A perfect day trip from 1 Hotel Nashville: Franklin, TN
Franklin, TN is an easy, rewarding day trip from 1 Hotel Nashville — plan on a roughly 25–35 minute drive each way to explore historic Main Street, local boutiques, and Civil War sites. Leave mid-morning from 1 Hotel Nashville after grabbing coffee at Neighbors Café or a quick brunch at 1 Kitchen for a relaxed day and return to Harriet's Rooftop or your chosen room to unwind.
In this guide
Start at 1 Hotel Nashville before you go
Gather what you need at the hotel: a map, water bottle, and comfortable shoes. If you want coffee or a light bite before departure, Neighbors Café opens early; for a fuller option, 1 Kitchen serves brunch from 7:00 a.m.
Confirm valet and car arrangements before you leave — the property offers valet-only parking and complimentary bike rentals for short local trips, but Franklin is best reached by car or rideshare from downtown.
- Hotel address: 710 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37203
- BookResorts agents (24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- Grab-and-go: Neighbors Café hours start at 6:00 a.m.
- Brunch option: 1 Kitchen serves brunch daily 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
| Thing to check | Why |
|---|---|
| Valet parking | Hotel has valet-only service; request car when you return |
| Spa/trainers (optional) | Anatomy fitness and Bamford Wellness Spa are on-site if you want morning wellness |
| Reservations | If you plan to dine back at Harriet's Rooftop, reservations are recommended |
Drive time and how to get there
Franklin lies south of Nashville and typically takes about 25–35 minutes to drive from downtown 1 Hotel Nashville, depending on traffic. This makes it feasible for a mid-morning departure and afternoon return.
You can reach Franklin by rental car, rideshare, or a private tour; the hotel concierge can help with directions or arranging transport if needed.
- Typical drive time: ~25–35 minutes (varies with traffic)
- Best approach: take a car or rideshare for flexibility visiting Main Street and nearby historic sites
- Ask concierge at 1 Hotel Nashville for up-to-date directions or recommended drivers
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Driving (personal or rental) | Most direct — best for stopping at multiple sites |
| Rideshare/taxi | No parking concerns back in Nashville; check return ETA in advance |
| Hotel-arranged transport | Concierge can assist with options and local drivers |
Morning: Historic Main Street and downtown Franklin
Start on Franklin’s Main Street where preserved historic buildings house independent shops, galleries, and cafés. Plan to stroll the block, pop into boutiques, and enjoy the small-town downtown atmosphere.
You’ll find local antiques, clothing stores, and specialty food shops concentrated along Main Street — this area is the most compact and walkable part of Franklin.
- Main Street is the primary shopping and dining strip to prioritize
- Look for independent boutiques, antique dealers, and art galleries
- The walking area is compact and well-suited to a relaxed 1–2 hour visit
| Suggested time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:30–11:00 a.m. | Walk Main Street, visit shops and galleries |
| 11:00–11:45 a.m. | Coffee or light snack at a Main Street café |
| Noon | Move on to a nearby historic site or lunch |
Lunch and local food choices
Franklin has a range of lunch spots from casual cafes to sit-down restaurants. If you prefer to return to Nashville for dinner, a leisurely lunch in Franklin followed by more sightseeing is a good plan.
If you want to eat back at 1 Hotel Nashville after your day trip, 1 Kitchen accepts reservations and serves a full dinner menu; Harriet's Rooftop opens later for cocktails and light bites.
- Eat in Franklin: local cafés and bistros along Main Street
- Return dining: 1 Kitchen (reservations available) for dinner and Harriet's Rooftop for evening drinks
- If you expect to dine at Harriet's Rooftop, note its 21+ age policy
| Where | When open (hotel-sourced hours) |
|---|---|
| 1 Kitchen (at 1 Hotel Nashville) | Brunch 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; Dinner 5:00 p.m.–9:00/10:00 p.m. |
| Harriet's Rooftop | Opens at 4:00 p.m.; hours extend later on weekends |
| Neighbors Café | 6:00 a.m.–5:00/6:00 p.m. (grab-and-go) |
Afternoon: Civil War history and nearby sites
Franklin is known for Civil War history; many small museums, historic houses, and battlefield sites are in the area. If you want specific sites or guided tours, consider checking local Franklin visitor resources in advance.
Because the town is compact, you can combine a museum visit with a short walk through historic districts, then head back to Nashville in the late afternoon.
- Typical visits: historic houses, interpretive signs, local museums
- Allow 1–2 hours for a museum or house tour, more if you plan multiple stops
- Confirm opening hours for any site you plan to enter before you go
| Plan | Time needed |
|---|---|
| Single historic house or small museum | 1–1.5 hours |
| Multiple sites or guided battlefield tour | 2–4 hours |
| Shopping + one historic site | 3–4 hours total |
Return to 1 Hotel Nashville and evening options
Aim to return to downtown Nashville by late afternoon to avoid peak outbound traffic and to give yourself time to freshen up. If you parked with valet, request your car in advance of your arrival back at the hotel.
Evening choices at the hotel include dinner at 1 Kitchen or cocktails and skyline views at Harriet's Rooftop (21+). If you prefer a quieter night in your guest room or suite, consider one of the hotel room types such as City Room, 1 King Bed or Studio Suite (Alcove Studio) for extra space.
- Ask valet to pull your car ~15–20 minutes before you arrive
- Harriet's Rooftop requires patrons to be 21 or older
- Rooms to consider for evening comfort: City Room, 1 King Bed; Studio Suite (Alcove Studio); One Bedroom Suite
| Evening plan | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Harriet's Rooftop cocktails | Skyline views and evening atmosphere (21+) |
| Dinner at 1 Kitchen | Farm-to-table dinner without leaving the hotel |
| Relax in your room or suite | In-Room Dining is available 24 hours |
Practical tips and accessibility
Standard check-in at 1 Hotel Nashville begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM; early check-in and late check-out can be requested but are subject to availability and fees. The registering guest must be at least 21 years old and present a matching credit card and government-issued photo ID at check-in.
The hotel is smoke-free and pet-friendly under its published policy (up to two dogs welcome with no extra fee; confirm current details before travel). Valet parking is the only on-site parking option and the property charges a nightly destination/amenity fee that covers benefits such as WiFi and bike rentals.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM; Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Minimum check-in age: 21 (ID and matching credit card required)
- Valet-only parking and nightly destination/amenity fee apply
- No on-site pool; Bamford Wellness Spa (4th floor) and Anatomy fitness center are available
| Amenity | Availability / note |
|---|---|
| Bamford Wellness Spa | Daily 9:30 AM–6:00 PM (spa treatments available) |
| Anatomy fitness center | Open 24 hours; personal training and classes offered |
| Complimentary WiFi | Included with stay |
