Set amid rolling horse farms and a storybook Main Street, Franklin, Tennessee blends small-town charm with a polished sense of style. Just 20 miles south of Nashville, this historic town wraps visitors in brick-lined streets, gaslit storefronts, and the soft strum of live guitar that spills from intimate venues as the sun fades over the ridge. The pace is unhurried, the welcome is warm, and the calendar is packed with festivals, markets, and concerts that give the town its irresistible hum.
Franklin’s distinctive vibe is a thoughtful mix of past and present. Civil War-era homes and meticulously preserved landmarks sit close to artisan bakeries, chef-driven kitchens, and a reimagined factory turned marketplace. Whether you’re a family seeking easygoing fun, a foodie in search of inventive Southern cuisine, or an adventurer drawn to quiet trails and scenic overlooks, you’ll find the best things to do in Franklin woven into everyday life: coffee on a cozy porch, a leisurely shop-hop down Main Street, and twilight strolls to the theater for a show you won’t forget.
Why Visit Franklin
Franklin’s origin story—rooted in pivotal Civil War history and a tradition of Southern hospitality—has grown into a sophisticated destination that never loses sight of its heritage. The broad, walkable avenues of Downtown Franklin reveal a town that cares about quality: from hand-lettered signs on boutique windows to the aroma of butter and sugar drifting out of historic bakeries first thing in the morning. When you’re looking for the best things to do in Franklin, the answer often starts where the scent of fresh bread and the distant ring of a bicycle bell intersect.
The town’s attractions are quietly spectacular. At Carnton, Carter House, and the Lotz House Museum, costumed interpreters and preserved landscapes immerse you in a turning point of American history. A short drive brings you to the sweeping lines of the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the Double Arch Bridge cuts a dramatic figure against the sky. In spring and fall, fields burst into festival mode; in December, the town transforms into a page from Dickens. It’s all part of the blend that makes visitors return again and again.
Franklin is also a culinary and craft hub, with kitchens and tasting rooms that draw from nearby farms and orchards. It’s the kind of place where your breakfast biscuit might come from a 40-year-old bakery recipe, your afternoon espresso from a roaster who knows your name, and your dinner from a chef who can tell you the story of the farmer behind your vegetables. That mix of authenticity and polish explains why families, food lovers, couples planning a romantic weekend, and even remote workers on “workcations” all find their rhythm here while seeking the best things to do in Franklin.
Local tip: “Plan for at least one unscheduled afternoon. The best discoveries happen when you let Main Street set the pace,” says a longtime shop owner on the square.
Things to Do in Franklin
Begin with the heart: Downtown Franklin is a postcard come to life, where the courthouse clock keeps time over brick sidewalks and storefronts glow at dusk. Step into the beautifully restored Franklin Theatre—its neon marquee is a beloved beacon—for a classic film, live concert, or comedy night. Around the corner, the shelves at Landmark Booksellers creak with stories, while Gallery 202 showcases regional art in a 200-year-old mansion. Start your list of the best things to do in Franklin with an unhurried afternoon downtown, letting the wind carry notes of street music between antique shops and cafés.
To understand the town’s soul, visit its battlefields and historic homes. At Carnton, a house-turned-field hospital, and at the bullet-scarred Carter House, guides trace the dramatic hours of the Battle of Franklin with sensitivity and detail. The Lotz House Museum adds an artisan’s perspective with exquisite woodwork and a personal story of survival. Walk the grounds in late afternoon, when cicadas hum and the light falls soft on the gardens—these places make history feel immediate, and they are among the best things to do in Franklin for travelers who appreciate context and meaning.
For a change of pace, follow the crowd to the reimagined Factory at Franklin, where the scent of fresh doughnuts from Five Daughters Bakery mingles with espresso aromas from Honest Coffee Roasters. Weekends mean local produce and live music at the Franklin Farmers Market, a sensory swirl of heirloom tomatoes, wildflower bouquets, and skillet sizzles. Families can roam the open lawns of The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, a former Tennessee Walking Horse farm that now hosts the dynamic Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival each fall—an annual highlight among the best things to do in Franklin for music fans.
Outdoorsy travelers won’t be able to resist the scenic sweep of the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the Double Arch Bridge frames sunset drives and photo stops. Tackle family-friendly challenges at SOAR Adventure Tower, a tangle of ropes courses that fills the air with squeals of triumph, or set out on a serene hike at Timberland Park, where pines sway and the smell of leaf litter rises underfoot. On warm days, the Harpeth River State Park invites paddling and picnics along limestone bluffs, the water chuckling over pebbles as herons lift off downstream. Wander the rustic-chic streets of Leiper’s Fork for gallery browsing and porch-swing live music to round out your list of the best things to do in Franklin.
Local tip: “For a stunning view without the crowds, hit the Double Arch Bridge overlook just after sunrise—then roll into Leiper’s Fork for coffee before the day gets busy,” advises a local hiking guide.
Where to Eat and Drink in Franklin
Franklin’s dining scene marries comfort and craft, and the top restaurants in Franklin, Tennessee prove it with every plate. Start with a local legend: Merridee’s Breadbasket, where the smell of cinnamon rolls baked at dawn wafts onto 4th Avenue and butter-rich pies fill the glass cases by lunchtime. Down the street, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant delivers soulful Southern staples—think slow-smoked ribs, skillet cornbread, and live music that keeps the crowd nodding along between bites. For a nostalgic, high-low cocktail hour, head to Gray’s on Main inside a circa-1876 pharmacy; the apothecary-inspired bar program pairs with shrimp and grits or a perfect Nashville hot catfish.
Casual eats shine, too, from the honey-drizzled heat of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken in Cool Springs to creative tacos at Mojo’s Tacos, where the tortillas arrive warm and fragrant from the press. Coffee lovers can sip an expertly pulled cortado at Frothy Monkey or inhale the toasted-caramel aroma at Honest Coffee Roasters, both perfect for lingering with a laptop or planning your next stop. For a sweet interlude, the delicate buttercream and vanilla perfume at Triple Crown Bakery signals you’re close to cupcake heaven.
Evenings invite a slightly dressier vibe without losing the town’s easygoing charm. At 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails, the dining room glows golden under sculptural lighting, where you might pair a bourbon-forward Old Fashioned with dry-aged steak or a clean, herb-laced crudo. Wine enthusiasts drift to JJ’s Wine Bar, swirling pours on the patio beneath twinkle lights that mirror the sparkle in the glasses. On the outskirts, whisky lovers make a pilgrimage to Leiper’s Fork Distillery for a grain-to-glass tour with a honeyed nose of new oak in the barrelhouse, while picnickers spread out at Arrington Vineyards, lifting glasses against rolling hill views and live jazz as the sun slips away.
From family-friendly brunches to date-night tasting menus, you’ll find the best things to do in Franklin often begin or end with a memorable meal. The town’s chefs lean on local producers, so menus evolve with the seasons—expect field peas and tomatoes at summer’s height, mushrooms and winter greens when the air turns crisp. And if you’re dining with kids, most menus come with generous sides, a wink from the server, and crayons at the ready.
Local tip: “Make reservations for weekend dinners, especially at Gray’s and 1799, and grab dessert to-go from Triple Crown for a late-night treat on the hotel patio,” one visiting couple suggests.
Best Places to Stay in Franklin
Franklin’s accommodations range from refined boutique stays to resort-style escapes and family-friendly hotels near shopping hubs. At the heart of downtown, The Harpeth, Curio Collection by Hilton, wraps guests in Southern elegance with hushed hallways, blond-wood finishes, and a leafy courtyard where you’ll catch the scent of fresh rosemary from planters as you sip a nightcap. Inside, the design whispers luxury without pretense, and you’re steps from the best things to do in Franklin, including morning walks to the square and evening shows at the Franklin Theatre.
For a pastoral retreat that feels a world away, Southall Farm & Inn invites you into its rolling farmland and glassy-lake serenity. The resort’s spa is perfumed with eucalyptus and lavender, while the kitchen at Sojourner leans into hyper-seasonal ingredients grown just down the path. Couples come for the quiet luxury and firelit lounges; families love the outdoor adventures, from orchard tours to the tactile fun of beekeeping experiences.
Travelers who want proximity to shopping and quick interstate access will find abundant options in Cool Springs. The polished Franklin Marriott Cool Springs pairs business-friendly amenities with a sleek lobby bar, while the Hilton Franklin Cool Springs adds contemporary rooms and a lively pool scene in summer. Families praise the value and hot breakfast at the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Franklin, and modern minimalists gravitate to Aloft Nashville Cool Springs for bright, efficient rooms and social lobby spaces. Each puts you a short drive from the top restaurants in Franklin, Tennessee and the city’s historic core.
If you dream of front-porch mornings and starry-night skies, book a cottage in the countryside. In the artful hamlet of Leiper’s Fork, Pot N’ Kettle Cottages offer thoughtfully restored homes with farmhouse sinks, vintage rugs, and porches made for rocking chairs and coffee steam curling into the cool air. Set your GPS for the Natchez Trace or wander into the village for live music and gallery browsing; it’s a stay that suits creatives and romantics alike and keeps the best things to do in Franklin close while giving you space to breathe.
Local tip: “Ask for a courtyard-facing room at The Harpeth for quiet evenings, or choose a Pot N’ Kettle porch for sunrise with birdsong—both are unforgettable,” shares a frequent visitor.
Tips for Visiting Franklin
Timing can elevate your trip from great to unforgettable. Spring brings dogwoods and sunshine just in time for the Main Street Festival, when painters line the sidewalks and the scent of kettle corn rides the breeze. October’s Pumpkinfest wraps downtown in hay bales and costumes, while December’s Dickens of a Christmas sets carolers and chimney sweeps strolling amid lanterns and spiced-cider stands. If your must-see list includes the best things to do in Franklin without the largest crowds, plan for early mornings and weekday afternoons.
Getting around is easy. Downtown is walkable, with charming side streets and pocket parks that invite detours; the city’s parking garages and lots are well-marked and free for visitors, though they fill quickly during events. If you prefer a guided overview, hop aboard the Franklin Hop by Gray Line for a loop that hits major landmarks and lets you plot out stops like The Factory, Carnton, and the theater while learning the lay of the land. Pair your day with a scenic drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway for a sunset finale.
Pack for a little of everything. Evenings can turn cool on patio dinners and at open-air concerts, so a light jacket is wise. Comfortable shoes make downtown wanderings and battlefield tours more enjoyable, and a picnic blanket transforms any visit to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm into a lazy afternoon. If you’re flying in, Nashville International Airport (BNA) is a straightforward 25–35 minutes away depending on traffic, and rental cars give easy access to the top restaurants in Franklin, Tennessee and nearby countryside.
Franklin is a town that rewards curiosity. Chat with shopkeepers, ask your server for a local bourbon recommendation, and step into the side door of that historic building that caught your eye—you’ll often find a gallery, a piano in the corner, or a pop-up maker’s market in full swing. As you assemble your personal list of the best things to do in Franklin, leave space for serendipity; it’s the through-line that makes the memories last.
Local tip: “Arrive early Saturday for the Franklin Farmers Market, grab a coffee, and let the vendors guide your brunch menu—then do Main Street before noon to beat the rush,” says a chef who shops there weekly.
