I don’t think it’s any secret that Nashville has become the hot spot for bachelorette parties, and rightly so. It’s a great party city with a walkable bar scene that spans entire city blocks.
But for the girls who may want to steer clear of the hustle and bustle of city life to experience a more relaxed atmosphere with loads of southern charm, I suggest heading to Franklin, Tennessee.
Sitting just 17 miles south of Nashville, Franklin has everything a cool, classy girl could want: a thriving shopping scene with an equally expansive restaurant and bar selection, live music, an award-winning winery, southern hospitality, and beautiful scenery, which we all know in girl code means loads of Insta-worthy photo ops.
One step inside this historic southern town and you’ll see why it’s quickly becoming the go-to destination for the cool girls of the world.
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Where to Shop
Downtown Franklin’s Main Street is the place to shop. It is lined with chic women’s boutiques, home décor shops, a fantastic bookstore, and a must-see antique jewelry store.
Jondie
Jondi is a dreamy shop that offers the latest trends in women’s fashion including loads of accessories at prices that won’t make your eyes bulge.
Tin Cottage
This is a cute, quirky little shop offers a little bit of everything from t-shirts, hats, and home décor to journals and fun novelty items. Any stop to Tin Cottage is not complete without a selfie in front of their ‘Happy’ wall.
Landmark Booksellers
There is something magical about bookstores and Landmark Booksellers is no different. As soon as you walk in, you feel right at home. The owners (who quite literally call this bookstore home) will welcome you in as if you were family and usher you to one of their oversized leather sofas so you can stay awhile.
If that’s not Southern hospitality, I don’t know what is. We aren’t making it up how welcomed you’ll feel, if you’ve ever read the New York Times bestseller by Karen Kingsbury, The Bridge, it was based on Kingsbury’s experience moving to Franklin and falling in love with the bookstore!
Where to Eat
There are so many good eats and treats in Franklin it’s hard to choose! But anywhere you end up you, and your taste buds will not be disappointed.
Mojo’s Tacos
This taco truck turned sit-down restaurant now finds its home in the historic Factory at Franklin. Mojo’s Tacos has 10 different gourmet tacos to choose from including fried avocado and hot chicken. Don’t forget your paleta for dessert!
Ivey Cake
This quaint little cupcake shop sits in Brentwood, just 10 miles north of downtown Franklin, and is the perfect place for a sweet little treat. Ivey Cake is also a favorite for some of the music’s most famous, helping many of the biggest names you know celebrate their milestones. So with an endorsement like that, you know it has to be good!
The Coffee House at Second and Bridge
For a bit of a pick-me-up, I stop by the Coffee House at Second and Bridge. They have fantastic espresso, gourmet teas, and chocolate muffins the size of your head! Sip your coffee inside or take it outside to the garden.
O’ Be Joyful
Small, but mighty, this 46-seat whiskey bar and restaurant is my new favorite hang-out on Main Street.
Belly up to the bar and pick your poison. O’ Be Joyful has over 150 whiskeys to choose from and a food menu complete with gourmet nachos and fried Oreos. Yaassss!
Listen
No trip to Franklin is complete without some live music, and Franklin has live music almost every night of the week.
Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor
This is one of my absolute favorite live music venues and bars. You’ll find lots of locals here, but don’t worry, they will welcome you with open arms and quite possibly a drink or a shot.
Some of the best local live music is found at Kimbro’s, usually on Fridays and Saturdays.
Gray’s on Main
I’ve discovered some of my favorite local musicians at Gray’s on Main. Not only does Gray’s offer amazing southern hospitality and what I would consider gourmet southern fare (try the fried pimento cheeseballs), but they offer an incredible live music lineup each Thursday-Saturday.
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant
For a true slice of Americana mixed with some good ol’ Southern grit head to the original Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant in Leiper’s Fork (just a 10-minute drive from downtown Franklin).
You’ll feel right at home as soon as you walk in the door. Their open mic nights on Thursdays are my absolute favorite (we’re talking Grammy-level talent folks), but you can usually catch live music Wednesdays-Sundays at this famous meat-and-three.
Explore
There are plenty of adventures to be had in Franklin for all-girl squads that include a little bit of Franklin flavor at every turn.
Pedego Bikes
What’s better than exploring a town on foot? How about an electric bike? Pedego Electric Bikes offers rental packages and even historical guided bike tours around town.
Masters & Makers
Take your girlfriends on a back-road adventure to experience the area’s best distilleries, breweries, and wineries by traveling the Masters & Makers Trail! Explore the countryside as you sip and savor the local flavors of the area.
Pick up your passport at the Franklin Visitor Center to start your tasty adventure. Visit four out of five makers on your passport and bring it back to the Visitor Center for a free t-shirt!
These are just a few of the hundreds of incredible things to do with your girlfriends in and around Franklin. No matter what you end up doing, you’re sure to make tons of memories that can only be created in Franklin, Tennessee.