🍷 Scenic Sips

Arrington Vineyards: Enjoy wine and picnic snacks with rolling vineyard views for a perfect wine-country experience just south of Franklin. (Link)

Leiper's Fork Distillery: Our favorite spot in the area! You can take a tour of this small-batch local distillery, learn about the Lincoln County distilling process, and sample some of the best whiskey Tennessee has to offer. Or, you can just sit outside, enjoy a few cocktails and listen to live music! Keep an eye out for Hemingway, the polydactyl distillery cat. (Link)

Crown Winery Leiper’s Fork: Choose from a selection of Tennessee wines to take down to the Harpeth River in the back yard of this great spot in historic Leiper’s Fork. If you’re up for it, feel free to bring your wine and a chair into the river and get your feet wet! (Link)

Culamar Rooftop: Enjoy craft cocktails, light bites and Historic Downtown views at this rooftop bar above Culamar in Franklin! (Link)

🍽️Great Eats

Gray’s on Main: Sit upstairs at the bar by the iconic neon sign and enjoy an Anthym Spirit, their signature cocktail, alongside some great southern-inspired menu items. We recommend: Shrimp & Cheddar Grits…with two Anthym Spirits. (Link)

Culaccino: Enjoy housemade pastas, woodfired pizzas, and a host of other authentic menu items at this upscale Italian restaurant in Franklin. We recommend: Asparagus Fritters are our go-to appetizer. (Link)

Fox and Locke: Take in the live music, southern cooking, and small town vibes at this famous, must-visit restaurant in Leiper’s Fork. We recommend: Any Meat & 3 combination will hit the spot. Sit and order at the bar to skip the line at the front. (Link)

Bishop’s Meat & 3: Our favorite Meat & 3 spot outside Nashville. A must-do for hot chicken and southern cooking. We recommend: Meat & 3 with medium heat chicken, fried okra, mac, and green beans or carrot souffle. Don’t miss the chess pie. (Link)

Hattie B’s: A tourist favorite for Nashville hot chicken that shouldn’t be slept on. Visit this location in The Factory at Franklin to skip all the lines you’ll find at the Nashville locations. We recommend: The pimento mac and bacon cheddar grits go great with any hot chicken combo. (Link)

Biscuit Love: Come hungry to this classic southern breakfast/brunch spot, located in a historic building in Downtown Franklin, just off the square. We recommend: East Nasty, no questions asked. (Link)

Cork & Cow: An excellent evening steakhouse that never disappoints, with an exceptional wine list and cocktail menu. We recommend: The filet with black truffle butter is excellent, but don’t miss the Apple & Chile Mac & Cheese. (Link)

Leiper’s Fork House of Spirits: Leiper’s Fork Distillery just opened this brand new in-town cocktail lounge and bar with excellent small plates. It’s a great spot to sit and enjoy locally distilled whiskey, craft cocktails, light bites, and live music. We recommend: All the food is excellent, but the Old Fashioned is our favorite in town. Enjoy while reading the whiskey history wall. (Link)

Mellow Mushroom: An easy, classic, family-friendly pizza spot right on the square. Take the scenic route towards the back of the restaurant on your way out and check out the hidden speakeasy. Just pull the lever by the door beneath the green light. We recommend: Build your own pizza. Go crazy. (Link)

🛍️ Culture & Shopping

Downtown Franklin: Wander around Main Street in historic Downtown Franklin for an afternoon walking through charming shops, local dining, and rich history. Swing by the Visitors Center with any questions or to pick up branded Franklin merch! (Link)

The Factory at Franklin: Explore this revived historic factory complex with boutiques, shops, galleries, studios, and eateries. When you’re finished walking around, enjoy a donut from Five Daughters Bakery with a cocktail at the Skylight Lounge for the most comfortable barstools in town! (Link)

Carter House Battle of Franklin Tour: Take a 60-minute guided tour of the Carter House and battlefield grounds to learn colorful local history and about the Battle of Franklin, one of the most interesting and bloodiest engagements of the Civil War. We’ve done the tour half a dozen times and learned something new each visit! (Link)

🍸Late Night

Kimbro’s Pickin Parlor: Open until 1:00 AM with live music every night, this historic house-turned-live music venue is a Franklin staple. Stop by to get your late-night live music fix in this eclectic hangout! (Link)

O’Be Joyful: Open until midnight, O’Be Joyful is a great whiskey and bourbon bar with over 150 pours to choose from. This intimate late-night spot is a go-to for craft cocktails and small bites. (Link)

🍷 Scenic Sips

Monday Night Brewing: A lively local brewery in the Neuhoff District with plenty of space, great beer, and a laid‑back vibe perfect for a daytime stop or an easy night out. (Link)

