Outdoor Fun in Franklin & Williamson County, Tennessee
It’s finally warming up in Franklin and Williamson County, Tennessee! Everyone is looking for an excuse to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with their loved ones. Luckily, there are plenty of local outdoor experiences, so keep reading to find out where you can have some fun in the sun!
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Arrington Vineyards
Enjoy the beautiful weather at Arrington Vineyards, complete with shaded picnic areas on the vineyard’s sprawling 95-acre property. Dubbed as “Nashville’s Wine Country”, the venue offers wine by the bottle or flight, along with frosé and snacks. Along with the gorgeous scenery and delicious wine, Arrington celebrates every weekend with Music in the Vines. Treat yourself to a picnic with loved ones accompanied by live jazz and bluegrass music, paired with their vast selection of wine!
Historic Downtown Franklin, Tennessee
Referred to as “America’s Favorite Main Street”, Franklin’s downtown is an outstanding example of historic preservation. In addition to the brick sidewalks and Victorian architecture, there are over 70 unique shops and restaurants to browse! With clothing boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, a variety of restaurants, and more, exploring downtown Franklin, Tennessee is a great way to spend a day with friends and family!
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 in historic downtown 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 8 am-12 pm at the Historic Nolensville School. Local farmers and artisans will offer fresh, seasonal foods and unique crafts!
FirstBank Amphitheater
What was once a rock quarry filled with 900 tons of junk is now the biggest live music venue in Williamson County, Tennessee! Franklin’s FirstBank Amphitheater is an environmentally friendly venue that can be found within the reclaimed Graystone Quarry in Thompson’s Station, surrounded by 140 acres of nature. Check out their lineup and enjoy a night of music outside at FirstBank Amphitheater!
Golf Courses
Williamson County has a few public golf courses for you to enjoy!
- Franklin Bridge Golf Club is an affordable public golf course along the Harpeth River!
- Cheekwood Golf Club covers all your golf course needs and is fun for all skill levels!
- The Little Course at Conner Lane is designed for players of all ages who are learning how to golf!
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. After an hour of incredible views, you can celebrate with some complimentary champagne! Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in Brentwood, Tennessee 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 events and classes to the public throughout the year, 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.
- Eastern Flank Battlefield Park consists of 110 acres and is a former battle site of the Battle of Franklin. If you ever find yourself wanting to learn more about this historic event, Eastern Flank Battlefield Park has plenty of historic interpreted trails!
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! If you’re looking for a local way to have fun and get active, SOAR is the place for you!
Tours
- 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!
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory Bluebird on the Mountain Outdoor Concert Series
The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is located in Brentwood and offers ticketed tours, telescope nights, “Meet the Astronomer” evenings, their Bluebird on the Mountain outdoor concert series, and more! Book a trip to the Dyer Observatory to learn something new about astronomy and the observatory’s history or attend one of their live outdoor performances for a night of entertainment under the stars!
Wilkins Branch Mountain Bike Park
The Wilkins Branch Mountain Bike Park expands over 156 acres of hills and woods in Franklin. With 8 trails ranging from beginner to expert, you are invited to ride these trails no matter your age or skill level!
Pedego Electric Bikes Franklin
Pedego Electric Bikes Franklin provides E-Bike Rentals in Franklin, Tennessee. Pedego’s selection of electric bikes includes cruisers, mountain bikes, and more, and they also offer bike sales, accessories, service. Pedego is locally-owned and encourages exploration of the city! They provide everything you need to explore Franklin, Tennessee, and beyond! Franklin offers rich history and popular scenic destinations, so there is a lot to see and do. Pedego Electric Bikes offers tours such as, The Fun Franklin History Tour, Leiper’s Fork Tour, Historic Homes Tour, and more. Consider renting one of these electric bikes and experiencing all of Franklin’s attractions up close!
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Shopping for antiques or curious about a restaurant? Wanting to volunteer your time with a non-profit, or just stopping by downtown Franklin, TN for the day? Access it all on FranklinIs.com. We encourage you to browse through the Living, News, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Real Estate, Visit, Resources and Events Calendar sections. There is something for everyone!
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