Downtown Franklin
Downtown Franklin
4.5
About
Located just a straight shot south from downtown Nashville, quaint downtown Franklin is the perfect sleepy Southern town. Visitors can easily spend a day browsing antique shops and boutiques and dining at one of its many ecelctic restaurants. Downtown Franklin offers an eclectic mix of antique shops, gift and book stores, art galleries and clothing boutiques. Franklin hosts several festivals each year.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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223 within 3 miles
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87 within 6 miles
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- timbo00112 contributionsFranklin, TNThis was our first trip to Franklin, TN. We traveled to visit family for Christmas holiday and stopped in Franklin on our first leg as well as the trip back home. We stayed at The Harpeth Hotel Downtown on both visits and we were very satisfied with the hotel and accommodations. Historic downtown Franklin is easily walkable and there are many nice restaurants and pubs, quaint and unique shops and a fabulous historic theater that featured different Christmas movies each day. For dining, we enjoyed meals at "1799" (located in the Harpeth Hotel), The Red Pony, Gray's on Main, Cork & Cow, and Puckett's Downtown. We also stopped by JJ's Wine Bar, Scouts Pub, O' Be Joyful, Hop House, Americana Taphouse during our stay. For travelers who are on a strict budget, be forewarned everything is somewhat pricey in Franklin. We paid state, city and county taxes on everything which came pretty close to 10%.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 December 2023
- FamilyTripPlanner66Memphis, Tennessee75 contributionsLike being in Hallmark movieIf you ever wanted to walk into a hallmark movie, this is the place. Small specialty shops, ice cream, candy shops & old time theater. My favorite was Savory spice. So many spice you can’t find at groceries like Whole Foods or trader joe.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 March 2024
- Donna H1 contributionLove Franklin, TN!!I love everything about Franklin. My daughter and I went to the Grand Ole Opry, but we always stay in Franklin. There are so many nice places to stay and wonderful places to eat. I hope to be coming back several times this fall for special events.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,470 reviews
Excellent
1,041
Very good
341
Average
67
Poor
13
Terrible
8
timbo001
Pensacola, FL12 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
This was our first trip to Franklin, TN. We traveled to visit family for Christmas holiday and stopped in Franklin on our first leg as well as the trip back home. We stayed at The Harpeth Hotel Downtown on both visits and we were very satisfied with the hotel and accommodations. Historic downtown Franklin is easily walkable and there are many nice restaurants and pubs, quaint and unique shops and a fabulous historic theater that featured different Christmas movies each day. For dining, we enjoyed meals at "1799" (located in the Harpeth Hotel), The Red Pony, Gray's on Main, Cork & Cow, and Puckett's Downtown. We also stopped by JJ's Wine Bar, Scouts Pub, O' Be Joyful, Hop House, Americana Taphouse during our stay. For travelers who are on a strict budget, be forewarned everything is somewhat pricey in Franklin. We paid state, city and county taxes on everything which came pretty close to 10%.
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie B
Mentor, OH456 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
Parking in garage or the street was the option. 2 hour parking on street. All shops along the Main Street have many options for everyone. Ice cream, food, clothes. Be aware that most shops close at 5PM so limited shopping after that. Starbucks on the corner at the end of shopping was perfect. Great times
Written 2 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MNice
Bloomington, MN5,183 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We came down from Minnesota in April to see Nashville for the first time. We booked our hotel in Franklin and saw all the big sights, then we started poking around Franklin as we had booked Suzy Boggus at the Franklin Theater, which, by the way, is fabulous. Downtown Franklin is a beautiful space, so historic, clean and beautiful. We realized when we were here that we missed tons of stuff such as the Carter House, Lott House and the East Flank Battlefield. So we returned and drove the entire Natchez Trace and finished off at the Loveless Cafe. Tonight we returned to the elusive Downtown Franklin as we always forget to make reservations at Grays or one of the other spectacular restaurants. We waited outside the Americana Tap Room for half an hour with tons of tables open as did another couple. So, tomorrow, we will find a spot with reservations. We walked around and got up to speed on many of the plaques which encircle downtown. The plaque which explains the cannons in the downtown square was my most interesting. Park on one of the side streets if you are from out-of-town and stroll the downtown sidewalks the moment you arrive. We love this place, but have never ventured down here in the summer heat. The Franklin battle occurred in November; no wonder, what a place to March in July like Vicksburg. We’ve had a great historic ride this week and the historic downtown really pulled it together for us. We really enjoy this area, but too hot for us Northerners.
