FALL FESTIVAL: PUMPKIN PATCH & CORN MAZE, OCT. 2-31

Image: Patrick Fore, Unsplash

Voted middle Tennessee’s “BEST – Fall Festival” in 2024—and named the “#1 Pumpkin Patch” in the state,” by the Travel Channel—Lucky Ladd’s Pumpkin Festival is the ‘don’t miss’ event of the season. Pick your perfect pumpkin from the thousands available, get lost in the 4-acre corn maze, and explore acres full of fun family entertainment. Oct. 2-31 at Lucky Ladd Farms.

Tip: Buy tickets online to save as rates at the gate can be up to 60% higher and this popular event may sell out.

FALL FAMILY FIELD TRIP

Image: Morning Glory Orchard

Go on an adventure through Morning Glory Orchard’s apple orchard! Learn about tree life cycles, pollinators and the different animals you might see in an orchard and more. These guided tours include a guided tour through the apple orchard, samples of honey, apple cider and apples (yum!), a cider press demonstration, goody bags and parking. Dates and tickets.

Tip: Adult members of the family might also enjoy some of Morning Glory’s other events, including guided cider tastings, mixology classes and personalized “Sunsets & Cider” experiences for small groups.

TWO FALL-TASTIC PLAYS

Image:  Tima Miroshnichenko, Pexels

A night of pure suspense: Dracula, Oct. 9-26

What better way to celebrate the Halloween season than an action-packed, blood-soaked classic tale of horror featuring the Transylvanian Terror: Dracula! Based on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, this gripping stage adaptation tells the story of Count Dracula’s arrival in England—and the trail of terror he leaves in his wake. Learn more and get tickets.

Or something a little lighter: Lucky Stiff, Oct. 3-18

Mistaken identities, $6 million in diamonds, and a dearly departed uncle in a wheelchair—who goes on vacation to Monte Carlo! What? Why? Find out in this offbeat, hilarious murder-mystery farce based on the novel The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth. Tickets and info.

BONE FROG HEROES BENEFIT, OCT. 25

Image: Uncommon Grit Foundation

A night of entertainment, connection, and community with live music by the Davisson Brothers Band and comedy with Chris Porter. Meet Navy SEALS, special operations veterans, and VIPs. Enjoy Southern cuisine, beer, and wine. Experience a K-9 dog demonstration and more

This event is designed to create meaningful experiences that fund real-world solutions: mental health treatment, food insecurity, K-9 support, and more. Part of the proceeds from the benefit will benefit Baden K-9 Kares, an organization that understands the transformative power of the human-animal bond for military and first responders, and Operation Song, a nonprofit using the power of music to heal.

Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center. Sponsorships and tickets.

FRANKLIN FARMERS MARKET, EVERY SATURDAY

Image: FranklinIs.com

Bring the farm-to-table experience home with Tennessee farm fresh food from real farmers at the Franklin Farmers Market. From produce, fruit and dairy to baked goods and meats, it’s all local, fresh and delicious. Don’t miss the local crafters and their unique and beautiful goods. It’s all waiting for you, every Saturday morning at the Franklin Farmers Market.

The post FALL FUN AROUND FRANKLIN, TN appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

WINTER HIKES

Image:  ©Tennessee Photographs

There’s more to see than you might think on a winter hike—and it’ll be easier to see it without all those leaves and pesky mosquitoes. Bonus: this is a great way to make good on that New Year’s Resolution to exercise more.

Some of our favorite spots to walk in a winter wonderland include:  Radnor Lake State Park, a natural oasis in Nashville that offer a peaceful ADA-accessible walk around the north side of Radnor lake. Bledsoe Creek State Park  is described as “an ideal park for a winter.”  You can enjoy rushing (or frozen?) water at the spillway on Lake Woodhaven before a relaxing hike along the creek on the spillway trail at Montgomery Bell State Park.

A little farther away from the Nashville area, you’ll find a short hike offering three waterfalls, numerous bluffs, and a historic site on the Greeter Falls Trail at Savage Gulf State Park. Or, check out the flooded cypress forest at Reelfoot State Park—which often freezes into natural ice sculptures in winter—and the thousands of American bald eagles who make it their home during January-February.

ICE SKATING

Image: Maxim Shklyaev

Tis the season to lace up your skates and hit the ice! You can skate outdoors at Winterfest at the Fountains in Murfreesboro through Sunday, January 28, 2024. Admission Includes tax, skate rentals, and 90 minutes on the ice. Or head indoors and glide around the rinks at Ford Ice Center or Centennial Sportsplex Ice Arenas.  If you’d rather watch the pros than get on the ice yourself, check out a Nashville Predators hockey game at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.

