What do Miley Cyrus, Brad Paisley, Religion Hill, Tim McGraw, Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Keith City, Carrie Underwood, and Dolly Parton have in frequent? Aside from the plain musical expertise and superstardom, you may guess all of them stay in Nashville – a minimum of a part of the time.
However you’d be a number of miles off from the reported house of those and plenty of different nation music superstars. They really discover themselves — now or a minimum of just lately — dwelling in and round Williamson County, simply south of Nashville.
From Franklin to Brentwood and Leipers Fork, the smaller cities with quaint Hallmark-esque downtowns and stay music on each nook have lengthy been a slight respite for the celebrities and musicians of Nashville. And guests are following swimsuit. Whereas Nashville is a vigorous and more and more city metropolis with a honky-tonk edge, Franklin and its neighbors are eclectic, pleasant, luxurious, and positively value a go to.
I spent a protracted weekend just lately primarily based in Franklin – simply over 20 miles from Nashville – and listed below are my suggestions.
WHERE TO STAY:
The Harpeth Resort
When visiting Franklin, there isn’t a higher place to remain than The Harpeth Resort. Located only a block off Predominant Road and inside strolling distance of almost every thing on the town, it’s a gem within the coronary heart of the town. From check-in to check-out, I used to be blown away by the extent of service from everybody at The Harpeth. My room was trendy and clear, with a big, lovely balcony overlooking the town.
The resort bar at The Harpeth was vigorous every evening, with a number of areas to get pleasure from a cocktail, and the courtyard was distinctive and delightful – the proper spot for occasions or catching up with pals. I particularly liked the library room off the bar, the place I loved a nightcap and native tomes. The intentionality is obvious on this house, with native touches and nods to historical past.
The Harpeth boasts 119 pet-friendly visitor rooms and suites luxuriously appointed with Frette robes, slippers, versatile workspaces, and turndown service. Make sure you style some whiskey throughout your keep – the resort has over 110 small-batch choices.
WHERE TO EAT:
1799 Kitchen and Cocktails
The on-site positive eating restaurant on the Harpeth Resort, 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails, was a stunning favourite of mine throughout this journey. It was far more an area hang-out than a resort foyer restaurant; the vibes had been darkish and moody, with intentional touches. I sat at a semi-private desk with curtains that may very well be drawn to benefit from the completely ready Bison Strip Steak. The eating room is designed circularly to evoke a whiskey barrel, with a carpet that mirrors a rock glass. The restaurant is understood for its in depth whiskey listing, providing over 110 small-batch and single-barrel spirits from all around the world.
McGavock’s Espresso Bar & Provisions
I began every morning in Franklin at McGavock’s Espresso & Provisions, a smooth espresso store and restaurant in The Harpeth downtown. The vibe was all the time electrical, with a full home of primarily locals (the most important inexperienced flag in a espresso home) having fun with espresso with pals or working within the brilliant house. The lavender honey latte was excellent, the employees was the form of Southern pleasant that brings a smile to even essentially the most curmudgeonly patron’s face, and the avocado toast was in some way totally different than any I’ve had prior.
Grays On Predominant
A staple in downtown Franklin since 2013, Grey’s On Predominant serves elevated Southern fare in a historic constructing that housed Grey Drug Co. for almost a century. The second-floor bar and music corridor is a well-liked spot for stay music and a bar celebrating Tennessee brandy tradition with epicurean cocktails. I absolutely leaned into the Southern hospitality throughout my late dinner go to, beginning with Crispy Pimento Cheese with Moonshine Pepper Jelly and adopted by Heritage Buttermilk Fried Hen with garlic mashed potatoes, inexperienced beans, and a bourbon mustard pan sauce that was to die for.
Puckett’s Restaurant
It wouldn’t be a go to to the Nashville space with no cease for a meal at Puckett’s. What began as a grocery in close by Leiper’s Fork within the Nineteen Fifties has developed all year long to a thriving Southern restaurant and stay music venue with six places. Recognized for Southern staples just like the meat and three, Puckett’s brings the ambiance and Southern appeal to any meal. I ended by the Franklin location, simply off Predominant St., for breakfast on the bar, filling up on Bubba’s Egg Benedict, a cut up biscuit topped with bacon or sausage, two fried eggs, and white pepper gravy on a mattress of house fries.
