There’s an excitement here as the air gets crisp, the skies deepen to a dazzling shade of blue, and the hills and ridges burst into fiery color. Autumn in Tennessee truly is a wonder to behold, and we locals treat it as a true celebration of nature’s beauty. I can’t think of a better place to mark the occasion than Leiper’s Fork.
Although this gem of a historic village is a quick drive from Franklin, you’ll feel like you’ve abandoned the hustle and bustle of city life for a warm and friendly place time has truly forgotten. Spend a day or a weekend in Leiper’s Fork and savor all the feelings of fall.
Feast on a Hearty Southern Breakfast at Country Boy
This longtime local favorite is known as THE place to go for breakfast and local gossip. Start your day here and you’ll have plenty of energy afterward to enjoy all Leiper’s Fork has to offer. Enjoy classic breakfast staples like buttermilk pancakes, crispy bacon, and biscuits and gravy, plus hot coffee served in a Country Boy mug.
Cruise Down the Natchez Trace Parkway
Fall is the best time to take in the natural beauty of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This 444-mile-long scenic drive runs from Nashville through Leiper’s Fork and right on to Natchez, Mississippi.
Whether you hop on it for 15 minutes or five hours, you’ll be amazed by the display of fall colors. In fact, as far as locals are concerned, this parkway is easily the most popular fall color drive in Middle Tennessee.
Want to make your experience even more memorable? Rent electric bikes from Pedego in downtown Franklin and take a ride down the Natchez Trace Parkway. You can opt to ride bikes on your own or book a 3.5-hour guided tour that includes a stop at the Loveless Café. The bikes’ electric power only kicks in when you need it, and you’ll be grateful for it on the Parkway’s rolling hills!
Spend the Day Shopping
In general, I’m not much of a shopper—unless I’m in Leiper’s Fork! The village’s small but exquisitely curated selection of shops – all within walking distance of each other – is absolutely worth the trip, and your surroundings will be especially beautiful on a lovely fall weekend. I suggest stopping in every boutique and gallery on Leiper’s Fork’s main drag because there’s not a bad one in the bunch.
Browse fine art at The Copper Fox Gallery and Leiper’s Creek Gallery, unique home decor at Patina, When a Touch of Elegance Matters, and Props Antiques, and eclectic cowgirl clothing and accessories at Moo Country. You’re sure to find some unforgettable treasures.
Taste Tennessee’s Best Wines at Wines in the Fork
Wines in the Fork is a tasting room in the heart of Leiper’s Fork, offering private tastings by reservation. You can also purchase flights of wine and enjoy them on the property, which overlooks Leiper’s Creek. For a truly memorable experience, get your wading boots ready and make reservations for their popular Farmstead Roots Creek Dinner Series – You’ll enjoy a chef-prepared five-course meal with wine pairings at a table that’s actually in the creek underneath strings of lights. Now that’s what I call ambience!
Book a Spa Day
What goes better with shopping and wine tasting than spa treatments? At The Spa at Leiper’s Fork, you can treat yourself with a facial, a massage, a manicure, and more. Be sure and check out their bath collection before you go, featuring signature scents like Bourbon Lavender and Cornflower Rose.
Head to Fox & Locke for a Show
Listening to live music at Fox & Locke (formerly Puckett’s of Leiper’s Fork) is an ideal way to spend an autumn evening in Leiper’s Fork. The popular restaurant has stayed true to its OG small-town grocery store roots, offering fried bologna sandwiches, cold beer, and great local music Wednesdays through Sundays, and with so many musicians living in the area, you never know who might show up on Thursday Open Mic nights — Carrie Underwood and Wynona Judd have both been surprise guests! Be sure and purchase tickets for music nights well in advance; Fox & Locke is a true local hot spot.
Savor Small-Batch Whiskey at Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Autumn and whiskey make a wonderful duo, so we suggest heading out to Leiper’s Fork Distillery to enjoy both! Here, you can tour the stillhouse and enjoy a tasting afterward.
Following Tennessee’s rich tradition of whiskey distilling, Leiper’s Fork Distillery has brought back the art of small-batch whiskey production using local ingredients and limestone-filtered water. The results are distinctive, and you’ll just have to taste for yourself to truly understand.
Spend a Weekend in a Historic Cottage
Immerse yourself in Leiper’s Fork’s folksy, laid back atmosphere by spending a weekend in one of its historic cottages! Sweeney Cottage is a cozy 1890s farmhouse renovated and decorated by White’s Mercantile owner Holly Williams. Its tin roof, front porch swing, and backyard fire pit add to the cozy atmosphere. And The Brigadoon Cottage in the Fork is a beautiful post-Civil War cottage featuring two bedrooms, a well-stocked kitchen, and a deck. Both cottages are in easy walking distance of Leiper’s Fork’s shops and restaurants.
Indulge Your Inner Child at Bubble Joy
Leiper’s Fork’s newest offering is unlike anything you’ll find in Tennessee. At Bubble Joy, you can choose from a massive selection of gourmet gumballs and candy, then customize a craft soda or seltzer with a selection of popping pearl bubbles, syrups, and edible glitter. Afterward, head to the Oxygen Bar, where you can book a 10 or 20-minute walk-in session and breathe pure oxygen while sipping on your specialty drink.
