Attractions

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Leiper’s Fork historical village est. in 1801, is the last existing historical village located just off the Tennessee portion of the Natchez Trace. A living-working village filled with unique antique stores, home goods, art galleries and eateries, this little town is considered Nashville’s #1 Art Destination. Here are some must-see’s to explore!

Food & Drink

Fox & Locke – Grocery & Restaurant

Fox & Locke (previously Puckett’s) in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, is more than just a place to enjoy a good meal. It’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. With mismatched tables and chairs and an eclectic clientele of tourists, farmers, songwriters, and country music stars, it’s a restaurant serving up a dining experience unlike any other.

Fox & Locke is open for breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Fox & Locke hosts live music Thursday through Saturday. You don’t want to miss Thursday night Open Mic Night. Built in 1955, the store was built by Martin Locke and Jack Fox. This site was formerly where the Blacksmith Shop once was. Later the name was changed to Puckett’s, but has since returned to its original name. Fox & Locke has served as a staple to this community 65+ years.

Country Boy’s Big Bad Breakfast Restaurant

Country Boy’s Big Bad Breakfast is the oldest running diner in the county, originally just called Country Boy. Country Boy’s Big Bad Breakfast has made its mark by serving classic southern meals in a home-style fashion and making you feel right at home on every visit. Now a part of the Big Bad Breakfast (BBB) family, it’s focus is still on great southern food but with an emphasis on breakfast. Country Boy’s Big Bad Breakfast is the staple of most southern households. This is a family restaurant serving up high quality vittles with a sweet slice of southern hospitality.

Leiper’s Fork Market

Leiper’s Fork Market is located one mile off the Natchez Trace Parkway and approximately 1 mile from the center of the Village. If you are looking for an old-fashioned country store with a whimsical historical twist, you want to visit Leiper’s Fork Market. You will enjoy great sandwiches, burgers, and during the week, some of the tastiest biscuits with sausage, ham, or bacon.

The RedByrd Coffee Shop

The RedByrd Coffee Shop is located next to Leiper’s Fork Market and serves up a great cup of Joe at its most basic to the specialties you crave. Open Wednesday through Sunday.

Entertainment

The Copper Fox

The Copper Fox is a fine Artisan Gallery nestled in a meticulously restored 1860’s home, located in Leiper’s Fork, that showcases over 90 artists from across the Southeast. The uptown gallery features original pieces of pottery, jewelry, handmade furniture, ceramics, blown glass, paintings, and a mix of charm and welcoming spirit found only in the south. These two-business set on this former homestead which also used to be a stagecoach stop. Notice the large yellow stones by the road out front where stagecoach guest would unload.

Leiper’s Creek Gallery

Situated in the heart of the charming village of Leiper’s Fork, notice the ambiance of Leiper’s Creek Gallery (formerly a filling station and garage). It has a distinctly southern front porch and fire pit for gathering around, along with a “Lawnchair Theater” in the rear that has hosted well-known music acts, community activities, and a family-friendly summer movie series. Leiper’s Creek Gallery features an eclectic range of art from representational painting to abstract expressionism and sculpture.

The Spa at Leiper’s Fork

The Spa at Leiper’s Fork was built in 1890 by James Sparkman, once served as the boy’s dormitory for the Hillsboro School from 1890-1905. It has served as a home for six families before becoming an antique store in the 2000s and now a day spa. The place of relaxation provides a great chance to recharge your spirit and reignite wellness in a place that takes you back to a simpler time, if only for an afternoon. They offer tailored treatments incorporating products created exclusively for their guests, blending cosmeceutical ingredients with innovative alchemy. Customized on the day of your visit, no two treatments are ever the same.

Shops

David Arms

Turn the corner as you enter into Leiper’s Fork and you’ll be greeted by an art gallery in a most unexpected place – a barn. David Arms Gallery is the only place where local artist David Arms’ original art can be viewed and where the full line of products can be seen that are inspired by his work. The old barn has been renovated in a way that pays tributes to its roots and plays a vital role in the charming village of Leiper’s Fork.

Fox & Locke

Fox & Locke is open for breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Fox & Locke hosts live music Thursday through Saturday. You don’t want to miss Thursday night Open Mic Night. Built in 1955, the store was built by Martin Locke and Jack Fox. This site was formerly where the Blacksmith Shop once was. Later the name was changed to Puckett’s, but has since returned to its original name. Fox & Locke has served as a staple to this community 65+ years.

Creekside Trading

Creekside Trading is a cozy shop in the heart of Leiper’s Fork filled with charming and quirky finds of unique merchandise and local artisan creations. While this structure looks historic and matches the fabric of Leiper’s Fork, it was newly built in the early 2000s. It’s location was once home to an automotive mechanic business in a very basic block building.

