It’s hard to imagine any place more gorgeous than Franklin in the springtime. Flowers bloom everywhere you look and the landscape transforms almost overnight from dull brown to vibrant shades of green. Whether you live nearby or you’re bringing the family to Middle Tennessee for Spring Break, you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy our glorious weather and keep everyone happy and occupied. Here are some of our favorite Spring Break activities.
Book a few nights in Leiper’s Fork
No matter where you’re from, a few nights in one of Leiper’s Fork‘s amazing (and in some cases, historic) rental properties makes for a restful getaway, especially in the spring. Choose from cozy cottages for 2 or 4 people or spacious abodes that can fit an entire family reunion. You’ll be within walking distance or easy driving distance from the popular village, where you’ll find boutiques, antiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Check out all your rental options here.
Savor the season with a picnic at Arrington Vineyards
You’d expect a gorgeous vineyard that’s partially owned by country music star Kix Brooks to be popular with tourists, but the truth is that locals flock to Arrington Vineyard’s lush, rolling hills just as often. Strategically-placed picnic tables allow for gorgeous views of Williamson County’s countryside and live music on weekends (one stage offers jazz, the other, bluegrass) sets a vibe that’s hard to beat, especially in springtime, when Middle Tennessee’s weather is at its best. Bring a picnic from home for your fam, order one in advance from the venue, or buy snacks on site. And while the wines here are delicious and many visitors come specifically for that reason, Arrington is also wildly popular with families seeking the perfect picnic spot where the kids have plenty of room to roam.
Celebrate the outdoors at Bowie Nature Park
Bowie Park in Fairview is a true Middle Tennessee jewel that’s often overlooked. With more than 12 miles of mostly-flat wooded trails that wind around several lakes and ponds, as well as a nature center and new and improved playground, it’s a wonderful place for families looking to enjoy the outdoors. Before you go, be sure to save a map of the trails to your phone—there are lots of them, and it’s easy to get turned around.
Have fun on the farm
Williamson County is home to some of the state’s best farm experiences, and spring is the best time for a visit. Noble Springs Dairy offers a popular tour designed for all ages. The highlight is getting the opportunity to feed and cuddle the dairy’s baby goats, plus sample some of Noble Springs’ products. Tickets for the tour can be booked online.
At Mistletoe Farm, your family can get up close and personal with alpacas. Book a private alpaca experience and spend an unforgettable half-hour or hour with the herd. A camera and a few enthusiastic animal lovers are all you need to make this one very memorable afternoon.
Climb to new heights at SOAR Adventure Tower
Located in nearby Cool Springs, this massive four-level climbing tower with 110 different climbing elements is popular with kids of all ages here’s even a special ground-level section for kids ages 4-7. In addition to the tower, SOAR also has an 18-hole mini-golf course and a bar where parents can kick back with a beer while the kids climb. SOAR is tremendously popular with locals and a great way to help your energetic family expend some serious energy.
Enjoy Franklin’s lakes and rivers
Want to get out on the water? Paddle Dog rents out kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards by the hour. Their rental shed is right beside the Westhaven community’s lake, and rates are very reasonable. It’s a great place to get your kids comfortable with canoes or kayaks in a controlled environment.
And whether you’re an expert fly fisherman or you’ve always wanted to try it, Franklin is the place to do it. Franklin Fly Fishing Co. offers half-day and full-day fly-fishing trips on the Harpeth and nearby Caney Fork Rivers, either wading in the river or aboard their own drift boat. They even offer lessons so that truly anyone can enjoy the experience. Springtime is a great time to book your excursion since both smallmouth and largemouth bass are in season.
Learn to play polo
You never know when the royal family is going to phone asking you to join in a polo match, so you might as well be prepared! Luckily, Franklin’s got you covered. Franklin Polo Academy offers a range of classes, from a single introductory course teaching you the basics and allowing you to see how you like it to package classes that teach you all you need to know. They also offer one-on-one polo instruction for those who are ready to take their polo-playing skills to the next level. This could be a really fun and unique way to get outside with your loved ones and enjoy your spring break vacation.
Ride your bicycle
Do you like to travel with your family’s bikes strapped to the back of your car? You’re in luck: Brentwood has one of our favorite paved bike trail systems in the state. Eight different trails range in length from one to eight miles round-trip, and most trails are connected so that you can customize your ride to be as long or short as you desire. Plus, the scenery is beautiful – You’ll pass creeks and farmland, ride through forests and parks, and see several historical sites along the way. Check out the Brentwood trail system map to plan your route ahead of time.
You can also make a beautiful spring day of it by renting electric-assisted bicycles from Pedego in downtown Franklin. Rent bicycles and explore on your own, or take one of Pedego’s guided e-bike tours. It will definitely be a day to remember, either way!
Take a day trip to Nolensville
Historic downtown Nolensville is so much fun for all ages and definitely worth a day trip. Go on a Saturday morning if you can: The Nolensville Farmers Market outside Mill Creek Church of Christ always has an intriguing variety of vendors selling everything from local produce and fresh-baked bread to tamales and local honey. Be sure and check out the downtown shops, Popular ones include nellamoon, The Nolensville Feed Mill, Village Antiques and Gifts, and Nolensville Toy Shop, which is the best toy store for kids in Middle Tennessee, in my opinion. While you’re shopping, you’ll definitely want to make a pit-stop at Itty Bitty Donuts for amazing freshly-made hot donuts and coffee drinks. And don’t leave without lunch or dinner at one of Nolensville’s fantastic restaurants. Popular options include Outlanders Southern Chicken, Mill Creek Brewing Co., the original Martin’s Bar-B-Que, and the new Wabash Southern Kitchen.
Learn about Franklin’s remarkable Civil War history
More than 150 years ago, the bloody Battle of Franklin occurred on the city’s doorstep. Today, evidence of the battle still lingers, and there are lots of places to see it for yourself. The Battle of Franklin Trust includes three different historic homes, each with in-depth and engaging tours worth adding to your itinerary. Carnton and Carter House are both right next to downtown Franklin, and Rippa Villa is located in nearby Spring Hill. Historians from The Battle of Franklin Trust have been working hard in recent years to incorporate the stories of enslaved residents into the interpretations of these three homes, so expect to hear fascinating new stories that have never been told publicly before.
Lotz House is another home in downtown Franklin with an excellent Civil War history tour. Children lived inside the Lotz House during the Battle of Franklin and figured into its story, so older children are likely to enjoy this particular tour. The McLemore House offers tours that tell how many of Franklin’s formerly enslaved residents went on to buy land, own businesses, and create one of the town’s most vibrant communities.
Franklin On Foot offers all kinds of walking tours of downtown Franklin specialized depending on your interests. Book your tour ahead of time on the website.
Book a hot air balloon ride
It’s always been my dream to see the world from a hot air balloon, and I’ve discovered you can do just that right here in Franklin. Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventure offers both shared and private excursions on a hot air balloon that reaches altitudes of up to 2,000 feet. The company prides itself on showing its passengers landscape features you can’t see any other way, like hidden lakes, hollows, and wildlife. You can book your hot air balloon experience on the Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventure website.
Celebrate the season at a Franklin festival
Franklin’s Main Street Festival is one of the state’s most popular events, and this year it’s being held on the weekend of April 27 and 28. Join 120,000 other visitors, shop for arts and crafts, listen to live music, and enjoy local food and drinks. Weather-wise it’s typically one of the best weekends of the year, so this is an ideal festival to put on your Spring Break calendar.
Looking for something a little cozier? Check out Nolensville’s annual Buttercup Festival on April 14. Historic Nolensville is always a good option for an afternoo
