A scenic drive down Highway 31 brings you to Williamson County’s southernmost city, a quintessential Tennessee small town filled with rich history, excellent restaurants, and even better people.
Step into any local coffee shop, boutique, or restaurant, and you’ll immediately feel the warmth that defines Spring Hill. Conversations with local owners are genuine and unhurried, like reconnecting with old friends. If you’re in a rush, this may not be your place. But if you have time to slow down, let this guide help you make the most of it.
What to Eat
Let’s start with the food. As a self-proclaimed foodie, the first thing I notice in a new place is the culinary scene. Sure, big cities have MICHELIN stars and James Beard chefs, but small-town food always finds a way into my heart. Here, passionate chefs pour their souls into every dish, feeding the same community that raised them. Spring Hill has that “wow” factor. I tasted it in every bite.
I highly recommend starting your day at Brunch Collective, which serves exactly the kind of dishes you’d expect from a restaurant with that name: breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, cinnamon rolls, crispy hash browns, bacon, delicious espresso drinks, and more. The seasonal peach French toast was to die for, but honestly, I’d go back again and again for the breakfast burrito, so just trust me on this one.
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Brunch Collective is also a 100% seed oil-free restaurant, cooking with butter, tallow, and olive oil instead, and they emphasize high-quality, local ingredients, including organic eggs and nitrate-free meats, and you can taste the difference.
Coffee lovers will be happy here, too. The original Fainting Goat Coffee Co., right next door to Brunch Collective, is a beloved local staple. On the other side of town, The Awaken House offers coffee inside a preserved 1800s farmhouse with a beautiful stained-glass window welcoming you in.
Order a cappuccino and relax in the backyard where kids play and families picnic. There’s also an onsite Airbnb, event space, and two creative studios for rent: The Writer’s Room for songwriting or podcasting, and The Creative Studio for video and content creation.
Be sure to save room for lunch or dinner so you can enjoy a traditional gyro from Grecian Family Restaurant & Bakery or the birria at Tacos El Patron Taco Shop.
Ready for something sweet? The Southern Baking Co. is home to incredible pastries and cakes made by owner Erinn Hartwell’s mom, Shirley. Erinn opened the bakery as a tribute to her mother’s baking talent, and every case is filled with something worth trying.
Pro tip: order the carrot cake. You can thank me later. They also serve lunch, including a stellar chicken pesto panini, offer full tea service in beautiful china, and have event space, custom cakes, and even an Airbnb on the property.
Finish the day at Reunion Wine Bar, a cool spot for small plates paired with a crisp glass of wine or a cocktail.
What to Do
History is woven into the fabric of Spring Hill. Many of the city’s restaurants, boutiques, and coffee shops are housed in preserved historic homes.
To dive deeper into Spring Hill’s history, visit Rippa Villa, a beautifully preserved home built in the 1850s on 98 acres. A guided tour explores the story of the Cheairs family and the estate’s significant role during the Civil War, when it served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate troops. Today, the property is managed by the Battle of Franklin Trust and offers a thoughtful look at the area’s complex past.
Visitors can choose from several guided experiences, including a classic 60-minute home tour, an extended house tour, or the 100-minute Spring Hill Walking Tour, which explores historic sites beyond Rippa Villa. Visit the Battle of Franklin Trust website for the latest tour options and schedules.
After your history lesson, head outdoors for a round at Towhee Golf Club, an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer. The course is beautiful, and the clubhouse and Birdsong Social, its signature restaurant, make it easy to linger after your round.
Looking for something more playful? Spend an afternoon at Joyfull Arcade, where you’ll find everything from nostalgic classics to the latest games. Or test your aim at Faxon’s Hatchet House Axes & Ales.
If you need help building an itinerary, stop by the Spring Hill Welcome Center. The staff is always happy to point you in the right direction.
Where to Shop
Ready to shop ’til you drop? Spring Hill has you covered.
Start at Spring Hill Antique Mall, a former school gymnasium now home to more than 8,000 square feet of vendor space selling vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, art, and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds.
Spring Hill also holds a slice of retail history through Early’s Honey Stand, the oldest retailer in Middle Tennessee.
It began in 1925 when Erskine Early and his mother, Mamie Elgate Kincaid Early, sold honey from a stand beneath a mulberry tree. Today, the charming storefront still offers honey, jams, smoked summer sausage, old-fashioned candy, bottled sodas, and other longtime favorites.
I’ve gifted more than a few jars of their strawberry preserves to friends and family, and I can personally vouch for both the preserves and the gift wrapping.
Another can’t-miss stop is Abundant Provisions Wellness Market & Mercantile, located inside a restored 1800s home.
In the 1830s, the building served as the home and medical practice of Dr. Gorham Wing, making its return to wellness feel like a full-circle moment.
Today, you’ll find fresh sourdough bread, kombucha, local honey, farm eggs, microgreens, herbal remedies, supplements, clothing, home decor, and plenty more.
Before heading home, browse for a new outfit at Birdy Grace Boutique, pick up a new houseplant at Hidden Seed Plant Shop, and find Pinterest-worthy tabletop décor and home furnishings at Sunday Night Dinner.
