Franklin TN Journey Information

It’s not simple to maintain a historic city fantastically preserved…and even more durable to replace it to Twenty first-century sustainability requirements. However Franklin, Tennessee (est. 1799) has achieved the uncommon combo of Nationwide Historic Register of Locations and LEED-certification…citywide! They’re simply considered one of 120 cities (of the ~20,000 within the USA), to have earned this Management in Power and Environmental Design accolade for his or her forward-thinking techniques and improved high quality of life. Locals are happy with the place they’re from in order that they take excellent care of their hometown and are completely happy to share it. Strolling the historic streets filled with unbiased retailers and cafes, canoeing proper from our lodge, and tapping our ft to stay music throughout city, we rapidly fell in love with this place too. Lengthy overshadowed by its big-city neighbor Nashville, Franklin is not a day-trip vacation spot. We stayed 4 nights within the space and nonetheless have extra we need to come again and discover. Get to know one of the charming and sustainable cities in America with our Franklin, TN Journey Information.
 

Franklin Strolling Tour

You won’t assume a downtown that’s 16-blocks huge would wish a strolling tour (particularly when Go to Franklin has crafted some nice self-guided options), however exploring with a neighborhood information is one of the simplest ways to get your bearings and the within scoop. So we set out with Alicia Marshall, the proprietor and self-proclaimed historical past nerd at Franklin Walking Tours, for the two-hour “Franklin Allure” stroll. Excursions meet Monday-Saturday at 9am in entrance of the attractive Landmark Booksellers, the oldest industrial constructing on the town. Earlier than the Civil Conflict, Williamson County was one of many richest within the state they usually have plenty of opulent Antebellum structure to indicate for it. However the Battle of Franklin on November thirtieth, 1864 devastated the city, with over 8,500 casualties turning just about all their buildings into discipline hospitals. Alicia identified blood stains soaked into the picket flooring and bullet marks pocking the partitions of buildings. Like every former accomplice state, their story isn’t fairly however we recognize that Franklin isn’t sugarcoating its previous. The town is making ongoing reparations with initiatives like their “Fuller Story” markers and the March to Freedom Statue on the principle sq., honoring the function and sacrifices made by African Individuals in making Franklin what it’s at the moment. We liked our cease at ANC Williams’ home, who was the primary African American enterprise proprietor in downtown Franklin, and studying that town simply named a avenue after him. Persevering with our stroll round city, Alicia confirmed us the row of homes the place Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and different musicians usually keep once they have initiatives in Nashville and that many stars (Keith City, Nicole Kidman, Brad Paisley, and extra) have made Franklin their dwelling. After stopping at locations just like the Heritage Basis (the outdated jail) and an 1820s house-turned artwork gallery, we rapidly realized that every constructing had a deeper story behind its fairly facade. The tour ended at Bakehouse with a heat sprinkle cookie for good emotions throughout.

Tip: For extra nice historical past excursions, strive “Franklin’s Fierce Females” and go to the Carnton House & Museum for an enchanting have a look at the Battle of Franklin.
 

Purchasing Essential Avenue

Franklin’s Essential Avenue is so charming and well-preserved the Nationwide Civic League named it a “Nice American Essential Avenue.” The constructing facades are an exquisite mixture of Victorian, Tennessee Federal, Artwork Deco, and Craftsman structure, and the interiors are renovated to modern perfection. Just about no chain shops or tchotchke retailers, the boutiques are genuine and hip, like Holly Williams’ (granddaughter of nation legend Hank Williams) White’s Mercantile providing a group of her favourite issues with Southern model. Or Rooted From Yarrow Acres aka “Franklin’s Little Plant Store,” run by a mother-daughter staff who supply “recent” decor and workshops on how one can construct your individual terrariums. And Philanthropy who donates 10% of their trend and residential items proceeds to charitable causes (and 100% if you store on-line)! Strolling below lamp posts, adorned with hanging flowers and flags, we discovered ourselves stopping each few ft for a cute new retailer. For the last word Essential Avenue expertise, we caught Franklin’s First Friday Art Scene, when retailers keep open late to show new artworks and share a glass of wine with the neighborhood. This occasion introduced us into cute companies that we wouldn’t have in any other case visited, like Parker Home Salon that had painter Lorrie Fowler making stay artwork with a blow dryer (which is now hanging on Buddy the Camper’s wall and gave us the prospect to fulfill so many beautiful locals.

