Historic Franklin

Historic Franklin

For the history buff with a thirst, there are two distilleries in Williamson County that’ll give you the whiskey experience you’re craving and at the same time allow you to soak in the history of the area. You will stroll down the picturesque Main Street of downtown Franklin, experience true southern hospitality in the quaint village of Leiper’s Fork, and enjoy the beauty of rural Tennessee in the town of Thompson’s Station.

Stamp your passport:

While Leiper’s Fork Distillery is very new, the story behind it spans back generations to the early moonshine running days of the area.  As you take the tour and sample a few sips of the locally produced and bottled whiskey, you’ll learn the incredible role that moonshine and whiskey played in Franklin’s past.

Head to H Clark Distillery to grab another stamp for your passport.  Take the tour to let the aroma of the distillery hit you right in the nose, then stick around for samples of their newest bourbon, and original black and tan whiskey, and a gin that will convert the staunchest of gin detractors.

Stay Overnight:

Can’t get enough of this dreamy locale? Plan to stay overnight in Leiper’s Fork near the distillery at the award-winning Pot N’ Kettle Cottages, a collection of four vacation rentals inside beautifully renovated historic properties.

If you want to be closer to the action on Franklin’s Main Street, choose to stay at the newly-opened Harpeth Hotel, a 119-room boutique hotel just off the historic square.

Eat & Drink:

Sticking with the theme of history, be sure to grab a bite at Gray’s on Main in Franklin, a former pharmacy turned upscale Southern cuisine restaurant. And if you want to sample some more fine Tennessee spirits, pop into O Be Joyful, a whiskey pub with over 200 whiskies.

In Thompson’s Station, next door to H. Clark Distillery in an old general store, is Circa, making sophisticated Southern cuisine with a creative spin. (They also feature H. Clark spirits on their cocktail menu.) If you’re looking for a more casual option, you’ll love eating at Martin’s BBQ Joint just down the road in Spring Hill or in nearby Nolensville.

For those of you who can’t drag yourself away from Leiper’s Fork, you can eat at the original Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, famed for its laid back setting and live music. For a more elevated experience, dine at 1892, a twist on Country French cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.

Explore the history:

For a gorgeous view you won’t want to miss, check out the double arch bridge of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This 444-mile national scenic byway and National Park, closely follows the course of the ancient trace traveled for centuries by tradesmen and Native Americans from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee.

Franklin was home to one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War and there are myriad ways to hear the stories of the people who experienced it. Carnton and Carter House were on the frontlines of the battle and the families living there witnessed not only the fighting but also its horrific aftermath.

The Civil War Trails, a self-guided driving tour with interpretive markers of significant Civil War sites and trailblazer signs throughout the state, highlights several points of interest across the city including the earthwork Fort Granger and Winstead Hill Park.

If you want a guided tour experience, sign up for a Franklin on Foot Walking Tour to learn about downtown Franklin or rent an electric bike from Pedigo Bike Tours and take a guided ride from Franklin to Leiper’s Fork and back.

And we can’t forget the newly announced Dinner & Distilleries Tour from Gray Line which provides you with a luxurious black car service that safely transports you from your lodging to both Tennessee Whiskey Trail distilleries in the county and dinner at Circa in Thompson’s Station.

For even more ideas about what to do in Williamson County, check out the Visit Franklin website.

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