nashville area self-guided driving tour M{ NEARBY NASHVILLE { M This trail begins just a few minutes from Nashville, the state capital of Tennessee. Nashville draws visitors and music lovers from all over the world, and it’s full of hidden gems on its own — little known restaurants, venues, and sites with cultural and historical significance, including The Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson), Welcome to the Fort Nashborough, and several Antebellum mansions. While you’re in the Old Tennessee Trail. area, make plans to explore Nashville’s SEE THE DRIVING fascinating history and enjoy the unique energy of Music City. TOUR MAP ON PAGE 12. Read the story behind the trail on page 22. The Old Tennessee Trail is waiting for you: a scenic drive as rich in history as it is in fresh air, gently rolling hills, and DOWN-HOME CHARM. This trail begins just outside of Nashville M{ TAKING IN THE TRAIL { M in historic Franklin, where you’ll set off through our gorgeous • These 84 miles are full of historic sites, preserved homes countryside and explore some of our favorite small towns, and museums that bring the stories of the Old Tennessee built from early settlers’ HOMESTEADS AND FARMLANDS. Trail to life. Many of them require advance reservations, Stop in the historic markets that help anchor our admission, or both to experience our history. communities, and feel right at home at some of our best-kept • The Old Tennessee Trail features beautiful stretches RIP? We’ve got READY FOR A TENNESSEE ROAD T SECRET DINING SPOTS, even if you’ve never read the words of scenic driving. Make sure you fill your tank and you covered on the new, self-guided driving trails of the On Nashville’s Trace, “frog legs” on a menu in your life. use the restroom in the towns along the way. There will Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways. always be a “next town” on the route, but it may not be you’ll take the scenic route — literally — on the Natchez Trace Stand where Confederate General John Bell Hood watched within the next few miles. Parkway, a beautiful National Park and National Scenic Byway. his troops march to the dramatic Battle of Franklin; run your Make your own adventures in the unique small towns and • This is a drive that promises an off-the-beaten-path historic communities just beyond the trees. Pick up a trail map hand over CIVIL WaR bullET HOLES that still mark the NashvillesTrace.com. You’ll Tennessee experience. What we can’t promise is steady at Nashville’s visitor center or visit trail’s many Antebellum homes. This is the story of Middle cell phone service. Don’t be surprised if you don’t always find the directions, stops and stories that make Nashville’s Trace a one-of-a-kind Tennessee road trip you won’t want to miss. For Tennessee, from Native Americans to west-bound settlers, have a signal. an overview of the trails and Tennessee visitor offerings, call Civil War soldiers and beyond. • Many historic buildings open their doors to visitors, but for a free vacation guide. 1-800-GO2-TENN The Old Tennessee Trail takes some time to explore, and many properties remain as they have for over a century: it’s up to you to decide how you want to experience it — from private residences. Please be respectful of the private land and homeowners on our tour. a six-hour SCENIC DRIVE to a two-day history excursion. Any way you go, you’ll discover life and adventure outside of • During the summer and early fall, you’ll find opportunities to stock up on local produce at farms and farm the attractions that make us famous. stands between the points of interest along the trail. So turn off your mobile phone, fill up, buckle in, grab Many stands are cash-only, so visit the ATM before you your camera, and spend some time exploring Tennessee’s hit the road to take backstage. Here’s your pass. advantage of true farm- to-table goodness. • Don’t forget to visit your Symbol Key: GREAT National REgistER favorite online review Outdoors of Historic PlacES sites (like tripadvisor.com African- AMErican Land Trust PicturE Spot or yelp.com) and help us HEritagE for TEnnEssEE blaze a trail to these LivE Music statE-ownED wonderful hidden gems. Civil War VEnuE historic sitE TEnnEssEE FEstivals Lodging Main StrEET Pictured on cover: Carl Road, Leiper’s Fork; Carnton Plantation, Franklin; St. John’s Program Church, Mount Pleasant. Pictured above: The Hermitage, Nashville; Davis General Store, Boston Community; Civil War bullet holes at the Carter House, Franklin. For complete visitor information Paper contains Food & WinE MotorcyclE on Tennessee, call 1-800-GO2-TENN 10% recycled RoutE (R) Right (L) LEft James K. Polk Home interior; Columbia; Bigby Grey flag, Mount Pleasant. content. or visit tnvacation.com. Find more information at OldTnTrailAndByway.com. 1 Campbell, who owned by the Gentry family since 1849, and its Please note: Shops Points 11-25 are highlights to explore as M{ DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN { M started the first 400 acres remain a working farm with three in Leiper’s Fork are you travel Hwy 46W through Leiper’s Fork. national bank to Civil War-era homes (Private Residences). closed Mon., unless Founded in 1799, Franklin’s historic downtown has open in Middle Open weekends, end of Sept.