Tip: Don’t miss Playing cards of Care. In entrance of metropolis corridor you’ll see a yellow mailbox with pens and paper the place folks depart nameless notes of positivity for anybody who wants a smile. Take a be aware and depart a be aware to maintain this circle of fine vibes going.
 

The place to Eat

Southern cooking is finished to perfection on this city, with some eating places serving up the classics (BBQ, biscuits, scorching rooster, candy tea) and others giving it a up to date twist. We liked Frothy Monkey for his or her artsy vibe and bountiful vegan choices and spectacular espresso bar, and Red Pony was the proper spot for a date night time. Voted “Greatest Restaurant within the County” and incomes a half-dozen Open Desk awards, Purple Pony is an upscale native favourite. We noticed Jerk Eggplant Meatballs on the menu and had been instantly intrigued, and after we requested about different vegan choices, they crafted a cashew-cream stuffed portobello and an almond-milk & darkish chocolate mousse for dessert. What a deal with! And for true southern fare and considered one of coolest tales on the town, there isn’t a higher place than Gray’s. With its iconic neon signal and a entrance door painted with the names of all of the earlier house owners of Grey Drug Firm over the previous century, you’ll know you’re in the precise place. The most recent house owners have honored its Rx historical past and used outdated prescriptions (they unearthed throughout a renovation) for wallpaper and stored the graffiti-style dairy of a previous worker (beginning with the delivery of his son in 1950 and ending 30+ years later with “Gone Fishing”). One more reason to go to Grey’s is the stay music and cocktails. Their Anthym Spirit was voted the “South’s Greatest Whiskey Drink,” with its easy mixture of apricot brandy, benedictine, and chai bitters. We indulged in a mid-day cocktail, fries, and crispy Brussels sprouts and had been completely happy vegans. (see our TikTok about Gray’s). As for espresso retailers, don’t miss The Coffee House at Second and Bridge in a historic cottage with a wonderful yard to sip your espresso.
Enjoyable Truth: The round city sq. is nicknamed is the “Squircle.”
 

Nightlife

When you ought to actually hit up Grey’s for stay music and their subsequent door neighbor Oh Be Joyful for inventive cocktails, a go to the Legendary Kimbros Pickin’ Parlor is necessary. An outdated nook retailer smashed along with a Victorian cottage, this funky spot is the place Franklin will get down. We walked by means of the collection of rooms-turned bars and hang-spaces and felt like we had been at an superior home social gathering. The principle stage has seen names like John Prine, Wynonna Judd, to Emmylou Harris, and also you by no means know who’s gonna present up on open mic night time or of their free-for-all jam room. Additionally, verify which reveals are taking part in on the iconic Franklin Theater (saved by the Heritage Basis!), they’ve performs, stand-up comedy, films, and extra for an amazing date night time.

See our video for the best of Franklin’s Main Street

Manufacturing facility at Franklin

This really isn’t our first time to Franklin, TN. Years in the past we got here for a gathering on the Lonely Planet places of work in The Factory at Franklin. Whereas that journey writer is not headquartered there, The Manufacturing facility is getting cooler by the day…in reality, come fall 2022 they’re having a grand reopening of their unbelievable advanced of outlets, eating places, and leisure venues. Initially a Nineteen Twenties range manufacturing facility, it was on the verge of being demolished within the ’90s, however a neighborhood developer Calvin Lehew noticed the wonder within the industrial house and its potential for a neighborhood hub, and now it’s on the Nationwide Historic Register of Locations. Conserving the unique water tower, metal beams, paned home windows, and concrete flooring, it’s dwelling to 80 native companies, just like the Luna File Store, 5 Daughters Bakery, The Mockingbird Theater, Mojo’s Tacos (sooooo good), and the weekly farmer’s market. We acquired chatting with Bonnie, the proprietor of the reward store Instances Previous & Current, who was the second tenant within the constructing and so proud to nonetheless be right here 23 years later and past excited for the place The Manufacturing facility at Franklin is heading.

The place to Keep

We checked into downtown’s scorching new lodge, the Harpeth. It’s in Hilton’s Curio assortment of boutique accommodations with modern decor and private touches. Their 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails is among the nicest eating places on the town, and McGavock’s espresso store is cool sufficient that locals come for lattes. We adored our nook suite with stylish decor, spa-like toilet, seating space, and a balcony wanting over city. Cleverly designed, they positioned the mattress in the midst of the room and made a headboard with a fold-out desk—as a pair that works collectively, we completely recognize this house answer! That mentioned, with a bottle of champagne and sundown view from our balcony…we didn’t get a lot work accomplished!

