The Ultimate Summer Break Checklist for Franklin & Williamson County, Tennessee
Summer break is in full swing and there are so many things to experience in Williamson County, Tennessee! Whether you are enjoying a break from school or just looking for some activities to add to your summer bucket list, there are plenty of ways to get outside, learn something new, or engage with the community!
Learn more about local dining experiences, entertainment, shopping, and more at
Brentwood Skate Center
The Brentwood Skate Center will offer fun weekly events throughout the summer! With skate nights catered towards every age group, everyone is sure to have a good time! This roller rink also has a snack bar, arcade games, DJs, and fun light effects. Try out rollerskating or hone your skills at the Brentwood Skate Center!
Brentwood Summer Concert Series
It’s not a summer in Brentwood without Sunday night concerts at Crockett Park! Kicking off the 2023 season on June 11th, The Brentwood Summer Concert Series provides weekly outdoor concerts! Gather with loved ones and enjoy this summer of music featuring WannaBeatles, Music City Stones, Rubiks Groove, Cruizin Keys Dueling Pianos, and The Smoking Section!
Brentwood Summer Concert Series
DEFY
DEFY Nashville is a trampoline park and amusement center located in Brentwood! With activities such as battle beams, dodgeball, obstacle courses, ziplines, and more, DEFY promotes individuality and independence. This trampoline park is the perfect place for kids to spend a summer day!
Downtown Franklin
Franklin’s downtown is classified as a historic district and has been named America’s Favorite Main Street! There are so many things to do and see in downtown Franklin, including antique stores, art galleries, book stores, and historic sites from The Battle of Franklin! Instead of sitting at home, you can spend a day walking around downtown Franklin!
Franklin Art Crawl
The Arts Council of Williamson County, TN holds a monthly Art Crawl in downtown Franklin on the first Friday of every month! This free event showcases Williamson County’s local artists and allows the community to view and purchase all different types of art. Galleries and studios are dispersed throughout Franklin’s historic downtown with many offering refreshments and live music!
Franklin on the Fourth
Franklin on the Fourth is an annual celebration on the square, sponsored by the Franklin Lions Club. Festivities begin in the morning and include music, food, vendors, a Children’s Patriotic Parade, and more! Thousands are expected to attend every year, and there are prizes for best dressed, as well as best decorated bikes or wagons. This is a pet-friendly event with no fireworks, so feel free to bring your furry friends to this celebration!
Red, White and Boom
The City of Brentwood will be hosting their annual 4th of July celebration from 7pm- 10pm at the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater in Crockett Park. Featuring live music throughout the night and fireworks starting at 9pm, make sure to bring a chair and some blankets to this free Independence Day celebration with the Brentwood community!
Independence Day at Harlinsdale Farm
Sponsored by WAKM and the City of Franklin, Friends of Franklin Parks hosts an annual 4th of July celebration at Harlinsdale Farm! With live music, family games, food trucks, and a firework show, this is sure to become an Independence Day tradition for you and your loved ones! Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to view the fireworks and enjoy the evening at Harlinsdale Farm.
The Factory at Franklin
The Factory at Franklin has been around for nearly a century and has worn many different hats. What was once a stove factory is now a local trove of shops, studios, restaurants, and entertainment! You can paint pottery at Third Coast Clay, try a 100 layer donut at Five Daughters Bakery, sip at The Skylight, and more!
The Factory at Franklin
Farmers Markets
These local farmers markets prove the importance of contributing to your community and provide the perfect opportunity to support your local farmers, kitchens, and artisans!
- You can find The Franklin Farmers Market every Saturday morning behind The Factory at Franklin with numerous vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, and local art.
- The Nolensville Farmers Market will be taking place every Saturday from 8am-12pm at the Historic Nolensville School. Local farmers and artisans will offer fresh, seasonal foods and unique crafts!
Franklin Family Entertainment Center
The Franklin Family Entertainment Center has 24 bowling lanes, 6 lanes of mini-bowling, an arcade, 3 billiard tables, and a full-service bar and grill. With so many fun options to choose from, The Franklin Family Entertainment Center is the perfect place for a night of summer fun with family and friends!
Franklin Fly Fishing Co.
Franklin Fly Fishing Co. offers guided fly fishing on the Harpeth River. There are a variety of fish to be caught, no matter if you are fishing in the spring, summer, fall, or winter! Check out this local fishing experience, whether you are looking for a group excursion on their drift boat, a one-on-one lesson, a wading trip, or even a pleasure cruise through the heart of downtown Franklin!
The Franklin Theatre
Established in 1937, The Franklin Theatre has been entertaining this town for nearly a century! The theatre showcases all kinds of art and entertainment including movies, plays, live music, and more! You can find multiple events happening at the Franklin Theatre every week. There’s nothing better than watching a world-class performance at this local theatre!
The Franklin Theatre
Harpeth River
The Harpeth River runs 115 miles from Eagleville to Ashland City, with plenty of access points in Williamson County! The Harpeth River is great for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, so feel free to spend a hot day at the river!
Hot Air Adventures
Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures’ hot air balloon rides are the perfect way to view the state’s beautiful landscape. The hot air balloon rides take off at sunrise or sunset, so you can enjoy the endless, colorful skies and rolling hills. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for children and adults alike!
Kings Dining & Entertainment
Kings Dining & Entertainment in Franklin is the ultimate stop for summer fun! With a menu of appetizers, salads, burgers, wings, sandwiches, pizza, tacos, desserts, beer, and cocktails, everyone is sure to find something they enjoy. Along with their delicious food, they offer bowling, billiards, arcades, and more!