White Limozeen: This Dolly-themed pink rooftop spot at the top of the Graduate Hotel is one of Nashville’s most Instagram‑worthy places for rosé, champagne, and fun cocktails with skyline views. (Link)

Skull’s Rainbow Room: Skull’s Rainbow Room, open since 1948, is one of old-school Nashville’s most famous cocktail lounges, located in a historic Printers Alley basement. It’s known for live jazz and burlesque, and for its colorful past involving original owner David “Skull” Schulman, a flamboyant local figure who was murdered on site in 1998. The vibe is swanky, old‑school Nashville. (Link)

Santa’s Pub: A true Nashville dive bar classic, located right next to Nashville SC’s Geodis Park. Christmas lights year-round, karaoke, and a fun atmosphere make this cash-only bar a must‑visit. (Link)

Bad Idea: A creative wine bar and restaurant with an ever‑evolving menu inspired by global flavors, Bad Idea is guaranteed to be a memorable meal. Reservations are recommended but not required for the restaurant, but walk‑ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis at the bar and lounge. (Link)

Greenhouse Bar: A Nashville staple nestled in Green Hills with a unique greenhouse setting. Visit to enjoy a brunch, lunch, or just cocktails in this unique greenery-filled setting. (Link)

Bastion: While the restaurant side of Bastion just became one of Nashville’s first three Michelin star-awarded restaurants, the other half of the building is a buzzworthy cocktail bar that blends industrial‑chic style with a lively neighborhood vibe. Creative cocktails, loud music, and great snacks make it the perfect spot for drinks before heading out for the evening. (Link)

🍽️ Great Eats

Bourbon Steak: An excellent, upscale steakhouse experience with sweeping views of the entire city, located at the top of the JW Marriott. Enjoy top-tier steaks and sides, impeccable service, and a well refined cocktail and wine menu. (Link)

Arnold’s Country Kitchen: A Nashville institution and one of the best Meat & 3 spots in the city. Arnold’s is a must-do cafeteria-style southern cooking spot that’s been around since 1982. (Link)

Joyland: Joyland is Sean Brock’s playful take on a classic American fast food restaurant. A tourist staple known for the Crustburger, it’s a good spot for a quick and affordable meal that’s still filling and full of flavor. (Link)

Pinewood Social: Pinewood Social is part bar and restaurant, part vintage bowling alley. It’s a great spot for brunch, lunch, cocktails, or just to kill a few hours bowling while enjoying all the food and beverage options it has to offer. (Link)

Lucky Bastard: Located right on Broadway, this loud spot serves a wide range of fun, filling, Nashville hot chicken themed menu items to fuel up before a night out. (Link)

Nashville Palace: If you’re in the Opryland area or looking for a place to eat before a night at the Grand Ole Opry, stop by this classic old-school venue steeped in fun country music history for a honky-tonk experience without the Broadway chaos. It has live country music all day, with solid food to match. (Link)

Loveless Cafe: Located at the top of the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway since 1951, the Loveless Cafe is a famous Nashville-area staple that is well worth the drive to visit. Known for its scratch-made biscuits and southern comfort menu, this is a must-do breakfast or lunch stop. (Link)

🛍️ Culture & Shopping

Grand Ole Opry: The Grand Ole Opry has been an iconic part of Nashville’s history since its first show in 1925. With multiple live shows every week and weekend, each featuring at least 8 artists, it remains a must-see when visiting Music City. (Link)

Ryman Auditorium: Nashville’s most famous music venue, the Ryman Auditorium is known as the “Mother Church of Country Music”. Built in 1982, this historic building was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, and remains one of the most unique concert venues around. See a show or take a tour, you won’t regret it! (Link)

12 South: One of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhoods, 12 South is a great place to spend an afternoon walking around and shopping. Stop by fun local boutiques and stores - including Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James - and choose from a range of great food options to grab a bite. (Link)

Country Music Hall of Fame: Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame to learn all about the history and musicians of the industry that built Music City. From Elvis to Dolly, and with ever-changing exhibits, this museum is a must for music lovers. (Link)

Music Row: Drive down Music Row on 16th Avenue - the famous hub of Nashville’s recording industry - to see the studios, labels, and offices where music history is made! (Link)

Centennial Park: Located in Nashville’s West End, and home of the Parthenon, Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s premier open spaces and a great place to enjoy walking trails for a peaceful escape in the city. (Link)

5th & Broadway: This shopping, food hall and entertainment center is located right on Broadway, offering a wide variety of stores, restaurants and photo opportunities to choose from. Fuel up here before heading down to Broadway. (Link)

Tecovas: If you want to get your boot-shopping fix while in Nashville, stop by the Tecovas at 5th and Broadway (or in downtown Franklin) for high-quality, handcrafted boots that’ll last forever. You can even get them custom branded in store! (Link)