Located south of Nashville, Franklin offers a rich history with Civil War battles and a charming Main Street. Plus, this city has a vibrant food and wine scene!
The largest employer is CoolSprings Galleria, but other companies include Nissan and several healthcare businesses. The area is also a popular retirement community.
Downtown Franklin
Franklin TN is a city of contrasts, with quaint and charming historic locations and downtown districts filled with antique shops, art galleries and top-notch restaurants. It’s also a city on the cutting edge, with major health care companies and an innovative tech scene.
Downtown Franklin is listed as a Great American Main Street, and it’s easy to see why. It’s lined with trendy boutique stores selling vintage fashion, home goods and independent art, all housed in charming historic buildings dating back as far as 1799.
Stop by Gray’s on Main, a former pharmacy turned restaurant that serves up fried pimento cheese balls and cocktails made with chai bitters and apricot brandy. Or, head to the Franklin Theatre, a local landmark that’s been hosting live performances since 1937. They have a stellar lineup of music, theater and comedy shows and even screen old-school movies.
Franklin Farms Park
In this new Franklin TN neighborhood, narrow roads on rolling hills and small footprint homes frame park-like squares where front doors face each other, reminiscent of Lowcountry neighborhoods of Savannah. The quaint setting is popular with families and those seeking a slower, more mindful way of living.
Take a self-guided tour or visit during one of the community’s annual festivals and events. Make sure to snap a picture at the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge, where you’ll find breathtaking overlooks and historic sites.
Music is a big part of the culture in Franklin. Local spots like Kimbro’s and Gray’s on Main attract up-and-coming singer-songwriters and major artists. The area also hosts major live music festivals, including Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in September. At Leiper’s Fork Distillery, learn about whiskey production and take a tour. Then sample a few bottles to bring home with you!
Williamson County Museum
The Williamson County Museum curates a comprehensive, permanent collection of objects that explore the people and events that shaped Williamson County history. The Museum is open to the public and offers tours daily.
Franklin is a place of modern conveniences and old-fashioned charm, where transformative music experiences converge with intimate writers rounds; where world-class art hangs alongside restaurants that serve BBQ on paper plates; and where a vibrant community spirit is evident at signature festivals and in the 16-block historic district. It’s also where local distilleries are redefining Tennessee whiskey, and where celebrities like Miley Cyrus make their home.
Get to know the city’s history through its landmarks and attractions. Tour the Carter House and Carnton Plantation to learn about the Battle of Franklin; at the Lotz House, witness bullet holes from the 1864 fight; or visit Public Square, where an exhibit traces the “Fuller Story” of Middle Tennessee’s black heritage. Other must-visit spots include Puckett’s Grocery (which has a small stage upstairs for regular live performances) and GRAY’s on Main, which serves delicious dishes and hosts a wide range of performers.
Franklin Farms Winery
As soon as summer ends and the leaves start changing color, Southerners begin planning road trips. Whether they want to go antiquing in a quaint town or leaf-peeping on a nature hike, a weekend in Franklin is the perfect escape.
The town may be small, but it has built a big reputation, with various media outlets calling it the “prettiest,” “friendliest,” and “nicest place in the South.” And for good reason. The historic main street is dotted with creaky wood floors and charming boutiques, from White’s Mercantile (the Nashville outpost) to Backroads Revival, where you can find rustic furniture and vintage home goods (like apothecary cabinets).
The town also has an abundance of natural beauty. At Southall Farm & Inn, 325 acres of lush greenery encase a luxury resort, complete with an inn with 62 rooms and suites and 16 cottages, a spa, two pools, and signature restaurants, plus a biodynamic working farm with orchards, greenhouses, fishing spots, and hiking trails.