Make the Holidays S pecial in Franklin! VISIT FRANKLIN WINTER 2020
Its' the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Make the holidays
special this year with a visit to Franklin!
We’re celebrating the magic of the season with festive events, amazing Christmas light displays, classic Christmas movies at the drive-in theater, cozy comfort food, Dickens characters roaming downtown, and much more. Come see why O, The Oprah Magazine named Franklin one of “The Most Charming Christmas Towns Across the World!”
Get in the holiday spirit this year with our favorite annual traditions! From incredible light displays to Christmas shopping, you’ll love making holiday memories in Franklin.*
Christmas Decor & Shopping on Main Street
Holiday Lights in Historic Hincheyville
Enjoy the festive window displays as you shop for
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and explore the gorgeous
holiday gifts along Main Street. Don’t miss the beautiful
historic homes of the Hincheyville neighborhood
giant Christmas tree in Public Square and the iconic
decorated for the holidays!
NOEL sign above Starbucks! Learn more about the history of these amazing homes It’s no wonder everyone who visits Franklin feels as if
with our Historic Homes of Hincheyville self-guided
they’ve stepped into a Christmas movie.
walking tour. Download the free digital pass here, complete the walking tour, and pick up a prize at the
FrankTown Festival of Lights This amazing annual light show is one of Franklin’s favorite new traditions! Enjoy driving through over a mile of beautiful Christmas lights - timed perfectly to holiday music - with the whole family.
downtown Franklin visitor center!
Christmas Trees & Shopping at The Factory Starting December 5th, enjoy 40+ amazing Christmas trees on display throughout The Factory! Pick up treats
Christmas Movies at the Drive-In
from Five Daughters Bakery, Honest Coffee Roasters, or Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream to enjoy as you take in the Christmas trees and shop.
Round up the family and head out to The Field at Franklin to see Christmas movies at the drive-in all
*Franklin and Williamson County businesses are taking
season long! Pick up dinner from local food trucks
precautions to keep you and your family safe and healthy.
on-site (plus snacks, of course!) to enjoy while you watch.
Learn more at visitfranklin.com
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Franklin Shopping Guide We have something for everyone on your list! Pick up the perfect gift at our local curated boutiques, from spirits and home decor to toys and unique finds.
Unique Gifts
Antiques
Landmark Booksellers
Mercantile 1858
Great for first editions and Southern writers!
Amazing selection of vintage and home decor!
Savory Spice
Winchester Antiques
Pick up hot chicken spices for the foodie on your list!
A variety of unique antique vendors to shop!
Yarrow Acres
Franklin Antique Mall
Shop amazing plants and gifts!
Plan at least an hour to browse here!
Leiper's Fork Distillery
City Farmhouse
Everyone loves a bottle of whiskey!
Highly curated antiques and vendors - pick up the new
Tin Cottage
Home Stories book while you're here!
Great spot to find something unique!
Backroads Revival A great stop along 31A in Nolensville!
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For the Guys Bink's Lodge
Shop for the outdoorsman!
H Clark Distillery The Tennessee Black & Tan should be on every wishlist!
White's Mercantile Gifts for the Southern gentleman!
Honest Coffee Locally roasted coffee is the perfect gift!
Luna Records Pick up a record for the audiophile on your list!
For the Ladies Vinnie Louise
Trendy apparel and accessories for the young at heart!
Judith Bright Jewelry Unique, locally-made jewelry she'll love!
Arrington Vineyards A bottle of great wine is classic!
For the Kids
Fork of the South From home decor to puzzles, you can't go wrong here!
Purple Butterfly
Hester & Cook
Shop unique gifts for the little ones on your list!
Perfect gifts for the hostess!
Nolensville Toy Shop Fantastic selection of toys!
Third Coast Clay Great spot to paint in person or pick up to-go pottery!
Props Antiques Lots of vintage inspired toys and candy!
The Little Cottage Perfect for heirloom gifts! 4
Holiday Bucket List
‘Tis the season to complete the Franklin Holiday Bucket List! From painting ornaments to distillery tours, there’s something to make the season bright for everyone.
Take a Marshmallow Hike at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary Take a hike in the beautiful winter woods, then enjoy hot cocoa by the fire!
See FrankTown Festival of Lights One of Franklin’s favorite new annual traditions, FrankTown Festival of Lights has over a mile of amazing holiday lights perfectly timed to classic Christmas tunes!
Paint ornaments at Third Coast Clay Make a special memory with the whole family by choosing your favorite ceramic ornaments and painting them!