Tennessee Turquoise

Tennessee Turquoise is located in the Jailhouse Industrys cabin, an old cabin relocated to the village. You will find this hidden treasure behind Leiper’s Creek Gallery and 1892 Restaurant. Tennessee Turquoise offers a curated selection of vintage silver and turquoise pieces that can be worn, added to your collection, or be decoration items for your home. Tennessee Turquoise is an all-female owned business with a love for Native American culture, so with every purchase Tennessee Turquoise gives a portion back to National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.

The Pick-It-Fence

The Pick-It-Fence is a boutique menagerie with antiques, eclectic furniture, jewelry, lighting, local art and so much more. Located next to the Locke Building. You are sure to find something you love at the Pick-It Fence.

Moo Country Leiper’s Fork

Located on Old 96 next to Leiper’s Corner in a log cabin, you will find where the West meets glamour. The shop features upscale clothing, jewelry and found cowgirl treasures.

Historical Buildings

The Locke Building

The Locke Building (beside Serenite Masion) – the large two-story historical style home appears to have been there since the late 1800’s; however, this building was constructed by two local families who took an 1880’s schoolhouse and an 1880’s farmhouse and repurposed two historic structures from East Tennessee into what is called the Locke Building. The Locke Building was named after John Locke who once had a store here. The original building could not be saved so this was built in its place. This building houses a longstanding business in town, United Country Real Estate.

The Lotz House, Carter House, and Carnton Plantation

Rich with history, Franklin offers a lot of historical attractions but the not to be missed – The Lotz House, Carter House and Carnton Plantation, three buildings standing as monuments to five of the bloodiest hours in all of American history. These gems remain to help tell the local history of the Civil War also hold some very interesting stories. Two witnessed the epicenter of fighting during the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. The third, a Southern mansion southeast of town, was a field hospital; the bodies of four Confederate generals were laid on its porch until they could be taken for burial.

Spirits

Masters & Makers Trail

Explore this historic trail that winds through the scenic beauty of the Williamson County countryside, which has bore witness to history and has produced the cherished traditions passed through the generations. Along the trail, visit with the masters of making wine, beer, and spirits at the county’s winery, breweries, and distilleries. Immerse yourself in the culture while savoring the distinct, locally made flavors at multiple stops that dot the more than 70 miles of the Masters & Makers Trail.

Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Tennessee Whiskey Trail is made up of approximately 30+ distilleries across the state. These distilleries range from small, boutique-style operations to well-known distilleries that have been making legendary Tennessee Whiskey for generations. Guests wanting to travel the Whiskey Trail should get a passport and as they visit the distilleries along the trail, they can have their passport stamped. Passport completion earns some fun prizes. Look over the passport or map to see the distilleries in Middle Tennessee.

Wines in the Fork

Wines in the Fork is located in what has been commonly know as Miss Shirley’s. Dr. Tucker, homeowner of what is now the Spa of Leiper’s Fork, owned this lot and the one to its left. The house to its left once served as the Hillsboro School music room. Dr. Tucker had it moved where is sits today after Williamson County sold it in 1905. The house lodging, Wines in the Fork, was built shortly afterwards and was originally a two-story home. The Inman family moved there in the 1930s. It remained a two-story house until a devastating tornado ripped through this part of the county and the Inman’s decided to convert it to a one-story home for safety. Wines in the Fork opened in April of 2021, providing wine tastings for guest every hour by reservation. Additionally, you can purchase flights of wine to enjoy on the property where it overlooks Leiper’s Fork off the West Warpath, or you can purchase a bottle of wine.

Places to Stay

Local VRBOs

Harpeth Franklin Downtown 615-206-7510
Southall Farms & Inn Opening Soon
Pot N Kettle Cottages 615-864-3392
The Sweeney Cottage Whitesroomandboard.com
Flying Donkey Cabin 615-406-7576
The Big Blue House 805-698-7014
Storybook Cottage 805-698-7014
The Brigadoon in Leiper’s Fork Brigadoon VRBO

The Thomas Carl House & The Sweeney-Carl House

Sitting directly across from the Locke Building, these two houses were built around the late 1800’s (ca. 1892) by two brothers who built the houses from successful lumber mill businesses.

The Sweeney-Carl House / Sweeney Cottage Vacation Rental

The Sweeney-Carl House now serves as a beautiful Vacation Rental called the Sweeney Cottage. This historical 1892 cottage with tin roof, front porch swing, and firepit in backyard, sleeps up to 6 guests with two queen beds and a trundle bed that accommodates two twin mattresses for side by side sleeping.

The Thomas Carl House / 1892 Restaurant

The Thomas Carl House is now home to 1892 Restaurant. A tasteful, country-chic, fine dining establishment where you’ll enjoy decadent and Southern inspired offerings with ingredients sourced locally to make your experience very flavorful. This is the perfect place for a mid-week dinner to a special celebration. Reservations strongly suggest on weekends.

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