WHERE TO DRINK:
Arrington Vineyards
Guests could also be shocked that Nashville has a “wine nation,” however in accordance with the large reputation of Arrington Vineyards simply exterior city, not solely does it exist – it’s thriving. The winery, which opened in 2007, is partially owned by Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn (you’ll rapidly discover that many institutions within the Franklin space are owned a minimum of partially by well-known musicians) and is all the time stuffed with locals and guests alike. The 95-acre property (together with 16 acres of vineyards) is bucolic, with rolling hills, a grand barn, a pavilion, and picnic tables. Friends can herald a picnic and spend a day having fun with the wines, views, and infrequently stay music on the premises.
I purchased myself a bottle of rose on this journey, having fun with the peaceable weekday vibes earlier than Ubering again to Franklin.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery
In case you go to Tennessee however don’t go to a distillery, had been you actually even there? It’s a query for the ages and one I, fortuitously, won’t ever know the reply to. When within the Nashville or Franklin areas, there may be one distillery that may be a must-visit: Leiper’s Fork Distillery. The distillery is understood for producing high-quality, small-batch whiskies utilizing age-old traditions and native substances. I loved a whiskey cocktail within the ample out of doors house the place there may be usually stay music.
Subsequent time, I’ll go for the tour. I like to recommend you do the identical.
Steady Reserve
After I walked into Steady Reserve, the smooth espresso store/distillery on Predominant Road in downtown Franklin, properly earlier than midday and requested if it was “too early for a tasting,” I used to be met with variety Southern laughter and a refrain of “after all not” that offered me on the place earlier than taking a sip. Fortunately, the drinks had been additionally spectacular. The native family-owned and operated distillery, set in an unique livery secure, just lately opened however feels prefer it’s been there for years. The gang was vigorous, the employees was attentive and pleasant, and the spirits had been clean.
I particularly liked the Steady Reserve Gin and Steady Reserve Espresso Cream Liqueur.
Wines In The Fork
Whereas exploring the humanities neighborhood of Leiper’s Fork, I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out Wines In The Fork, a country tasting room on Leiper’s Creek. An outpost of Farmstead Roots, an area, sustainable farm, award-winning wine producer, and market, the Leiper’s Fork location is chock stuffed with appeal – and scrumptious wine. I opted for a tasting within the tasting room (though creekside wine tastings can be found, together with the enormously standard Creek Dinner Sequence in the summertime) and was impressed with every wine I tasted.
I particularly loved the Farmstead Glowing and Farmstead Honeysuckle Vine.
Modification 18 Cocktail Membership
I used to be visiting Franklin through the comfortable opening of Modification 18 Cocktail Membership, a cocktail bar and speakeasy situated downtown – so, after all, I needed to test it out. Guests enter the bar by means of the again entrance of a pizza place, flipping a hidden mild swap to alert the hostesses of their arrival. The decor was excellent for the prohibition-era vibes, the drink was tasty, and the service was top-notch – even on its first evening.
I’ll have an interest to go to once more as soon as phrase has gotten out.
WHERE TO EXPLORE AND SEE LIVE MUSIC:
Downtown Franklin
Predominant Road in downtown Franklin is not only quaint and charming but in addition bustling. The road, designated as a “Nice American Predominant Road” and listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, was full of individuals every time I ventured out. With almost all retailers independently owned and operated, with each kind of buyer discovering one thing for them, it’s a place the place you can spend a whole day. I like to recommend stopping at The Inexperienced Room for earth-friendly and sustainable items, Citizen for high-end sneakers and elevated clothes, and Rooted from Yarrow Acres – the plant store of my goals – earlier than grabbing an espresso martini at Steady Reserve.
Leipers Fork
The village of Leiper’s Fork has a inhabitants of simply 650 individuals, however its affect on music is of legends. With loads of artists getting their begin at open mic nights within the metropolis, recording studios dotting the panorama, and the well-known Lawnchair Theater – it’s an surprising cultural hub. Go to the upscale artwork galleries, retailers, eating places, and vineyard on the creek – and preserve your eyes peeled for the nation music stars who name this tiny city house.
Fox and Locke
The unique Puckett’s Grocery in Leipers Fork is the situation of the legendary Fox and Locke restaurant and music venue. The enormously standard spot for locals and guests alike, it’s recognized for its Southern consolation meals, stay music, and open-mic nights. Many profitable artists will hop on the stage at Fox and Locke, together with Religion Hill, Tim McGraw, and Carrie Underwood – who shocked patrons with an unscheduled efficiency throughout a go to.
The Manufacturing unit
Situated in a former range manufacturing unit, The Manufacturing unit at Franklin has been renovated and reimagined to deal with a number of eating places, retailers, bars, a theater, occasion house, and artwork galleries. The one-stop store is a superb place to strive one thing new and native throughout your journey to Franklin.
