Springtime in Franklin truly is a sight to behold. Wildflowers carpet the hills, trees burst into colorful bloom, and the landscape cloaks itself in a hundred different shades of green. What better way to savor this Eden-like time in Tennessee than with a luxury picnic?
One of our favorite settings for a picnic to remember is Arrington Vineyards, located a short drive from downtown Franklin in Arrington, Tennessee. Situated on 95 acres of rolling hills with spectacular views of the Williamson County countryside, Arrington Vineyards has become one of the most popular picnic spots in the state – and it takes its reputation seriously! Guests are invited to order gourmet picnic baskets before their visit from a menu provided by Simply Living Life or bring a luxury picnic set-up of their own and enjoy their meal on the lawn or in one of the many shaded seating areas on the property.
Guests who opt to order their picnic ahead of time will find it waiting in the vineyard upon their arrival, complete with signature picnic baskets, wine glasses, cloth napkins, drinks, dinnerware, and a tablecloth. Curated baskets include options like the Tuscan Picnic featuring a rustic Italian meal of grilled chicken and penne pasta, the Village picnic with pork loin, wild rice, and farmhouse bread, or the decadent Celebration basket with beef tenderloin, fingerling potatoes, Caprese salad, bread, and a chocolate bundt cake for two.
Those who opt for a spontaneous picnic on a beautiful spring day can bring their own picnic set-up and order food upon arrival from one of Arrington’s three food locations. Choose from charcuterie and cheese plates, flatbreads, and an impressive array of desserts, or opt for more down-home fare like bologna sandwiches, tacos, or hot dogs. With the right accessories, your picnic can take on all the elegance of a British high tea or a sweetly nostalgic Southern midday meal – It’s all up to you!
While Arrington Vineyards has food available for purchase, you’re also welcome to bring your picnic lunch and transform a spot on the grass into your outdoor paradise. Throw pillows, fresh flowers, luxurious blankets, fine china and crystal, and candlesticks can all turn an ordinary outdoor lunch into something spectacular. Look up luxury picnics online, and you’ll find plenty of inspiration to help make your picnic a standout occasion.
Do note that while guests are welcome to take their own food and picnic accessories or buy food on-site, Arrington Vineyards does not allow pop-up picnic or catering companies to set up picnics on the property. But with a bit of advance planning and creative thinking, you can easily come up with a luxury picnic experience everyone in your party will enjoy in an outdoor setting that’s straight out of a storybook.
Looking for memorable menu items to include in your DIY luxury picnic event? Franklin has lots of fabulous options. Some of our favorites include sandwiches, salads, and baked goods from Franklin Bakehouse or decadent pastries and desserts from Triple Crown Bakery. The Tea Room Sampler from Puffy Muffin in Brentwood includes chicken salad, tuna salad, pimento cheese, cranberry salad, and poppy seed bread. And pretty much anything from the Farmstead Market at Wines in the Fork in Leiper’s Fork is fabulous, which specializes in gourmet luxury picnic options.
If you’re looking for another unique picnic locale, Wines in the Fork will also begin offering a premier creek tasting experience beginning in late April or early May, weather-permitting. Guests can enjoy a curated tasting board for two or four people, paired with wine while sitting in the tranquil Leiper’s Fork Creek and are encouraged to bring their creek boots, water shoes, or sandals for this one-of-a-kind experience.
When you find your perfect picnic spot in Franklin, share with us on socials and tag us @visitfranklin and #visitfranklintn for your chance to be featured. Cheers!
