One of Nashville’s best-kept secrets has always been the charming little town of Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, although at this point it might not be much of a secret. Now that the weather is warming up, I decided to drive down again and map out the perfect summer’s day here, and let me tell you, I was successful. Join me as I relive this wonderful day in our favorite small town.
My first priority was to get some caffeine, and the obvious choice was The RedByrd Coffee Shop. This Leiper’s Fork mainstay is owned by musicians Sadie Shaw-Brooks and Kyle Brooks and has been serving delicious coffee and locally sourced pastries out of a handcrafted tiny home right outside the Leiper’s Fork Market since 2018. I tried one of their seasonal lattes and relaxed on one of the picnic benches to soak up the morning sun. The creek behind the shop was a great way to cool my feet off while I finished my coffee and was very refreshing!
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Next, it was time for some art browsing at the various art galleries in the historic district. Talbott and John welcomed me enthusiastically into the beautiful, one-of-a-kind Copper Fox Gallery, where they display and sell exquisitely handcrafted art pieces from over 90 artists in their renovated 1860s house-turned-fine-arts-gallery. They were so proud to show me around and tell me about many of the pieces they had on display and how they have a very hands-on role in the selection of each piece. It was my first time meeting them, and they made me feel like family, which I suppose is the charm of Leiper’s Fork in general. They embodied the spirit of the town so perfectly and their passion for art was infectious.
But they aren’t the only art gallery in the community! Nearby are David Arms Gallery and Leiper’s Creek Gallery, the latter of which was renovated from an old gas station, interestingly enough. You wouldn’t know it once you’re inside, though, as this gallery featured upscale art from nationally and internationally recognized artists and ranged from paintings to sculptures to other eclectic 3D works of art that were all unforgettable.
It was time for lunch, and right next door was the perfect place to stop in for a classic Southern experience at the oldest diner in Williamson County: The Country Boy. I grabbed a seat at the bar, and one of the regulars immediately struck up conversation with me, welcoming me to his beloved town and recommending the hot chicken sandwich, which was fantastic. My waitress informed me of the speakeasy just below the diner that was playing live music that evening, so I made a mental note to head there after dinner. I met the owner of the diner and paid my respects to his lovely establishment, and he proceeded to give me a short version of the long history of the diner and its significance to the town. My experience at the diner was very symbolic of the hospitality of the town itself, a place where locals welcome others into their space and recognize that we’re all family. It was very special.
I stopped into a couple of the shops in the area to see what kind of souvenirs I could collect from my day here, and they certainly did not disappoint. Props Antiques had a vast collection of Americana-style techniques as well as retro-inspired toys and games, making it a perfect stop for a family. I found other fantastic little shops as well, such as Patina Home & Garden and Tennessee Turquoise Company, both of which had their own unique charm, unlike any other shop I’d visited. After I had my fill of shopping, I drove just a couple minutes down the road to Leiper’s Fork Distillery.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery was the exact vibe I was hoping for on a late afternoon in the summer. I was able to grab a glass of their small-batch whiskey from the outdoor bar and sip on it while rocking on a porch swing overlooking the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee until it was time for my tour of the distillery. Visiting the still house, learning how they make their iconic small batches, and then tasting several of their spirits in their 200-year-old tasting room was such a cool experience and very affordable!
By this point, I was getting hungry for dinner, and a visit to Leiper’s Fork wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famous Fox & Locke, formerly known as Puckett’s Grocery. It was open mic night, so during my meal I was entertained by up-and-coming musicians looking to make a name for themselves in Nashville’s music scene, and it was a delight. The energy of the room was palpable, and the food was excellent. By the time I was finished, people had packed themselves into the space to hear the musicians, so I gave up my seat and headed across the street to The Country Boy to visit their basement speakeasy.
Known to locals as the Tornado Room, this vibey little bar comes complete with moody lighting, vintage furniture, expertly crafted cocktails, and more live music. I stepped outside with my drink for some fresh air and happened upon some chairs around a fire pit in the backyard that overlooked the creek running just behind the place. It was a perfect ending to the perfect summer day in Leiper’s Fork.
Of course, I wasn’t able to try everything that this charming little town had to offer, like a rejuvenating visit to The Spa at Leiper’s Fork, indulging all the senses at the experiential shop Bubble Joy, or trying a creekside wine tasting at Crown Winery. However, I hope my day has inspired you to get out there and live your own amazing day in beautiful Leiper’s Fork this summer—or any time of year!
