{"id":11454,"date":"2025-10-15T16:19:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T22:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/the-6-most-scenic-drives-to-take-around-franklin\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T17:50:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T22:50:02","slug":"the-6-most-scenic-drives-to-take-around-franklin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/blog\/the-6-most-scenic-drives-to-take-around-franklin\/","title":{"rendered":"These 8 Scenic Drives Around Franklin Will Take Your Breath Away"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Visitors flock to Franklin for its historic streets, upscale shopping, and award-winning dining\u2014but locals know there\u2019s lots more magic to be found just beyond Franklin\u2019s charming downtown streets. Rolling green hills, wide open pastures, and winding backroads make Williamson County one of the most beautiful places in Tennessee to explore by car. Whether you have an hour or a full day to spare, these scenic drives promise wide horizons, hidden gems, and views that will stay with you long after the engine cools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Franklin to Thompson\u2019s Station<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Head out onto Highway 31 South and within minutes, the city fades away behind you. In its place, you\u2019ll find sprawling farmland, lush pastures, and a verdant landscape that’s inspired generations of country music. End your drive with a walk at Preservation Park<\/a><\/strong>, where a Sound of Music<\/em>-style hill offers sweeping, panoramic views of the countryside. If you’re feeling peckish, pop into nearby Spring Hill for barbecue at Martin\u2019s Bar-B-Que Joint<\/a><\/strong> or a decadent brunch at Brunch Collective<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Natchez Trace Parkway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Few scenic byways in America rival the\u00a0Natchez Trace Parkway<\/a><\/strong>. This federally protected, 444-mile road runs from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, and the stretch near Franklin is pure magic. Hop on from Highway 96 to cross the iconic double-arch bridge, then stop at\u00a0Timberland Park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for a hike. Drive a little farther, and you\u2019ll find stopoffs that include waterfalls, tobacco barns, and the historic\u00a0Gordon House<\/strong>\u2014all reminders that the Parkway is as much a destination as it is a road. Hungry? Head to nearby Fairview for a delicious lunch or dinner at local hotspot, The Thompsons Kitchen<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: Drive slow, enjoy the ride, and watch for cyclists. Park rangers often ticket speeders here, even if they\u2019re driving just a few miles over the limit. (Don\u2019t ask me how I know!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Old Natchez Trace Road<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Locals swear by this four-mile stretch, especially at sunset.\u00a0Old Natchez Trace<\/strong>\u00a0hugs the Harpeth River and traces the route once traveled by Mississippian Native Americans. Along the way you\u2019ll see historic homes, stone walls dating back to the mid-1800s, and a marker for\u00a0Old Town<\/strong>, a once-thriving Native American settlement. It\u2019s history and natural beauty, entwined. Continue your insider adventure with a meal at Barbara’s Home Cooking<\/strong><\/a> in the nearby Grassland community. Their poppyseed chicken casserole is a must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Route 31A<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For small-town charm mixed with countryside views, Route 31A<\/strong> is your drive. It leads you straight to Nolensville, a can\u2019t-miss stop for boutique shopping and Southern-inspired dining. Continue along the 31A Trail for a picnic at Arrington Vineyards<\/a><\/strong>, a pint at Mill Creek Brewing Company<\/a><\/strong>, or fresh cider from Morning Glory Orchard<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s a drive that blends Tennessee flavors with Tennessee views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. College Grove<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Locals know College Grove is home to some of the best scenic drives in Middle Tennessee. Take Lewisburg Pike from Franklin to Bethesda Road<\/strong> in Thompson\u2019s Station. From there, it\u2019s a six-mile drive to Pulltight Hill Road<\/strong> in College Grove, which offers yet another stunning overlook of Williamson County\u2019s lush green hills. Continue on to Cross Keys Road<\/strong> and Flat Creek Road<\/strong> for more unforgettable pastoral views. Afterward, drive to nearby Eagleville for delicious sandwiches at Grindstone Cowboy<\/a>, <\/strong>or head back to Thompson’s Station for a meal at historic Circa Grill<\/strong><\/a>, housed in an old general store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Big East Fork Road<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Known mostly by word-of-mouth, Big East Fork Road<\/strong> meanders past grazing cattle, creeks, a covered bridge, and farmhouses that look like they\u2019ve been plucked from postcards. You\u2019ll also pass intriguing landmarks with names like Graveyard Hollow<\/strong> and Tobacco Patch Hollow<\/strong>. The road is narrow and popular with cyclists, so take it slow. Continue under the Natchez Trace Parkway onto Stillhouse Hollow Road<\/strong>, and you\u2019ll eventually end up at Highway 46.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget your camera\u2014this drive practically begs for photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Southall Road to Leiper\u2019s Fork<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For one of the prettiest drives around, hop on Southall Road in Franklin and roll straight into the storybook village of Leiper\u2019s Fork. Once there, catch live music at Fox & Locke<\/a><\/strong>, browse the antique shops and art galleries dotting the village\u2019s main drag, savor a big Southern breakfast at Country Boy<\/strong>, or sip your way through a whiskey tasting at Leiper\u2019s Fork Distillery<\/a><\/strong>\u2014all include restful countryside views as an unforgettable backdrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Lynnwood Way Lookout<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just a short drive from downtown Franklin, wind your way on South Berrys Chapel Road to\u00a0Lynnwood Way Lookout<\/strong>\u00a0at 4462 Lynnwood Way. This hidden gem offers sweeping views of Lynwood Gap, a breathtaking spot that feels worlds away, yet is only minutes from the shops and restaurants of Cool Springs.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re here for a quick visit or you\u2019ve lived in Franklin for decades, these drives remind us why Williamson County is considered to be one of the most beautiful spots in Tennessee. Fill your tank, grab your favorite playlist, and see where the road takes you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While many flock to Franklin each year for its historical tours and fabulous shops and restaurants, locals know downtown Franklin is only part of what makes Williamson County special. The city is surrounded by some of the most beautiful rolling hills and pastureland in all of Tennessee, making the area rich in scenic drive opportunities. Whether you have an hour or a day to spend taking in the sights, here are six scenic drives guaranteed to set your spirits soaring. Franklin to Thompson\u2019s Station This scenic drive takes you down Highway 31 from Franklin to nearby Thompson\u2019s Station. Within minutes, [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":99950538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[45,239],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outdoor-adventures","category-things-to-do"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11454"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99957729,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11454\/revisions\/99957729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99950538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}