14 Best Things to Do in Franklin, TN
As the weather gets warmer outside, Franklin, Tennessee is beginning to prepare for the summer season visitors! Whether you’re a local in the area or just in town for the weekend, Franklin has a lot to offer visitors.
From Downtown Main Street shops to local Dairy Farms, this historic town has destinations fit for your entire family. As you begin to make your summer vacation plans, you won’t want to miss out on some of these exciting, local activities and adventures. With outdoor and indoor experiences alike, Franklin, Tennessee holds a variety of special adventures to enjoy this coming season.
Here are some of the 14 best things to do in Franklin, Tennessee:
- Downtown Franklin
- The Lotz House Museum
- Carnton House Tour
- Timberland Park
- The Factory at Franklin
- Franklin on Foot
- Gallery 202
- Franklin Farmers Market
- Soar Adventure Tower
- The Franklin Theatre
- Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures
- Noble Springs Dairy
- Franklin Antique Mall
- Franklin Segway Tours
If you’re a fan of historic main street vibes, then Downtown Franklin is the place for you! A 16-block district filled with antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants, this area is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon in Franklin, Tennessee. With yearly celebrations such as The Mainstreet Brewfest, Main Street Festival, Tour of Homes and Pumpkinfest, Downtown Franklin is a favorite destination amongst locals and visitors alike.
Have you heard of the classically trained woodworker Johann Albert Lotz? A German immigrant who first came to Franklin in the mid 1800s is best known for his ability as a carpenter and piano maker. The Lotz House Museum was converted into a showroom to feature Johann Albert Lotz’ most prized creations. In addition to the history of the Lotz family, this museum features events from the Civil War, making The Lotz House the perfect spot to enjoy a rainy afternoon.
Are you interested in local Franklin, Tennessee history? If so, then a Carnton House Tour might be your next adventure stop! A historic home and museum located in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, this property offers sights of sprawling farmland and its historical architecture. The Carnton House played an important role during and immediately after the Battle of Franklin during the American Civil War, and has continued to live on! Managed by the non-profit organization The Battle of Franklin Trust, the Carnton House is a little piece of history meant for you to enjoy.
A 72-acre plot of land located less than a mile away from Double Arch Bridge on Highway 96, Timberland Park is a beautiful spot to spend a sunny afternoon. With a paved trail that winds its way through the property and ends at a scenic overlook pavilion, and other trails that connect to more remote parts of the Park, Timberland Park is a gorgeous pet-friendly destination. Learn more about the history of the area and purpose of Timberland Park as you peruse the onsite interpretive center.
Learn more about all things Franklin, TN and Williamson County!
A collection of stores, restaurants, offices and more, The Factory at Franklin is the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet industrial vibe. Originally constructed in 1929, this building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, The Factory has been home to a variety of historic venues that you can still visit today! Be sure to stop by the Liberty Hall, Jamison Theater, the Little Theater, or the Heritage Room after a Sunday stroll through The Factory at Franklin.
Are you a fan of walking historical tours? If so, Franklin on Foot is a great option for you to see what our town has to offer! Hosted by a local company that provides walking tours to Franklin’s most important historical sites, Franklin on Foot offers multiple tours geared toward specific interests. This includes everything from ghost tours, history tours, Civil War tours, crime tours, cemetery tours, and even Franklin food tours. The perfect activity for a spooky night with friends, or an afternoon food tour gathering!
Experience some historical charm while perusing this local art gallery! Gallery 202 is an art gallery located in historic downtown Franklin that contains paintings, antiques, glassware, jewelry, pottery, and sculptures from local artisans. Year round, this gallery hosts artwork from over 20 talented artists from the area. Built in 1821, this home was originally created for the Clouston family to host parties and political gatherings!
A true Tennessee farmers market, the Franklin Farmers Market provides produce, fruit and dairy, baked goods and meats to stock up your local essentials over the weekend. With products sourced from local farms, the variety of goods increases and changes each week through the seasons. Get a great taste of Franklin, Tennessee with our local farmers market! Plus, enjoy a number of local crafts persons at the market too, with unique and beautiful goods for you to enjoy, peruse and buy.
For those interested in a more active Franklin adventure, Soar Adventure Tower is the place to be! Right outside of Franklin, Tennessee, this recreational facility is equipped with a climbing structure for adults and kids, plus an 18-hole mini-golf course. Soar Adventure Tower is the perfect destination for an outdoor weekend adventure. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this Franklin, Tennessee experience is one you won’t want to miss.
The Franklin Theatre, located on Main Street in Downtown Franklin, first opened their doors in 1937. A hub for live theatre, dance performances, music performances, movies and more, this local theatre has become a Main Street icon. Be sure to visit their website for any updates on a variety of exciting events!
Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures
Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures is the perfect place to get a bird’s eye view of Franklin, Tennessee! A family-owned business nestled in Middle Tennessee, these hot air balloon rides offer ballooning services in Nashville and Franklin Tennessee as well as all surrounding areas.
Rather than travel above more developed areas, these hot air adventure balloons take you right over hollows and hidden lakes.
Located just six miles from downtown Franklin, this goat dairy farm is situated on a beautiful piece of protected land that includes several valleys, springs, and rolling hills. From goat cheese, goat milk, goat milk yogurt, to goat milk soap, Noble Springs Dairy products are also available in various retail shops throughout the Nashville area. This cute local farm also offers educational tours for visitors of all ages on weekends throughout the summer.
One of the largest antique shops you’ll find in the area, the Franklin Antique Mall is located in the old Franklin Ice House just a few blocks from Main Street. A local hotspot perfect for a thrifty afternoon, the Franklin Antique Mall features over 12,000 square feet of curated antiques, vintage, collectibles, home decor, and more. Adorned with over 60 booths full of beautifully aged pieces of decor, if you’re an avid collector, you may want to spend all day here!
Have you ever tried a segway tour before? With Franklin Segway Tours, visitors can experience the best parts of Franklin all on a self-driven Segway tour! A safe, fun way to experience this historic town, these segways have a max speed of 12.5 miles per hour. Tour participants will attend a short training session before making their way to local Civil War battlefields, historic buildings in Franklin, and to a scenic riverside pathway in a secluded park.
Visit FranklinIs for all Things Franklin, TN!
FranklinIs a website dedicated to all things Franklin, TN and Williamson County! FranklinIs launched in the summer of 2006. Since its inception, the website has grown to a thriving webtropolis. Supporting local non-profits, businesses, residents and visitors, FranklinIs the go-to place for your Franklin and Williamson County needs.
Looking for something fun to do this weekend, shopping for antiques or curious about a restaurant, wanting to volunteer your time with a non-profit, stopping by downtown Franklin, TN for the day? Access it all on FranklinIs. We encourage you to browse through the Living, News, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Real Estate, Visit, Resources and Events Calendar sections. There is something for everyone on FranklinIs.
Visit our site to learn more about Franklin, TN and surrounding areas, or send us some of your writing submissions on the town!
