Quaint, family-friendly, and bursting with true southern hospitality, this tiny town deserves a special spot on your to-do list!

Free S’mores outside multiple small-town shops?  An honesty box for locally made honey?  A village façade that looks like a movie set or something lost in time?  Sound like a dream?  It’s not: it is, in my opinion, the cutest small town in Tennessee: Leiper’s Fork.

Leiper’s Fork makes for a great family day trip from Nashville or overnight from anywhere.  Only about a thirty-minute drive southwest of Nashville, it’s located on the Natchez Trace Parkway and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. 

While only about six hundred and fifty residents are in the village, it boasts galleries, restaurants, and shopping that tells you that the visitors have caught on to its charms.  There are a number of inns and restaurants, antique stores, and art galleries along the tiny strip that comprise the business/commercial district.

While it’s typically fun any day to head out to Leiper's Fork, there are a number of annual festivals and events for such a small town – music festivals, The Hillbilly Half Marathon & Little Billy 5K, and, of course, the annual "Almost Famous Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade" (the second Saturday in December).

Where to eat

The Country Boy is my favorite indoor spot to eat in Leiper's Fork. It's cute, friendly, and typically pretty fast getting your food.  

The inside is a low-key classic diner, and the menu is best for brunch or lunch.  Adults can choose from a range of delicious bites, including salads, sandwiches, and traditional brunch fare.  Young diners have a range of typical kid items - hamburgers, chicken strips, grilled cheese, etc.  It's located right on the main drag in Leiper's Fork, so grab a table well-situated to enjoy some fun people watching as you enjoy your meal.  

Right across from The Country Boy is the famous Puckett’s Grocery – it’s unpretentious, friendly, and always filled with locals and tourists.  The brisket is to DIE for and there are regular (and good!) musicians playing inside.  Outdoors there are picnic tables if it’s a nice day.

Where to shop

Because it’s so small, you can pretty much hit up all the galleries, boutiques, and antique shops in an afternoon.  The shopowners are lovely to children and typically have a shop cat or dog and a piece of candy to give away.  However, my favorite things in winter are the S’ mores stations that sit outside multiple storefronts with a cute firepit and comfy seating.  What a win for both kids and adults!

Where to stay

Sweeney Cottage was bought by the famed Holly Williams (daughter of Hank Jr. and granddaughter of Hank) and renovated to be honestly, quite dreamy.  What I love about it for families is that it’s right on the main drag of the action (in case little ones get tired) and has room to sleep six. It boasts a tiny but charming and efficient kitchen and cozy sleeping spaces. 

What to do

Driving around the country roads will leave you breathless as you spot lambs, horses, and cows.  Running through a local field is a great way to tire the kids out.  Puckett’s, as noted above, has a great schedule of live music. Timberland Park is a quick drive and boasts hiking trails and a butterfly garden.  And of course, if you’ve had enough eating and strolling through the galleries, the Spa at Leiper’s Fork might be a perfect place to refresh for tired mommas that can steal away for a spell.

Since you're already out that way, push a bit further on the Natchez Trace for an easy, kid-friendly hike to Jackson Falls before heading back home.