If you are coming here from 11 Magnolia Lane on The Great Southern Road Trip, then welcome! Be sure to follow the rest of the Trip at the end of the post!
I’m a southern girl through and through, but more specifically I’m a Tennessee girl at heart. Both sides of my family have long-lived in Tennessee and I am a University of Tennessee graduate. I love the Volunteer State. My blood runs orange. The whole she-bang. And even though I now live next-door in Alabama, I will always and forever be a Tennessean.
But not only was I raised in my favorite state in the union, but I grew up in Williamson County, the home of horse farms and country music stars. It’s like Pleasantville here. Most southerners that I run into have at least heard of Franklin, Tennessee. And many reactions that I get when I mention the name of my home town elicits a response like: “I LOVE that place! It’s so cute!”
And it is, so so cute.
It’s the epitome of southern charm and historic character.
Downtown Franklin has an old world charm, but it’s modernized as well. It’s come a long way since I was a teenager and we went cruisin’ around the square and the Sonic parking lot – and then back again. Today the downtown area has some of the best shopping and eateries. If you’re vacationing there, these are a few of my favorites.
Be sure to stay tuned to the end of the post for The Great Southern Road Trip! 19 other bloggers are sharing their Southern home towns this week. And we’ll be having a link party on Saturday for all of your Southern city posts!
A Local’s Favorite Spots in Franklin, Tennessee
Favorite New Shop for Modern Farmhouse Decor: Tin Cottage, 123 S. Margin Street, Franklin, TN 37064 | Y’all! If you love modern farmhouse decor, then this little shop with be your heart’s delight. If I could have packed it all up and brought it home with me, I would!
Those Primitives by Kathy tea towels are one of my favorite things! I bought 3 of them!
Favorite Local “Nashville” Shop on Main Street: White’s Mercantile, 345 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Favorite Lunch Date: Gray’s on Main, 332 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Fried Pimento Cheese Balls in Pepper Jelly Sauce at Gray’s on Main
Shrimp and Grits at Gray’s on Main
Pear Pizza at Gray’s on Main
Favorite Pastry: Five Daughters Bakery, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
Triple Vanilla Donut and Strawberry Lemonade Donut from Five Daughter’s Bakery
Favorite Hidden Gem – P.D.’s, 119 S Margin St, Franklin, TN 37064
More to come … 🙂
Favorite Ice Cream in Downtown Franklin – Kilwins, 405 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Toasted Coconut and Marsh-Mallow S’more Ice Cream from Kilwins
Favorite Place to Buy Antique Farmhouse Decor: City Farmhouse, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
The Great Southern Road Trip begins with Heather at Southern State of Mind. Be sure to start with her post and visit all the stops along this fun virtual road trip! You can also follow along on instagram or facebook by searching #greatsouthernroadtrip.
Now head on over to Duke Manor Farm to explore the small town charm of Pendergrass, Georgia! Have a glass of tea for me!
Visit all the stops on the road trip here:
THE GREAT SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Southern State of Mind {Atlanta, GA} | Restless Arrow {Belton, SC}
Southern Hospitality {Marietta, GA} | Our Southern Home {Caswell Beach, NC}
TUESDAY ROUTE:
Unskinny Boppy {Birmingham, AL} | Maison de Pax {Austin, TX}
Atta Girl Says {Greensboro, NC} | 3 Little Greenwoods {Aiken, SC}
WEDNESDAY ROUTE:
Dixie Delights {Savannah, GA} | Slightly Coastal {Fernandina Beach, FL}
Uptown Acorn {Grand Isle, LA} | The House of Wood {Nashville, TN}
THURSDAY ROUTE:
11 Magnolia Lane {Southern Pines/Pinehurst, NC} | The Turquoise Home {Franklin, TN}
Duke Manor Farm {Pendergrass, GA} | Domestic Charm {Charlotte, NC}
FRIDAY ROUTE:
Our Fifth House {Charleston, SC} | At Home with the Barkers {Greenville, SC}
Simple Stylings {Mount Pleasant, SC} | Refresh Restyle {Bishop, GA}
Jacqueline Lorenc
Don’t forget the Franklin Farmers at the Factory on Saturdays. And be sure to get a Belle Springs Farm Market Lemonade. Their purple basil is fantastic!
Laura
Hi Jacqueline! I’ve never been to Franklin Farmers at the Factory, but I’ll be sure to go the next time in I’m town on the weekend. And I’ll grab a purple basil lemonade, too! Sounds delish!
xo, Laura
Lori
Lovely stop on the road trip; I never been to Franklin, TN, I’m adding it to my bucket list. I love little towns that have reinvented themselves into something beautiful and entertaining.
Cheers!
Lori in Blue Ridge, GA
Barb V.
Is there any way you can make that darling car with flowers on top into a printable for us? I tried but couldn’t get it sized right. Love your description of Franklin. Will definitely make it a stop next time we are in the area.
Valarie
Hi Laura, I just yelled at my husband “get to planning a Franklin vacation!” He’s on it and I’m super excited to go to all the places you mentioned, we’re coming from SoCal… Any recommendations as to hotels?
Yahooo, I’m excited!
Lynda
Was just in Franklin a couple of weeks ago! I love the area and the food and atmosphere is fantastic.
We had lunch at Lyrics, but unfortunately were too full to visit Five Daughters across the way. ☺ Great place to go for a road trip!
Kelly
Hi Laura! I’m new to your blog…via Dixie Delights. I’m a long-time reader of Amanda’s blog and noticed the link to your post on the Roadtrip series. We moved to Huntsville almost two years ago, and I just love it here! Although I enjoyed your post about Franklin, I would LOVE to get the inside scoop on all things Huntsville! Please share your favorite places to eat, shop, bargain hunt, etc. Thanks…and I’ll certainly be a regular at The Turquoise Home now that I’ve discovered you!
laura
I have always heard how amazing franklin is and tell myself I need to visit. great recap of the city. love how fresh and modern things look and how pet friendly some of the shops are.
Laura
I’ve wanted to come to Franklin since reading “Widow of the South” about the battle of Franklin during the Civil War!
Sarah G.
I’m really disappointed, I thought this was going to be Huntsville. Oh well.
Laura
Oh I’m so sorry! My friend who set up the road trip and I got mixed up. She thought I was writing about the town I lived in, not my hometown. I should write about Huntsville another time! (And we’re fixing the graphics ASAP!)
Nancy @ Slightly Coastal
So quaint! I haven’t been to that part of Tennessee in years. My brother lived in Nashville for about 3 years and I loved visiting him there and went to Franklin many, many, year ago. I would love a Nashville trip and a day in Franklin. Thanks for sharing your favorite spots. Fantastic photos too.
Beth at Unskinny Boppy
Great post Laura! I love Franklin, and I see so much here that I’ve never tried before. Time to head north again! 🙂
Shannon B
Great post, and I’m very excited to read about Franklin. My husband’s getting transferred there and will be living there during the workweek and commuting back on weekends to CO. Thanks so much!