Brick-lined streets, historic homes, and a lively small-town atmosphere give this destination plenty of Southern charm. Music, festivals, and local culture fill the streets throughout the year, while reminders of the past can still be found around almost every corner.
Sitting just south of Nashville, Franklin is best known for its deep Civil War history and beautifully preserved architecture. Downtown is packed with local restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and historic theaters, giving the city an energetic but relaxed feel.
Beyond the center, visitors can explore Civil War-era homes, old farms, and scenic countryside, all of which help make Franklin one of the most charming destinations in Tennessee.
Downtown Franklin
Teeming with antique shops, historic buildings, art galleries, and top-notch restaurants, Downtown Franklin is the pulse of the city. Run by the Downtown Franklin Association, the 16-block neighborhood is the place to go to experience local culture, whether that’s during the day or when the moon is shining down.
Beyond shopping, eating, and visiting the local art galleries, visitors can experience live music and productions at the Franklin Theatre. You’ll also have several historic locations, such as the Carnton Plantation, the McConnell House, and the Lotz House, within walking distance.
Being such a vibrant part of town, Downtown Franklin also plays host to a number of prominent local festivals throughout the year. These include the Main Street Festival, Pumpkinfest, and the Main Street Brewfest.
Carnton Plantation
In 1826, the mayor of Nashville, Randal McGavock, built the serene Carnton Plantation, a gorgeous home and sprawling property that would eventually have a rich history that few would have envisioned. 38 years after the plantation opened, it became the biggest field hospital in central Tennessee during the Battle of Franklin.
Over the span of 5 hours, 10,000 men were killed, injured, or went missing near the Carnton Plantation, the last resting place for 1500 Confederate soldiers. During the battle, four Confederate generals were placed on the home’s back porch, their blood stains still visible to this day.
Visitors can take a somber and enlightening tour of the historic property, the beautiful grounds, and the aligning cemetery, home to many deaths from that horrid day.
Lotz House Museum
Dedicated to the immense talent and vision of Johann Albert Lotz, the Lotz House showcases his most prized creations. Johann, a German immigrant who arrived in Franklin in the mid-19th century, was a traditionally trained carpenter with exquisite abilities, especially as a piano maker.
Over time, he transformed his historic home into a showroom that still stands today. You can explore the home with each ornate piece of woodwork stemming from the hands of Lotz, along with furnishings that are just as beautiful now as they were back then.
Admission to the Lotz House Museum is free. The home also explores the events of the Civil War that occurred around Franklin. Something you can learn more about on a guided tour, which must be booked in advance.
The Factory at Franklin
Renovated and repurposed, the Factory at Franklin is the place to go to eat, shop, and take in local culture at the same time. Just off Main Street, the Factory is part mall, part industrial plant, and was once home to 11 different factory buildings when it first opened in 1929.
Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the buildings house several restaurants, including the mouthwatering Mojo Tacos, along with historic venues which include the Liberty Hall and the Jamison Theater.
For those that want some retail therapy, then you can explore the rows of boutique stores, vintage fashion, home decor, independent art, and artisan goods to commemorate your time in Franklin.
Franklin Farmers Market
In what began as a vision held by eight local farmers in 2002, the Franklin Farmers Market has grown to include 80 regional farmers. The year-round market is frequented by thousands of locals, along with travelers, each Saturday from 8am to 1pm.
When packing for your picnic at Winstead Hill Park, you’ll be happy to know that you can get everything you need right here. The dozens of vendors along the aisles sell everything from fresh vegetables, meats, free-roam eggs, and delicious baked treats. Like any good market, you’ll find a selection of local handiwork from jewelry and pottery, to even furniture.
With the help of the volunteer program, the market is complemented by festivals and unique events year-round to make each experience different from the last.
Leiper’s Fork
A brief 15 minute drive west of Franklin, Leiper’s Fork offers rural charm and culture in abundance. Population in the town has risen and fallen throughout the years, with the community now home to just 650 people, creating a quaint atmosphere along the major streets.
Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Leiper’s Fork is a lovely complement to your travels through Franklin, Tennessee thanks to its litany of cozy cafes and vibrant galleries to go along with the farm-to-table dining and many antique stores.
The town has a creative streak that connects the community, too. You can see it within the galleries, but also at the eclectic Puckett’s Grocery, through the fork references around town, and at the Lawnchair Theatre.