Take a Break from the City Life and Be Charmed by Southern Hospitality

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If you’re enjoying all the wonderful outdoor adventures that the Natchez Trace Parkway has to offer and want to take a break from hiking and camping, then you should head into Leiper’s Fork and be charmed by this small Southern town.

Where is Leiper’s Fork?

Leiper’s Fork is an adorable rural village located in Williamson County, Tennessee on the Natchez Trace Parkway.  Just one mile off the Trace, you’ll run into this town and miss it in the same second if you’re not paying attention.

What is the Natchez Trace?

This was an important travel route for Native Americans and early European-American settlers and the are was settled in the late 1700s.  This trail is over 400 miles long and was the same trail that Meriweather Lewis, of Lewis and Clark, died on in 1809.

While the existing Trace is about a mile away, the Old Natchez ran straight through the center of town.

 What’s the story behind Leiper’s Fork?

Leiper’s Fork was settled in the late 1700s by pioneers from North Carolina and Virginia.  The village, which includes late 19th century buildings, is a Registered National Historic District.  These historic buildings and homes have been transformed into restaurants, antique shops, gift shops and galleries.

Is there really anything to do in Leiper’s Fork?

One of the best places to eat in Williamson County and the Greater Nashville area was started in Leiper’s Fork – Puckett’s Grocery & Market.  What started in 1953 has evolved into 4 local stores – the original here, two in Franklin and one in Nashville.  Live music, award-winning Southern cuisine, and desserts to die for are what you’ll find here.

There are a few other options to eat here – Country Boy Restaurant and Joe’s Natural Farm Store & Cafe.

Leiper’s Fork offers a unique shopping experience including antiques that are several hundred years old, one-of-a-kind furniture, fine art, specialty food, and rare books.

My personal favorite would, of course, be Yeoman’s in the Fork – one of the South’s finest rare book galleries.

Leiper’s Fork offers many events throughout the year including live music on an almost nightly basis, art shows, and outdoor movies during the summer.

What about you?  Do you prefer big cities or small towns?  Does this like somewhere you’d like to spend an afternoon?