A Day in Leipers Fork

If the historic hamlet of Leiper’s Fork were a blanket, it would be a hand-crafted friendship quilt; a multi-layered patchwork of creative elements brought together to form an aesthetic whole, one that welcomes visitors to wrap themselves up as well with the town’s glowing warmth and to sit, stay, and snuggle for a while. And now is the ideal time to visit. But as darkness falls early on these crisp afternoons, it’s best to get there in the morning and spend an entire day. You will need the time. Leiper’s Fork, while small, has much to see and do. Here’s our ideal itinerary. It pairs best with a friend.

Its origins stretching to the 1790s, Leiper’s Fork developed as a market town along the Natchez Trace. Step into history for yourself by beginning the day with a hike in nearby Garrison Creek Park with its War of 1812 Memorial and its panoramic views. To get there, take Pinewood Rd. off of Leiper’s Creek Road, a route that takes you to your first two Leiper’s Fork landmarks: Leiper's Fork Market and neighboring RedByrd Coffee Shop, ideal places to meet the friendly locals and to load up on coffee and snacks before hiking the hills of Natchez Trace. Then head into town for the famous biscuits and gravy at The Country Boy or, just across the street, for the classic meat and three at Puckett’s, the local food, music, and grocery institution that has anchored the community since 1953. Either way, with appetite sated, you’ll be ready to browse the town’s galleries and boutiques. And you might want to hold your friend’s hand while you do so lest the extraordinary quality of the art blow you away. Leiper’s Fork boasts an amazing concentration of artistic talent. At The Copper Fox, you’ll step into a meticulously restored Victorian home featuring original paintings, pottery, jewelry, ceramics, and handmade furniture, all crafted in the Southeast by some ninety artists. At Leiper’s Creek Gallery, the first of its kind in town and now nearly two decades in business, you find local artists as well, including the award-winning and critically acclaimed Roger Dale Brown, a Nashville native officially recognized as an American master of oil and impressionism. If a morning of hiking and an afternoon of art galleries tire you out, it’s time for some TLC. And that’s where The Spa of Leiper’s Fork comes in. Set in a fully remodeled Victorian home in the heart of town, The Spa provides personalized treatments from manicure to massage to meet your individual needs. Tie your day in a bow with dinner at 1892. Owned and operated by wife and husband team Jordan Johnson-Morrison and Dylan Morrison they do creative American twists on classic French country cooking. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but this season we recommend the harissa smoked lamb gnocchi with minted asparagus and mushrooms. Also located in a charming Victorian home, it’s best to make a reservation.