7 Fun & Unique Things to Do in Leiper’s Fork Tennessee
Looking for some small-town vibes during your next visit to Tennesee? Leiper's Fork is a beautiful destination that attracts celebrities, musicians and motorcycle enthusiasts. In this article, Tennessee resident Jason Wilson looks at 7 fun things you can experience next time you visit Leiper's Fork.
Last updated: April 11, 2024
6 min read
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Between the rolling fields around Franklin TN, you’ll find one of the state’s best-kept secrets: a tiny town called Leiper’s Fork.
When we first moved to Tennessee in 2019, it was largely because we stayed in a short term rental near this incredible little town while we visited with close family. We fell in love with the charm in this small town, as well as Franklin Tennessee and the surrounding area, after living all our lives in Arizona.
You could easily drive straight through the 650-person town without a second thought, never knowing you were missing a treasure trove of artwork, music, incredible food, and small-town charm. The quaint location is packed with personality in every corner.
If you adore historic buildings, gorgeous scenery, down-home restaurants, and picture-perfect southern charm, you’ll find something to love here. Even better if you’re a music-lover! The live music offerings of the town far exceed their tiny size.
If we haven’t convinced you yet, this article will run through some of the amazing ways you can spend your time in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee.
Visit Fox & Locke
Peak Season
Fall (September to November), Weekends and Holidays
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Country Music Enthusiasts, Food Lovers, Boutique Shoppers, Art Appreciators, Cultural Explorers
This BBQ joint slash concert venue is the heart and soul of Leiper’s Fork.
Established in 1947 by Jack Fox and Martin Locke, it quickly became a central gathering point of the town. Now, it’s grown into a major music venue that’s hosted huge names in country music such as Carrie Underwood.
Performers arrive from all over to play at Fox & Locke, meaning you’ll have a different music experience every time you visit.
Plus, the food is to die for. BBQ ribs, burgers, and southern comfort food make for great eating while you’re enjoying the tunes.
Live shows are hosted on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. On Thursdays is their always popular Open Mic night that lets anyone have a turn on stage.
These nights are a complete wild card, with the occasional country star arriving unannounced to play their greatest hits live.
All of these nights are incredibly popular and book out quickly, so if you’re interested make sure to book tickets through their website!
If you only have time for one stop in Leiper’s Fork, we’d absolutely recommend this rare gem. There really is no place quite like it anywhere in the country.
Explore the Leiper’s Fork Market
Peak Season
Fall (September to November)
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Artisanal Food Enthusiasts, Local Produce Lovers, Community Supporters, Cultural Explorers
One of the most charming places you’ll ever fill up your car, this location might look like any other gas station at first glance.
Once you step inside, you’ll soon realize it’s anything but!
As you enter, you’ll cross the classic, Southern front porch complete with comfy rocking chairs.
Inside, you can grab the classic gas station staples like soft drinks and snacks, but you’ll also find a lunch counter hosting delicious southern food. Nearby, there’s a selection of local beers from places like Mill Creek Brewing Co.
If you head out back, you’ll find the Red Bird Coffee House, a cafe inside a tiny building detached from the rest of the station.
Once you’ve got your gas, plus a snack or two, you can chill out on the nearby picnic tables and soak in the atmosphere. Every corner of Leiper’s Creek exudes small-town Southern charm, and the market is no exception.
Once a month, Leiper’s Fork Market completely takes over the field next door with local goods, live music, and old-fashioned country games. If you’re in town at the right time, it’s a great day out.
Attend a Live Music Performance at the Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Peak Season
Fall
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Whiskey Connoisseurs, Spirit Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Cultural Explorers
A short drive out of town will take you to Leiper’s Fork Distillery, a local landmark that’s working to keep the heritage of Southern brewing alive.
The building and production room are stunning. The distillery is inside a huge log cabin that features giant wooden beams, intricate antler chandeliers, and rustic stonework around every corner.
Basically, have your camera ready – there’s no shortage of Instagrammable backgrounds to pose in front of.
You can sign up for a guided tour of the location, where you’ll be walked through their whiskey-making process from start to finish. Plus, you’ll get to do some tasting at the end, too!
Leiper’s Fork Distillery pride itself on using local ingredients, time-honored techniques, and pure, limestone-filtered water to make its whiskey. This pride for their work is etched in all parts of the building, and exuded by the people that work there.
Music is tied to all parts of Leiper’s Fork, so naturally once a month the distillery hosts the Stillhouse Session. On this night, the gorgeous stillhouse building is turned into a singer/songwriter showcase for the ages.