Written 21 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jgbtravels
Louisville, KY4,650 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
We, unlike a recent reviewer, actually think Franklin is one of the most charming small towns we have visited. And we come here a number of times. Sure some of the shops are pricey but there’s still a lot to love about the hospitality of the people, the unusual finds, the restaurants, the architecture, and the history of the Civil War here. Where many small towns are barely surviving Franklin thrives. It probably helps with its proximity to Nashville and the fact that it was named at one time as having the second highest per capita income in the nation. Then again as a Civil War buff I am drawn to this community.
Written 8 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip C
63 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Very nice historical Town Square with several historical marker surrounding the area. Shopping on both sides of the main road gas everything from food to momentos, to the unique must have gift. Parking on street was 2hr only, but other options were available, can be busy around lunch time. Check closing times (5pm) for most stores, but great day out.
Written 15 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sal8997
Northbridge, MA4 contributions
Dec 2019
This was such a wonderful experience for my husband & I. We were in Nashville for a few days & kind of stumbled upon this festival which was not a far drive away. The historic downtown was just a perfect setting for the music & entertainment. The weather was good so we did a lot of walking & enjoyed all of it. I am so glad we happen to be in Tennessee on that weekend! This was my favorite thing we did on this trip!
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinkerbugs
Exton, PA28 contributions
Oct 2020
Definitely something for everyone. It can get very congested so either go early in the day or later in the afternoon, just before dinner. There's a free public parking garage on 2nd Ave if anyone can't find street parking.
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jgbtravels
Louisville, KY4,650 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Generally Franklin is one of our favorite places to visit yet some of the businesses we have visited in the past are no longer there. It’s still fun and very busy but I suspect Covid has had an effect. The last time we came in October there seemed to be more Halloween decorations but not so this trip. It took less time to visit all the downtown shops than in the past. We came away empty handed. On the plus side there’s plenty of history here, free parking, nice restaurants and truly friendly people.
Written 12 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellp4
Chicago, Illinois171 contributions
Dec 2020
Downtown Franklin has it all. There are some very good restaurants to try, you could fill a week of great dining. There are wonderful bakeries and the cutest shops to visit. It's worth the trip if you're in the area, it's also great for walking.
Written 3 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alancZ2566CN
10 contributions
Jun 2021
We visited Franklin to tour the civil war homes and grounds but was so impressed with Franklin I could spend the time just visiting downtown. The town is one of the most prettiest in the state and very tourist friendly. We will be back !!
Written 3 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Looking for more recent information as to whether most stores in downtown Franklin, TN are open on Sundays or not. I did notice a few of the restaurants I looked at are not open on Sun. & Mon.
Written 27 September 2021
Stores don't open til 12 on Sunday and are only open til 5.
Written 3 October 2021
Hi, I have 5:30 reservations in Nashville. Show is 9:00. Can we stay?
Written 23 July 2021
Are the shops open at night in the summer when it is cooler?
Written 7 June 2020
Pre-Covid most stores closed at 6 although some specialty shops would stay open till 9. Weekends vary. Best to follow visit FranklinTN and/or social media sites for up to date info.
Written 8 June 2020
Yes they are and boy is it a cute town to walk around. We really enjoyed this small historic part of town.
Written 3 January 2019
Are most downtown shops and restaurants open on Sun afternoons?
Written 22 June 2018
I can't be sure. When I lived in Brentwood before Memorial Day was a big shopping day and everything was open. I really can't imagine the stores not being open for the most part at least in downtown Franklin. They depend on tourism.
Written 27 May 2018
Can you recommend a restaurant for late dinner on NYE? We would love it if it had live music.
Thanks!
Written 10 December 2017
Sorry. We did not see any in Franklin but if you trip on over to Nashville, Main St, very safe, friendly and lots of places to eat.
Written 16 December 2017
Not always but if they have a band playing and you want to make sure you see the band, it will help.
The band normally doesn't play until 8pm so if you're eating before 7pm, you'll probably be able to walk right in.
Written 19 October 2017
When I was there last we stayed at:
4207 Franklin Commons Ct, Franklin, TN 37064
It was clean and just a quick hop from main.
Written 4 September 2017
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