Relax by the Leiper’s Fork fire pits This charming village is known for its wonderful art galleries, boutiques, and Southern food. Once the cooler weather hits, you’ll find cozy fire pits scattered along the main road in Leiper’s Fork!
Enjoy treats from Triple Crown Bakery Pick up decadent macarons, holiday treats, or a gingerbread house to decorate at home from one of Franklin’s favorite bakeries!
Explore the Masters & Makers Holiday Cocktail Trail Explore our world-class distilleries, breweries, and a winery on the self-guided Masters & Makers trail!
Warm up at local coffee shops Enjoy the flavors of the season with handcrafted coffee drinks from local coffee shops! Try the Roosevelt at Honest Coffee Roasters, the Cuban at High Brow, Frothy Monkey’s Rosemary Honey Latte, or the Sweater Weather at the Coffeehouse at Second and Bridge. 5
Southern Comfort Food
There's nothing like Southern comfort food when the weather cools down and you need a cozy meal! We've rounded up six local favorites to add to your Franklin itinerary.
Franklin Favorites
If you're trying our favorite Southern comfort food, be sure
Bishop's Meat & Three Try the hot chicken and carrot soufflé!
to leave room for dessert! Not sure what to order? Below are some of our favorite go-to desserts.
Cool Café The fried chicken and meatloaf are classics here!
Barbara's Home Cooking Don't miss the fried catfish on Fridays or the poppyseed chicken!
Big Shakes Signature shrimp burger or Hot Mess chicken sandwich are favorites by Chef Shawn Davis, who you may know from Shark Tank!
Biscuit Love Try the East Nasty biscuit, voted the best sandwich in America by Bon Appétit magazine!
55 South The shrimp and grits are a local favorite!
Triple Crown Bakery Macarons, tarts, and pie bars
Sugar Drop Chocolate-dipped Oreos
Merridee's Chess and fudge pie by the slice
Papa C's Steeplechase Derby Pie
Ellie's Donuts Old-fashioned donuts
Herban Market Gluten-free tarts and pastries
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Explore Local History
Franklin is full of amazing history! From the Battle of Franklin to the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, here are some of the best ways to explore local history while visiting Franklin.
Photo courtesy of @boft1864
Battle of Franklin
Distilling Spirits
Carnton
Leiper's Fork Distillery
Take a tour of this incredible home and learn about the
If you love whiskey or want to learn more about the
Battle of Franklin through the experiences of the family
history of distilling in Williamson County, Leiper's Fork
that lived at Carnton, the McGavocks.
Distillery is a great place to start! Take a tour of the operation, sample whiskey, and enjoy beautiful scenery.
Carter House Another key site in the Battle of Franklin, hear stories
H Clark Distillery
of the Carter family's experience, see the bullet-riddled
Located in a former granary in Thompson's Station,
farm office, and visit the museum to learn about this
H Clark Distillery is Williamson County's first distillery
harrowing day in Franklin's history.
in 100 years. Known for their Tennessee Black and Tan
Looking for more? Check out Lotz House, Winstead Hill, or Fort Granger to learn more about the Battle of Franklin.
whiskey and botanical-infused gin, you'll leave this tour and tasting with a new appreciation for distilling. Looking for more? Try a variety of whiskey and cocktails at Gray's on Main or O' Be Joyful!
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Main Street & Historic Homes Franklin on Foot
Ready to walk through history? Franklin on Foot offers a variety of fantastic tours, including ghost tours, architecture tours, and much more.
Historic Homes of Hincheyville This self-guided walking tour will lead you around some of the most beautiful historic homes Franklin has to offer. Sign up for the free digital pass to get started! Looking for more? Check out the markers on Public Square that are part of the Fuller Story Project, an effort by the local community to include the stories of enslaved and freed African-American experiences in Franklin's history.
Unique Historic S pots Natchez Trace Parkway
This 444-mile national scenic byway is part of the National Park Service and closely follows the ancient trace traveled for centuries by tradesmen and Native Americans from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, passing through Williamson County. Don't miss the scenic double arch bridge in Franklin!
Harlinsdale Farm One of the most historic farms in Tennessee Walking Horse history, this sprawling 200-acre farm was home to the Tennessee Walking Horse Grand Champion, Midnight Sun. Visit the barn and Midnight Sun's grave as you stroll through this scenic park. Try the kid-friendly Midnight Sun scavenger hunt!
Holiday decor on Main Street Photo courtesy of @blackbiirdfly 8