If you love whiskey, historical artisanship, or music, we recommend a visit.
Take a Scenic Drive Along Natchez Trace Parkway
Peak Season
Spring (April to June)
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History Buffs, Road Trip Enthusiasts, Nature Lovers, Outdoor Adventurers, Cyclists
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a huge, 444-mile recreational road that spans three different states. It travels right alongside Leiper’s Fork, making it a great way of getting out of town and into nature for a day if you’re staying nearby!
The parkway loosely follows a historic route traveled by thousands of people throughout America’s history: Old Natchez Trace. The trail was crossed by Native Americans, European settlers, and countless others throughout the years.
Nowadays, the parkway lets you enjoy all the gorgeous scenery in comfort, with several scenic vistas and other stop-offs you can make along the way.
Go Hiking or Horseback Riding in the Surrounding Nature Trails
Peak Season
Spring (April to June)
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Nature Enthusiasts, Hikers, History Buffs, Outdoor Explorers, Photography Aficionados
If you’d rather get out of the car, the local area also offers plentiful bike riding, hiking, horse riding, camping, and other outdoor recreation to enjoy.
The parkway is great for bike riding if you’d prefer more stable ground, but you can also follow along the original Old Natchez Trace Garrison Creek Trail. The terrain is rougher, but the views are pretty incredible and the area is downright dripping with history.
It’s also a great trail for horse riding and hiking, with space for parking (including horse trailers) as well as hitching posts and water troughs. There are even a couple of places nearby that offer horse rentals for the day!
The local section of Natchez Trace is very popular, so you’re likely to see a few other people on your way. However, if you go during the less popular times you’re likely to have the spot all to yourself.
If you’re willing to drive a bit toward Franklin, you’ll also gain access to the Ridge and West Slope Trail – a 7.2km loop through gorgeous terrain.
If you want something a little gentler, the Winstead Hill Park Trail isn’t too far from here. It’s a 15-minute loop that offers some much kinder terrain to walk on, so might be more suitable for families with young kids.
All of these spots are dog-friendly as long as they are leashed, so you can enjoy the natural vistas with your best friend!
Discover Unique Art Galleries and Antique Shops
Peak Season
Year-Round
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Art Enthusiasts, Collectors, Nature Lovers, Cultural Explorers, Photography Aficionados
Leiper’s Fork has plenty to offer in terms of shops and galleries. You can easily spend a whole day wandering between buildings, browsing a huge variety of products that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
Leiper’s Creek Gallery has a huge selection of work from a plethora of different artists, including 16 local artists.
The gallery features everything from sculptures and paintings to one-of-a-kind furniture pieces imported from Europe. If you love quirky art it’s a must-see!
Plus, their outdoor fireplace is almost always stocked with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for an evening of delicious smores.
At Moo Country, you’ll find incredible, handcrafted cowboy boots for the perfect statement piece for your next outfit.
If you love classic jewelry, Tenn Turquoise Co. has a great selection of silver and turquoise pieces.
Basically: there’s endless exploration to be done in the little town. We’ve only mentioned a few examples here, but charming, odd places are scattered all over Leiper’s Creek!
Enjoy a Relaxing Picnic by the Harpeth River
Peak Season
Spring (March to May)
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Nature Enthusiasts, River Adventurers, Kayaking and Canoeing Lovers, Outdoor Explorers
Once you’ve had enough of the live music and are bloated from the endless supply of delicious food, you’ll find the Harpeth River makes for a great spot to chill out and enjoy some peace and quiet.
The small river arrives from the North East and runs alongside the town, winding between the hills as it makes its way southward.
There are plenty of spots along its bank to sit and have a picnic lunch, soaking in the gorgeous natural views and countryside atmosphere.
You’ll also spot this river if you follow the Old Natchez Trace trail, and may even stumble across a hidden rope swing if you’re lucky.
These secret spots are dotted all along the river, mostly known only to the locals. If you manage to find one, it’ll make for a great spot to settle down for a little while and let the world pass you by in peaceful bliss.
Key Takeaways
In short, Leiper’s Fork is a place like no other. It’s got all of the charm and countryside peace of a tiny, Southern town with an extra dash of personality.
You’ll be inundated with incredible food, music, and more souvenirs than you can fit in your suitcase! We absolutely recommend you give the town a visit if you’re in the area. It’s a pretty special place, and one most people have never even heard of.
