Fall at Southall: Seasonal Experiences for Franklin Locals
Fall in Franklin brings cooler mornings, brilliant foliage, and a season filled with opportunities to gather with family and friends. For those of us who live in Franklin and Williamson County, we’re especially fortunate to have Southall Farm & Inn right in our backyard. Just minutes from downtown Franklin, this 325-acre property draws visitors from near and far, but locals can also take advantage of all it has to offer without having to pack a bag.
This fall, Southall is giving Franklin and Williamson County residents plenty of ways to enjoy what’s close to home. At the center of it all is the return of Tea by Southall, but there’s much more to discover, from harvest-themed dinners to hands-on farm activities, live music, and speakeasy cocktails. Read on to find out how locals can make the most of Southall this fall.
Tea by Southall: A Seasonal Tradition
Tea by Southall returns August 30th and will be offered every Saturday and Sunday through January 2026. Hosted at January, Southall’s signature restaurant, the service includes a prix-fixe menu of savory and sweet items prepared with ingredients from the farm.
Guests can expect sandwiches, pastries, scones, and desserts presented on tiered trays, paired with a selection of teas. Non-caffeinated and child-friendly options are available, making it a welcoming experience for families as well as groups of friends.
Reservations are required in advance, and seatings often fill quickly.
Fall Dining Experiences at Southall Farm & Inn
For Franklin and Williamson County residents, Southall’s dining program offers a chance to enjoy the farm’s harvest without an overnight stay. From group dinners to hidden speakeasies, each event is rooted in the land and designed to highlight what’s growing right here in Franklin.
At the Hilltop Pavilion, guests gather for The Rambling, a family-style dinner under the stars. With long communal tables, live music, and multi-course meals made with ingredients from the fields, orchards, and greenhouses, it’s a rustic celebration of fall.
After dinner, many continue on to Dottie’s Speakeasy, a tucked-away bar marked by a green-lit path, where farm-to-glass cocktails and live music carry the night. Open on Friday and Saturday evenings, reservations are not required for inn guests or those with a dining reservation, but locals can book specifically for Dottie’s. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Inside the Jammery, two dining series highlight the creativity of Southall’s chefs. Food Fables, led by Chef Richard, combines storytelling with menus built around a featured farm crop, like apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Between courses, guests hear about the ingredient’s role in farming and culture, adding context to the flavors on the plate. Also in the Jammery, Tiffin Dinner brings a global perspective, offering a rotating five-course menu inspired by international traditions but grounded in Southall’s own harvest.
At January, guests can also experience Countryside Brunch, offered every Saturday and Sunday. This family-style brunch reflects the farm’s current harvest, with menus designed for sharing and a children’s option available. It’s a relaxed weekend outing that highlights fall flavors in a beautiful setting just minutes from downtown Franklin.
Together, these dining and entertainment offerings show how Southall uses its venues to celebrate the land, offering locals a variety of ways to connect over food, drink, and community.
Fall Farm and Outdoor Experiences at Southall Farm & Inn
Southall’s working farm is more than a backdrop; it’s an open invitation to engage with the land in the cooler months of the year. Several activities are available to day visitors this fall, offering chances to learn, explore, and try something new while surrounded by the beauty of Middle Tennessee.
The Bee Cruise takes guests across the property in an off-road cart alongside a Southall beekeeper. As the ride winds through the farm, participants learn about the estate’s pollination program and the vital role bees play in agriculture. The experience includes tasting award-winning honey and hearing practical tips for supporting pollinators at home, making it both educational and flavorful.
For those who want to get closer to the hives, the Guided Apiary Tour provides a hands-on introduction to beekeeping. Visitors suit up, light a smoker, and carefully open a live hive with the guidance of Southall’s apiarist. The tour concludes with honey straight from the comb, a rare opportunity to taste the farm’s harvest at its freshest.
Adventurers can head to the Aerial Adventure Course, a high-ropes challenge with 15 obstacles and four ziplines suspended up to 40 feet in the air. Designed with a continuous belay system for safety, the course offers an exhilarating way to take in Southall’s landscape while testing balance, agility, and confidence.
