By: Dawn Burns

Holly Williams, owner of White’s Merchantile has launched White’s Room and Board, offering beautiful vacation rental properties around middle Tennessee and expanding to Franklin, KY this summer. Let me show you around the dreamy Sweeney Cottage in Leiper’s Fork. You'll want to grab a glass of sweet tea and move right in! 

Sweeney Cottage, built in 1892 by the Carl Sweeney family, is located in the charming village of Leiper’s Fork. Williams states that she “enjoyed working on the redemption of this home, renovating where needed, and always preserving where I can to let the history shine through.” Topped with a tiny roof, a front porch swing and fire pit, you truly can’t find more Southern Charm!

It is located within walking distance to Puckett’s, White’s Merchantile1892, 1892 and Leiper’s Creek Art Gallery to name a few. Also, grab a few books to read during your stay at the quant Leiper's Fork Library! 

The front porch welcomes you with open arms! You’ll want to barbecue and sit on this porch for hours!

Sweeney Cottage allows you to bring your furry friends! They even have Harry Barker dog beds in the living room to pamper your pooch!

The living room offers a gas fireplace, flat screen tv, antique chest of drawers and plenty of sunshine.

Come ready to soak in the tub and feel refreshed!

The farm table is the perfect spot to gather around the table to eat, drink and share stories

The Writer’s Room equipped with two Gibson Guitars begs for local musicians and artisans to create music in this space.

The light-filled master bedroom with a queen bed will make getting up in the morning very difficult.

The backyard features a fire pit and the place you’ll want to barbecue.

By: Sarah Wilson

Both Metro Nashville and Williamson County schools have Fall break during the second week in October and if you have kids and don’t have anything planned, don’t fret! As a mom of three school-aged girls, I both love and dread our October fall break from school. But, Nashville’s fall break always seems to sneak up on me (please tell me I’m not the only one!).

While my family LOVES everything Nashville and often will simply enjoy a stay-cation or attend a cool local camp during these breaks, we also love to travel and explore together.

I’ve found several manageable (and magical) family spots near Nashville that are perfect for a long weekend or fall break excursion. Below, are 5 of our favorite road trip destinations – all are family friendly and well under a 5 hour drive from Music City:

Photo: @memphiszoo + @visitgraceland

Memphis, TN

Approximate Driving Time from Nashville: 3 hours

Memphis is jam-packed with family-friendly sights and adventures from the iconic Graceland to the Civil Rights Museum; from walking along historic Beale Street to visiting the Memphis Zoo.  There are plenty of educational activities for your kids and also places to simply sit back, eat Memphis bar-b-que and listen to some great music with your family.

Family Friendly Things to do:

• Tour Graceland
• Visit The Peabody Hotel & watch the Duck March
• Explore The Memphis Zoo (and use your Nashville Zoo pass for a discount)
• Visit The Civil Rights Museum
• Walk down Beale Street
• Eat at the world famous Central Bar-b-que

Check out our family of 5 Adventure to Memphis here.

Photo: @olemiss + @squarebooks

Oxford, MS

Approximate Driving Time from Nashville: 4 hours

Oxford is a wonderful small southern town with a rich history in literature and civil rights – plus it’s just an hour drive from Memphis if you want to combine the two cities on your road trip. Deemed “The Cultural Mecca of the South,” Oxford has some great educational and playful spots for the whole family.

Family Friendly Things to do:

• Learn about William Faulkner and visit Rowan Oak
• Explore the Ole Miss campus
• Visit The Square & check out Square Books and Square Books, Jr.

Check out our family of 5 Adventure to Oxford here.

Photo: @lostrivercave + @chaneysdairbarn

Bowling Green, KY

Approximate Driving Time from Nashville: 70 minutes

Bowling Green is about an hour drive north which means it could be a great day trip too! You can explore caves, their quaint downtown and check out this lovely university town with Western Kentucky University sitting proudly atop the city.

Family Friendly Things to do:

• Eat, shop and explore Fountain Square Park
• Explore Western Kentucky University Campus
• Visit the Historic Rail Park and Train Museum
• Tour the Lost River Cave
• Try the homemade ice cream at Chaney’s Dairy Barn & Restaurant

 Check out our family of 5 Adventure to Bowling Green here.

Photo: @visitknoxville

Knoxville, TN

Approximate Driving Time from Nashville: 2.5 hours

I grew up in Knoxville and now when I visit with my kids I’ve found that this incredible city – home to the University of Tennessee and the gateway to The Great Smokey Mountains – is an awesome town to visit and explore at any age.

Family Friendly Things to do:

• Visit the Downtown Market Square shops, restaurants & parks
• Catch live music at lunch at The Blue Plate Special with WDVX radio located inside the Knoxville Visitors Center
• Explore the Knoxville Sunsphere & view the city from the observation deck (Free!)
• Ride the Downtown Trolley (Free!)
• Visit the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
• Play at Suttree Landing along the water
• Enjoy a beer (and juice for the kids) at The Trailhead while playing games on the porch

Check out our family of 5 Adventure to Knoxville here.

Photo: @visitasheville

Asheville

Approximate Driving Time from Nashville: 4.5 Hours

Asheville is one of my favorite southern cities to visit – nestled amidst the Blue Ridge mountains, this town is wonderful for a family adventure full of food, art, and kid-friendly spots abound!

Family Friendly Things to do:

• Explore the Biltmore  - the home tour may be long for young kids, but you can explore the gardens and surrounding areas for free
• Tour French Broad Chocolate – or simply visit their cafe
• Explore Malaprop’s Bookstore
• Eat Breakfast at Biscuit Head
• Have a drink on the porch of the Grove Park Inn and watch the sunset
• Play games at Well Played Board Game Cafe
• Eat pizza and catch a movie at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co.

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Sarah is a freelance writer, editor and communications consultant in Nashville. Sarah writes about kid-friendly Nashville and expanding your family's worldview through travel, food, books and engaging in our local and international communities at TheWanderingRumpus.com. She is the Director of Travel Communications at TheFamilyBackpack.com, a lifestyle company designed to make family travel easier.

Sarah, her husband Brad and their three girls have traveled extensively - both locally and internationally - and are making big plans to do much more wandering with their little brood in the coming years.

Website: TheWanderingRumpus.com
Instagram: @TheWanderingRumpus

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