The Perfect Weekend Getaway in Franklin, Tennessee

Welcome to Franklin! As a nearly-lifelong resident who calls Franklin my home, I am so proud to share our little piece of Southern paradise with visitors. From historic sites to outdoor activities to arts and crafts, there is always something interesting and fun to visit in Franklin. Whether you're a first-time visitor or considering calling Franklin home permanently, here is my guide to a perfect long weekend in Franklin that covers all my favorite restaurants and must-do activities. Grab you a glass of ice cold sweet tea, and come visit with us a spell!

Stay

Franklin and the surrounding areas offer a variety of hotels, inns, and sort-term rentals to fit any budget. Whether you prefer to be right in the middle of the action, or close to shopping and restaurants, here are some of my favorite Franklin stays.

$$$: The Harpeth Franklin Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Harpeth Franklin Downtown will put you right in the center of all the Franklin action. It is within walking distance to main cultural sites and attractions, as well as at least a dozen fantastic, local restaurants. With both a coffee cafe, and an onsite restaurant and cocktail lounge, this hotel is a great choice for those looking for a premium Franklin experience.

• The Harpeth Franklin Downtown - 130 2nd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064

$$: Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast

If a quiet and intimate stay that is quintessentially Franklin is more your speed, consider the Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast. Centrally located near our historic downtown, this stay is perfect for history buffs because it places you directly on the historic Franklin battlefield. A Southern-style breakfast is included in each stay, and each room has its own dedicated bathroom.

• Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast - 1317 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064

$: Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Franklin

For budget-friendly or family-friendly stays, I recommend the Drury Plaza Hotel. Located just off of I-65, this hotel is convenient for travelers and features free hot breakfasts and evening snacks, plus a 24-hour fitness center and indoor/outdoor pool. Rooms are clean and well-appointed, and this hotel is just a short drive from all of Franklin's sights and sounds, including Cool Springs and the local mall.

• Drury Plaza Hotel - 1874 W. McEwen Dr, Franklin, TN 37067

Friday

To make the most of a long weekend in Franklin, plan to fly in to BNA on Thursday afternoon or evening and get a head start on Friday's activities. My recommended itinerary for Friday is jam-packed with downtown shopping, historic sites, and live music.

Morning: Brunch at Merridee's Breadbasket and Shopping Downtown

For breakfast or brunch, you can't miss Merridee's Breadbasket Bakery and Restaurant. This Franklin staple began in 1981 when Merridee Erickson McCray began selling her fresh-baked goods from a log cabin in nearby Fairview, Tennessee. She opened her restaurant in downtown Franklin in 1984, and Franklinites have been enjoying this convenient location ever since. The Viking breakfast sandwich is my favorite, with a homemade biscuit and jam or a side of hashbrown casserole. Try the fruit tea!

• Merridee's Breadbasket Bakery and Restaurant - 110 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064

After sampling the baked-fresh-daily delights at Merridee's, enjoy a morning of window shopping or an all-out shopping spree through Franklin's downtown. With dozens of local shops featuring everything from boutique clothing to popcorn to antiques, you never know what kind of treasures you will find.

• Shopping Experiences in Franklin, Tennessee

Afternoon: Lunch at Puckett's Restaurant and Battle of Franklin Sites

Once you have shopped 'til you drop, head over to Puckett's Restaurant for some delicious down-home cooking. Beginning as a community grocery store in the Franklin hamlet of Leiper's Fork, Puckett's now has several locations all over the state. While the meat and three lunch special has kept many a Franklin native fueled from afternoon to evening, don't sleep on the Vegetarian Portabella Burger! It's my favorite, and it's delicious for a lunch on the lighter side.

• Puckett's Restaurant - 120 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064

Now that you're rested and ready to explore some more of Franklin, consider an afternoon of brushing up on your Civil War lore. The Battle of Franklin, fought November 30, 1864, was one of the Civil War's deadliest battles. A Union victory, it resulted in over 10,000 killed or wounded, and decimated the Confederacy's Army of Tennessee as they failed to prevent Union's advancement on Nashville. 150 years later, historians continue to study and interpret the event, and visitors from all over the world come to Franklin to learn about this fascinating but bloody period of history.

There are three historic homes that are open to visitors as Civil War sites in Franklin–Carter House, the Lotz House, and Carnton. Each tells the story of the Battle of Franklin through the eyes of one family and the people in their orbit, including neighbors, enslaved people, and generals, soldiers, and politicians. If you have time for only one home, I recommend Carnton. The tour of the home and grounds is extensive, and there is a Civil War cemetery on site with a fascinating story. If you visit Carter House, be sure to check our the 20 acre Carter Gin Site and Park directly across from the home.

Aside from these historic properties, be sure to explore downtown Franklin's square, where you can read contemporary interpretations of Franklin's 1899 Confederate monument, visit the March to Freedom Statue, and take in the Williamson County Courthouse, which was built in 1858. Just short drives away, explore portions of the battlefield at Winstead Hill, an easy-to-medium hike to the site of Fort Granger (dependant on weather conditions), or the expansive Eastern Flank Battlefield Park. Each site contains interpretive signs to help you understand the area, and you can access the City of Franklin's Historic Parks Audio Tour here.