The Archery & Axe Throwing sessions offer another kind of challenge. Guided by staff, guests ages 10 and older can try compound and recurve bows on Southall’s archery range and wooded 3D course. Those ages 12 and up can also take a turn at axe throwing, making it a fun group activity that mixes skill-building with friendly competition.
A more ancient tradition comes alive in the Falconry Experience, where guests meet birds of prey and learn about the practice of falconry. The highlight comes when a hawk or falcon swoops down to land on a participant’s gloved hand, offering an unforgettable encounter that blends history, nature, and the thrill of close connection with these powerful birds.
For a slower pace, Plein Air Painting gives guests the chance to capture the landscape on canvas. Guided by an instructor, participants set up their easels among the orchards or hillsides, letting the sights and sounds shape their work. It’s both a creative exercise and a quiet way to appreciate the farm’s scenery.
Southall’s Farmstand offers another way for locals to connect with the harvest. Open daily, it features produce, preserves, and artisanal products, allowing visitors to take a piece of the farm home.
Honey and Spirits Experiences at Southall Farm & Inn
In addition to Southall’s dining events and outdoor activities, the property also offers specialty tastings that connect the farm’s harvest to the glass. Both the Honey Extraction & Bourbon Tasting and the Honey Extraction & Tequila Tasting begin in the honey lab, where guests help extract honey from the frames before moving into a guided pairing. The bourbon tasting pairs regional spirits with honey varietals, while the tequila tasting highlights a curated selection of tequilas. Throughout, participants learn about Southall’s beekeeping program and the role of pollinators on the farm.
One Last Summer Celebration at Southall
While fall is just beginning, Southall is also giving locals one last chance to celebrate summer in style. On Sunday, August 31st, the Lakeside Labor Day Party invites guests to gather by the water for farm-fresh food, lawn games, and live music from Members Only Yacht Rock. The evening begins with a laid-back, lakeside atmosphere before shifting into a higher-energy celebration at the After Hours Neon Party, where DJ Tyrus will spin under the stars. Neon cocktails, glowing attire, and dancing carry the night well past dinner.
The food is just as lively as the setting, with offerings that range from fresh seafood and salads to barbecue favorites and classic desserts such as cobblers and cakes. Paired with music and dancing, the Lakeside Labor Day Party is a festive way to cap off summer before Southall turns its focus fully to fall.
A Season Worth Savoring at Southall Farm & Inn
Fall is often described as a season of gathering, and nowhere in Franklin does that idea come to life more fully than at Southall Farm & Inn. Whether it’s sitting down at a long table under the stars, listening to a story unfold between courses at Food Fables, or tasting honey fresh from the comb on a Bee Cruise, each experience is tied to both the land and the community that surrounds it.
For locals, the beauty of Southall lies in its accessibility. It’s possible to spend a few hours here without an overnight stay, dropping by the Farmstand for produce, booking an afternoon tea, or reserving a spot at a weekend brunch. Families can introduce their children to falconry or beekeeping, while friends can gather at Dottie’s for cocktails or plan a creative afternoon painting the orchards. Visitors travel from across the region to experience Southall, but for those of us in Williamson County, it’s right around the corner.
Explore More Local Events and Getaways
Looking for more ways to enjoy the area? Our guide to Fall Festivals and Events in Franklin & Williamson County, TN highlights local celebrations that bring the community together, from downtown gatherings to farm festivals. If you’re in the mood for a quick getaway, Weekend Trip from Williamson County, Tennessee: Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers ideas for exploring one of the country’s most iconic natural destinations. To make the most of the transition between summer and fall, 12 End of Summer Adventures in Franklin and Williamson County features activities perfect for soaking up the last warm days of the season. And for those who enjoy wine, Tennessee Wineries Near Nashville and Franklin: A Guide to Local Wine Country provides a closer look at vineyards, tasting rooms, and wine trails across Middle Tennessee.
