battlefield Trail, and enjoy the elevated view of the park's 200 acres of wooded hills and former pastureland. wcparksandrec.com thompsons-station.gov, 1600 Thompson's Station Road W, Thompson's Station, TN 37179 Enjoy A Scenic Drive If you’re looking for leaves, the foliage is usually at its peak in mid-October. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN If you prefer to appreciate nature from your car window, the Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most beautiful drives in the South, with plenty of fall color and the stunning Double Arch Bridge. A masterpiece of engineering, the concrete structure can be experienced from the top by car or bike or viewed from below at Birdsong Hollow, a grassy area ideal for a picnic. Whichever you choose, it's worth visiting for the photo opportunities alone. nps.gov Head To A Neighboring Town Don't limit yourself to just the Franklin area. One of the best things about this city is that there are nearby towns with character that far exceeds their small size: Leipers Fork, a tiny village brimming with personality (and some seriously good bourbon), and Arrington, a bucolic spot for wine, antiques, and family farms. Both of these destinations are located just a few miles away from Franklin, making it a good home base for a weekend trip. What To Do In Leipers Fork Take The Scenic Route Credit: Stacy K. Allen There are small towns, and then there is Leipers Fork. Depending on how fast you drive along the winding two-lane road, it would be conceivable to get distracted by the scenery and miss it on the way to Franklin or Nashville. Don't make that mistake—it would be a shame to bypass this gem of a place, especially in the fall. The main street, Old Hillsboro Road, is about a mile long with no traffic lights and serves as the location for a dozen or so small businesses, including stylish boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Buy Unique Gifts Props Antiques is filled to the ceiling with fascinating finds plus retro toys and gifts. Tucked away just off the main road in a tiny building resembling a hobbit's house is Tennessee Turquoise Company, which features an exquisite collection of vintage jewelry made with the bright blue gemstones. The store is owned by Morgane Stapleton, wife of country musician Chris Stapleton, and each purchase helps support the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. propsleipersfork.com, 4208 Old Hillsboro Road, Leipers Fork, TN 37064 tennesseeturquoisecompany.com, 4152 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 Enjoy The Fine Arts Leipers Fork has several art galleries, including David Arms, which is housed in a barn. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN The fine art scene is so robust here that you can spend an afternoon exploring. The Copper Fox Gallery is a beautifully restored 1888 house filled with a thoughtfully curated collection of art (created in all media, from sculptures to felted animals) by Tennessee makers. Next door is the charming tin-roofed gallery of David Arms, an event designer turned artist best known for his lifelike paintings of birds. Just a short walk from there, Leiper's Creek Gallery has artists from around the country in a sophisticated yet relaxed space that shows no traces of its former life as a gas station. thecopperfoxgallery.com, 4136 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 davidarms.com, 4157 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 leiperscreekgallery.com, 4144 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 Dig Into A Hearty Meal Restaurant options are limited but surprisingly varied in Leipers Fork. The Country Boy, the oldest diner in the county, serves up hearty breakfast plates and Southern fare like fried chicken and catfish. Across the street is Fox & Locke (formerly Puckett's), which offers live music and meat 'n' three options, burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream. instagram.com/thecountryboyrestaurant, 4141 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 foxandlocke.com, 4142 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 Sip Local Beverages Leiper’s Fork Distillery offers tours and tastings of its whiskey. