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Franklin, Tennessee

welcome to our useful Franklin, Tennessee travel guide

Franklin, Tennessee is a historic town alive with activity and things to do. This Franklin, TN, Travel Guide, will paint the picture of unique shops, decadent eateries, and wide-open spaces to lay your head. Franklin is just a short drive from Nashville and steps back in time to a historic time forgotten pace.

Natchez Trace Parkway
Gregg and Alise at Natchez Trace Parkway

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN Franklin, Tennessee

Gregg and I really enjoyed the artistic side of Franklin besides the architecture. Downtown Franklin has upscale shops to keep you busy for the day. Be sure to tag us at @talesfromanuntamedsoul with your favorite thing to do in Franklin, TN! 

Historic Downtown Franklin– Shop, eat, and be entertained throughout the downtown streets of Franklin among the shops, galleries, and dining options. 

  • Savory Spice Shop– The Savory Spice Shop has a sizable array of choices, from sweet to savory. The dreams of culinary creations come to life perusing the rubs and unique spices. 
  • deAnn– I wanted to just sit in the deAnn shop all day. The energy was tangible, and her art and designs were stunning.
  • KilwinsKilwins’ fudge and chocolate delights are a great post-meal treat. The chocolates are made with the same Kilwins recipe from the 1940s.  
  • Avec Moi– Avec Moi has unique decor and vintage gifts.
  • Franklin Theatre– The Franklin Theatre was established in 1937 and rehabilitated in 2010. Today it is going strong, with live music, dancing, beloved movies, and live theatre.

Historic Village of Leiper’s Fork– a mini-town, blink and you’ll miss it, the Historic Village of Leiper’s Fork boasts galleries, and biker bars, all the makings of a real good time. 

  • The Copper Fox Gallery – You’ll find unique handmade gifts and artworks at The Copper Fox Gallery. 
  • Leiper’s Creek Gallery– All are welcome at the Leiper’s Creek Gallery, invited to slow down and soak in the art creations of (mostly) locals.

Arrington Vineyards– Enjoy a picnic at Arrington Vineyards or their bonfire nights, and various tasting flights with creative flares.

Natchez Trace Parkway– Natchez Trace Parkway is a double-arch award-winning bridge that’s flanked by green spaces, excellent roads for road cycling and it’s just cool looking! 

Leiper’s Fork Distillery– Prohibition was lifted in 1939 but only 3 distilleries were allowed to legally operate for the next 70 years. This allowed Leiper’s Fork Distillery to open in 2016 with its natural limestone spring producing a clear and barreled Tennessee Whiskey, all steps of the process done under the roof of their 5,000 sq ft Still House. The tour was great, and Gregg loved the tastings. 

Lucky Ladd Farms– An agricultural farm, shop, and adventure park with animal experiences for kids at heart. Lucky Ladd Farms is a play stop you must make. 

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary– Get tickets to the owl sanctuary and then hike the nearly 4 miles nature trails at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary. 

Downtown Franklin, TN
Historic Franklin Downtown
Leiper's Fork Distillery
Leiper's Fork Distillery

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PLACES TO EAT IN Franklin, Tennessee

Even a teenager would leave Franklin, TN, stuffed and happy. From authentic hand made to fresh local ingredients, the authentic regional style in Franklin, makes finding a restaurant easy. 

Merridees’ Breadbasket– Nationally recognized for their outstanding baked goods and savory made-from-scratch menu, Merridees’ Breadbasket is a can’t miss. You’ll be going back again and again. 

Puckett’s Grocery– From a 1950s grocery store to the happening place of today, with live music, home cooking, Puckett’s Grocery has an authentic funky style.

Culaccino– The food at Culaccino is authentic Italian food with all handmade pasta (I know… I watched it happen!). I cannot say enough about their menu and their sauces. 

1892 Leiper’s Fork– A new menu daily, fresh ingredients for delectable dishes, and 1892 Leiper’s Fork even lets you bring your own wine.

YATS– A rotating of freshly created Cajun dishes, YATS has an authentic Creole flare that you’ll love. 

Coal Town Pizza & Public House– Coal Town Pizza and Public House has fresh made pizza, served in a unique Americana setting. 

