Area Attractions

Craving Italian? Bring the family to this nostalgic Italian chain, where you’ll dine on hearty plates of chicken carbonara or baked ziti served over checkered tablecloths.

There’s a strong sense of history inside GRAY’S on Main, a restaurant serving refined takes on Southern classics in an old-fashioned space that was once a drugstore (dating back to 1876). Try the Tennessee fry bread, the shrimp and crab gumbo grits, or the seasonal cocktails. Reserve a table in advance if you can.

Stop by the Franklin outpost of this Nashville-based chain to feast on upscale American favorites, such as grilled salmon, steak, or artisan pizzas. It’s a great choice for a business lunch.

Offering Southern comfort food and live country music Tues.-Sat., this local favorite should be your first stop for slow-smoked ribs or homemade milkshakes.

Bring a picnic basket to this picturesque winery and sit out at bistro tables as you sip award-winning vintages and listen to live music. You can buy cheeses, chocolates, and other snacks to pair with your wine, or try a flight of red, white, or sweet wines at the tasting lodge.

This 1826 plantation, now a museum, served as a field hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Battle of Franklin in 1864. Take a 60- or 90-minute tour to see the restored house and grounds, or a walking tour across the Civil War battleground nearby.

Once a complex of 1930s-era factories, this historic site has been reborn as an eclectic shopping destination featuring hip pizzerias, coffee shops, and antiques stores.

This 14-block stretch of old-fashioned shops, theaters, and more is the place to go for festivals and community events. It’s centered around Franklin Square.