Things to Do in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee: A Magical Southern Village and Artists’ Enclave in Williamson County
Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee is a small but mighty village, not too far from Nashville and Franklin. Whether you’re looking for Southern hospitality with a view from a porch, some of the best live music in the country, or to get your creative juices flowing at one of the village’s beautifully curated galleries or specialty shops, you’ll definitely find it on a visit to this special corner of the state.
Chris and I take a series of twists and turns along country roads as we leave the city of Franklin, Tennessee. The scenery of rolling hills, open fields and forest thickets stretches as far as the eye can see, from all sides of the car.
We pass estates with long, winding driveways hidden behind ornate and opulent gates on the way. We’ve heard this is one of the country and live music meccas of the United States, and chances are whoever lives here has one or more Grammys—or even an Oscar, an NFL, or an NHL win—to their name. Celebrities like Carrie Underwood, Nicole Kidman, Faith Hill, Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake have all called Leiper’s Fork home at one time or another.
As we get closer to the village of Leiper’s Fork, I can see why celebrities would choose here to live over other places. It’s a quiet, friendly place, and the few people who reside here take a relaxed pace to life, and give each other space. Whether that’s space to yourself, space to be creative, or space to wander around the village on your own as a visitor, the choice is yours to make.
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How to Get to Leiper’s Fork and What to Expect
I’d recommend planning to spend a full or half day in the village of Leiper’s Fork. During our travels throughout Tennessee, I’ve found that renting a car makes it easier to see more places in the state. Even though Leiper’s Fork is a short, hour-long drive from Nashville, and about 20 minutes from Franklin, having a car is a must when it comes to seeing all parts of this village and surrounding towns.
We rented a car directly from Nashville airport for our trip to Franklin and Williamson County. We opted to stay in Franklin during this trip at The Harpeth in Downtown Franklin (which is a beautiful property to stay at!), but there are several private homes to stay in and around Leiper’s Fork, too.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or are looking to go more in the luxury route during your time in Leiper’s Fork and Franklin, then staying at Southall Farm & Inn is a must. This luxury property is set on a massive rural estate, with private cabins, a spa, a pool, and farm-to-table dining, and so much more available on its property. I already have my sights set on staying here the next time I’m in town.
Of course, if you’re planning a trip to Leiper’s Fork, I’d highly recommend using this map to help you find the perfect property for your getaway.
There are a few different ways to get to Leiper’s Fork. The most popular way is to drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway, which begins just outside of Nashville and continues all the way down to Natchez, Mississippi. This scenic, winding parkway takes you through protected green spaces, stunning vistas, and significant historical landmarks through the South, and is a picturesque way to drive down to Leiper’s Fork from Nashville. A more direct way to get to Leiper’s Fork, especially if you’re travelling from Franklin, is to take Old Hillsboro Road into town.
Once you arrive in Leiper’s Fork, all you need to know is that it has a single, quaint main street along Old Hillsboro, lined with historic homes. As an artists’ enclave in the area, many of these homes have been converted into inspiring galleries and creative spaces, displaying the works of local artists from Tennessee and across the country.
Fox and Locke’s bar offers plenty of libations, including whiskey from Leiper’s Fork Distillery.
Other buildings in this small village are home to specialty shops like custom jewellery, candy stores and home decor stores, and you’d be hardpressed to find something you didn’t like while you browse around. There’s even a wine tasting room and a spa in town, making this the ideal place to come for a relaxing retreat.
But perhaps the most famous reason to come to Leiper’s Fork is to play or watch live country music, and you’ll have to read on for the scoop on how to experience the best of this while you’re in town.
Catching Live Music At Fox & Locke: A Must-Do in The Fork
As I’ve mentioned, one of the most popular reasons people come to Leiper’s Fork is for live country music. Whether you’re an aspiring country singer or you just enjoy live music, you’re definitely going to want to visit the famous Fox & Locke while you’re in town.
