Author: Jordan Campbell

Holidays are all about friends, family, and togetherness. That’s why the Visit WilCo team has created the PERFECT holiday outing!

Let’s start with the most important meal of the day: breakfast. You can’t go wrong with any breakfast spot in WilCo, but for the holiday season, our favorite hidden gem is Sweet Biscuit Co. in Mt. Juliet. Featuring different delicious flavors every day, there’s something for everyone, and boredom is definitely not on the menu! Enjoy signature holiday flavors such as apple pie, sweet potato caramel, pumpkin chocolate chip, and caramel apple crisp.

Following breakfast, you’ll be ready to work off those biscuits. So, load up the car and head to the Historic Square in Lebanon. Swing by Split Bean Roasting Co. to pick up some shopping fuel in the form of a Peppermint Mocha before you check out all the boutiques and shopping experiences (make sure to save those receipts for later!) downtown Lebanon has to offer. Iddy & Oscar’s, Poppie’s, and The Faith Store have a wide selection of Christmas gifts and tree ornaments for friends and family this holiday season.

Now that you’ve “shopped till you’ve dropped,” it’s time to replenish with lunch on the square. Some of our favorite options are Town Square Social, Split Bean Roasting Co, and Main Street Mercantile & Creamery (for that sweet tooth fix).

Do you have your energy back? Good! Time to make the short, scenic drive out to Rhonda & Chris’ Treeland in Watertown to cut down your very own Christmas tree. This family-owned tree farm opens to the public for three weekends, beginning on Thanksgiving Day, so experience it while you can! With nearly 15 acres of trees and 25 years of experience, you won’t leave without that perfect tree!

Whew, it’s been a long day of seeing what makes WilCo merry and bright this holiday season, so why don’t we relax for a little while? Did you take our advice and keep up with those receipts from your downtown shopping? If you did, present them at the Dancing Lights of Christmas for $5 off your ticket price! The Dancing Lights of Christmas is one of Tennessee’s largest drive-thru light shows, with over 2 million lights synced to music on the radio in your car. That’s right, you don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy this attraction! Even better? To celebrate their 10^th year, they are including Santa’s Village in the ticket price this year! That means you get to enjoy a pony ride, train ride, spider jump, inflatables, tubs of fun, swings, mechanical reindeer, petting zoo, outdoor movie, and a visit with Santa at no extra cost!

It’s the most magical time of year to make memories with friends and family, and we hope you make some of them right here in WilCo this holiday season!

Leaves changing color, crisp morning air, and the smell of fall all around you. There’s no better time to get out and explore somewhere new!

Here are some fun happenings to make you {Fall} in Love with WilCo:

September 28:

 Southern Smoke BBQ Festival: Enjoy live music, kid-friendly activities, handmade crafts, and artisan shopping. General admission is only $5, and kids under 12 are free.

October 5:

 Breeden’s Orchard Fall Farm Dinner: Edible Nashville’s Fall Farm Dinner will take place at Breeden’s Orchard with seasonal produce cooked by Edible Nashville Executive Chef Skylar Bush. It will also feature local spirits, wine, craft beer, music, and many other local artisans and partners. Come enjoy a night under twinkling lights for a memorable evening you won’t soon forget.

 Tough Mudder: Tough Mudder is back and better than ever at Neal Farms in Lebanon. With courses from 3 miles to 10 miles, this is the perfect event for any skill level. Running and getting dirty not your thing? Come out and enjoy food, music, and vendors at the Mudder Village Festival. You can even bring your furry friend to participate in the Ruff Mudder obstacle course.

October 6:

 Tough Mudder: Tough Mudder is back and better than ever at Neal Farms in Lebanon. With courses from 3 miles to 10 miles, this is the perfect event for any skill level. Running and getting dirty not your thing? Come out and enjoy food, music, and vendors at the Mudder Village Festival. You can even bring your furry friend to participate in the Ruff Mudder obstacle course.

October 19:

 Ghosts in the Grove: Bring the family for a night of history, ghost stories, and spooky trolley rides at Fiddler’s Grove in Lebanon, TN. Enjoy live music by the The Inglewood Old Time String Band, and a special appearance by Tennessee Ghostbusters! Come with an empty stomach and try homemade chili, hotdogs, hot cocoa, and hot coffee available at the Fiddler’s Grove General Store. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 ages 6-12, and kids 5 and under get in free.

October 26:

 Halloween Chills and Thrills at Cedars of Lebanon State Park: Come see Cedars of Lebanon in all its spooky glory. Kids can participate in trick-or-treating at Spooktacular campsites. There will also be hayrides and costume contests to enjoy! Cost for non-campers will be $5 per car.

All season long:

 You pick apples at Breeden’s Orchard: Grab the family and get outside as you pick fresh apples at Breeden’s Orchard in Mt. Juliet. Make sure to check out the fresh, homemade donuts, apple cider slushies, and local produce at the general store. Don’t forget to bring something to haul your fruitful bounty home at the end of the day!

 Shop Spring’s Creamery Corn Maze: Enjoy Shop Springs Creamery’s first ever corn maze starting on October 2nd! After you check out the corn maze, the whole family can check out the hay rides, shelled corn pit, petting zoo, photo booth, and so much more!

 Nashville: The Glow: Thousands of hand carved jack o’ lanterns will light up the city this fall at Andrew Jackson’s the Hermitage. Bring your family to this enchanting pumpkin wonderland and enjoy fall treats, drinks, family friendly designs and over 5,000 carved pumpkins.

 Cheekwood Harvest: Celebrate the autumnal season at Cheekwood! The changing of the leaves is one of many garden highlights you’ll find as oaks, maples, dogwoods, and other trees greet you with their fall colors. You’ll find activities and experiences for the whole family including Mum Explosion, community-made scarecrows, and a pumpkin patch.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Fall Fest: Fall Fest at The Hermitage is a spectacular weekend of art, music, and history at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. This year’s family-friendly event includes nearly 50 outstanding artists and craftsmen, live music and the Ajax Family Area where children and adults can participate in historical and cultural activities. Food and drink vendors will also be on-site offering taste-tempting fare to complete your day. Admission is free to the public and proceeds from the Festival benefit The Hermitage.