Small-town America may seem like a dream of years past. There’s no way that you could stumble across an idyllic, charming town with a slower pace of life, always-friendly locals, peaceful evenings around a firepit, and impromptu musical numbers by world-class musicians…right?
I tell nay-sayers to take a little trip over to Leiper’s Fork.
I first set foot in the historic village a decade ago and was immediately transported into an episode of the Andy Griffith Show. On my right, an old-timey police car welcomed me into town. To my left, an artisanal craft fair bustled. The main drag was dotted with easels—twenty thirty retirees painted nature scenes up and down Old Hillsboro Road.
Leiper’s Fork has changed a lot in the last ten years, but it has retained every bit of its eclectic charm. Those “Welcome Cars” are still there for photo ops, and every nook and cranny around town seems to be tucked with an antique to be discovered, a tune to hum along to, or a sip to be relished. If you need a few ideas on where to start, here are some of my favorite things to do in Leiper’s Fork that you won’t find anywhere else.
How to Get to Leiper’s Fork
- Directions from Franklin, Tennessee
- From downtown Franklin, take Highway 96 (Franklin Road) west toward Leipers Creek Road, then follow Old Hillsboro Road straight into the heart of the village.
- Directions from Nashville, Tennessee
- Leiper’s Fork is about 28 miles southwest of Nashville, roughly a 45–60 minute drive, making it a perfect day trip from the city. From downtown Nashville, take Highway 100 (Charlotte Pike) west, then merge onto Highway 96 (Franklin Road) southwest toward Franklin. Turn onto Old Hillsboro Road to enter the village. Along the way, you’ll pass rolling hills and farmland, giving you a preview of the atmosphere that awaits in Leiper’s Fork.
Outdoor Activities in Leiper’s Fork
1. Get a photo at the historic Natchez Trace Bridge
Address: Natchez Trace Parkway at Milepost 438
Visit the double-arch bridge along the Natchez Trace Parkway (Milepost 438) for scenic views of patchwork Tennessee countryside you won’t capture anywhere else. It’s especially beautiful in the fall, where visitors can observe shades of gold, red, and orange speckling the foliage on nearby farms, fields, and forests.
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2. Hike along the Natchez Trace Parkway
Address: Natchez Trace Parkway at Milepost 427.6
Pull off the Parkway to hike up Garrison Creek Loop trail, a dog-friendly 1.3-mile loop (the northern trailhead for the Highland Rim section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail) where you can ride horses, birdwatch, and enjoy solitude among stately trees.
Local Places to Eat & Drink in Leiper’s Fork
3. Stop by Leiper’s Fork Market
Address: 4348 Old Hillsboro Road
Leiper’s Fork Market isn’t just any ol’ gas station. This special little corner of Leiper’s Fork is part of the fabric of the community and serves up much more than gas. Walk in, and you’ll be greeted by a chandelier hanging over a community dining table—your first clue that all is not what it seems. Stop by the lunch counter and browse their robust selection of local beers (and some classic gas station fare, too). It’ll be the friendliest fill-up you’ll ever experience.
4. Pick up coffee from The RedByrd
Address: 4348 Old Hillsboro Road
After fueling your car, fuel yourself! Right next to Leiper’s Fork Market, a tiny house trailer quietly serves up some seriously good coffee. The RedByrd isn’t your typical coffee shop. Owned by musicians Sadie Shaw-Brooks and Kyle Brooks, it’s been building community, fueling creativity, and keeping locals caffeinated since 2018. Pick up one of their seasonal lattes, classic coffee drinks (featuring beans roasted in Middle Tennessee), or a locally sourced pastry to enjoy in the sun at one of their picnic tables before using your energy to explore the rest of Leiper’s Fork.
5. Grab lunch at Fox & Locke
Address: 4146 Old Hillsboro Road
Have you ever had warm, crackling pork rinds with hot chicken seasoning? Fox & Locke is one of the best restaurants in Middle Tennessee, and it’s located right in the heart of Leiper’s Fork. Named for the original Fox & Locke General Store founded in 1947, the popular spot (formerly Puckett’s Grocery) offers a menu full of Southern classics, from pimento cheese sandwiches to fried catfish to biscuits and gravy. But that’s not even the best part: Fox & Locke hosts live music throughout the week, with Open Mic Night on Thursdays. You never know who you’ll catch on stage—artists like Carrie Underwood have been known to pop in unannounced.
