Franklin/Leiper's Fork

For much of her working life, HEIDI DOAK has been wielding her influence in public relations for the hospitality and real estate industries. Moving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and (finally!) to Nashville, she's now spinning pressfor top tier hotels, resorts, and restaurants all over the world with the firm J PUBLIC RELATIONS. Heidi and her husband knew as soon as their realtor drove down Main Street in Downtown Franklin, that this city would be their new home, and they found the perfect place that day.

MODERN-DAY MAYBERRY: The best thing about Franklin is the small-town charm of Main Street. It's my favorite place to go for a walk. Compared to the madness from living in Los Angeles, it has a 'storybook' vibe. It's beautiful on the outskirts of town, too. Thousands of visitors make their way to The Natchez Trace double-arched bridge each year. It's the perfect backdrop for a stunning photo. One of our favorite things to do is take a motorcycle ride along the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway—especially during fall foliage. We also won't miss Downtown Franklin's holiday tree lighting ceremony. It feels like being in a Hallmark movie!

SHH, DON'T TELL: There are many places we're partial to for cocktails or dinner. In LEIPER’S FORK, PUCKETT’S GROCERY has open mic nights on Thursdays—a hidden treasure of sorts that we stop by on occasion. We frequent GRAY’S ON MAIN for the great food, amazing bar, and live music. Oh, and we have THE best hot chicken in town at BIG SHAKE’S. It gives those Nashville hotspots a run for their money. I'm wary of saying it, but for brunch, we're hooked on BISCUIT LOVE. It's got the same great food as the original, but without the wait (but shh, don't tell). Rumor has it we're getting a SUPERICA here, too! So many of Music City's best dining spots have locations in Franklin, with more adding all the time.

SUPERICA, PHOTO BY ANDREW THOMAS LEE

SIP, SHOP & SPA: Unwinding is individual to every person, but I believe some places can help put the process in motion. DRAKE’S is the perfect place to relax and watch a game while noshing on sushi or burgers. On a particularly rainy day, I'm ideally indulging in a transportive massage and facial at THE SPA AT LEIPER’S FORK. Shopping is definitely another means of unwinding for me, and my personal go-to is WHITE’S MERCANTILE on Main Street. Whenever we have guests visiting for the first time, I swing by the store and put together a 'Welcome to Nashville' gift bag with local products. I also stop into POSH and ANTHROPOLOGIE when shopping for myself. If I'm seeking the perfect gift, I head to MADE IN TN at THE FACTORY AT FRANKLIN or TIN COTTAGE on Main Street.

LEIPS AND BOUNDS

The rolling hills and sprawling farmland make LEIPER’S FORK one of the most coveted communities in the South. Soon, those seeking tranquil living in the area will have a whole new reason to 'go country' with the offerings in SLOAN VALLEY FARM. BAIRD GRAHAM COMPANY has exceeded buyer expectations in building and developing nine home sites here. The property overlooks 80+ acres of protected wetlands, ensuring nothing but nature views for the foreseeable future. Equestrian families flock to this area for the open space and horse culture, so it's fitting that lots are generous plots of land—ranging from six to eleven acres per home. Talk about room to social distance! We like the entire project but can't wait to see inside these homes as we are big followers of the designers set to work on the project. The list includes RACHEL HALVORSON of RACHEL HALVORSON DESIGNS, LAUREN MOORE of MODERN REMAINS, and JOANNA GOODMAN of CHRISTOPHER ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS. GERMANTOWN

FIELDS OR FACTORIES

You may be a familiar fan of the FACTORY AT FRANKLIN, but there are a few new tenants worth noting for your next visit. URBAN SIPS + SWEETS will be serving up their gourmet sodas and shaved ice specialties by spring. If you're like many "regulars" of FUNK SEOUL BROTHERS so disappointed to see it close, you'll be happy to know that owner BJ LOFBACK has launched a new concept in PINCHY'S LOBSTER CO. in the same space. Especially relevant to today's time and Nashville's musical talents, THE FIELD AT FRANKLIN is a new spin on a classic: a drive-in that doubles as a concert venue. There will be movies too, but they're thrilled to have musicians performing live when the reels aren't rolling. KANE BROWN has already had the chance, and we've got big expectations about the concerts to come!