Virtual Vacation: Travel to Franklin, TN

When you think of a quintessential Southern town, Franklin, TN, comes to mind. With a bustling Main Street lined with family-owned businesses, downtown Franklin is the perfect place to wander. There’s much more to this wonderful destination, though. Enjoy a stunning drive out to Leiper’s Fork, or embark on a journey along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Take a virtual tour of some of the most popular spots in and around Franklin — get started with this short video.

Take a Virtual Tour of Franklin, TN

Main Street

In the heart of the town, you’ll find Franklin’s Main Street, a beautiful 16-block historic district, which has been named a Great American Main Street and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street in Franklin brings a mix of historic beauty and sophistication, offering antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, a historic bookstore, restaurants, an upscale hotel, and the town’s beloved historic Franklin Theatre. Visitors find Southern hospitality at every turn, and can enjoy annual street festivals downtown throughout the year.

Main Street that runs through the heart of downtown Franklin is a registered ‘Great American Main Street’ and is home to hundreds of shops, restaurants, and music venues. Image: Visit Franklin

The Factory at Franklin

230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064 • (615) 791-1777

Built circa 1929, the historic Factory at Franklin is a complex of 11 depression-era factory buildings that have been renovated into one of Tennessee’s mot unique shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Restaurants, antique shops, art galleries, one-of-a-kind retail stores, working artisans, and farmers markets call the Factory home.

The Factory at Franklin spent nearly 100 years as a stove factory before being renovated into an industrial designed center for local shops, restaurants, businesses, and performance venues. Image: Visit Franklin

Leiper’s Fork

This come-as-you-are treasure of Williamson County is a homegrown mix of picturesque surroundings, culture and Southern fare. Leiper’s Fork is a charming village, just 10 minutes from downtown Franklin, offering a unique offering of experiences in a quaint little town. If you visit for the day, don’t miss a tour and tasting at Leiper’s Fork Distillery, a visit to their local art galleries, and an authentic laid-back Southern meal at The Country Boy or the original Puckett’s of Leiper’s Fork.

The village of Leiper’s Fork sits just minutes outside downtown Franklin, Tennessee and is home to eclectic shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Image: Visit Franklin

Arrington Vineyards

6211 Patton Road, Arrington, TN 37014 • (615) 395-0102

Just outside of Franklin, you’ll find a wine country experience at Arrington Vineyards, complete with award-winning wines, wine tastings in the rustic tasting lodge, and free live music on the weekends- all set among the beautiful rolling countryside of Williamson County. Owned by country music artist Kix Brooks, winemaker Kip Summers and entrepreneur John Russell, Arrington Vineyards has indeed become Franklin’s wine country. Visitors can choose from 18 award-winning reds, whites and dessert wines while enjoying a picnic on the vineyard’s 75 acres.

Arrington Vineyards, co-owned by country music superstar Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, is the largest winery in Middle Tennessee. Image: Visit Franklin

Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile scenic byway and National Park, closely follows the course of the ancient trace traveled for centuries by tradesman and Native Americans from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN, passing through Franklin, TN. There are many scenic stops along the Trace in Franklin, including Timberland Park, a favorite for hiking enthusiasts. The Trace is one of only six of our country’s “All American Roads.” Cyclist, campers, and hikers alike enjoy the stops along the Trace close to Franklin, especially when Tennessee’s fall colors appear.