Eat, Imbibe & Explore: One Perfect Day at The Factory at Franklin

Since The Factory at Franklin first opened in 1929, it has served as home to three different stove manufacturers and a mattress company and experienced several attempts at development of the 14 buildings of the massive campus into a cohesive retail opportunity.

Under the current ownership of Holladay Properties, The Factory has finally evolved into an all-day and nighttime destination. There’s a lot to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down to help you have the best day ever.

Morning

To pack this much in one day, you’re going to have to arrive early. Nab a down-home Southern breakfast at Hattie B’s. If avocado toast is more your speed than a hot chicken biscuit, check out the Australian cafe vibe at Two Hands where large windows flood the dining room with natural light. Honest Coffee Roasters offers a wide variety of specialty coffee and espresso drinks alongside light bites from the kitchen.

Sufficiently caffeinated, it’s time for some retail therapy at the many boutiques and specialty shops of The Factory. Whether you’re hunting vintage vinyl at Luna Record Shop, fine art from Stonebridge Art Gallery, custom jewelry courtesy of Judith Bright or the perfect souvenir or home decor item from the shabby/chic nostalgia shop Fork of the South, there are plenty of options for window shopping or serious commerce at The Factory. You can also pick up a lovely bouquet from Amelia’s Flowers, but don’t try that at Blue Flowers. It’s a skateboard shop!

Afternoon

Mid-day dining options abound at The Factory. Grab a gourmet wiener like the Tennessee Dog topped with bacon, cheddar, onion and bbq sauce from Daddy’s Dogs or further indulge your barbecue cravings at Edley’s. The White Alligator serves a legit po’boy sandwich and bowls of rich gumbo. (Pro tip: the bar at The White Alligator serves frozen French 75s that you can enjoy while strolling inside the confines of The Factory.)

Head outside for a ride on the newest attraction at The Factory that also happens to be the oldest project in the facility. The Carousel of Dreams has been artist Ken Means’ obsession for 30 years as he painstakingly carved the 36 whimsical wooden animals and magical creatures that decorate the ride.

Evening

Enjoy a happy hour at Skylight Bar just inside the main entrance, where locals and visitors alike gather to connect over craft cocktails, beers and wine. Or partake in a curated cheese and charcuterie tray with wine pairings from the talented cheesemongers and sommeliers at Greys Fine Cheeses. (If you find a new favorite, you can also buy some to take home.)

Evening options for a leisurely dinner include a second outpost of chef Deb Paquette’s popular restaurant Etch, where the kitchen creates dishes with the same layers of fascinating international flavors as the original in SoBro. After a multi-year closure, Saffire has been reborn to again serve the elevated Southern fare that made it so beloved.

Nighttime

Studio Tenn is a professional regional theatre group that produces Broadway-quality shows in their home in The Turner Theater. During the off-season, the theater hosts musical performances like The Red Wheel singer-songwriter showcase series four nights a week. The Mockingbird Theater also features local and touring music acts inside its cozy building in The Factory’s courtyard.

What better way to top off one perfect day than with a scoop from Jeni’s Ice Cream?

For More

Craving more of The Factory than we can share here? We’ve got you covered there, too.

For a detailed overview and orientation to the property, consider taking a historic tour ($8-12) led by Factory staff on Wednesdays and Fridays. To just concentrate on the culinary offerings of the complex with a Wednesday food tour from Walk, Eat Nashville ($109). It’s also easy to explore on your own, thanks to maps all around the campus and on The Factory’s website.