The 15 Best Things To Do In Franklin, North Carolina

There’s a lot to love about mountain towns—cozy lodging, gorgeous scenery, and endless opportunity for outdoor adventure, just to name a few. Towns in and around the Great Smoky Mountains have their own special brand of magic, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in Franklin, North Carolina. The town of just over 4,000 people in Western North Carolina is located about 20 miles north of more popular Highlands, but flies a bit under the radar. With beautiful natural surroundings, a historic downtown, interesting museums, and excellent restaurants, Franklin may be small but it has a lot going for it. Keep reading for our favorite things to do, places to eat, and places to stay in Franklin, North Carolina.

What To Do In Franklin, North Carolina

Walk Or Ride On The Little Tennessee River Greenway

If you want to spend some time with nature but can’t commit to a whole hike, get out on the Little Tennessee River Greenway, which runs alongside the Little Tennessee River through the heart of downtown for five miles. The paved trail is a great place for walkers, joggers, and bikers. It’s also an official North Carolina Birding Trail, and offers numerous points of entry around town that are coupled with parks and playgrounds.  

littletennessee.org; 828-369-8488

Visit The Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum

Franklin is known as the “Gem Capital of the World” thanks to a long history of gem mining in the area. The hills in and around Franklin are filled with all kinds of precious gems and minerals, from quartz to garnet to rubies. You can learn all about the area’s geological history and see some really cool gems at this small museum located downtown.

fgmm.org; 25 Phillips St.​, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-369-7831

Check Out The Scottish Tartans Museum

Scottish Highland heritage is big in the area (hence the name of Franklin’s neighboring town), and you can learn all about it at the Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center. Open six days a week, the museum gives a crash course in traditional Scottish Highlands dress with tartans and kilts dating back the 17000s. After you’ve gotten a crash course in tartan history and design, head to the gift shop to pick out some Scottish dress to take home yourself. Pieces were both made in the Appalachian Mountains and shipped directly from Scotland.

scottishtartansmuseum.org; 86 E. Main St., Franklin, NC 28734; 828-524-7472

Hike Nearby Trails

As the first officially recognized Appalachian Trail town, Franklin is no stranger to hikers passing through. The Appalachian Trail runs through the area, and the ever-popular Bartram Trail runs through the center of downtown after all. You can’t throw a rock in Franklin without ending up on a trail, which means its super easy to lace up your boots and have an awesome adventure. Popular routes to check out include Wayah Bald, a short walk to a lookout tower, and Standing Indian Mountain, a 10-mile trek to the highest point along the Nantahala River.

Mine For Gems At Mason Mountain Mine

Experiencing gem mining firsthand at Mason Mountain Mine. Their native dirt pile, which sits atop Mason Mountain, is brought down to the water flume for people of all ages to sift through. Guest miners will have the chance to find all kinds of minerals, including sapphire, moonstone, smoky quartz, and ruby. After you’ve mined for goodies, take your findings into the gift shop to have them cut and made into jewelry.   

masonmtnmine.com; 5315 Bryson City Road, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-421-1457

Hear Live Music At Pickin’ On The Square

For three decades, locals have gathered at the Gazebo on the Square in downtown Franklin to hear live music. The free concert series occurs every second and fourth Saturday from May through October starting at 6 p.m. Each week features a different band, with genres represented ranging from bluegrass to Americana to country to rock to blues. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy a picnic of delicious food sold onsite by local vendors and food trucks.

franklinnc.com/pickin-on-the-square.html

Go Shopping Downtown

Spend time wandering the charming streets of downtown Franklin and popping into any shop that catches your eye. One spot not to miss is Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault, where you can do a bit of shopping and indulge in an afternoon pick-me-up of your choice: hand-dipped ice cream or a specialty latte are both great options. Other places to check out include Mossy Rock for home décor and gifts; Uptown Gallery for art; and A Novel Escape bookstore.

