A Southern Gypsy
Take a Break from the City Life and Be Charmed by Southern Hospitality
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?
Brianna (The Casual Travelist)
April 19, 2014 at 8:25 PM
I go for the charm of small towns when I travel. Especially in the US where everything can seem homogenized, the character of small towns can really accentuate our regional differences.
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:55 PM
You’re very right Brianna!
Brittany @ Paws for Beer
April 19, 2014 at 8:48 PM
I love finding amazing small towns as I travel. Probably helps since I grew up in a small town and it reminds me of home!
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:54 PM
They are fun to explore for sure 🙂
Calli
April 19, 2014 at 9:43 PM
Is that the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard and what is it’s story? Great post and thanks for hosting! 🙂
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:54 PM
It sure is indeed Calli! This is one of the cars that was used in filming! 🙂
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Corinne
April 20, 2014 at 3:00 AM
What an adorable place. I love small town America.
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Thanks Corinne! 🙂
Ming
April 20, 2014 at 4:42 AM
I’m much more a of city person but love the occasional visit to a small town. I love the fairs, trying restaurants well-known by locals, and even the farmers markets seem to have more charm than the ones I’ve been to in a big city. Great reading about this place!
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:53 PM
You’re right about the farmer’s markets 🙂
Margherita @The Crowded Planet
April 20, 2014 at 3:45 AM
I love your posts Ashley. They make me want to grab a car and cruise around the Southern US. This one looks like a great find, really showing how diverse the US are. Thanks and happy easter!
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Thanks Margherita! I hope you get to do a Southern US trip – it really would be an amazing trip!
Rachel
April 20, 2014 at 3:59 AM
You won me at the mention of rare books…
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:53 PM
I figured I would win some people over with that 🙂
Caitlyn
April 20, 2014 at 6:20 AM
I am a big city person but I do love little driving holidays when you get to stop off in lots of little places you wouldn’t necessarily have ever heard about. A big road trip of the American South is definitely on my list for next year!
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:52 PM
An American South road trip would be a fantastic idea! I hope you get to do it 🙂
Birgit
April 20, 2014 at 9:22 AM
I would definitely want to stop there and take in the charm of this place. The one car in the first picture looks like Burt Reynolds will hop into it any time soon and take off with Sally Field:)
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:51 PM
You should check it out sometime Birgit! 🙂
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
April 20, 2014 at 9:28 AM
That car from the Dukes of Hazard was the first thing I noticed in your photos. I’m very bad about rushing through the small towns during road trips trying to push through until we reach our destination. Leipers Fork does look like a charming town that’d be good for a lunch break and some walking around before hopping back into the car.
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:51 PM
I love that everyone knew the car without me saying what it was from…this is one of the ones that was used during filming 🙂
Daidri | Thee Getaway Gal
April 20, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Oh I love small little towns just like this! I enjoy a city but it’s this quaint historic areas that catch my interest the most. The view outside Puckets Grocery, with all the bikes, reminds me of Alice’s Restaurant here by me. You know it’s a great place to hang out when there’s always crowds of bikes out front. Fun place to read about.
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:50 PM
You’re exactly right Daidri!
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Dave Cole
April 20, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Looks like the perfect day trip, as it has live music, good food and history. The next time I’m in the area this could be a great option.
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:50 PM
You should check it out Dave…very relaxing place! 🙂
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey
April 20, 2014 at 3:04 PM
I could VERY easily spend an arvo there. I love big cities, but small towns are a great way to relax and step back in time.
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:50 PM
I couldn’t argee with you more…I’ll take you when you come to visit 🙂
Stacey Veikalas
April 21, 2014 at 3:15 AM
Oh I love small towns and they never get any love or great write ups! I am from Colorado, and went to college in NC I know how cool small towns can really be! Very fun, would love to see this place and love the history of the Indians and how it was settled! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Hubbard
April 21, 2014 at 2:49 PM
Ohhh small towns in NC are great as well I’m sure!
Lauren
April 21, 2014 at 8:30 PM
Oh, I’m definitely a small town girl at heart! This town is really adorable! I love how charming these small places are, each with their own history and local events! That book store sounds great!
Lisa
April 21, 2014 at 10:14 PM
Small town, big city…I like it all. It depends on what I am interested at the time I am choosing a destination. I love history, so historic things are always fun.
Katrina
April 22, 2014 at 9:59 AM
I prefer small towns for living, but enjoy bigger ones for travels. Leiper’s Fork looks lovely!
Sharon
April 22, 2014 at 7:11 PM
It looks like a very cute little town!!
I am definitely a city slicker. Somewhere like this would just be an afternoon stop for me 🙂
Bryna
April 22, 2014 at 9:06 PM
I love how the village has so much charm and character! Would love to visit if I’m ever in the area.
Raphael Alexander Zoren
April 24, 2014 at 7:37 AM
Looks like a very charming place, indeed! 😀
Angela Travels
April 24, 2014 at 10:01 AM
I prefer small towns probably because I am from one. I like all the old and new combined and the people and stories you learn while visiting. Is there a Dukes of Hazard story behind the one pictures?
frankaboutcroaria
April 25, 2014 at 8:30 AM
Leiper’s Fork looks like a place I could enjoy a lot. I have a weakness for the small, charminf towns. And the ones having a word fork in the name seem simply irresistable :). Thanks for the tips, Ashley!
Adelina | PackMeTo
April 25, 2014 at 10:22 AM
I’m definitely a big city person, but something is to be said of these smaller towns and villages. I love how quaint everything is. I think I would enjoy wandering around here.
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