Leipers Fork, TN
Leipers Fork
Leiper’s Fork is a quaint, charming community in Williamson County, just 20 minutes from downtown Franklin. This small town offers a down-to-earth feel as well as a selection of antique shops, art galleries, and local diners. Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some time at Leiper’s Fork!
Mistletoe Farm Alpacas
Mistletoe Farm sits on 15 acres of land and is home to over 20 alpacas! This unique farm in Franklin invites you to meet and fall in love with their adorable alpacas any weekend between May and December. Mistletoe Farm even offers handmade products made from alpaca fibers like dryer balls, shoe inserts, and more!
Morning Glory Orchard
Morning Glory Orchard is a peach and apple orchard in Nolensville. You can book a variety of activities including flower arranging, taste tours, painting, yoga, picnics, tea parties, and more! All you need to do is gather your friends and family to show up and enjoy a fulfilling day with picturesque views.
Movies in the Park
The City of Franklin celebrates every summer with Movies in the Park! Pinkerton Park is home to this series of outdoor movies taking place every summer weekend from June 9th- July 21st. This year, the movies will include Guardians of the Galaxy, Moana, Indiana Jones, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Shrek! Make sure to pack a chair or blanket to enjoy fun movies and food trucks with the Franklin community!
Natchez Trace Parkway
There are plenty of things to do this summer on the Natchez Trace Parkway, including biking, camping, hiking, and even horseback riding! You can spend an afternoon walking Williamson County’s portion of the Natchez Trace or take a scenic drive to the wooded valley of Birdsong Hollow to view the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge!
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in Brentwood provides a safe space for over 2,000 local species to flourish! This 300-acre property features creeks, ponds, forests, hills, and meadows where the Williamson County community can connect with native wildlife. Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary offers a variety of educational events and classes to the public throughout the summer, so make sure to check out their calendar!
Parks
Williamson County has a wide variety of parks where you can walk, run, hike, or bike! Here are some of our favorites.
- Deerwood Arboretum is located on 27 acres bordering the Harpeth River and hosts a variety of wildlife! You can explore over 100 species native wildlife with their bike paths, jogging trails, ponds, and wildflower meadows.
- Crockett Park is a 164-acre park in Brentwood with a number of attractions including the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, the Cool Springs House event venue, sports fields, nature trails, open meadows, and a playground.
- Marcella Vivrette Smith Park is the largest park in Brentwood and includes the historic Ravenswood Mansion on its 400-acre property. The park features 4 color-coded trails, each ranging in levels of difficulty and adding up to 7.1 miles worth of hiking.
- Pinkerton Park is the most used passive park in the Franklin park system! This 34-acre park features 3 pavilions, 2 playgrounds, grills, and a 1 mile walking trail with informational signs about Fort Granger.
Pedego Electric Bikes
Pedego Electric Bikes offers a selection of electric bikes including cruisers, mountain bikes, and more! Pedego in Franklin is locally-owned and encourages exploration of the city! If you find yourself with a free day this summer, consider renting one of these electric bikes and experiencing all of Franklin’s attractions up close!
Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge
The Rabbit Hole VR
Located in Franklin, The Rabbit Hole is the largest virtual reality arcade in the Southeast. Their experiences include a VR arcade with over 15 games to choose from, a multiplayer free roam arena, and a VR escape room! Whether you’re going out for date night, hanging out with friends, or hosting a party, The Rabbit Hole is the place to be!
SOAR Adventure Tower
The SOAR Adventure Tower in Franklin features 4 levels of over 100 climbing obstacles designed to challenge you mentally and physically. They also offer an 18-hole music-themed miniature golf course and a bar! If you’re looking for a local way to have fun and get active this summer, SOAR is the place for you!
Splash Parks
Franklin and Williamson County have plenty of interactive splash parks for kids to enjoy on a hot summer day! The Franklin Splash Park, Brentwood Splash Park, and Nolensville Splash Park’s hours from now until August 3rd will be:
Mon.- Thurs. 10am- 7pm | Fri. 10am- 6pm | Sat. 10am- 5pm | Sun. 1pm- 5pm
Sticks & Stones Axe Co.
Sticks & Stones Axe Co. offers family-friendly axe-throwing experiences with personalized coaching. Offering private events, mobile facilities, and even leagues for all skill levels, this is a great way to have some active, competitive summer fun with friends and family! Join a league for weekly competitions or rent a lane for a night out!
Sugar Drop
Sugar Drop is a local sweet supply shop that offers bakery items, classes, and more! If you find yourself looking for something to do and wanting to satisfy your sweet tooth, try out one of Sugar Drop’s classes where experienced teachers will show you how to make your own sugary treat!
Franklin City Cemetery
Tours
Just because it’s summer break doesn’t mean the learning has to stop!
- Battle of Franklin Trust offers civil war tours of Carter House, Carnton, and Rippa Villa.
- Franklin on Foot features a Civil War Tour, Haunted Franklin, Food Tour, Murder and Mayhem Tour, Classic Franklin, private tours, and more!
- Franklin Walking Tours offers a variety of tours including Franklin Charm, Grim and Ghostly, Fierce Females, and private tours!
Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park in Cool Springs offers countless indoor games and activities for the whole family! From dodgeball and climbing walls to obstacle courses and battle beams, this adventure park has it all! With countless attractions and activities as well as a cafe, you and your family can have an entire day of fun at Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park!
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