Leiper's Fork Distillery
Leiper's Fork Distillery
Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Historic Downtown Franklin

places to stay in Franklin, Tennessee

Franklin offers several accommodations nearby. Pot N’ Kettle Cottages provides easy access to the sights and sounds of Franklin, TN, while Little Boho Farmhouse offers relaxation and creature comforts. This is a place to slow down, breathe in life and rejuvenate. 

Pot N’ Kettle Cottages– Pot N’ Kettle Cottages offer a variety of accommodation options close to the shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Owned by locals Eric & Samantha, the accommodations were hand curated and designed by them with the heart and soul of Franklin in mind. 

Little Boho Farmhouse– Close to the Franklin action, with lux farmhouse vibe, Little Boho Farmhouse is chic and a quick walk from historic Franklin. The space is big, bright, and it is also historic, built in the 1930’s. 

Modern Barn – The Modern Barn is 80 acres of wide-open spaces, in farmhouse glam, just a few miles from downtown. 

Westhaven TN
Westhaven, TN
Westhaven, TN
Alise Swinging into Westhaven, TN

Seasonal things to see and do in Franklin, Tennessee

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BEST IN SHOW

Franklin, TN, is an iconic historic town, with all the culture and flare of its sister, Nashville, TN, but with the sunset skies and open spaces. Flow freely in the green spaces of Franklin. 

AccommodationThe Pot N’ Kettle Cottages – Creature comforts packaged in quaint cottage style, The Pot N’ Kettle Cottages offer variety in their 6 cottage accommodation options at price points for every budget. The locations are close to the shops, restaurants, and entertainment. 

Food Coal Town Pizza & Public House – Just outside of Franklin is a little community called Westhaven. Gregg and I stopped there for dinner at the new pizza place, Coal Town Pizza & Public House, which was delicious. It was like we walked back in time, to when kids played ball in grassy spaces, ran with popsicle-stained cheeks and lips, while parents tapped along to jazz played live in the park eating kettle popcorn, permeating the air, with wind swept clouds reflecting the sunset over the lake. It was quite a piece of Americana that seems so far away from days gone by. 

Things to Do Historic Downtown Franklin – Stroll through historical downtown awakening your senses- inhale the aromas of the spice shop, engage your sweet tooth and childhood memories at the fudge shop, and your eyes beckon to be a part of the vibe at the storefront of deAnn’s art shop and your ears yearn to be entertained at the Franklin Theatre. 

Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Leiper’s Fork Distillery
McCormick Farmall
Leiper’s Fork Historic Village
Distillery
Leiper’s Fork Distillery

Alise’s Favorites and Suggestions

  • Reservations are strongly suggested
  • Downtown has parking garages for a fee, and are well kept
  • In the Historic Village, parking was a bit of a challenge but so worth it
  • The shop at Leiper’s Fork Distillery tries to limit their waste by incorporating their whiskey by-products into homemade breads, coffee, and candied pecans, which I highly recommend

Day Trips

1
Franklin, TN is an appealing blend of modern charm and Southern hospitality. The 16-block historic district is a great place to learn about the region's history. 
2
Humboldt, TN is the perfect location for your West Tennessee vacation, 12 miles from Jackson, 77 miles from Memphis and 124 miles from Memphis. In this middle-of-everything small town you will find upscale stores, delicious food that rivals any large city in America, and things to do for couples and families. The people were so welcoming, making our time there unforgettable. 
3
Jackson, TN the mid-point between Memphis and Memphis, is a little big-town with all the creature-comforts of home. Enjoy great shopping and activities for the entire family.
4
Nashville, TN Learn how the old-world history of whiskey making and Country music sounds meets new-world modern luxuries and the transformation of the honkey-tonk. Our Nashville travel guide will help you to experience the city at its very best.

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MY MUST HAVE TRAVEL GEAR

These items will make your travels memorable.

Ghosts of Franklin
Franklin Tennessee Travel Tips
History of Franklin
Off the Beaten Path
Ultralight Day Pack
TSA Travel Bottles
Scratch Off Travel Map
Samsonite Hardside Expandable Luggage
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