6. Experience a creekside wine tasting
Address: 4165 Old Hillsboro Road
Picture this: sipping award-winning wines while listening to the gentle babble of a creek (with a hint of live music on weekends). Bring that vision to life at Crown Winery in Leiper’s Fork. This creekside winery offers a variety of tasting experiences—from casual self-guided flights to intimate bar tastings hosted by their friendly staff. Pro tip: grab a bottle and some snacks from inside, then head downstairs to their stunning backyard. Share a table with friends, dip your toes in the creek, or cozy up by the fire pit with a glass in hand.
7. Tour of Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Address: 3381 Southall Road
Venture into the history books of Leiper’s Fork—tales that connect back to Tennessee’s moonshine industry—with a visit to a beloved local distillery. Every bit of the process at Leiper’s Fork Distillery is homegrown, and guests can sample the team’s small-batch whiskey in a 200-year-old tasting room. Sign up for a tour to witness the distillery’s authentic, low-volume, low-impact production as they celebrate the heritage behind every spirit they make.
Where to Shop in Leiper’s Fork
8. Go antiquing at Props
Address: 4208 Hillsboro Road
If you love the vintage-chic decor around Leiper’s Fork, you’ll want to stop in at Props Antiques. Props is not your run-of-the-mill antiques mall—it’s an eclectic, curated collection of neon signs, artisan gifts, craft candies, and old-school collectibles. In addition to their spectacular taffy and hidden treasures, the shop frequently hosts community events, like Pickin’ weekends—antique and vintage shows with a side of food trucks. Props even has a seasonal showroom at the famous Round Top Antiques Show in Texas!
9. Take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Tennessee Turquoise Company
Address: 4152 Old Hillsboro Rd
Celebrate your visit to Leiper’s Fork with a souvenir you won’t find anywhere else—a turquoise squash blossom necklace, a silver pill box, a hand-pulled wire cuff, a 1970s abalone lighter sleeve, a 1940s-era ring, or stamped cocktail stirrers (the list goes on). You’ll find this thoughtful collection of unique items at the Tennessee Turquoise Company by musician Morgane Stapleton and her all-female team. Purchases support the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, an organization helping to end gender-based violence in Indigenous communities.
10. Step into the Pickin’ Corner
Address: 4149 Old Hillsboro Road
In the old town general store, experience a community gathering space unlike any other—a haven of texture, color, and antiques—known as Patina Home & Garden. Patina was founded by Brooke and Steve Giannetti, an interior designer and architect power couple who relocated to Leiper’s Fork and dreamed up a store that combined community, history, and nature. Patina Home and Garden also plays host to Leiper’s Fork’s iconic pickin’ corner, where musicians can sit on antique benches, and request to play legendary instruments hung up on the old Beadboard walls.
11. Walk through a forest-inspired store
Address: 4136 Old Hillsboro Roa
Inspired by the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest, Dwell and Den brings the calm of the woods into everyday life. Housed in a renovated barn, the store instantly feels like home. Owner Kim Rohwer thoughtfully curates each item—from foraging guides and journals to vintage art, handcrafted home goods, and handmade children’s sweaters—displayed on warm, wood-crafted shelves. Every piece invites visitors to take a little of the forest’s magic with them.
Explore Art in Leiper’s Fork
12. Gallery hop on Old Hillsboro Road
Address: Old Hillsboro Road
“Bring your kids and bring your dog,” says Lisa Fox, owner of Leiper’s Creek Gallery—a far cry from the rules of most fine art galleries. Smack in the middle of the village, her gallery welcomes all with sculptures, carvings, impressionism, and still-life paintings. Bonus: The fire pit outside is often stocked with s’mores, inviting guests to linger in the colder months.
Just a short stroll over, The Copper Fox Gallery features ceramics, glass, furniture, and handmade works by Southeastern artists. Across the street is David Arms Gallery, showcasing David Arms’ original pieces and art-inspired creations, with a front porch to watch the village go by and back windows overlooking Leiper’s Creek.
Together, these galleries offer a genuinely welcoming art experience that leaves every visitor inspired.
For those eager to explore more of this magical village, the Leiper’s Fork Village Trail offers a free, self-guided tour featuring even more perfect stops. Enjoy local shops, restaurants, and attractions while unlocking special perks along the way. Download it for free and start your adventure here.
