Take a Stroll Through History: Walking Tours in Franklin, TN
With so much history packed into one charming town, Franklin, Tennessee offers an impressive variety of walking tours bringing the past vividly to life. Strolling through the historic downtown, visitors can explore well-preserved 19th-century architecture, tree-lined streets, and landmarks telling the story of Franklin’s pivotal role in American history. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours blend storytelling with sightseeing, making it easy to appreciate the town’s character while enjoying a relaxed, walkable pace.
Many walking tours focus on Franklin’s Civil War heritage, highlighting significant sites from the Battle of Franklin and sharing personal stories of soldiers and civilians alike. Others dive into themes like architecture, local legends, or the evolution of the town from a small settlement to a thriving community. Whether you’re a history buff or a casual explorer, these guided walks provide context and insight you might miss on your own.
Beyond the history lessons, walking tours are simply a great way to experience Franklin up close. You’ll have time to notice the details—front porch charm, hidden alleys, and inviting shops and cafés—while getting some fresh air and steps in along the way. For visitors and locals alike, a walking tour offers an engaging, memorable way to connect with Franklin’s past and present.
Franklin Charm
Want to explore more of Downtown Franklin, TN? Franklin Charm is a daily walking tour starting at 9:30 am on Main Street with Franklin Walking Tours. This intimate tour lets visitors experience the town through its stories, people, and places. Perfect for first-time visitors and longtime locals, it offers a warm introduction to Franklin’s history and charm.
Guides share Franklin’s founding, Civil War moments, and modern-day highlights. The tour includes stops where local residents and business owners share personal histories. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden secrets and unique stories. The experience ends at a local shop for a sweet treat, leaving guests with a memorable taste of Franklin.
Duration: 2 hours.
Location: Landmark Booksellers.
Meet Ben Franklin!
For a fun, family-friendly experience, Meet Ben Franklin! is a 1 hour walking tour for kids and parents. Step back in time and meet “Ben Franklin” right here in Franklin, TN. Through interactive storytelling, children learn about Franklin’s life, travels, and inventions. They also discover how his ideas shaped the world in a fun, engaging way.
On Saturday, January 17, from 3 to 4 pm, this special tour celebrates the unveiling of Ben Franklin’s downtown bench. Families can ask “Ben” questions, hear stories firsthand, and take photos together. Guests may also purchase a commemorative book created for the weekend. The tour includes a guided walk, a visit with Ben Franklin, and a photo opportunity, making history personal and memorable.
Duration: 1 hour.
Location: The Square in front of the Courthouse.
Faith of Franklin
Faith of Franklin takes guests on an immersive walking experience through the historic sanctuaries along Main Street. The tour highlights Franklin’s downtown churches and the enduring role of faith within the community. Participants are welcomed inside Franklin First United Methodist Church, where they learn about the church’s history and its significance in the broader story of Franklin, Tennessee.
The Faith of Franklin walking tour explores the town’s earliest faith communities, guiding visitors through some of Franklin’s oldest sanctuaries and sharing the remarkable stories behind their construction and the congregations that built them. Faith of Franklin is currently offered as a private tour only.
Duration: 1 hour.
Location: Franklin First United Methodist Church.
Grim and Ghostly
Looking for a family-friendly ghost tour in Franklin, TN? Grim and Ghostly is a 90-minute walking tour through the historic district with a fun twist. This year-round tour welcomes all ages and explores Franklin’s most haunted buildings and shadowy corners. Expert guides share ghost stories and true crime tales, from playful spirits to spooky encounters. It’s a unique mix of history and mystery, showing a different side of Franklin after dark.
Tours run nightly at 7 pm, perfect for history buffs and paranormal fans alike. Each stop features well-researched stories in atmospheric settings, making the tour immersive and memorable. Walk past Franklin’s most intriguing—and unsettling—landmarks while uncovering local legends and hidden histories. While this ghost tour is year-round, in October, you can experience even more of Franklin’s best ghost tours.
