If you’re from the Western North Carolina area, then you are probably familiar with a small town called Franklin. And if not, I am here to tell you all about it! And to tell you all the fun things to do in Franklin, North Carolina as well.
Even though it is a small town, it may surprise you with just how many things there are to do there. We went there a few weeks ago when we were coming back from an Atlanta Braves game and then heading on over to Tapoco Lodge.
It was the perfect pit stop in between the two destinations! I also love the cute and quaint small town feel you get while you’re down there. So keep on reading to discover all the cool things you can do too in Franklin!
What Is Franklin, NC Known For?
Before we get into it, you may be wondering what exactly is Franklin famous for? Well, it’s known as no other than the “gem capital of the world”!
They have the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum there which is open to the public from May through October and showcases all the amazing gem and minerals found through gem mining there through the years.
Franklin is also home to Ruby City Gems, which is North Carolina’s largest gem store featuring jewelry, diamonds, gemstones, fossils, etc. all from local gem mines as well.
Even though, we didn’t get a chance to check all these cool places out during our trip, they are definitely worth mentioning!
And, I would love to visit them when we get the chance to go back to Franklin sometime.
What Is Franklin, NC Known For Shopping?
East Main Street in the Town of Franklin is known for its vast array of shops and downtown merchants up and down the street.
They even have a fun and unique Scottish Tartans Museum that you can check out too! Our main purpose in shopping in Franklin was to go to all the cool antique stores around.
And if you know me, then you know that is right up my alley. And Franklin did not disappoint with their antique stores! I think it was one of the very best things to do in Franklin honestly!
Our favorite one there was called Nestfeathers Antiques and it is definitely one you need to check out! They had so many unique finds there.
And they even have a resident cat named Midnight that lives in the store too. Which again, if you know me is right up my alley too!
We also went to Bryant’s Antique Mall and The Attic Antiques while we were there too. Another place we wanted to check out, but unfortunately did not have time to, was Whistle Stop Depot.
So we will definitely check that out in the future because I have heard such great things about it!
Natural Beauty of Franklin, NC
If you’re looking more so to get into the great outdoors while you’re in the area, then you’re in luck! There are plenty of outdoor things to do in Franklin, North Carolina too!
There are many hiking trials you can find near here such as the Bartram Trail, Women’s History Trail, and the Little Tennessee River Greenway.
You are also super close to the Nantahala National Forest so there are plenty of hiking trails in there too. Wayah Bald Lookout Tower is also near Franklin too and it’s worth seeing as well.
Other outdoor activities that you can find in the Franklin area are guided horseback rides, guided UTV rides, and waterfall tours. Some common waterfalls near the area are Cullasaja Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Dry Falls.
You can also do a Great Smoky Mountains self guided tour while driving along the parkway too. Enjoying all the outdoor adventures near here is perfect for the whole family to do!
Just seeing the beauty of the national forests as well as the abundant wildlife around is so amazing and so much fun!
Where To Eat In Historic Downtown Franklin
Since this was such a short trip, we didn’t get to try out too many places to eat. However, the ones we did were great. We ended up going to The Motor Co Grill for lunch and it was so cute.
It looked like an old time diner. And their ice cream and sundaes looked to die for as well! Some other great restaurants in the area that we heard about were Gazebo Creekside Cafe, Lazy Hiker Brewing Co., Gracious Plates on Main, and Currahee Brewing Company.
So there are definitely a lot of options to try out. Another fun place we went to as we were driving out of Franklin was Slanted Window. They had a lot of outdoor seating and the decor was also antique and fun. Plus, the flatbreads were fabulous as well!
Live Music and Special Events in Franklin, NC
If live music is more your thing, no worries. Again, Franklin and the surrounding area are full of music options! Perhaps the most common spot is the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.
They have a rotating calendar full of musicians who stop by every week there. But, if you’re looking for live music specifically in downtown Franklin County, then you need to check out this year’s Pickin on the Square.
This happens every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month there. Located in the downtown gazebo, from May until mid-October you can enjoy plenty of square concerts! And if you’re able to go over July 4th weekend, you definitely should!
Downtown Franklin has street closures which will feature lots of local food vendors. And they hand out free watermelon all day too! You just can’t beat that!
They also host a PumpkinFest, featuring the world famous pumpkin roll and a winter wonderland there as well. So as you can see, really anytime is a great time to visit Franklin, NC!
Enjoy Franklin, North Carolina
After reading all the things to do in Franklin, North Carolina above, you should definitely plan a visit there sometime! It really is a great place and I cannot believe we haven’t visited sooner.
It’s so close to our house too, only a little over an hour drive, so we will definitely be back and check more of these places I mentioned out. Have you ever been to Franklin, North Carolina before? If so, I would love to hear all about your trip below!
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