What To Eat & Drink In Franklin North Carolina

Grab A Craft Brew

After a long day of hiking in the mountains, an ice-cold beer is especially satisfying. Rather than cracking open a domestic from the grocery store, head to one of Franklin’s two local breweries to sample craft beers instead. Lazy Hiker Brewing Company plays perfectly into that post-hike craving with its hiking-themed beers like the Trail Mate Golden Ale and Slack Pack IPA. Enjoy a pint and dinner from their Hiker’s Kitchen food truck on their sunny patio. Sip on a flight and enjoy a view of the water the riverfront beer garden at Currahee Brewing Company. Currahee also offers meals from their onsite barbecue restaurant called Smokejack.  

lazyhikerbrewing.com; 188 W. Main St., Franklin, NC 28734; 828-349-BEER

curraheebrew.com; 100 Lakeside Dr., Franklin, NC 28734; 828-634-0078

Have A Glass At Slanted Window Tasting Station

Try vineyard-to-bottle wine produced at nearby Senamore Vineyard and Farms in the Slanted Window Tasting Station, the vineyard’s sister tasting room and restaurant in Franklin. We recommend ordering the Winemaker’s Flight, a guided tasting of five wines, and pairing it with a charcuterie board or flatbread. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening, especially if you visit on a Friday or Sunday evening when there’s live music to soundtrack your experience.

slantedwindow.com; 587 Harrison Ave, Franklin NC 28734; 828-276-9463

Enjoy A Farm-To-Table Meal At Gracious Plates On Main

For delicious food at any time of day, pay a visit to Gracious Plates on Main, which is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Franklin on Main Street. Working with local farmers and purveyors to source ingredients, the favorite restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, as well as brunch on the weekends. Lunch options range from sandwiches, salads, and plenty of fun shareables, while dinner trends a bit heartier with dishes like flat iron steak with garlic blue cheese mashed potatoes and sauteed salmon in a lemon Dijon sauce with seasoned orzo.

graciousplatesonmain.com; 46 E Main Street Franklin, NC 28734; 828-369-2690

Get A Burger And Milkshake At Motor Company Grill

If a burger and fries are calling your name, there’s no better place to get the classic combo (and a milkshake to boot!) than Motor Company Grill. The 1950s themed downtown diner is a throwback in the best possible way—black-and-white checkered floors and red vinyl barstools included. The burgers at Motor Company are always fresh and hand-pressed, the fries are always piping hot, and the soda fountain menu includes banana splits, malt shakes, and even old-fashioned floats and sodas.

motorcogrill.com; 86 West Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-524-0099

Have Dinner At Caffé REL

We’ve venture to bet that you’ve never had fine French cuisine served anywhere attached to a gas station, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Caffe REL. The one-of-a-kind roadside restaurant is the creation of Chef Richard E. Long, who’s classically trained in European cooking. Open since 2003, this iconic and unexpected spot is known for impressive dishes like Pork Osso Bucco, Opal Basil Shrimp, and Crawfish Cognac & Cream.

cafferel.com; 459 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-369-9446

Get A Coffee And Pastry At Bent Willow

If you aren’t in the mood for a slow morning, but also don’t want to power your day with a granola bar, Bent Willow Bakeshop might be your perfect happy medium. Enter a historic family home that dates to 1922, and marvel at the gorgeous sweet and savory pastries that await. From Blackberry Cheesecake Danishes to buttery Paine Suisse to sugar-crusted Morning Buns, each treat is more impressive than the last. Pair a coffee drink from their espresso bar, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

bentwillowbaking.com; 473 East Palmer Street, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-634-7699

Where To Stay In Franklin, North Carolina

Stay At A Local Bed And Breakfast

Bed and breakfasts are the ideal stay for a small-town getaway. Not only will your innkeepers make sure you receive the highest hospitality and feel perfectly pampered, but they’ll be able to give you the best recommendations for lesser-known gems in town. In Franklin, check out McTernan Manor (five suites in a historic 1888 home) or Franklin Terrace Bed and Breakfast, an 1887 Antebellum home that reopened as a gracious B&B, complete with spacious porches and homecooked daily breakfasts, in 2015.

mcternanmanor.com; 1689 Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-342-8237

franklin-terrace.com; 159 Harrison Ave, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-369-8888

Spend The Night In A Covered Wagon

Nestled in a serene valley surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, Rose Creek Campgrounds and Cabins is the place to stay if you’re all about being surrounded by nature. In addition to RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, guests can also choose to camp like cowboys by staying in a covered wagon. The converted wagons feature twin bunkbeds, a king bed, air conditioning and heat, and electricity. An outdoor grill, picnic tables, and nearby renovated bathhouse provide all the amenities you need for a full camping experience.

rosecreekcamping.com; 140 Terrace Ridge Drive, Franklin, NC 28734; 252-286-2008