Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Franklin, TN
Year Listed: 2009
Great American Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee
Credit: Williamson County Center and Visitors Bureau
Surrounded by rolling green hills and scenic landscapes, Franklin, Tennessee offers a rare blend of small-town southern hospitality and big-city amenities. The town, which is often described as "100 years" and a few miles south of Nashville, is packed with history including Civil War battlefields, historic house museums and a host of antebellum mansions. Recently listed as one of the 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before you Die, Franklin is a vibrant community and ideal destination for the whole family.
Main Street
Downtown Franklin, which is comprised of a 15-block historic district, boasts an eclectic mix of more than 70 trendy boutiques, antique shops and restaurants. With a history that dates back more than 200 years, it offers a dynamic American main street experience with commemorative brick sidewalks, Victorian architecture, lush landscaping and beautifully restored historic buildings. Franklin also boasts an impressive lineup of family-friendly festivals that take place throughout the year and attract more than 200,000 visitors annually.
Civil War History & Sites
Franklin is perhaps best known as the site of the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin. Visitors can experience the five bloodiest hours of the Civil War by touring the Carter House, the Lotz House and the Historic Carnton Plantation, which includes the largest privately-owned Confederate cemetery in the nation. History buffs will not want to miss Franklin on Foot—a guided walking tour with fascinating stories of Franklin’s past—or the Tennessee Civil War Trail, which has the largest number of markers in the state.
Around Town
A few minutes from downtown Franklin is the working historic village of Leiper’s Fork. Protected by conservation easements, this charming rural community offers good country cooking, one-of-a-kind shops and examples of the late 19th century architecture that was once characteristic of villages throughout the county. Other local attractions include the outstanding Arrington Vineyards, and the Natchez Trace Parkway, a National Scenic Byway that invites hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.
Interested in visiting Franklin? Check out their Convention & Visitors Bureau.