Duration: 1.5 hours.
Location: Landmark Booksellers.
Haunted Franklin Tour
Can’t get enough of Franklin’s ghost stories? Join Franklin on Foot for the Haunted Franklin Tour, a year-round, 90-minute walking adventure. Stroll brick-lined streets and historic homes while hearing true ghost stories from Downtown Franklin. Since 2003, Franklin on Foot has collected local tales, historical accounts, and visitor experiences. Guests hear the best of hundreds of stories gathered over the years. Tours run nightly at 8 pm from April through September and at 7 pm from October through March, offering the perfect evening to explore Franklin’s haunted history.
Along the route, visitors encounter spirits including socialites, a Civil War spy, Confederate soldiers, and even a ghostly dog. Some ghosts are helpful, others lonely, and one fears the dark. The tour visits 5 to 6 haunted locations, each with its own chilling tale. Expert guides create spine-tingling moments, and visitors may capture ghostly images in photos. Parental discretion is advised; the tour is not recommended for young children.
Duration: 1.5 hours.
Location: 305 Public Square.
Classic Franklin Tour
Another excellent downtown option is the Classic Franklin Tour, offered Monday through Saturday at 10 am. This engaging walking tour explores the town’s historic streets and is perfect for families and first-time visitors. Stroll at a leisurely pace while hearing stories that bring Franklin’s rich history to life. Along the way, experience the charm of downtown, where locals still greet you with a friendly hello.
The tour highlights Franklin’s most fascinating people and events, from an enterprising enslaved individual to a Confederate soldier and even a clever spy. Guests also visit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, learning about its near-destruction and admiring its stained glass windows. Combining history, architecture, and captivating stories, the Classic Franklin Tour offers a perfect introduction to this vibrant, historic city. The tour is currently being refreshed and is expected to reopen soon for visitors to enjoy.
Duration: 2 hours.
Location: 305 Public Square.
Explore The Factory
Available from September through December, Explore The Factory is a walking tour bringing Franklin’s iconic landmark to life. Guests are guided by a staff historian through The Factory’s fascinating past. The tour reveals how this former industrial hub became the vibrant shopping and dining destination it is today.
Along the way, participants learn about the people, products, and key moments that shaped its 95-year history. Visitors also explore the shops, restaurants, and experiences that make The Factory at Franklin a centerpiece of Franklin. This tour blends history, culture, and modern charm, offering a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
Duration: 1.5 hours.
Location: The Skylight Bar inside The Grand Hall.
Sips & Stories Happy Hour Tour
Want to learn more about The Factory at Franklin while enjoying a drink? Available October through December, this walking tour blends local history with happy hour fun. The experience begins at The Skylight Bar, where you’ll meet a staff historian, choose a beverage, and explore The Factory’s past, present, and future. This social, relaxed tour is perfect for guests who enjoy history with a lively twist.
The 90-minute guided walking tour includes one drink from The Skylight in a portable cup. Stops include both indoor and outdoor locations throughout The Factory. The tour runs rain or shine. Guests should arrive 15 minutes early at The Skylight Bar inside the Grand Hall. Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Duration: 1.5 hours.
Location: The Skylight Bar inside The Grand Hall.
Battlefield Walking Tour
The Battle of Franklin Walking Tour guides guests to 7 key locations across the battlefield. Knowledgeable guides explain the causes of the battle, troop movements, and the dramatic details of one of the Civil War’s most devastating assaults. Lasting about 90 minutes, the tour provides context to the conflict that shaped the region.
For a more immersive experience, participants walk the same ground once crossed by soldiers. The tour is led by historian Thomas Y. Cartwright, a national expert on the Battle of Franklin. Guests gain a vivid sense of the battle’s intensity and historical significance, making this a must-see experience for Civil War enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Location: Lotz House.
