Gallatin is great for Weekend Trips!
Gallatin is about 30 miles northeast of downtown Nashville and is the ideal location to plan your weekend trips.
I happened across this adorable town during one of the annual Downtown Gallatin Squarefests and fell in love with the charming ambiance. It’s actually the town that inspired this blog. That day I was popping in and out of stores on the Square, sipping my iced coffee, trying not to sing along with the band playing, contemplating if I should stop for ice cream at The Ice Cream Social and I said to myself, “This is too amazing to not share!” Viola! The idea was born, thank you, Gallatin!
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Gallatin’s Fun Fact: It’s SOOOO Haunted!
When you’re planning your weekend trips to Gallatin, you may want to note that Gallatin has been rated by some as one of the most haunted places in the country. But before you scoff at the idea, and considering the competition of New Orleans and Savannah and their eerie pasts, you may want to check out the Gallatin’s rather sketchy history:
The Fires
First, there are the many deaths from multiple fires that burned the Town Square repeatedly from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s.
The Evil General
Probably the most gruesome and (for the lack of a better term) haunt-worthy history in Gallatin can be attributed to the sadistic General Eleazer Paine. Hundreds of people were killed after the Civil War at the hands of this cruel man, including many who were unjustly hanged in the Town Square or murdered in front of their homes and families.
The Disease
Finally, there is the unfortunate chapter in Gallatin’s history in 1873 when approximately 120 people died from a massive Cholera outbreak.
If hauntings are your thing, this may be your town.
Five Points of Interest for Your Weekend Trips to Gallatin That Are Worth Your Time:
Gallatin town square has something for every interest. There’s a diverse range of establishments to spend your afternoon shopping in, including everything from a record shop to clothing boutiques to furniture stores. And then there are the eateries…..YUMMY! Here are just a few highlights:
1
Swaney Swift’s is a locally owned, former 1950’s pharmacy and soda place converted to a burger, shakes, fries, and craft beer destination. This delightful gathering place reopened in 2015 on the Historic Downtown Square, and clearly made great efforts to preserve the history of the pharmacy. While having a great meal, one can enjoy the nostalgic ambiance via photos and many preserved items from the original pharmacy and soda place. Swaney Swift’s also has an upstairs bar/event area; and
don’t forget to save room for one of their amazing old-fashioned shakes!
2
Apple & Dove Flower Company is so much more than just an adorable fresh and dried flower shop in the heart of The Square in Gallatin. You can take their words as truth when they claim on their website that if there’s a flower in it, they can do it! Their store offers fresh, dried, and pressed flowers, subscription flowers, classes, and weddings and events. The amazing couple that operate this business and the family farm, Mike and Sarah, are also working hard to support other local flower businesses by forming the
Nashville Cut Flower Collective, a group whose purpose is to support one another in the business of sustainable, locally grown flowers.
3
The Palace Theater – On the town square, The Palace Theater claims to be the oldest silent movie theater in its original location in Tennessee. The theater has been renovated and remodeled, has great charm, and still shows movies and hosts concerts and stage productions. The space is also rentable with a screen, stage, lighting, concessions, and a projection system available for events.
An interesting note about this theatre, for those of you who are fascinated with the paranormal, it is the supposed home of at least one, if not more, spirits who love to let you know that they are not quite done with this world yet. So check their website and catch an event at the theatre while you’re in town, and you may get a bonus show as well!
4
Downtown Gallatin Square Fest is an annual spring arts and crafts event held on the square in Downtown Gallatin. This is a free admission event with over 150 booths set up all around the square, plenty of food options, two entertainment stages, and a kid’s area for the little ones. Also, don’t forget this is a perfect time to check out the wide variety of brick-and-mortar stores that line the square and sell everything from plants to vintage records!
Do yourself a favor and before you go to the festival check the event’s website to see where parking has been set up for the day. This event typically draws 25,000+ people and the streets will be closed to traffic.
5
Get educated on the haunted history of Gallatin, TN with a ghost walk. Typically held on several dates in October, you can visit the Sumner County tourism homepage to check for dates for the next walk.
However, if you don’t want to wait for October, I encourage you to head into town and listen to the stories of the hauntings first-hand. It only took me one afternoon to come away from the town
with a half dozen stories told by people who had first-hand encounters with the supernatural.
Make sure when you’re planning your weekend trips to Gallatin that you plan to go to the Square, eat, drink, shop, and maybe even have a ghost encounter!
FIVE Things To Know Before You Go:
- There’s a lot more to Gallatin, TN than just the town square, although the Square is my suggestion for a destination. If you need an address for GPS to start your exploring, I would plug in this address for Historic Downtown Gallatin and find your way around from there: 146 N Water Ave, Gallatin, TN 37066
- If you are heading someplace specific, check their websites. Alot of businesses are closed on Sundays and Mondays and sometimes Tuesdays. Fall/Winter hours may be shortened as well.
- For those who love a great night scene, there doesn’t appear to be an especially lively nightlife on the Square on your typical day, although it’s not non-existent. Regardless, Gallatin’s town square is a great place to spend an afternoon and grab lunch and/or dinner.
- I found the Historic Gallatin Square to be very walkable and it had plenty of street parking and several lots off the square to park with only a short walk to the center of things. There is a parking lot behind the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce located at 118 W Main Street that I find especially convenient. Parking will get a bit complicated at festival and event times, so be sure to check the event’s website for parking information.
- If you decide to stay a night or more in Gallatin, Booking.com has some great options, this site is my go-to for finding overnight stays to fit the experience of the town.
More Photos From Around The Square:
