Things To Do
Joanie's
We eat here ALL the time!! The food is amazing!!
Puckett's Restaurant
We have been here many times and love the food!! Bonus, there is an ice cream parlor attached!!!
Stones River National Battlefield
As 1862 drew to a close, President Abraham Lincoln was desperate for a military victory. His armies were stalled, and the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg spread a pall of defeat across the nation. There was also the Emancipation Proclamation to consider. The nation needed a victory to bolster morale and support the proclamation when it went into effect on January 1, 1863. The Confederate Army of Tennessee was camped in Murfreesboro, Tennessee only 30 miles away from General William S. Rosecrans’ army in Nashville. General Braxton Bragg chose this area in order to position himself to stop any Union advances towards Chattanooga and to protect the rich farms of Middle Tennessee that were feeding his men. On December 26, 1862, the Union Army of the Cumberland left Nashville to meet the Confederates. This was the beginning of the Stones River Campaign. This is one of Mark's favorite spots. He is a HUGE history buff. Bonus, in October with the leaves changing it will be beautiful.
Trendy Pieces
Want to do a little shopping! This is Debbie's favorite spot in downtown Murfreesboro. They have the cutest clothes and accessories. Bonus, there are 3 stores side by side!!
Lower Broadway Downtown Nashville
Downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway is a vibrant entertainment district famous for its "Honky Tonk Highway," featuring multi-level bars with live music 365 days a year, such as Tootsie’s, Legends Corner, and Robert’s Western World. The area offers a mix of historic venues like the Ryman Auditorium, rooftop bars, Southern dining, and nearby attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame. Mark has officially dubbed it, "Redneck Disneyland". Our favorite game to play when going to Broadway is guessing the over/under on how many girls we'll see in white cowboy boots and miniskirts, which as everyone knows, is the official Nashville bachelorette party uniform. Nashville is second only to Las Vegas for weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties. If you go...just watch out for the peddle taverns and don't wear open-toe shoes (your feet might get barfed on). All that being said, no trip to Nashville is complete without going to Broadway! (who knows, you might see someone famous!)
Ryman Auditorium
Known colloquially as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” The Ryman Auditorium began as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. Local entrepreneur Thomas Ryman built it as a permanent location for tent revival-style gospel meetings. The auditorium was also the site of secular gatherings like Helen Keller’s lectures and the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ performances. It is the original home of WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. It still hosts famous musicians from around the world and is a must see while you're in Nashville. Tours are available on their website.
Franklin Downtown Historic District
Lined with trendy boutiques, home goods stores, art galleries, and restaurants, all housed in charming historic buildings dating back as far as 1799, Main Street is made for wandering. Stop by White’s Mercantile for curated Southern goods, explore local artistry at Gallery 202, or catch live music and great food at Gray’s on Main. Whether or not you’re staying at The Harpeth Hotel, dinner and drinks at its in-house restaurant, 1799 Kitchen & Bar Room, is always a good idea. Grab dessert at Triple Crown Bakery. Franklin is also the site of historic Civil War battle sites such as Carnton Plantation and The Carter House.
Carnton Plantation
Carnton is a historic plantation home built in 1826 in Franklin, Tennessee. The property, comprising 1,420 acres, played an important role during and immediately after the Battle of Franklin during the American Civil War. Carnton was situated less than one mile from the location of the 1864 battle's Union Army eastern flank, and it became the principal temporary field hospital for tending the wounded. Mark has visited on numerous occasions and is always fascinated that you can still see the blood stains in the hardwood floors of the home. More than 1,750 Confederate soldiers lost their lives at Franklin, and on Carnton's back porch four deceased Confederate generals' bodies were laid out for a few hours after the battle. If you love history, in particular the Civil War, this is a must see!
Carter House
Carter House, built in 1830, was one of the premier farms in Middle Tennessee. On November 30, 1864, the home and the families who lived there found themselves in the middle of one of the most dramatic events of the Civil War. Before daybreak on November 30, 1864, Federal Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox woke the Carter family, took possession of the house and made the parlor his headquarters. The Battle of Franklin began at 4pm in the waning afternoon sunlight when 20,000 Confederates attacked a similar number of entrenched Federals. The Carter family, a neighboring family, and several Carter slaves took refuge in the north room of the basement as the battle raged around their home. This is another Civil War site Mark has visited numerous times. You can still see bullet holes in the home and according to the tour guide, the battle became so fierce the back porch was covered in "grey matter" as a result of the hand-to-hand combat that took place there.