• Carter House - 1140 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064
• Lotz House Museum - 1111 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064
• Carnton - 1345 Eastern Flank Cir, Franklin, TN 37064
• Winstead Hill - 4023 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064
• Fort Granger - enter from 113 Fort Granger Dr or 405 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
• Eastern Flank Battlefield Park - 1368 Eastern Flank Cir, Franklin, TN 37064

Evening: Dinner at Zolos Italian Restaurant and a Show at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor

From all of this walking, you've probably worked up an appetite! On Friday nights, I recommend live music at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor, where you can catch the Henry Cruz Band or one of our other incredible local talents. Kimbro's does serve delicious burgers, pizza, nachos, and other bar food, but if you're looking for something a little different, try Zolo's, just a short walk away, before you sample the local music scene. Kimbro's always has a great local beer or two on draft, so branch out, try something new, and let your hair down!

• Zolo's Italian Restaurant - 119 5th Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
• The Legendary Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor - 214 S Margin St, Franklin, TN 37064

Saturday

Saturday is all about taking it easy, kicking back, and having fun. You'll start your morning slow over a cup of coffee and crepes and exploring local goods at our Franklin Farmers Market. Then, you'll choose your own adventure with either a creative or athletic pursuit. Finally, you'll get a few more steps in with a thrilling "must-do" Franklin ghost tour to explore the spooky history of our community.

Morning: Breakfast at the Coffee House at Second and Bridge and Shop the Franklin Farmers Market

Start your Saturday morning right with a light breakfast at the Coffee House at Second and Bridge. The sweet and savory crepes are absolutely delivious. My favorite is the strawberry & Nutella! Just a short drive or medium walk from breakfast is the Factory at Franklin, a shopping center set in a historic building. Outside on the grounds is where you'll find the Saturday Franklin Farmers Market, an opportunity to grab any local produce or other goods that catch your eye. Check out the inside of the Factory, too, for further shopping opportunities!

• The Coffee House at Second and Bridge - 144 2nd Ave N, Franklin, TN 37064
• Franklin Farmers Market - 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

Afternoon: Lunch at Hattie B's and Paint Pottery at Third Coast Clay OR Lunch at Ice Point Cafe and Enjoy Some Bowling at Franklin Family Entertainment Center

On Saturday afternoon, choose your own adventure! Remain at the Factory for a hot chicken lunch at Hattie B's, a Nashville favorite. Then spend a relaxed afternoon selecting and painting your own pottery at Third Coast Clay, also located in the Factory.

If something more adventurous and active is your style, drive a short distance for lunch at Ice Point Cafe, a hidden gem. Try a sushi burrito or the delicious bulgogi fries. Don't forget to add a bubble tea! The cashiers will be glad to make recommendations if menu items seem unfamiliar to you. Then follow up with bowling at nearby Franklin Family Entertainment Center, which has served as the place for Franklin fun for decades!

• Hattie B's Hot Chicken - 230 Franklin Rd #14b, Franklin, TN 37064
• Third Coast Clay - 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
• Ice Point Cafe - 1113 Murfreesboro Rd #115, Franklin, TN 37064
• Franklin Family Entertainment Center - 1200 Lakeview Dr, Franklin, TN 37067

Evening: Dinner at Mojo's Tacos and Enjoy a Ghost Tour with Franklin Walking Tours

Return to the Factory for dinner at Mojo's Tacos. The Fried Avocado taco is my favorite, but you can't go wrong here! Then walk or drive to the meeting location for your Franklin ghost tour. Whether or not Franklin's older residents are still haunting our town is up to you to decide, but the tour is fun and fascinating regardless.

Mojo's Tacos - 230 Franklin Rd #11Y, Franklin, TN 37064

Franklin Walking Tours - 114 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064

Sunday

On Sunday, kick it back a notch and spend a peaceful day in the Franklin hamlet of Leiper's Fork. Located along the Natchez Trace, which was an important travel route for Indigenous people and early settlers, Leiper's Fork was established in 1818. This small community has a charming and historic feel, and you will love exploring this area on your last day in Franklin.

Morning: Coffee at The RedByrd Coffee Shop and Drive or Hike the Natchez Trace

Coffee and a pastry at The RedByrd following your beautiful drive to Leiper's Fork is the perfect way to kick off your morning. Enjoy meeting the locals in the outdoor seating area, and remember it's normal to be greeted with a friendly wave and a "where are y'all from?" After enjoying a slow and relaxed start to the day, meander onto the Natchez Trace itself and enjoy nature walks and heights of varying lengths. Any of the roadside rest areas have informative maps of the Trace available so that you can plan your stops, but some of my favorites are Birdsong Hollow, Timberland Park, and Garrison Creek.

• The RedByrd Coffee Shop - 4348 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

• Natchez Trace Parkway

Afternoon: Lunch at The Country Boy and Tour Leiper's Fork Distillery

For lunch, head back to Leiper's Fork for a Southern fried bologna sandwich at The Country Boy Restaurant. Check out the shopping in Leiper's Fork, or visit Leiper's Fork Distillery for a tour and whiskey tastings. Whiskey production has a long and storied history in Williamson County, so it's neat to see it revived through places like this one.

• The Country Boy Restaurant - 4141 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
• Leiper's Fork Distillery - 3381 Southall Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

Evening: Dinner at January at Southall Farm & Inn

For your last evening in Franklin, I suggest dinner reservations at January, Southall Farm & Inn's flagship restaurant. This farm-to-table restaurant offers a premier dining experience. Purchase a day pass to enjoy a pre-dinner spa experience, a dip in the pool, or a tour of the grounds.

• January - 2200 Osage Loop , Franklin, TN 37064
• Southall Farm & Inn - 2200 Osage Loop , Franklin, TN 37064

Thank you for visiting us in Franklin, Tennessee! We hope you enjoyed your stay!