-Oct. noted. Restaurants 11. David Arms – (R) Visit this gallery to view made a successful and sustained effort to preserve the Tennessee after are open daily. the work of this nationally known artist, and history of the original square and surrounding businesses Continue W on TN-96W for 8. You’re crossing the West Harpeth River, which browse originals, giclees, signed posters, the Civil War. It 4136 Old Hillsboro Rd. and homes. This charming 16-block historic district is 1.6 miles, turn L onto flows into the Harpeth. You’ll soon pass prints, note cards and more featuring his features a cupola and widow’s walk, TN-46W/Old Hillsboro Rd. Leiper’s Fork listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The BACK ON TRAIL uncommon architecture for the mid-South. through the historic Bingham Community, signature use of inspired symbolism, texture, square is surrounded by beautiful Victorian architecture, giving a once-thriving rural area with churches, color and composition. visitors a glimpse of history, along with unique shopping and Continue W on Hwy 96W 5. Centennial Hall – (R) (Private Residence) businesses, schools, and Boyd’s Mill. one-of-a-kind restaurants to explore. The Old Tennessee Trail for 1.3 miles to view Originally the Knights of Pythias Pavilion, 4141 Old Hillsboro Rd. 12. Country Boy Restaurant – (L) Serving daily pt. 5 up on hill. Go SW on TN-46W for 2.1 9. Gray-Lemke House – (R) Leiper’s Fork since 1968, you can order breakfast any time, ends right here where it begins, so you’ll have another chance this glass-domed and wooden structure was miles to pt. 9. 615-591-4245 1015 Carlisle Ln. constructed by the fraternal organization (Private Residence) plus a variety of full- to discover downtown Franklin (including the historic Visitor Franklin 4088 Old Hillsboro Rd. Center, point 1) after you’ve finished the trail. for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in Built in 1856, this flavored country fare. Leiper’s Fork Greek Revival-style Breakfast & lunch, daily; Points 1-8, 86-98 are located in Franklin. 1897, for which Nashville’s famous house was home to the dinner, Tues.-Sat. owner of Bingham’s Did You Parthenon was KnoW Restaurants offering also constructed. community store. DIRECTIONS Southern comfort food 1. Williamson County Also known as Continue SW on 10. Leiper’s Fork – This is the only historic are often termed a “meat and three” because From Franklin Sq. Visitor Center Carlisle House, TN-46W for 2.4 village on the Tennessee portion of the diners select one meat and three vegetables roundabout, turn the building was miles to pt. 10. Natchez Trace Parkway. Originally named ? from the daily menu. R onto E. Main St. (R) Start at this historic actually dismantled and moved from the “Bentonville,” it was founded by Thomas to pt. 1 in center of building, the McPhail- exhibition site (now Nashville’s Centennial 4142 Old Hillsboro Rd. 13. Puckett’s Grocery – block. Hart Benton’s mother and grew around a Leiper’s Fork Cliffe Office, for maps, Park) in 1900 by Joseph Parks, supposedly store, a log school and church. Stop here (R) Happily serving 209 E. Main St. 615-794-1308 Leiper’s Fork as a Franklin brochures and info on to impress a woman he was courting. and experience historic architecture and 615-591-8514 self-guided walking Perched on its rocky knoll, this property has modern charm, where a fine art gallery is a restaurant, grocery and tours including the Franklin iPad Tour App. witnessed over a century of change. neighbor to a grocery store that moonlights meeting place since Abbreviation Key: Nashville’s Trace: Backstage to Backroads as a music venue. This special place is home the 1950s, locals and celebrities alike take R Right Continue W on TN-96W, 6. Animalia – (L) This site, in the heart of the and The Jack Trail: Sippin’ to Saddles self- to farmers, talented artists and musicians the stage and enjoy the famous burgers. L Left guided driving tour turn L onto Boyd Mill Pk. Westhaven Community, encompasses several N North Take immediate R and historic farms and their family cemeteries, (yes, some very famous) who appreciate its facebook Favorite place to eat along the Old Tennessee Trail? brochures are also continue to parking area fan S SOUTH including that of William White.