Tip: For a luxurious lodge in Franklin’s countryside, Southall Farms is poised to be the realm’s premier getaway with its 62-room inn, farm-to-table delicacies, spa, and trails stretching throughout 325 acres. Opening winter 2022.

Harpeth River Blueway

The place does the Harpeth Lodge get its identify? The river that runs behind their lodge and thru downtown Franklin! To provide residents extra human-powered transportation and recreation alternatives, town joined the Harpeth River Blueway Undertaking to make the river simpler to kayak and SUP. Downtown has six entry factors; we selected Harlinsdale Farm, a historic 200-acre park (and residential of the annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival), and paddled upstream in direction of our lodge. When it’s a peaceful river, we wish to paddle upstream, then have a leisurely float again (no shuffling of vehicles or hitchhiking required). The Harpeth water ranges can get a bit of low by mid summer season so spring is one of the best time, however we didn’t thoughts selecting up our kayak for brief stretches—particularly as a result of we had the river all to ourselves! We noticed a number of nice blue herons, dozens of turtles, and big bass splashing about on this biodiversity hotspot. We hopped out on the beautiful Bicentennial Park for a stroll then paddled upstream till we hit our lodge.

Tip: For leases and guided journeys on the Harpeth, Paddle Dog has you coated.

The Village of Leiper’s Fork

Eight miles west of Franklin lies one other world…Leiper’s Fork. This was a near-forgotten whistle cease city till the Nineteen Nineties when a handful of Tennesseans turned its destiny round. Aubrey Preston and Bruce & Marty Hunt began renovating the historic buildings and hand-selecting artists, antiquarians, entrepreneurs, and individuals who would love and take care of this place. They weren’t trying to flip an enormous revenue they usually by no means needed it to develop too huge. Fostering neighborhood and goals was all the time at its coronary heart. Right now, Leiper’s Fork is only a village of round 650 folks, however a few of the residents embrace Chris Stapleton, Mike Wolfe (host of American Pickers), and Justin Timberlake. The humanities run by means of the veins of this city—from David Arms Gallery, a century-old barn dispalying the artist’s work and ornamental curiosities, to Leiper’s Creek Gallery that options internationally acknowledged artists (lots of that are native). Serenite Maison has a stunning assortment of dwelling decor and about 15 devices…that aren’t on the market. That’s Picker’s Nook, the place guitars and fiddles are on the prepared if any passerby looks like taking part in a tune. (We had been there all of 5 minutes earlier than somebody began pickin’!) Sadly, after twenty years, the stunning proprietress Alexandra is retiring, however with the constructing nonetheless owned by Leiper’s Fork matriarch Marty Hunt, there isn’t a method this house will lose its Leiper’s magic. Many guests come for a day journey, however we’re so glad we stayed the night time at Pot n’ Kettle Cottages. Homeowners Sam & Eric had been additionally wooed by this place across the time of its restoration and their magazine-worthy leases helped put Leiper’s on the map as a vacation spot in its personal proper. Our 1939 “Picker’s Cottage” with its entertaining kitchen, three bedrooms, and funky hangout areas made us really feel native for the night time. Somebody noticed our camper parked on the residential avenue and welcomed us like we had been shifting in. Everybody on the town is so darn pleasant!

Tip: Don’t miss Tennessee Turquoise within the outdated smokehouse tucked off the principle avenue behind Leiper’s Creek Gallery. That is Morgane Stapleton’s (Chris’ spouse) jewel field of a store the place every buy of their new and vintage turquoise offers again to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.

Fox & Locke Open Mic Evening

It wasn’t luck that we arrived to Leiper’s Fork on a Thursday night time, that is when Fox & Locke hosts their legendary open mic. This music venue and homecookin’ restaurant acquired its fame as Puckett’s, however they’ve simply gone again to its authentic identify from when it was a grocery retailer in 1947. When it comes to expertise, nothing has modified, with artists that are typically previous or future Grammy nominees. We arrived at 6pm and the patio was bumpin’ and inside was standing room solely, however our pal Matt scored us a entrance row seat for one of the intimate and superior music experiences. Musicians come from throughout (one band drove from Detroit by means of the night time and one other man flew in from Canada!) to audition day-of for his or her probability at one of many 20 spots on stage. We had been blown away by each act—be it a teenage lady with a giant set of pipes or the author for that “Evening Shift” music that’s all around the radio. When the present was over and the bar was closed, the inventive power was nonetheless flowing with musicians nonetheless jamming on the entrance porch. Get your self to Leiper’s Fork on a Thursday and keep the night time!

