Thinking of visiting historic Franklin, Tennessee in the near future?
Or maybe you’ve got some guest visiting soon.
Either way, you’re probably looking for some great tips for tourists.
Following are our best recommendations for things to see & do in and around Franklin, Tennessee.
Organized Trips & Tours
Guided tours of historic Carnton Plantation
Guided walking tours of downtown historic Franklin
Tour of Carter House (…more about haunted Carter House here, plus more haunted places in Nashville here)
Haunted Franklin ghost tours (our experience here)
Country Music Hall of Fame (downtown Nashville with excellent tours of Studio B & Music Row)
If you have a large enough group, you may be interested in renting a Franklin trolley to take you all around (…or just hop on & hop off all you want for a nominal fee). In downtown Nashville, check out the Music City Trolley Hop, the Nashville Trolley Tour, or Grayline tours of Nashville.
Top 5 Fun Driving Tours In The Area
#1 The Natchez Trace Parkway is one not to be missed. It’s definitely worth the drive to the farthest west part of Franklin — especially in the Fall!
#2 It’s also a beautiful drive through Percy Warner & Edwin Warner Parks any time of the year.
#3 From late November to early January, you can find some of the most spectacular holiday lights displays.
#4 If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you might enjoy driving around the country roads of Franklin and Leiper’s Fork, all the while passing by a number of “stars” homes — like Alan Jackson’s house (…and other celebrities you’re likely to see out & about).
#5 The history buffs will enjoy taking a driving tour of the battlefields and historic areas in Franklin, TN. Here’s a map you can download and print, and here’s another great Franklin battlefield driving tour.
Fun Things Adults Will Enjoy
Horseback riding in the Franklin area
Loveless Cafe restaurant, diner & shoppes
Tour downtown Nashville (…don’t miss Printer’s Alley, the Nashville skyline, and all our best tips for visiting Nashville)
Puckett’s Grocery hosts after-hours songwriter nights
Bar hopping at downtown Nashville bars (…or check out the best small (but quaint) places to hear live music)
Franklin Factory is a must for unique shopping & dining
Opry Mills Mall (…the kids will love this one just as much as the adults, though it’s a bit farther away)
The Franklin Factory Watertower
This is the watertower in front of the Franklin Factory. This rustic warehouse is filled with 45 restaurants and shops in Franklin, Tennessee.
Fun Things For Kids To Do
Sky High Nashville (Nashville’s first trampoline park)
Tennessee state parks are free
Franklin Family Fun Center (bowling, video games, etc.)
Nashville Sounds baseball games (close to downtown Nashville)
Nashville Zoo (…just a hop, skip & a jump from Williamson County)
Free movies in the park each summer
Nashville Predators Hockey games (…see my review of the cheap seats vs on the glass)
More Fun Stuff In & Around Nashville
- Best Restaurants in Franklin & Cool Springs
- Pet-Friendly Hotels in Franklin & Nashville
- Nashville Through The Eyes of a Child
- What Others Think of Nashville
I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" ideas that most wouldn't think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I'm truly passionate about. I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo -- to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