ZOOLUMINATION – CHINESE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

Image:  Nashville Zoo

The Nashville Zoo invites you to see them in a whole new light at Zoolumination! Chinese artists have reimagined Chinese folklore in bright and colorful scenes throughout the Zoo at the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival. This walk-through experience, presented by Anheuser-Busch, features magical scenes of more than 1,000 custom-make silk lanterns, Chinese acrobats and entertainers, and more. Thursday-Sunday through Feb. 4. 5-9 pm

FARMERS MARKETS

Image:  VisitFranklin.com

Even in winter months, farmers markets are a great place to get out and explore. The Nashville Farmers Market is open year-round; check the link for hours and directions. You can also pop over to Nolensville every Saturday from 10am – 10 pm for locally grown products, meat, eggs, baked goods and crafts in the parking lot of Mill Creek Church of Christ.

HOT CHOCOLATE

Image:  Karolina Grabowska

If the weather outside is frightful, stay inside and enjoy a delightful cup of hot cocoa. Many area coffee shops offer hot chocolate as an option, but we’ve heard especially good things about Frothy Monkey and their Hatcher Hot Chocolate and Crema Coffee Roasters’ Askinosie Hot chocolate made with Askinosie dark chocolate sauce (learn more about Askinosie chocolate). However, there’s no need to brave the winter weather for a cup of chocolatey goodness. You can have Tennessee’s own Mama Lee’s Gourmet Hot Chocolate mixes sent to your home from the Bell Buckle Country Store.

No matter how you decide to enjoy this month, here’s hoping it’s a great start to 2024!

The post WINTER FUN IN MIDDLE TN appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

1. HARPETH RIVER

Image: Sarah Sharp

Just 30 minutes west of Nashville, this Class 1 river (appropriate for beginners) is a great option for mildly adventurous day-trippers and thrill-seekers alike. Bring your own watercraft or rent one in Kingston Springs. River trips range from about one to 4.5 hours. Don’t forget to pack snacks and drinks! Prefer to stay on dry land? There’s fishing and hiking to be had, including the Narrows of the Harpeth Trail. Just 1.1 miles out and back, the trail offers stunning views of the Harpeth Valley from the top of the limestone bluff. Bonus: a waterfall and access to the tunnel trail for shadier explorations. 

2. OLD STONE FORT STATE PARK

Image: Only in Your State

When was the last time you visited something that was built 1,500-2,000 years ago? Here’s your chance. Stop by the welcome center/museum for the orientation film and displays, then head out to explore.  The main hiking trail follows the wall of Old Stone Fort and offers views of the area’s waterfalls. Birders, take note: a 50-acre grass-covered hilltop is maintained as grassland,  making it the perfect place sit on one of the benches that line the hilltop and listen to the songs of eastern meadowlarks, northern parula, red-eyed vireo and the occasional wood duck. Learn more here.

3. TIMBERLAND PARK

Image:  Timberland Park

It’s just off the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 437.2, less than a mile south of the Tennessee Highway 96 (Double Arch Bridge) entrance to the parkway. Enjoy the 2,000 square foot interpretive center, stroll through the butterfly garden, and hike on old logging roads that have been turned into trails—there are nine to choose from, including ADA-accessible and “dog walk” trails, so the whole family can spend time outdoors together. Bring a picnic and enjoy the beauty of nature while keeping an eye out for the park’s residents (deer, raccoon, fox, wild turkey and squirrel). Additional info here.

4. LINDEN, TN

Image:  Say It Ain’t So

If all that paddling and hiking sounds like too much effort for a sunny summer day, how about flopping in an inner tube and floating your cares away? Buffalo River Resorts on the Buffalo River can set you up; they even offer moonlight floats if you want to stay over. If you’re into mountain bikes, head to Mousetail Landing State Park—we hear their system of trails is a “must ride”—then cool off in the cold, clear water of the Spring Creek embayment, a branch of the Tennessee River.

5. JESSE JAMES RIDING STABLES & OUTLAW CAVE

Image by Isabel Tenbrink from Pixabay

Granted, this is not in Tennessee, but it’s only 1.5 hours north of Nashville and worth making a run for the Kentucky border. Take an hour-long trail ride through the area where Jesse James once roamed robbing banks and stagecoaches. After your ride, gather your gang and test your skills on the 18-hole Western-themed mini golf course, the largest in the area. Be sure to check out the wheelchair-accessible Outlaw Cave for a 30-minute, non-strenuous (and cool!) cave tour. Learn more here.

However you choose to enjoy being outside this summer, be sure to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and—most of all—have fun!