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN Wines in the Fork is a shop and tasting room specializing in local vino that you can enjoy while overlooking the Harpeth River. A quick drive away is Leiper's Fork Distillery, which produces small-batch bourbon and whiskey from grains grown nearby. The tastings (which take place in a snug, carefully restored cabin from the 1820s) feel like stepping back in time. instagram.com/winesinthefork, 4165 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 leipersforkdistillery.com, 3381 Southall Road, Franklin, TN 37064 What To Do In Arrington Credit: STACY K. ALLEN Soak Up The Scenery Known for its rolling hills and countryside, Arrington is about 20 minutes from Franklin—though the drive is so spectacular you might wish it took longer. Family farms and produce stands abound here, like Delvin Farms. This well-stocked shop has fruits, veggies, and locally made products like preserves, candy, and even kombucha. Fast's Greenery is also worth a stop, especially for plants and outdoor decorations. For fresh-picked peaches in the summer and apples and cider in the fall, head to Morning Glory Orchard, a second-generation farm in nearby Nolensville. delvinfarms.com, 6361 Cox Road, Arrington, TN 37046 fastsgarden.com, 7835 Nolensville Road, Arrington, TN 37014 morninggloryorchard.com, 7690 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, TN 37135 Taste Area Wines Visitors to the property can order wine by the bottle or in tasting flights. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN In an area where whiskey is king, it might surprise you that the main attraction in Arrington is wine—and that it's locally produced. Co-owned by country musician Kix Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn), Arrington Vineyards has 16 acres of grapes, which are used (along with fruit from other growers) to make red, white, and sparkling wines. Various tasting options are available. One of the best choices is to purchase a flight of four types of wine and then enjoy it outside on the lush, green property, which is a perfect spot for picnicking. You can bring your own food or stop by the winery's weekend snack bar that's open through November. Depending on the date, you'll often find food trucks and live music on-site. arringtonvineyards.com, 6211 Patton Road, Arrington, TN 37014 A food stand at Arrington Vineyards sells meats, cheeses, and other locally sourced items. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN Shop For Old And New Treasures For a bit of shopping, try Mercantile 1858 (the store has a second location in Franklin) for old and new decorative pieces for every room of the house. Browse the vintage inventory, pick up a fresh flower bouquet, buy seasonal decor, and get everything you need for a hostess gift basket, all in one stop. Then head to Three French Hens thrift and consignment store to scour the aisles for dishes, furniture, and home decor. thegentlemansstache.com, 4812 Murfreesboro Road, Arrington, TN 37014 facebook.com/shop3frenchhens, 4812 Murfreesboro Road, Arrington, TN 37014 Where To Stay Spend A Night In Downtown Franklin Cozy up at The Harpeth hotel. Try the buttermilk-fried quail atop johnnycakes at 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails at The Harpeth hotel. Cozy up at The Harpeth hotel. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN Try the buttermilk-fried quail atop johnnycakes at 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails at The Harpeth hotel. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN There is only one hotel in downtown Franklin, but it's a good one and is located about a block away from the square. Since opening, The Harpeth, an elegant 119-room stay named after the river that runs through the area, has become the prime spot for out-of-towners and a place where locals gather to dine and drink. You can try a new whiskey—the bar offers over 100 different types—fireside in the lobby or al fresco in the beautiful courtyard. Or sit down at the swanky in-house restaurant and bar, 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails, for a hearty brunch (try the steak and eggs) or dinner (try the stuffed quail or lamb shank). harpethhotel.com, 130 2nd Ave. N, Franklin, TN 37064 Stay At A Luxury Resort Local lodging options also include Southall, a 325-acre luxury resort. A short drive from downtown Franklin, the sprawling property has a working farm, hiking trails, and fishing spots as well as perks for the not-so outdoorsy—such as poolside cocktails, a spa, and cooking classes. Much of the produce grown on-site is used at the resort's restaurant, Sojourner, and sold at its Farm Stand, which stocks prepared foods, picnic baskets, and more. southalltn.com, 2200 Osage Loop, Franklin, TN 37064 Book A Charming Rental In Leipers Fork The picturesque property has tables and firepits for gathering, and picnicking is encouraged. Credit: STACY K. ALLEN Consider booking a stay in the Leipers Fork village at White's Room and Board in a revamped 1892 cottage complete with a front porch swing and Gibson guitars in the event that musical inspiration strikes. For larger groups, House and Sanctuary offers 18 rental properties, including a treehouse, cabins, and a mini farm with donkeys and goats. whitesroomandboard.com houseandsanctuary.com 15 Best Weekend Getaways In Tennessee—From The Mississippi River To The Smoky Mountains Explore more: Travel Tennessee Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit