The Ultimate Guide to Franklin, Tennessee

This is your complete travel guide for the perfect weekend getaway, girls trip, or day escape from Nashville. Just thirty minutes south of Nashville lies a town that feels like a Southern fairytale.

Picture live music spilling out of century-old buildings, and locals who greet you like you’ve been coming for years. Franklin, Tennessee isn’t just charming, it’s magnetic. It’s the kind of place where mornings start with buttery croissants, afternoons drift through art galleries and distilleries, and nights end with a cocktail under the glow of string lights.

Whether you’re here for a girls’ trip, a romantic weekend, or just a break from the city, Franklin strikes the perfect balance of small-town warmth and elevated Southern cool.

The only problem? You may be packing your bags for good, and looking to move here after your first visit. I know it has me thinking about it!

Getting to Franklin

Franklin is about a 30-minute drive south of Nashville, straight down I-65. If you’re flying in, Nashville International Airport (BNA) is your best entry point.

Prefer not to drive? Vonlane, a luxury motorcoach service, offers an elevated travel experience with spacious seating, onboard attendants, Wi-Fi, and quiet comfort. It runs routes into downtown Nashville from Atlanta. From Nashville you can hop in a rideshare straight to Franklin.

Where to Stay in Franklin

Dark Horse Estate

This isn’t your average stay, it’s a story you’ll tell forever. The legendary Dark Horse Recording Studios sit on 10 acres of rolling countryside, offering guests a front-row seat to music history.

Artists from Taylor Swift to Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Matchbox Twenty, and Dolly Parton have all recorded here. In fact, Taylor Swift recorded her first album here. You can stay in The Gatehouse, The Bunkhouse, or the 14,000-square-foot Manor, each designed with rustic luxury and creative soul.

The estate is still a working recording studio, so expect to cross paths with real musicians and maybe even catch a session. It’s part retreat, part behind-the-scenes look at the heartbeat of Tennessee’s music scene.

Guests who stay here can request a tour of the on-site studios – a highlight of my trip. Studio manager Austin walked me through rooms filled with everything from recording equipment to gold records lining the walls.

Taylor Swift Tidbit: There’s a tree-lined winding road that leads up to the estate, and locals say Taylor Swift referenced it in a recent lyric from Father Figure about a “winding road leads to the chateau.” Whether or not that’s true, driving that secluded lane under the Tennessee moonlight definitely felt like entering my own little chateau of music magic.

By the end of my stay, I understood why artists come here to get away. Dark Horse subtly radiates a feeling that anything can happen amid its quiet, creative grace

The Harpeth Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

If you want to be in the center of it all, The Harpeth sits right in downtown Franklin. It’s modern yet cozy, with refined Southern style and an unbeatable location. The on-site restaurant, 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails, is a destination in itself, offering steaks, seasonal plates, and an incredible carrot cake you shouldn’t skip. Their whiskey program is one of the best in town, with a daily tasting in the library for guests.

Franklin Marriott Cool Springs

I also stayed at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, and it’s ideal if you want comfort, amenities, and easy parking. It’s connected to the Cool Springs Conference Center and close to shopping and dining at McEwen Northside. It’s not boutique, but it’s polished, efficient, and perfectly located for splitting your time between downtown Franklin, The Factory, and Leiper’s Fork.

Where to Eat & Drink

One thing I learned quickly: Franklin knows how to eat! From upscale Southern cuisine to down-home country diners and artisanal bakeries, this town’s food scene had me planning my days around meals. Here are the spots that made my taste buds happiest:

Morning Coffee & Breakfast

Perenn Bakery (Main Street)

A must-stop. You’ll feel like you've been dropped straight into the center of Paris. Order the marzipan latte, a kouign-amann (mine was filled with pumpkin cream), or the cinnamon bun croissant. It’s bright, airy, and the kind of spot you linger longer than planned.

Puckett’s Restaurant (4th Avenue South)

You can’t explore Franklin’s food scene without a meal at Puckett’s.

This place is a Tennessee institution. It was originally a small grocery in the 1950s, but now Puckett’s in downtown Franklin is now a popular country restaurant that serves up hearty Southern staples. Think meat-and-three platters, fried pickles, and a classic Southern breakfast like biscuits and gravy. It’s hearty, local, and always packed with regulars.

Honest Coffee Roasters (The Factory)

Locally roasted, beautifully made coffee in a buzzing creative space. Great for working, people-watching, or grabbing a cup before exploring The Factory.

Five Daughters Bakery (The Factory)

Home of the famous 100-layer doughnut. Arrive early, they sell out fast.

Lunch Favorites

Gray’s On Main (Main Street)

Set in a restored pharmacy, Gray’s serves Southern classics with a modern twist. Try the pimento cheese balls, fried green tomatoes, or the shrimp and grits.

Mojo’s Tacos (The Factory)

Casual, local, and fresh. Their hot chicken taco and street corn are must-orders.

Sojourner at Southall (Just outside town)

This is more than lunch—it’s an experience. Located on the 325-acre Southall Farm & Inn,

Sojourner is rooted in a “seed-to-table” philosophy. Nearly everything on your plate was grown, foraged, or raised on the property. Sit under soaring beams with sunlight streaming in, and order the smoked trout dip or Bear Creek Farm burger— one of the best burgers I’ve had anywhere. With the fresh produce, the BLT was also one of my favorites, using juicy yellow heirloom tomatoes. For dinner, expect dishes like heritage pork chops, seasonal salads, and an unforgettable cobbler made with honey from Southall’s own hives.

After your meal, explore the property’s walking trails. If you’re staying on property, visit the spa with its mineral pool and saunas, or just sit by the fire pits overlooking the hills. Southall is gated, so reservations are required, plan to spend a few hours soaking it all in.

Dinner & Drinks 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails (at The Harpeth Hotel)

Refined but warm, with some of the best service in town. Their carrot cake is legendary, and the whiskey list could rival any major city bar.

Fox & Locke (Leiper’s Fork)

This was hands down my favorite experience in Franklin. Fox & Locke is part restaurant, part live music institution. Their Thursday open mic night is famous—Grammy winners and label scouts have both been spotted in the crowd. Order the barbecue, fried pickles, and a Tennessee whiskey.

Book ahead for a table (they book up to 3 weeks in advance) and if you don’t you can buy a standing room ticket, but standing room fills fast too!

Culinary Dropout (Cool Springs)

Casual and playful with craft cocktails, shareable plates, and live music. Perfect for a girls’ dinner or post-spa night meal.

Amendment 18 Cocktail Club (Main Street)

Franklin’s hidden speakeasy. This had one of the coolest entrances of any speakeasy I’ve been to. Enter through the alley behind Mellow Mushroom, flip the giant metal switch in the light box, and a green light will switch on. You’ll be welcomed into a dimly lit space with an amazing atmosphere, vintage glassware, and serious cocktails.

Stable Reserve (Main Street)

Coffee by day, distillery and cocktail bar by night. The atmosphere is laid-back and upscale—great for afternoon drinks or nightcaps.

The Tornado Room (Leiper’s Fork)

This was another top experience in Franklin, and you can’t miss it on your visit. A prohibition-style bar beneath the Country Boy Café (across from Fox & Locke). Leather chairs, dim lights, and the kind of cocktails that make you forget what time it is.

Leiper’s Fork Distillery

A must-stop for whiskey lovers, Leiper’s Fork Distillery crafts small-batch bourbon the old-fashioned way. The tour walks you through every step, from mash to barrel, and ends with a tasting in their rustic barn-style room surrounded by oak and history. The staff’s passion makes the experience feel less like a distillery tour and more like a storytelling session over a few perfect pours.

Crown Winery:

Right in the heart of Leiper’s Fork, Crown Winery sits on the banks of Leiper’s Creek. You can sip local Tennessee wines with your feet practically in the water, surrounded by trees and live acoustic music. It’s laid-back, scenic, and the kind of place you’ll want to linger. On summer nights, their “Dinners in the Creek” set communal tables right in the stream!

O’ Be Joyful (Main Street)

A whiskey bar with 200+ selections, cozy booths, and clever Franklin-inspired cocktails.

Experiences And Tours in Franklin

The Factory

The Factory at Franklin Built in 1929 as a stove manufacturing plant, The Factory is now a vibrant hub for art, food, and community. Its industrial bones have been reimagined into one of Franklin’s most creative spaces.

You’ll find everything from Five Daughters Bakery and Mojo’s Tacos to Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, GREY’s Fine Cheese, and Honest Coffee Roasters. Don’t miss the Skylight Bar in the new Grand Hall or Studio Tenn’s Turner Theatre for live performances.

Outside, check out the Carousel of Dreams, the first hand-carved carousel by a single artist in over a century, made by local craftsman Ken Means.

The Farmer’s Market

On Saturdays, the Franklin Farmers Market sets up behind The Factory with nearly 100 local vendors. It’s one of the best farmers markets in Tennessee and runs year-round from 8 a.m. to noon.

Franklin on Foot Ghost Tour

Franklin’s past isn’t just history, it’s alive (or dead?) in its streets. The Franklin on Foot Ghost Tour walks you to old homes, Civil War-era buildings, and hidden alleyways while guides mix facts about the city with some ghoulish folklore. It’s eerie in the best way and gives you a deeper appreciation for the town’s history in a unique way.

Pedego Electric Bike Tours

If you’d rather see Franklin in daylight, Pedego Electric Bikes offers guided and self-guided rides that make exploring effortless. I did the Fun Franklin History Tour, which glides through the 16-block historic district.

Other options include a Leiper’s Fork Ride—28 miles of rolling countryside with stops for coffee and photos—or a Natchez Trace Ride if you’re craving open-road views.

The electric assist means anyone can keep up, and it’s the best way to experience Franklin’s scenic charm without breaking a sweat.

Shopping

Every store has a story, and every owner seems to have deep ties to Tennessee’s creative community.

White’s Mercantile

Owned by Holly Williams, Hank Williams Jr.’s daughter. This “modern general store” perfectly blends heritage and style. Think candles, denim, and home goods with a distinctly Southern twist. You’ll find everything from curated fashion to pantry staples, all sourced with care and a touch of nostalgia.

Tennessee Turquoise Company

Created and curated by Morgane Stapleton, wife of country star Chris Stapleton, this Leiper’s Fork boutique celebrates craftsmanship and Americana style.

The shop features turquoise jewelry, leather accessories, art, and curated vintage finds that reflect Morgane’s effortlessly cool aesthetic. It’s a tiny little shop that only allows 4 shoppers at a time. Definitely worth stopping by, as I can guarantee you have never seen a shop that looks like this.

Creekside Trading Co.

A must-stop for Southern home décor, gifts, and locally made goods. It feels like a love letter to Tennessee craftsmanship, rustic, warm, and beautifully curated.

David Arms Market & Goods

Just next to his gallery, this cozy retail space offers handpicked items that mirror Arms’ art, soulful, simple, and rooted in meaning.

unique Coffee StopS

Between shopping and gallery hopping, grab a cup from one of Leiper’s Fork’s beloved coffee stands.

The RedByrd Coffee Shop

This bright red trailer is impossible to miss — a cheerful landmark where locals swap stories over pour-overs at picnic tables under the trees. It’s as authentically Leiper’s Fork as it gets: creative, unpretentious, and full of heart.

Fun fact: The RedByrd sits near what was once the edge of the original United States, right along the historic boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. So when you’re sipping that latte, you’re technically drinking coffee at the edge of early America — the kind of trivia your middle school history teacher would love.

Steel Pony Coffee

This coffee cart is equally as cute as the RedByrd. Expect friendly faces, great coffee, and that irresistible smell of freshly roasted beans drifting across the village.

The Art & Gallery Scene

Franklin and Leiper’s Fork together form one of the South’s most authentic creative communities. Art here isn’t behind velvet ropes, it’s part of everyday life. Step into almost any gallery and you’ll likely be greeted by the artist, not a salesperson. Conversations turn into stories, and every painting or sculpture seems to carry a bit of Tennessee soul.

Gallery 202 — Franklin

Set inside historic Clouston Hall (built 1821), Gallery 202 feels like a time capsule of art and history layered together. Owner-artist Kelly Harwood has curated the space into one of Middle Tennessee’s most beloved fine-art destinations, featuring regional artists across painting, sculpture, pottery, and glass.

The house itself once served as a Civil War hospital, and it still hums with that energy, enough that it’s actually a stop on Franklin’s ghost tour. If you’re lucky, you might catch Kelly working on a canvas in the back studio while you browse.

Copper Fox Gallery — Leiper’s Fork

Housed in a beautifully restored 1860s home, Copper Fox showcases the work of Southern artisans who blend tradition with modern craft. Expect hand-turned wood bowls, locally forged metalwork, pottery, and textiles that feel as soulful as they are refined.

It’s the kind of gallery where you’ll leave with something you’ll treasure for life. The owners curate the space with a strong sense of hospitality. I left with a handmade trinket box as a Christmas gift.

Leiper’s Creek Gallery

Once a gas station, now a fine-art landmark, Leiper’s Creek Gallery highlights celebrated painters and sculptors from across the Southeast. Behind it, the LawnChair Theatre hosts free outdoor movie nights and community performances that keep the village spirit alive. Even Willie Nelson has performed there.

David Arms Gallery

Inside a restored barn, David Arms Gallery is both peaceful and powerful. His work, steeped in nature and spirituality, feels right at home among the rolling Tennessee hills.

Patina Home & Garden

Owned by designers Brooke and Steve Giannetti, Patina is part shop, part gallery, and part gathering place. Its “pickin’ corner” invites visitors to grab a guitar and play, and yes, locals often join in.

Other Things to Know

The creative energy around Franklin and Leiper’s Fork is deeply communal. Locals call it “porch culture”, where art, music, and conversation flow as naturally as sweet tea. In these spaces, you don’t just see beauty; you feel connected to it.

TTG Expert Tip

Franklin isn’t a place you rush, it’s a place you feel. The town’s mix of music, history, and hospitality is unmatched. Give yourself at least a weekend to take it in: a bike ride through its neighborhoods, a cocktail at a hidden speakeasy, and a sunset walk through Leiper’s Fork. Some trips are about seeing new places. Franklin is about remembering what it feels like to slow down.

This post was created in partnership with Visit Franklin. As always, all thoughts, experiences, and opinions are entirely my own.