Fox & Locke is a restaurant located in the village’s original gas station and general store, but when you step inside you might think it’s always been an entertainment mecca. The walls are flooded with historic pictures of the town and the gas station, along with vintage radios, guitars, and whiskey bottles. In case you forgot why you came here, you’ll quickly be reminded when you take a look around.
In the way of food, they serve Southern fare and BBQ here at Fox & Locke for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with different features each day of the week. For dinner, Chris and I each had a Meat + Three combination, and tried their BBQ Pulled Pork and Meatloaf, both of which were delicious. In terms of sides, you can’t really go wrong here, but I’d recommend the mac’n’cheese and fried okra. I also loved their corn bread and fried pickles, if you’re looking for a few more fun things to try.
Thursday night’s Open Mic Night at Fox and Locke is one of the most famous open mic events in the United States.
The real piece de resistance is their Thursday night open mic night. It’s one of the most famous open mic nights in the country, and you never know who’s going to plan on playing. Each artist gets to play two songs on stage, and anyone from lesser known to famous musicians might walk up on the stage. Carrie Underwood has been known to pop in from time to time!
Some people travel a very long way just to get a spot at Fox & Locke’s open mic. Many big record labels will have scouts at this open mic night, so they’re coveted spots for aspiring musicians. The set list is determined the day of the open mic, and anyone is invited to text the bar to get their slot. Management sends out a “yes” or “no” to participants by 4pm on the day of, and performances start at 6:30, so performers had better be ready to hit that stage!
We planned to be in town for the open mic night at Fox & Locke during our visit, and we heard performances by talented singers from California, Minnesota, and other places in Tennessee. We even heard from local professional musician Jack Cassidy and his dad, actor and singer Patrick Cassidy, along with a local prodigy that many are calling the next Taylor Swift: Charlie George. The energy of the crowd and the performers here is really special, and will certainly make for one of your more memorable nights on a trip to Tennessee.
Note that if you’re planning to catch the open mic night on a Thursday in the village, or any musical performance at Fox & Locke for that matter, make sure you purchase tickets well in advance of your visit from their website. This is a popular evening for people from near and far, and space is at a premium. Even if you have tickets, you’ll want to show up well in advance of the performances to get a great seat.
You Can’t Leave Leiper’s Fork Without Doing These Other Things While You’re in Town, Too!
If Southern charm and laidback hospitality is your vibe, or if you’re planning to embrace the country boy or girl within, trust me when I say that Leiper’s Fork offers a crash course in Southern living and hospitality.
When you do make your way to Leiper’s Fork, you can’t leave town without doing these things:
Sample Award-Winning Whiskey and Bourbon at Leiper’s Fork Distillery
If you drink alcohol, but still need convincing when it comes to visiting a distillery, let me preface this by saying that I’m not typically a fan of sipping spirits on their own. But believe me when I say that the spirits here are a cut above, and are truly delicious to try.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery is an award-winning distillery, and about a 5 minute drive from the centre of the village. It’s on a beautiful property with views of farm fields and trees all around it. From their large wrap-around porches and rocking chairs, to their dark, shady and moody interiors, the property is oozing with southern charm and feels like a home away from home. They also have an outdoor bar and patio area, which we headed to for a tasting.
From their bar, there are a few different items you can try, depending on what you’re interested in. If you’re a fan of whiskey, then you should definitely try a Whiskey Flight to get a better sense for their spirits. Chris and I both liked the TN Whiskey Bottled In Bond best. I would also recommend trying their Bourbon. It’s actually won the bourbon industry’s Ascot award for best bourbon, and it’s made outside of Kentucky. I think our favourite spirit we sampled was the Bourbon Bottled In Bond.
If cocktails are more your speed, they also have an excellent selection of cocktails at their bar, showcasing the delightful local flavour combinations that combine so nicely with their spirits. You can’t go wrong with their Honey Peach Tea, which combines the delectable southern flavours of a tea on a hot summer’s day, or The Hillsboro, which is their take on a classic old fashioned.
