Franklin, Tennessee

Located roughly 20 miles south of Nashville, Franklin retains the capital’s music scene while offering a more laid-back community. You can see big-name artists in small venues, and the city hosts the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival every year on a 230-acre farm, featuring acts like Dave Matthews Band and Noah Kahan.

The area has a lively downtown. There are a number of independent stores, many of which sit alongside art galleries on the historic Main Street. Dating back to 1799, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Factory at Franklin is just steps away, home to artisan goods, delectable food, and live entertainment. And Franklin hosts several spots on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, such as Company Distilling and O’ Be Joyful.

There are also lots of outdoors activities for the family, with nearby venues like Mistletoe Farm and Noble Springs Dairy, worth paying a visit for fresh produce or some animal fun. The famous Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile scenic byway that winds through Tennessee and beyond, is only a bike ride away to watch the sun rise. 

High schools are top rated and have received awards, with a 96% graduation rate and a culture that’s big on football and tailgates. Franklin is a major Civil War site, where the 1864 Battle of Franklin took place. The city has launched the Fuller Story Project, which aims to tell a more inclusive version of the area’s history. That includes a statue unveiled in 2021 honoring the U.S. Colored Troops, a segregated part of the Union Army, to depict the Black experience before, during, and after the Civil War.