Lotz House Guided Tour
Guests to the Lotz House gain insight into how one Franklin family’s world was permanently transformed during the Battle of Franklin, often called the “Bloodiest Five Hours” of the Civil War. When fighting erupted on November 30, 1864, the Lotz family escaped their home and crossed the street to take shelter in the basement of the Carter House, remaining there until the battle finally came to an end. (The Carter House is also open to visitors.) Their story offers a moving, first-hand perspective on the civilian experience during one of the war’s most brutal engagements.
Today, the Lotz House features an impressive collection of original period furnishings and décor, alongside authentic artifacts recovered from the battlefield, including weapons, bullets, and personal belongings of soldiers. In addition to regularly scheduled guided house tours, visitors can choose from a variety of specialty tours, such as ghost tours and women’s history tours, each providing a unique lens through which to explore the home and its powerful history.
Duration: 1 hour.
Location: Lotz House.
Tours at Carter House
The Classic House Tour features a 60-minute guided experience inside the historic Carter House, along with self-guided access to the surrounding grounds. Tours are offered throughout the day based on walk-in availability, typically departing every 30 to 40 minutes. Guests receive their assigned tour time at the time of ticket purchase, with the final guided tour beginning at 4 pm. This tour is available to walk-in visitors only.
For those looking for a more in-depth experience, additional tour options are available. A 90-minute guided battlefield tour of the Franklin battlefield near the Carter House is offered at 11 am, Monday through Saturday. The Extended Tour also provides a 90-minute guided experience of both the Carter House and its grounds, offering a more comprehensive exploration of the site and its historical significance.
Duration: 60-90 minutes.
Location: Cater House.
Tours at Carnton
Built in 1826, Carnton was once one of the most prominent farms in Middle Tennessee. On November 30, 1864, the McGavock family and their home were thrust into the heart of the Battle of Franklin, one of the most intense engagements of the Civil War. Today, visitors can explore this history through the Classic House Tour, a 60-minute guided experience inside the home with self-guided access to the surrounding grounds. Tours are offered throughout the day for walk-in visitors, typically every 30 to 40 minutes, with the final guided tour beginning at 4 pm.
For a more immersive visit, Carnton also offers extended and battlefield tour options. The Extended Tour is a 90-minute guided experience that includes both the house and the grounds, offered at scheduled times throughout the week; guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes early. In addition, the Carnton Battlefield Tour provides a comprehensive walking tour of the Eastern Flank of the Franklin battlefield, examining the causes of the battle, the movements of Federal and Confederate forces, and the details of what became one of the Civil War’s greatest single assaults. This battlefield tour is offered Monday through Saturday in the afternoon, with advance arrival requested.
Duration: 60-90 minutes.
Location: Carnton House.
Tours at Rippa Villa
Rippa Villa, built in 1855 in Spring Hill, was another prominent farm in Middle Tennessee. On November 29, 1864, the home and the families who lived there were suddenly caught in the path of one of the most dramatic and consequential moments of the Civil War. Today, visitors can explore this history through a 60-minute guided tour of the house, along with self-guided access to the surrounding grounds. Tours are offered throughout the day for walk-in visitors, typically every 30 to 40 minutes, with the final guided tour beginning at 4 pm.
For those seeking a deeper experience, Rippa Villa also offers an Extended Tour– a 90-minute guided exploration of both the house and grounds, including areas not accessible on the Classic House Tour. This tour is offered daily at 11 am and requires advance online purchase, as walk-ins are not accepted.
Duration: 60-90 minutes.
Location: Rippa Villa.
Explore Franklin, TN on Foot– Where History Comes Alive
Whether you’re drawn to tales of battlefield bravery, fascinated by historic architecture, or simply enjoy discovering a town on foot, Franklin’s walking tours offer something for everyone. They invite you to slow down, listen closely, and see familiar streets through a richer historical lens. As you walk the same paths once traveled by soldiers, townspeople, and storytellers of the past, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for Franklin’s enduring spirit– and perhaps a few favorite spots you’ll want to revisit long after the tour ends.
