Yours to Explore: Williamson County Serves Up Fun for Everyone
From vintage to vineyard and open spaces to historic places, Williamson County offers a full menu of experiences.
Wind through Williamson County’s scenic roads and enjoy memory making experiences, from fabulous food offerings to fresh farmers markets to vineyards and vintage finds.
In This Article
Franklin
Often referred to as America’s Main Street, downtown Franklin appeals to all ages with its unique shops, entertainment venues and restaurants. One of the newest eateries is Americana Taphouse on E. Main Street, where a menu filled with classic burgers, sandwiches and tacos pairs deliciously with 24 brews on tap.
Civil War history attracts visitors to the county. Harvey McLemore’s determined journey from slavery to freedom is told at the McLemore House Museum, his former home built during the late 1800s. The site educates the public about the area’s rich African American heritage.
Local vendors and farm-fresh say it all at the Franklin Farmers Market. Open year-round, 80 booths sell fruits, vegetables, herbs, meat, baked goods, dairy products and art.
Brentwood
Crockett Park is the jewel of the city’s standout parks and recreation offerings. It includes multiple sports fields, paved trails, an indoor soccer facility, Frisbee golf, a community playground and the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, providing outdoor activities and events for youngsters to seniors.
Nature beckons at the 400-acre Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, a natural habitat for wildlife that includes meandering hiking paths, multipurpose athletic fields and a playground. The park includes Ravenswood, a brick Antebellum mansion that serves as a popular events venue.
Foodies will delight in two of Brentwood’s signature restaurants: Puffy Muffin, a popular spot for breakfast and lunch, is renowned for its fare of desserts and bakery goods, and Mere Bulles, located in a historic estate home in the Maryland Farms office development, offers magnificent views, sizzling steaks and crave-worthy she-crab bisque.
Nolensville
“Nolensville is a little oasis south of Nashville and a great place to build my dream,” says Dallas Shaw, owner of Hoss’ Loaded Burgers, where the delicious Juicy Lucy-style cheese-stuffed burgers are the boss of the grill.
Saturday mornings, May through October, visitors at the Nolensville Farmers Market can browse through natural and organic products, artisan creations and food trucks. Frozen yogurt, sorbet and ice cream, with a wide selection of toppings, provide frozen fabulousness at Sweet CeCe’s.
Leiper’s Fork
With the goal to resurrect the lost history and heritage of small-batch whiskey in Williamson County, Lee Kennedy opened Leiper’s Fork Distiller in 2016. Today, the distillery is known for its high-end premium whiskeys that are made using local ingredients and pure limestone-filtered water.
Another local favorite here is the original Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, which opened in 1953 and offers an eclectic vibe, mismatched chairs and great Southern cooking with a side of songwriters and live music.
Fill both your tank and tummy at the iconic Davis General store, open since 1928 in the Boston community. Good dogs welcome. Ramble over to the 260-acre Farm at Southall, where chef Tyler Brown is growing a dream to provide farm-to-table creative dining experiences. A luxury inn, a spa, a pool and signature restaurants are on the horizon.
Spring Hill
Looking for a park where you can unleash your pup and let it run? Well, look no further than Spring Hill Bark Park. Located in Evans Park, the recently expanded Bark Park offers separate areas designated for small and large dogs and agility equipment.
As for other activities available in the Spring Hill area, locals squeal with delight each year when the Whole Hog Festival comes to the region. The October event offers music, arts and crafts, a Kids’ Zone, mouth-watering pork products and a hog calling contest.
Small in size but big in flavors, family-owned Jack of Hearts BBQ cooks succulent and smoky barbecue, brisket, chicken and turkey. Don’t skip the Killa Beans or banana puddin’.
Thompson’s Station
History can be found in the farmland soil that Homestead Manor, a 4,000 square-foot plantation-style home, sits upon. While first constructed in 1799, the property became a ground-zero site for 6,000 Civil War soldiers. After the battle, the Manor was used as a place to treat the wounded. Today, the three-story home is a must-have venue for weddings, birthday parties and other events.
Another Thompson’s Station gathering spot is Sarah Benson Park, which provides jogging paths with workout stations, a playground, pavilions and a stage, and the Mars Dog Sensory Garden for pets.
Reserve a spot for tastings and tours at H Clark Distillery, the first to craft legal whiskey, gin and bourbon in Williamson County in more than a century when the doors opened in the former town granary in 2014.
Arrington / College Grove
A “wine country” experience awaits at Arrington Vineyards, an award-winning winery co-owned by country music star Kix Brooks. Pack a picnic or preorder a food basket and buy your wine for an adult outing on the picturesque hillsides. A tasting room, free live weekend entertainment and Friday night food trucks add to the fun.
Fairview
Take in the rejuvenating beauty of 700-plus acres of forest, lakes and 17 miles of trails is perfect for horseback riding, walking, hiking and more at Bowie Nature Park in Fairview. The nature center and museum provide educational classes year-round.
The Fairview Recreation Center’s recent $2 million renovations expanded the state-of-the-art fitness and wellness complex to one of the county’s most extensive.
Look for the old bicycle atop Farm Fresh Vintage Finds and Creamery, a home decor and ice cream shop featuring workshops, furniture painting, paint supplies, gifts and smiles.
If you’d like to learn more about the Williamson County area, check out the latest edition of Livability Williamson County, TN.