The post 5 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES YOU CAN DO IN A DAY IN (MOSTLY) MIDDLE TENNESSEE appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

1. MADAME TUSSAUDS

Billed as “the world’s greatest wax museum” Madame Tussaud’s offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with celebs from past and present. Plan an hour or two for your visit, but there’s no need to rush. Be sure to charge your phone for all those selfies! Tickets and info here.

2. ESCAPE ROOMS

If you’ve ever watched a movie hero trying to figure their way out of jam and thought “I could do that” then this is the outing for you. Get your adrenaline pumping with this team-building experience that’s fun for friends, family, or anyone you know who’s good at puzzles. There are several options in the area; you might check out Extreme Escape Games in Franklin or Breakout Games in Nashville.

3. NATIONAL MUSEM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC

Visit Nashville’s newest musical destination and the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s expertly-curated collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present. NMAAM recommends planning to spend at least 90 minutes in the museum. Learn more here.

4. THE CAPITOL

See where TN state laws come from. The look of the Tennessee State Capitol hasn’t changed all that much since it first opened in 1859. One of the oldest working capitols in the United States, the Tennessee State Capitol serves as home of the Tennessee General Assembly and the governor’s office. Visitors are welcome to take self-guided or 45-minute guided tours. Details here.

5. ART GALLERIES

It should come as no surprise that art abounds in Middle Tennessee. From the classic Greek Parthenon to modern works in print, film, sculpture and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Start your exploration here.

The post FAMILY-FRIENDLY INDOOR FUN IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

1.  VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH

There are plenty to choose from, but the “#1 Pumpkin Patch in the state” (according to the Travel Channel) is just 45 minutes south of Nashville. At Lucky Ladd Farms Ag-venture Farm Fun Park you can pick your pumpkins, explore the corn maze, bite into a juicy caramel apple, and more!

2.  VENTURE INTO A HAUNTED HOUSE

This is prime time for ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night. Check out the Calendar of Halloween Events at TennesseeHauntedHouses.com for a list of Fall Festivities and terrifying Haunts each and every day through November. Please note: some “haunted” spaces are not suitable for younger thrill-seekers.

3.  ENJOY A FALL FESTIVAL

Fall is definitely festival season; you can find one somewhere close by every weekend. We’re partial to Middle Tennessee’s largest family fall festival, the Annual Franklin Pumpkinfest. Join us there on October 30 in downtown Franklin.

4. GET LOST (ON PURPOSE) IN A MAZE

We like the Loretta Lynn-themed corn maze at Honeysuckle Hill Farm, 30 minutes north of Nashville. Their Fall Festival runs September 25 – October 31 and includes the maze, pig races, singing chickens (!) and a pumpkin patch.

5.  PLANT BULBS NOW FOR SPRING BLOOMS LATER

Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus all need to be planted in the fall to bloom in the spring. A little digging in your garden now will yield a harvest of beautiful blooms next year. For a ton of helpful information about bulbs, see Flowering Bulbs for Tennessee gardens from the University of Tennessee’s Agricultural Extension Service.

The post 5 Fun Things To Do This Fall in Middle Tennessee appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

1.  EXPLORE DOWNTOWN(S)

As you’d expect from a major tourist attraction, Nashville has too many options to list here (just ask Mr. Google), but don’t miss the history-themed walks in Franklin and Murfreesboro. Even if a formal tour isn’t available, any historic downtown is worth wandering around.

2. FOOD TOURS

You’re walking, so you’ll burn off any calories, right? Taste local goodies in Nashville, nosh your way through Germantown, feast in Franklin, or leave the kids at home and join a guided pub crawl.

3. MUSIC TOURS

Do you know the real story of how Nashville came to be called Music City?  Take this two-hour music legends tour and find out.

4. GHOST TOURS

Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Get a babysitter and go on Nashville’s adults-only Murder in Music City or grab the kids and head to Franklin for their family-friendly Haunted Franklin tour. If you’re really into ghosts, make plans now for October and the one-night-only Candlelight Cemetery Tour in the Gallatin City Cemetery.

5. HISTORY TOURS

History is everywhere you look in Middle Tennessee, but you might head to the Hermitage for In Their Footsteps: Lives of the Hermitage Enslaved Tour, drop in to Belle Meade for Journey to Jubilee, or visit any of the many historic homes in the area to wander where historic Tennesseans used to walk.

6. STREET ART TOURS

In the mood for something fun and funky? Go on a street art tour! Download a map to discover murals on your own in East Nashville or  The Gulch or book a guided tour with a professional photographer who will take perfect insta-worthy images for you to share.

7. CRIME TOURS

Franklin is full of dark secrets and a gruesome past. (Also a lot of walking tours! You can definitely get your steps in on a visit to Franklin.) The Murder and Mayhem tour peels back the town’s genteel exterior and takes a hard look at Franklin’s seamy underbelly.