East of Nashville
Use the square, bakery, park, and local shops to build a day with a clear middle.
Editor’s pick Chosen by the editor, one each for eat, do and shop. Never paid.
Eat
Editor’s pick: one place per town and category, chosen by the editorLebanon
Pulled pork Benedict, where tender hickory-smoked pulled pork replaces the ham.
A hearty meal-and-drinks option when the east-side day wants a strong finish.
A local coffee-and-lunch stop when the square needs something easy and filling.
Official siteAn early bakery or lunch stop when the park, square, or fairgrounds will take the larger share of the day.
Details at Visit Wilson CountyFresh fruit tarts and flaky croissants.
A bakery stop for seasonal pastries, custom treats, and a square-side breakfast.
Good for: One good hourLebanon
Fresh roasted coffee, with 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain and a bourbon-aged series.
Locally roasted coffee and a quick stop before the square, museum, or fairgrounds take the larger share of the day.
A full meal on the square that pairs with downtown browsing or the fairgrounds drive.
Official siteDo
Editor’s pick: one place per town and category, chosen by the editorGood for: Make it a destinationOutdoors & parksLebanon
Visit the Dixon Merritt Nature Center for exhibits on the park's natural history and the New Deal.
Trails, picnics, and ranger programs when the east-side plan needs open space.
Museums & historyLebanon
Step inside a blacksmith shop, a doctor's office and Sam Houston's law office.
A living-history browse when the group wants local buildings, stories, and room to wander.
Good for: Easy outdoorsOutdoors & parks · Family & playLebanon
Four community parks with playgrounds, sand volleyball and a splash pad.
A practical outdoor fallback when the group needs a playground, field, or picnic stop.
Good for: Rain-proof afternoonMuseums & historyLebanon
A history museum inside the Historic Castle Heights Military Building.
A compact local-history stop for understanding the square before exploring it.
Arts & music · Sports & adventureLebanon
Six baseball fields, seven softball fields, three soccer fields and the Buddy Maddox tennis courts.
A current-program starting point when the day needs an activity that changes by season.
Good for: Date nightArts & musicLebanon
A restored downtown theater for a movie, concert, musical, or comedy night when the square needs an indoor anchor.
Official siteGood for: Rain-proof afternoonMuseums & history · Arts & music · Family & playLebanon
A Vietnam War UH-1 Huey helicopter where you can see many bullet holes from intense combat.
A free, self-guided indoor history stop near the square with artifacts, interactive displays, and a preserved Huey helicopter.
Shop
Editor’s pick: one place per town and category, chosen by the editorGood for: Gift without guessingMakers & markets · Gifts & lifestyleLebanon
Textured items with wavy lines for the creek and square textures for deer stands.
A handmade gift browse when the object should carry a local maker story.
Gifts & lifestyle · Specialty & local goodsLebanon
Wedding, baby, hostess and sympathy gifts, plus monogramming.
A practical local gift stop when the errand and the occasion happen to be the same trip.
Clothing & boutiques · Gifts & lifestyleLebanon
The Lebanon Arcade is one of Tennessee's three remaining true arcades.
A square full of local boutiques, gifts, and food when the recipient is hard to shop for.
Clothing & boutiques · Gifts & lifestyleLebanon
Clothing and gifts on the square when the recipient is easier to shop for in person than from a list.
Details at TennCommUnityClothing & boutiquesLebanon
BedStu, Vintage Havana and L'Artiste shoes.
A clothing and accessory browse on the Lebanon square when the outfit needs a little more personality.
Make it a whole Saturday
The Monday guide connects the meal, the outing, and the useful backup before the weekend arrives.