8 Awesome Things To Do in Franklin, Tennessee

This post is all about the best things to do in Franklin, Tennessee and provides the best tips for planning your trip to Franklin.

Franklin, Tennessee is a hidden gem located only 30 minutes outside of Nashville. This location makes it perfect for if you’re staying in Nashville and want to take a day trip out of the city. There are so many unique things to do in Franklin, Tennessee making it a destination in it’s own right. My recommendation is to stay in Franklin as your homebase, enjoy the small town charm and quiet countryside, with bustling Nashville only a short drive away. This post details eight awesome things to do in Franklin, Tennessee to ensure you make the most of your visit to this underrated destination.

How To Get There

The best way to get to Franklin, Tennessee is by car or plane. The closest airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA) which requires a 30 minute drive into Franklin. Located in middle Tennessee, Franklin is best explored by car. We drove to Franklin on a road trip from Toronto, Canada so we had a car for the duration of our trip. If you are flying in, I recommend booking a rental car which you can pick up at the airport.

Where To Stay

There are so many accommodation options in Franklin. We stayed at the Best Western Franklin Inn and really enjoyed our stay, the location and the included breakfast. This was an excellent budget option but if you’re looking for something more unique or luxury you can check out various accommodation options here.

Things To Do in Franklin, Tennessee

These are my recommendations for the top 8 things you can’t miss in Franklin but if you’re looking for more, definitely check out the Visitor’s Center downtown. You can find more information on their website.

1) Explore the Historic Downtown

If you love history, you will love Franklin, Tennessee. With its significant Civil War history, stunning buildings and small town charm, a walking tour of the Great American Main Street is a must. In addition, the hop-on hop-off tour on a vintage trolley is a great way to spend the day visiting all of the historic sites in Franklin.

Historic Tour on Viator ⬇️

2) Enjoy a beverage at The Coffee House

If you’re like me, you need to start your day with a good cup of coffee. The Coffee House is the best place to do that! With a beautiful front porch swing, rustic interior and excellent coffee and food, you won’t want to leave! I spent an hour or so here enjoying my coffee and reading on the porch swing, it was perfect.

3) Wander through Landmark Booksellers

Book lovers young and old will enjoy this bookstore. Located in a historic building downtown, it’s a great place to stop into during a morning walk. The owners of this store are so friendly and helpful, greeting me as soon as I entered. They sell new, old and rare books which makes walking through the various rooms in the store a unique experience. They also had a full room dedicated to children’s book making it a great stop for families as well!

4) Indulge at the Triple Crown Bakery

This is the cutest bakery you will ever set foot in! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a delicious smell and beautiful display of baked goods. I definitely recommend that you sit down inside to enjoy your tasty treat. Take in the ambiance of the shop and admire the historic decor on the walls. Just note the bakery is closed on Monday so plan your visit accordingly. You can find up to date information on their website.

5) Sunset and wine tasting at Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards is the perfect location to watch the sunset and enjoy a few glasses of wine! The vineyard is about a 20 minute drive from Franklin with beautiful views of the countryside. Once you park, head up to the main building at the top of the hill, here you can select from a variety of wine tasting options. They also have picnic food items for sale if you don’t drink alcohol. There are also many other items in their shop including apparel, kitchen items, home decor and preserves. It’s a really cute shop to wander through!

In addition, they permit guests to bring their own food. My recommendation would be to pack a little picnic with snacks such as cheese, crackers, vegetables, fruit and dip. Then purchase a flight of wine and enjoy the amazing views of the vineyard. They have multiple picnic tables available but they tend to be in the sun so you could also bring a picnic blanket to sit under the beautiful old trees on the property. Don’t forget to bring your ID if you’re purchasing alcohol. For the most up to date information and operating hours you can check the Arrington Vineyards website.

6) Try some fried chicken at Waldo’s Chicken and Beer

Tennessee is famous for it’s hot fried chicken so it’s a must when visiting. A great option for everyone in your group is Waldo’s Chicken and Beer. You can customize your order as much as you’d like which is especially helpful for those of us who can’t handle spice! Overall, I highly recommend eating here for lunch or dinner during your trip.

7) The Factory at Franklin

The Factory is an beautiful historic building that has been restored and turned into a shopping area with local stores, restaurants and more! Both the interior and exterior are stunning making this a spot you can’t miss in Franklin. If you can, check out the farmers market there on Saturday’s from 8am-noon. There’s plenty of shopping and different food options to try so I recommend you spend a few hours enjoying the area.

8) Visit the famous Five Daughters Bakery

Housed within The Factory you’ll find the famous Five Daughters Bakery. Known for their unique donuts this bakery is a spot you can’t miss! The most popular is their 100 layer donut and each month they release new seasonal flavours so the possibilities are endless! They make them fresh each day so definitely go early to make sure you get some before they sell out!

This post was all about things to do in Franklin, Tennessee. I hope you enjoy your trip to this beautiful and historic town!