Looking to escape the buzz of Music City for a day? Look no further than the "City Between the Lakes."

Perched north of Percy Priest Lake and south of Old Hickory Lake is Mt. Juliet, a thriving Wilson County city that has experienced major growth over the last decade. It’s located 20 miles east of downtown Nashville and offers a mix of urban amenities and small-town charm.

Need to know

You’re not the only one with your eyes set on Mt. Juliet. The area’s population grew by 15,618 residents from 2010 to 2020, making it Tennessee's sixth fastest-growing city, according to the 2020 census. Today, ~42,000 people call this slice of Wilson County home. Wondering why? It could be Mt. Juliet's shopping, local eats, and recreational fun — all within close reach of Music City.

Murals, trains, and Mt. Juliet — oh my. | Photo via City of Mt. Juliet

Eat + Drink

Start your day with a local cup of joe and a hearty breakfast (you’ve got options when it comes to biscuits), and hang around for a lunch and dinner that you’ll remember.

The Paper Mill opened in 2022 and soon became a local favorite, thanks to its scratch-made biscuits, omelets, sandwiches, and daily specials.
The bagels are hand-rolled and kettle-boiled at Jersey Oven Bagels.
Try This: Weekend brunch at Barrel House.
Memo’s Mexican Kitchen was crowned "Best Restaurant in Wilson Co." in the Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville 2023.
Visit Sweet Biscuit Co. for gourmet, small-batch biscuits and daily gluten-free options.
Need an afternoon pick me up? Cozy up at Billy Goat Coffee Café (free Wi-Fi and a lot of outlets) with a cup of joe, smoothie, or bubble tea.

Billy Goat Coffee Cafe also has an expansive food menu. | Photo by NASHtoday

Shop

From the 103-acre Providence Marketplace shopping center to mom-and-pop stores, you can make a day of shopping in Mt. Juliet. In other words, clear your schedule and your trunk.

Give new life to home decor and furnishings at The Dragonfly Consignment Shop.
Add some local flare to your space (or find the perfect gift) by shopping at The Village Forager for decor, art, candles, jewelry, and more. Bonus: Grab a coffee or tea at the in-store café.
Shop dresses, tops, shoes, and special collections like "Music City Love" and "It's Fall Y'all" at White Lily Boutique.

Outdoors

While it’s great to be a kid in Mt. Juliet (see below), there’s plenty of outdoor fun for all ages.

Kids will love the slides, swings, and climbing structures at Charlie Daniels Park, along with tennis and basketball courts, Ava’s Splash Pad, an amphitheater, and more.
Bookmark this calendar so you don’t miss special events at Breeden’s Orchard.
Cedar Creek Sports Center boasts two 18-hole putt-putt courses, batting cages, and go karts (weekends only).
Call your golf buddies and meet up at Pine Creek Golf Course — you can’t miss the log cabin-style clubhouse.