A Long Weekend In: Franklin, TN

We used to live just south of Franklin, TN, and my husband still has a studio there. Now he travels back and forth between Maine and Tennessee to do his work. So last week, a year after our move to Maine, we decided to take a trip back down south to visit friends and some of our favorite places. 

When we arrived at our hotel on the first evening of our trip, we spotted Wholy Crepe restaurant right across the street. So first thing the next morning we were all about having some crepes for breakfast. Both of the girls ordered crepe creations that were really more like dessert than breakfast, but we were on vacation!

After breakfast we headed over to Pinkerton Park near downtown Franklin, where we used to spend many afternoons when the girls were little. This park is the best for all ages! They have a large enclosed playground area called Tinkerbell Playground for young children, lots of swings and larger play structures, a very nice walking/running path all around the large park, lots of open field space to lay out a blanket, toss a ball, or just run around, and very importantly, nice bathrooms!

From Pinkerton Park we walked across the pedestrian bridge and over a few blocks to Franklin's historic Main Street.

We stopped to see the monument in the Square, honoring the men who fought in the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War, then headed down Main Street.

One of our favorite shops on Main Street was always the Main Street Toy Company. This time we only bought gum, but it's always a charming little shop to spend some time in. 

Next stop: Franklin Tea. My most favorite place on Main Street. Oh how I have missed Franklin Tea.

I love sniffing all the different varieties of tea.

 

I stocked up on my favorite Assam loose leaf tea and some other goodies, and left with the large size bag :)

The next morning after grabbing some breakfast we headed to Winstead Hill, a quiet little park with an easy walking trail. After walking the trail you can head up the hill to read about the men who fought here during the Battle of Franklin in the Civil War. 

 You can see all of Franklin from up here on the hill, and we stayed for while to just enjoy the view.

We had lunch at Logan's Roadhouse before we headed out to meet friends for the afternoon. The girls love this place mostly because you can eat peanuts out of the little bucket and throw the shells right on the floor.

 Emma enjoyed her southern sweet tea everywhere we went!

On our last day we went to the newly reopened Opry Mills. We hadn't been there for a long time before we moved because it was ruined in the May 2010 Nashville flood. New to us was the Lego store, so we stopped in to create our own little Lego figures and pick up a few building kits.

Last big stop of the trip was the Aquarium Restaurant in Opry Mills. We were so glad to see this restaurant back up and running. It is definitely worth a stop if you are visiting Nashville - enjoy an amazing aquarium while eating delicious food. You can't go wrong!

{details}

See more crepes and good food from Wholy Crepe restaurant in Cool Springs here.

Find Main Street Toy Shoppe on Facebook here.

Find out more about Franklin Tea, and even order online here.

Learn about Winstead Hill here.

See all that Opry Mills has to offer here.

Discover the amazing Aquarium restaurant here.