See more of Leiper’s Fork in our photo gallery.

Tennessee is world famous for its whiskey, but did you know that only three counties in the entire state could legally make the stuff until 2009?! Before prohibition, Tennessee had hundreds of distilleries, though even after the federally-enforced dry spell, the state’s laws remained tight and only two were allowed to reopen. That said, there will always be moonshine and the stills kept cooking in old barns and backrooms. Come the 21st century, lawyer and distiller, Heath Clark decided to take on these antiquated laws and fight for small-batch makers. After a long battle, he successfully rewrote Tennessee law and whiskey production has opened up across the state with over 60 distilleries bringing craft spirits back to the people! The Tennessee Whiskey Trail connects the dots between the distilleries, so we grabbed a passport and acquired stamped at two within the Franklin space. Beginning with Heath Clark’s very personal, Company Distilling. He partnered up with former Jack Daniel’s grasp distiller, Jeff Arnett, to make a few of the finest bourbon, whiskey, and gin round. Leiper’s Fork additionally has their very own incredible distillery. We rolled as much as their 200-year-old cabin-turned-tasting-room, and folks had been having a grand ole time taking part in cornhole on the garden and ingesting on the porch. On the Leiper’s Fork Distillery guided tour, we met “Ginger” their huge copper nonetheless, peered contained in the cypress-wood tanks, and sipped their double-gold-winning bourbons till we felt heat & fuzzy. Excited to see the place our passport takes us subsequent! See our Instagram gallery above for images from these glorious distillery excursions.

Natchez Hint Parkway & Timberland Park

Leaving Leiper’s Fork, it was properly well worth the detour to the hop on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a Nationwide Park-protected 444-mile byway following the historic footpath utilized by Native Individuals, European settlers, Mississippi River merchants, Civil Conflict troops, and future presidents. You’ll know the place know the place to show if you see the 1,572 ft-long double arch bridge hovering over the highway. We pulled over for Buddy the Camper to get his signature photograph opp in entrance of the nationwide park signal and realized you can hike to the bottom of the bridge and climb round this architectural marvel. Driving throughout, the views are fabulous of the plush Birdsong Hole and a mile later you’ll attain the pleasant Timberland Park. Enjoyable reality, this county park is the one one within the nation allowed to function on federal land. They proved their price and self-sufficiency by working completely off-grid, planting an Audubon-approved butterfly backyard, and providing guided walks and lessons for the neighborhood. We actually loved our hike alongside their forested trails and fascinated by the generations of people that walked these hills.
 

FirstBank Amphitheater

A completely sudden spotlight of our time in Franklin? Scoring live performance tickets at one of many coolest venues within the nation! As soon as a quarry, tall limestone partitions and 140 acres of forest encircle the model new FirstBank Amphitheater. To reclaim the rock-quarry-turned-trash-heap, they recycled and reused 900 tons of fabric and rebuilt to the very best requirements of sustainability. Plus, they’re dedicated to being zero-landfill with plastic-free concessions, the place every little thing is both recyclable or compostable. In lower than a 12 months of operation they’ve already gained the Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award! We’d have seen any live performance right here simply to expertise this candy new venue, however we had the nice fortune of catching the good Willie Nelson. Eighty-nine-years outdated and nonetheless rocking sturdy, the man is really residing legend. Singing alongside to On The Highway Once more…“Like a band of gypsies we go down the freeway. We’re one of the best of mates, insisting that the world hold turning our method…” we felt like he was singing only for us. Watch our TikTok video from the concert.

In every destination we partner with, we find ways to give back to the community that would also be fun for other travelers. The Giving Garden is simply that! We spent the morning among the many FFUMC’s 5 acres of fields, flower beds, and greenhouses, studying from their grasp gardeners and chatting with the locals as we boxed up freshly harvested produce for these in want. The farm produces 30,000 kilos of meals a 12 months and rescues 15,000 kilos extra from the farmers market to distribute wholesome meals to Center Tennessee’s underserved communities, plus flowers to the aged. Anybody can volunteer (their kids’s backyard is cute!) and you may simply present up any Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday from 8am-11am April-October. We had been so impressed by the work on the Giving Backyard that we donated $150 and determined to maintain the giving practice going with one other $150 donation to the Harpeth River Conservancy for preserving this ecosystem thriving for the flora, fauna, neighborhood, and guests like us.

A giant thanks to Visit Franklin for inviting us to their inspiring neighborhood and for supporting our content material creation.