WALK, SHOP AND GALLERY HOP ON MAIN STREET
Leiper’s Fork is a true artists’ enclave, and when you walk along its main street and take in all of its inviting outdoor and indoor spaces, you’ll quickly see why. Whether you’re on the hunt for the next great gift to yourself or someone else, or you’re simply looking for some laidback inspiration, then a peaceful walk downtown is the way to go.
No matter where you venture in town, you won’t be disappointed. But a few places worth visiting while you’re in town include:
Leiper’s Creek Gallery. This gallery is in a former gas station in town, and it’s known for its authenticity and welcoming spirit. It’s been open since 2001, where proprietor Lisa Fox has curated a diverse collection of exceptional art, and created a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The gallery attracts both local and national artists, offering a unique art experience to visitors.
David Arms Gallery. This gallery showcases artist David Arms’s original art and inspired products. The barn maintains its rustic charm, while serving as a creative community hub.
Copper Fox Gallery. This fine arts gallery featuring unique works by Southeastern artisans. The carefully curated collection includes functional art, paintings, and jewellery. The gallery, housed in an 1888 building with a copper roof, offers a delightful experience with warm and friendly owners who always have stories to share about the pieces in the shop.
Patina Home and Garden. Brooke & Steve Giannetti are designers passionate about creating homes that reflect a connection with nature, history, and community. Here you’ll find inventive and well curated home goods.
Props Gift Shop. This quirky shop is a great place to go for antiques, knick knacks and snacks. We made sure we picked up a few GooGoo Clusters from this store, too—a signature Tennessee treat.
Bubble Joy. If you’re a family travelling with kids, then you’re definitely going to want to pop in to the newly opened Candy Shop. It’s a whimsical candy shop and Bubble Bar combining Willy Wonka's imagination with Disney magic. They offer gourmet candies and customizable drinks with fun flavors and edible glitter. They’re also connected to The Parlor at Bubble Joy next door, which is a jewellrey, oxygen, and mocktail bar, perfect for the parents to pop into as well.
TASTE SOME OF TENNESSEE’S EMERGING WINES AT WINES IN THE FORK
Tennessee’s wine production is definitely on the up and up, with wineries popping up across many parts of the state. Surprising as it may be, Tennessee’s latitude is the same as Napa Valley, making it a great place to grow and harvest grapes.
The Wines in the Fork Tasting room is in an historic cottage, with creaky wooden floors and a rustic tasting bar and sitting areas. It’s a very friendly and warm place to be, making this a great place to dip into learning about the state’s wines.
They have different experiences that you can take advantage of during your visit, like wine and snack pairing experiences in their tasting room, or dinners in the creek that take place literally in Leiper’s Creek, behind the shop. They also have a great bottle shop, making it easy to pick up local wines to bring back to your hotel later.
Enjoy the Slower Pace in The Fork
Leiper’s Creek behind Wines in the Fork often hosts memorable evenings dining in the creek. By day, you can stroll down to the creek yourself and dip your toes in.
It’s hard to give a name to the feeling you get upon visiting Leiper’s Fork for the first time, but I’d have to say that any cloud of stress or overwhelm just seems to leave your shoulders when you reach its limits.
As we left Open Mic Night at Fox & Locke and walked out into the village, we could still hear the buzz of country music and the excitement of the crowds from inside. Dusk was beginning to fall on the village, casting a golden glow on everything it touched. Pulling out onto Old Hillsboro Road as the country roads darkened around us, I was delighted to see fireflies dancing along the bushes on either side of the road. Their movements felt a lot like my feelings in this moment—happy and carefree.
This is why a visit to Leiper’s Fork is a must for creative spirits—you’ll find yourself walking a little slower, hovering a little longer, and feeling a little more deeply during a visit to this magical village.
I want to thank Visit Franklin for hosting me as media during my trip to Leiper’s Fork. All opinions are completely my own.