If you’re lucky enough to travel for work to Franklin, Tennessee, you won’t want to stay in the hotel the whole time. In fact, you may want to clear your schedule entirely with all the activities, food, sights, and adventures that Williamson County offers business travelers. Branch out of the Cool Springs bubble and take our advice on how to turn your work trip to Franklin into a fun trip. Here’s a hint: You’ll want to add a few days to your stay to capture the joy of America’s best small town.
Skip The Hotel Breakfast
Start your day off right with breakfast or brunch at one of our favorite local spots. Biscuit Love is a Franklin favorite with their famous bonuts (biscuit donuts!) and charming ambiance in the historic Corn House off of Third Avenue South. For a down-home Southern breakfast, turn to Puckett’s in downtown Franklin. You won’t want to miss their Skillet Cinnamon Roll—a giant skillet cinnamon roll smothered in cream cheese glaze. If handheld pastries are more your jam, visit Merridee’s Breadbasket next door; they’re famous for their fruit tea and case full of sticky buns, pinwheels, muffins, and coffee cake.
Take A Midday Break
If you can duck out between meetings, we recommend making The Factory at Franklin your first stop. This all-in-one Franklin gem offers everything from food to flowers to shopping to pottery painting. Start at Five Daughters Bakery to taste-test their 100-layer donut (you can even check and see which flavors are available through their handy-dandy Donut Cam). Then, peruse Fork Of The South General Store—a treasure trove of local goods, gifts, apparel, and toys. You may also want to flip through records at Luna Record Shop, a local vinyl store owned by sisters and fourth-generation Franklin natives Brenna Gentry and Calvert Gentry McMahan.
Stop For A Local Cup Of Coffee
When it’s time for a cup of coffee better than the hotel’s (excluding The Harpeth, of course), take a short trip over to one of Franklin’s exceptional spots for a cup o’ joe. One local favorite is The Coffee House at Second & Bridge, which conveniently makes a great off-site meeting location. They offer a robust seasonal drink menu and crepe selection in a delightful 1904 home. Another go-to option is Frothy Monkey just off of Main Street. Located inside the former manse of the Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, Frothy Monkey has an expansive menu that covers everything from your morning latte to your evening cocktail. For something a little more upscale, try Onyx + Alabaster on the square—a self-proclaimed “designer coffee experience” worth checking out.
Opt Out Of An Afternoon Session
We’ve all felt that 3 p.m. afternoon slump. When the conference blues hit, take an afternoon off to explore the area. (You could even call it team-building.) For a breath of fresh air and a taste of Franklin history, take a walk over at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm and enjoy its vast 200 acres of farmland. You could also opt for an afternoon of shopping in downtown Franklin to explore our many local businesses, or enjoy tea service at Triple Crown Bakery, owned by award-winning Pastry Chef Alena Vaughn. For the ultimate rejuvenating break, visit True Rest Float Spa, where you can relax with a zero-gravity float that suspends guests in 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. If you’d rather get your blood pumping, bring the whole crew over to SOAR Adventure Tower, a suspended ropes course featuring 110 obstacles spanning four levels of difficulty.
Go For Happy Hour
After a long day of work, Happy Hour is in order. Raise your glass to a job well done at some of our favorite bars around. Try the cheerful Skylight Bar located in The Factory at Franklin for abundant natural light and a thoughtful cocktail menu crafted to honor Franklin’s history and hospitality. If whiskey is more your speed, locally-owned O’ Be Joyful should be at the top of your list. Though smaller in size—we’d call it cozy—this bar is exceptionally friendly and full of Southern charm. For a flight of brews that can appeal to a broader range of folks, plan an outing to Hop House Tennessee Taps. With 38 craft beer taps, Hop House is the ideal casual bar for friends and coworkers to gather. Finally, if you’d prefer a glass of vino, stop by JJ’s Wine Bar. This long-standing Franklin wine bar offers a unique experience for discerning palates: They have special wine-dispensing machines that pour out 28 different varieties by the glass.
Have Dinner Out On The Town
Forget room service—dinner in Franklin warrants a trip out to savor delicious dishes prepared by acclaimed chefs. Try Red Pony, which has been a go-to special occasion spot for upscale Southern cuisine since 2006. Gray’s on Main is another local favorite that serves up a modern take on Southern food in what was formerly an old pharmacy—an 1876 Victorian building. If you’re in the mood for Italian, Culaccino offers made-from-scratch pastas and wood-fired pizzas with rave reviews from visitors. Or, maybe you’d like to blow off some steam with something a bit more casual: Scout’s Pub in Westhaven has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with upscale pub fare and a remarkable outdoor patio.
Explore The Local Nightlife
You can’t visit Franklin without a trip to one of our storied stages, though you may also catch the sweet songs of a few buskers. Downtown, you’ll find the Legendary Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor—one of our most famous live music venues. Located in a historic home two blocks east of Main Street, Kimbro’s has live music every night and even hosts a legendary Sunday songwriters’ night where you can catch some of Middle Tennessee’s best musicians. On Main Street proper, you’ll find the lively McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, where you can enjoy a pint of Guinness Stout while enjoying live music in the upstairs dining area. And finally, a little farther out—but worth the trek—is the acclaimed Fox & Locke. The Leiper’s Fork restaurant (think Southern comfort food) draws in some of the biggest names in music to their small stage. Book a table in advance for their Thursday night Open Mic—you won’t regret it.
Find A Souvenir Worth Taking Home
You may not think that a work trip warrants a souvenir, but a visit to Franklin may prove you wrong. For a grand gesture, stop into Walton’s Jewelry, a family-owned heirloom jewelry business with pieces for every style. (We hear an antique ring or pair of earrings fit perfectly into your carry-on luggage!) You may also be interested in taking home a piece of history—literary history, that is. At Landmark Booksellers, our beloved local bookstore, you can browse through a carefully curated collection of new, old, and rare books. Or, maybe apparel is more your style! Stop by Twine Graphics on the square for custom-designed Tennessee shirts, hats, and more that celebrate the joy of our small town. And if you need a one-stop-shop for all things local and artisan, plan a visit to Painted Tree Boutiques off of Murfreesboro Road for hundreds of little booths—the best our region has to offer—boasting products from candles to leather goods to artwork to antiques.
Plan Your Next Visit
We know that once is never enough. Once you’ve had the opportunity to experience Franklin first-hand, we’re confident that you’ll want to book a return trip. When you have a little more time on your hands, take a trip out to Southall Farm & Inn for a luxury spa experience situated on 325 acres of rolling Tennessee farmland. If you’d like to learn more about our area’s rich history, sign up for a guided tour of our downtown (you can pick the theme) through Franklin Walking Tours or opt for a dose of Civil War architecture through the Battle of Franklin Trust. A show at the historic Franklin Theatre—the crown jewel of Franklin’s Main Street—is also worth the trip, whether you choose an old film, comedy special, or concert.
No matter what you choose, you won’t regret leaving your hotel!
