How to Spend a Day in Spring Hill, Tennessee
Rich in history and natural beauty, Spring Hill, Tennessee, is a great place to spend a day exploring the past and enjoying one of Middle Tennessee’s most welcoming communities. While best known for The Battle of Spring Hill, this small city just south of Franklin also offers excellent local restaurants, unique shopping destinations, and lots of green space—perfect for a day trip!
Here’s how to make the most of a day in Spring Hill.
Morning: Start with Breakfast and History
Begin your day with breakfast at one of Spring Hill’s local favorites. At Better Days Diner, you’ll find 1950s-inspired decor and a menu full of Southern staples like chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy. Another breakfast option is The Fainting Goat Coffee Co., a family-owned coffeehouse located in a charming old house. Known for freshly baked pastries, breakfast empanadas, and signature coffee blends, it’s a great way to begin your exploration of Spring Hill.
After breakfast, dive into history at Rippa Villa Plantation, a Civil War-era estate built in the early 1850s. This Greek Revival mansion was a key site during the Battle of Spring Hill, a prelude to the Battle of Franklin. Once the home of Nat Cheairs, a major in the 3rd Tennessee Infantry, Rippa Villa served as headquarters for generals and troops from both sides of the war. Now managed by The Battle of Franklin Trust, the estate operates as a museum offering guided tours of the home and grounds. Visitors can learn about the Civil War, the years leading up to it, and its aftermath. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance, as walk-ins are not allowed.
Midday: Explore Local Shops and Boutiques
Shopping in Spring Hill offers a blend of history and modern Southern charm, with businesses that have been part of the community for generations alongside newer shops and boutiques. For antique lovers and treasure hunters, Spring Hill Antique Mall is a must-visit. Located in a former school gymnasium, it boasts over 8,000 square feet of vintage finds in more than 40 vendor booths. Open seven days a week, it’s a great place to shop for furniture, home décor, artwork, and collectibles.
If you are looking for gifts and home decor, stop by Sunday Night Dinner Gifts + Décor. Here you will find tableware, candles, and other items to elevate your dinner table or take home as a gift. Located next door to The Fainting Goat, Ghostlight Books offers a community-focused space for book lovers. Known as “The Bookstore Spring Hill Built,” the 4,000-square-foot shop has dedicated rooms for different genres, creating a retreat for readers of all ages.
For clothing and accessories, check out Birdy Grace Boutique, where you’ll find fashion for women and juniors, along with a small section of children’s items. For a taste of Spring Hill to take home with you, visit Early’s Honey Stand. Established in 1925 as a roadside stand selling honey, Early’s now offers Southern staples like sausage, biscuits, jams, sauces, and coffee, making it a must-visit for gathering ingredients to create a classic Southern meal.
Lunch: Flavors Near and Far
Spring Hill’s dining scene offers an unexpected variety of options, from local Southern traditions to international flavors. For barbecue lovers, Martin’s BBQ Joint serves up West Tennessee-style whole hog barbecue, slow-smoked for over 20 hours, alongside classic Southern sides and scratch-made pies.
If you’re in the mood for something bold and spicy, Aha Indian Grill offers authentic Indian dishes like butter chicken, tikka masala, and tandoori specialties, blending locally sourced ingredients with spices imported from India. Italian classics can be found at Frankie’s Pizza and Grill, where traditional hand-tossed pizzas, fresh salads, and house-made dishes highlight farm-to-table ingredients.
For Mexican favorites, Tito’s Mexican Restaurant features family recipes, generous portions, and top-shelf margaritas that pair perfectly with their south-of-the-border-inspired dishes.
Afternoon: Fun for Everyone
Spring Hill has plenty of options for relaxing or keeping the family entertained.
Enjoy fresh air and outdoor time at one of Spring Hill’s city parks. Fisher Park, Spring Hill’s largest park, features an ADA-compliant playground, a splash pad open Memorial Day through Labor Day, walking paths, picnic pavilions, and an amphitheater for special events. Evans Park offers picnic pavilions, a playground, restroom facilities, and Spring Hill’s only off-leash dog park, Barkley Park. Harvey Park, centrally located in Spring Hill, features picnic pavilions, a playground, a walking trail, and restroom facilities. McLemore Park is a small pocket park with playground equipment, benches, charcoal grills, and a basketball court. If you’ve brought your wheels, head to Walnut Street Skate Park, where skateboards, inline skates, BMX bikes, and non-motorized scooters are welcome.
If golf is your game, hit the links at Towhee Golf Club, previously known as King’s Creek Golf Club. This beautiful 18-hole public course was designed by Arnold Palmer and accommodates players of varying skill levels.
If you’re looking for indoor activities, Joyfull Arcade has over 10,000 classic arcade games, including Pac-Man, Area 51, Duck Hunt, and Galaga. In addition to traditional games, you can also experience virtual reality, racing, and flight simulators. It’s a great place to spend a few hours while enjoying a little family-friendly competition.
If creative fun for the little ones is on the agenda, head to TN Art Yard, a drop-in art studio designed for children ages 1–12. In addition to the open Art Play, they offer a variety of teacher-led classes for preschool through elementary students as well as storytime on Mondays and Thursdays.
Want to catch a movie in Spring Hill? The local AMC Theater Spring Hill features 12 screens, including the BigD auditorium with a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen and ultra-high-resolution picture quality. Concessions go beyond the usual popcorn and candy, with options like flatbread pizza, mac and cheese bites, soft pretzels, hazelnut churros, donut holes, and more. To make it even better, movie tickets are 25% off every day before 4 pm.
Evening: Dinner and Entertainment
Spring Hill, TN has several options for winding down in the evening, whether you’re looking for a casual bite, a drink with friends, or some live entertainment.
A relatively recent addition to Spring Hill’s social scene, Reunion Wine & Cocktail Bar offers a place to relax with wine, craft cocktails, and snack boards. During colder months, you can even rent an igloo on the lawn for a cozy and unique outdoor experience!
Fozzy’s Bar & Grill is a lively spot where there’s usually something fun happening. Check their calendar for events like live music, bingo, or trivia nights. Their menu includes small plates, tacos, burgers, and salads. Bring the family and take advantage of their Monday special, where kids eat free from 4 to 8 pm.
For a special dinner, Birdsong Social, located at the Towhee Golf Club, offers traditional American cuisine, cocktails, and rotating specials. Enjoy your meal in the dining room or expansive patio while taking in the golf course views. After dinner, head outside for a game of bocce ball or horseshoes on the community lawn. Birdsong is open to the public and reservations are not required.
Bonus Stop
Grab a sweet treat and a little piece of tropical paradise to take home at Hidden Seed Plant Shop and Beach Co. Chill, a fun combination of nature and indulgence in one location. Situated on Locke Avenue, Hidden Seed is a family-owned plant shop where you can find planters, gifts, and a selection of houseplants ranging from rare to easy-care varieties. While browsing, enjoy Hawaiian-style shaved ice from Beach Co. Chill, located just outside the plant shop.
Wrapping Up Your Day in Spring Hill, Tennessee
Spring Hill’s blend of historic sites, shopping, and outdoor spaces makes it an ideal destination for a day trip. Whether you’re looking to dive into Civil War history, enjoy a meal, or simply relax, there’s something for everyone in this quintessential Middle Tennessee town.
For more inspiration on exploring Williamson County, check out Spend the Perfect Winter Day in Franklin, Tennessee for seasonal activities or Speakeasies, Spirits, and Cocktails: 10 Franklin Bars You Can’t Miss for a guide to the area’s best cocktail spots.
