Five Ways to Embrace Fall in Nashville
Crisp air. Beautiful leaves. Football games. Mums. Pumpkin spice lattes! Need I say more? Fall has finally arrived in Nashville, and we are undoubtedly welcoming the season with open arms. Here are a few of the very many great ways to embrace autumn in Nashville.
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin at S.E. Daugherty & Sons Farm
S.E. Daugherty & Sons farm is the perfect place to get in the fall spirit on so many levels! First, this family farm has all the perfect pieces to decorate your porch and home for the season, including pumpkins of all varieties, colors and sizes, corn stalks, hay bales, mums and other fall flowers. While you’re there, you can also buy fresh squash and veggies to make soup for a cozy night in after a fun day of decorating. I’ve saved the best for last though, because until first frost, their magical flower fields are open to pick your own gorgeous, vibrant bouquets. Rows and rows of dahlias, zinnias, and many other flowers fill the fields, making for the most peaceful setting. The farm has clippers and buckets on hand for your fresh picks, and it truly is a memorable experience for all ages. Pro tip – This would make for the perfect setting for a family photoshoot!
Hike the Trails at Radnor Lake
Sometimes there is no better therapy than being completely submersed in nature, encountering wildlife, listening to the birds overhead, and hearing the leaves blowing in the breeze. If you’re a leaf peeper and enjoy being outdoors, I can’t think of a better spot than Radnor Lake. Open year-round, this 1,300+ acre park has 7.75 miles of trails of varying difficulties (including one pet-friendly path along the lake itself!), and is the perfect way to experience peace through nature. Radnor Lake hosts a variety of events and activities, so be sure to check their website for upcoming dates. While every season brings a different sense of beauty, the reflection of the fall foliage on the lake is breathtaking. You might even get a glimpse of the resident bald eagles if you’re lucky!
Experience PumpkinFest in Franklin
If you haven’t been to PumpkinFest, you need to add this incredible event to your autumn to-do list. Taking place on Main Street in Franklin, this fall festival is host to hundreds of vendors, along with great food, photo opps and all things fall! What’s not to love? Picture yourself strolling leisurely down Main Street, browsing the many shops, sipping cider, hearing live music, searching the many booths for Christmas gifts. It’s the quintessential fall day! It’s also the perfect place for kids of all ages, as the street is lined with activities. And if your pet isn’t afraid of crowds, you can bring them along too, as there are tons of pups, and your pup might even take home a prize if they win the pet costume contest! I will say, it definitely gets crowded, so I suggest getting there early to find a parking spot and avoid the peak crowd times. Stay late to experience a ghost tour to really complete the fall vibe!
Cruise the Natchez Trace Parkway
For those who love taking the scenic route, Natchez Trace Parkway is a great way to leaf peep, enjoy the open road and hit a few historic pit stops along the way. Just down the street from the famous Loveless Café is the start of the Natchez Trace Parkway (technically, it’s the end, as the parkway begins in Natchez, MS). This leads to the perfect photo op just before the iconic Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge. After snapping your fall family pics, you can drive the beautiful winding roads for miles and miles (even to Tupelo, MS if you desire) for a great fall excursion. Just be aware of the deer and turkey that might cross your path along the way!
Sip a PSL at a Local Coffee Shop
The fall season brings everyone’s favorite drink back to the menu of coffee shops all over the country (if not world!): the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Because what’s cozier than sipping one in a coffee shop while reading, writing, or enjoying conversation? There are so many great local coffee shops around Nashville. Land of a Thousand Hills in West Nashville has an incredible ambience and setup with tables, couches and comfy chairs. They even have a pool table, skee ball and board games on hand. It’s also pet-friendly! Other great coffee shops around town include Frothy Monkey, 8th & Roast, Honest Coffee Roasters, The Good Cup and the Coffee House Franklin. Happy sipping!
No matter what mood you’re in or what vibe you’re looking for, these ideas are sure to get you in the spirit during one of the most magical seasons to be in Nashville. So grab your favorite cozy sweater and experience all that this season has to offer! Happy fall y’all!
