Nestled about 20 miles south of Nashville, the sweet town of Franklin boasts a historic and charming downtown, tons of scenic beauty, great restaurants, cute shops, and plenty of things to do. Great for families, with tons of green spaces, rapid (though intentional) growth, and lots of neighborhoods to choose from, Franklin is a good choice for young professionals planning to start a family, families looking for a more community-minded feel, or even retirees who want to make a change. There's something for just about anyone in Franklin, which is just one we love calling it home.

Whether you’re looking to relocate, planning a quick trip, new to the area, or are just looking for some new ideas for family activities in Franklin, TN, there’s more than enough to do around town to fill your free time. Franklin offers tons of outdoor activities, educational options, and more that the whole entire family will love. From the farmers market to museums, playgrounds, splash pads, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Why Families Love Franklin

Franklin is routinely ranked one of the best places to live in the state of Tennessee and we’re not surprised by that. There are so many reasons to love living in Franklin and the surrounding area (including towns like Leiper's Fork, McKay's Mill, Fieldstone Farms, Cool Springs, Brentwood, or even Murfreesboro). From its proximity to Nashville to its well-preserved, charming downtown stretch, to its family-focused community, there’s a lot to appreciate about this Middle Tennessee town. Here are just a few reasons why families love to call Franklin home:

It has great schools: Franklin is located in Williamson County and its schools are considered to be some of the best in the state. Families love the strong education their kids can get there.
It’s safe and well-maintained: Franklin’s crime rate is fairly low, which puts families at ease, and it boasts a clean downtown and well-maintained parks, which makes families feel secure.
There are so many community events: Franklin loves to come together as a community to celebrate all year long. There are tons of festivals, concerts, parades, and other community gatherings and events that offer tons of budget-friendly entertainment for family members of all ages.
It has an easily walkable downtown area: Franklin’s Main Street couldn’t be cuter. It’s packed with tons of quaint shops, cafes, coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and more—perfect for a casual family day out.
It’s within commuting distance of Nashville: Nashville—and its international airport, big-city sports teams, world-class music venues, and acclaimed restaurants—is an easy 30-minute drive away, but living in Franklin lets you keep that relaxed, small-town feel when you’re at home.

Some of Our Favorite Family Activities in Franklin, TN

1. Spend Time Exploring the Franklin Farmers Market

Farmers markets are great family activities and Franklin’s is no exception. The Franklin Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning at The Factory at Franklin. What started as a summer-only market now takes place year-round, with locally-grown fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, herbs, and more. Beyond shopping for food and chatting with the farmers, you can browse baked goods and artisan goods, enjoy live music, and participate in fun seasonal events.

2. Enjoy the Day at Harlinsdale Farm and the Dog Park

The City of Franklin acquired the historic, 200-acre Harlinsdale Farm from the Harlin family in 2004. Since then, it’s become a popular destination for thousands of locals and visitors alike. The property boasts walking trails, a 4-acre dog park, a pond for catch-and-release fishing, a soft turf track for running or walking, an equestrian trail, and an arena for professional polo matches. Each September, the park hosts the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, a two-day music festival with artisan booths and food trucks.

Whether you’re visiting and looking for somewhere for your kids and dogs to burn off a little energy or you’re local and looking for a regular spot for walking, dog runs, entertainment, and more, Harlinsdale Farm delivers.

3. Take a Tour at the Lotz House Museum or Carnton

There are so many different museums around town for the history buffs among us. While these may not be the best activities for the littlest kids, they’re a great option for older kids and adults looking to learn more about the area. Both sites share history about the Civil War and the Battle of Franklin, offer guided tours, and more. They’re just one way to introduce kids to Tennessee’s history, but they're a great way to make history feel more relatable if you're visiting or live nearby.

4. See a Movie With Your Family at The Historic Franklin Theatre

Franklin Theatre is a beautifully restored historic theater located in Downtown Franklin right on the main strip of town. This community gem features live shows, musical acts, and so much more (plenty of live entertainment for the whole family!). Check out the schedule for all of the events, including movies the whole family will love like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Elf, White Christmas, and many more. Or, head to the theatre for date night (see a showing of Titanic, When Harry Met Sally, or catch a concert).

5. Take a Family Hike Along the Natchez Trace Parkway

Whether you’re already a nature-loving family or you’re looking to take advantage of all of the natural beauty around Franklin to get outdoors more, a hike along the Natchez Trace Parkway is just what you’re looking for. Located very close to downtown Franklin, this scenic byway (it’s also part of the National Park Service) offers bike paths, hiking and walking trails, fishing spots, camp grounds, and more. With educational programming and lots of easy outdoor activities, it’s a great option for the whole family.

6. Spend Summer at the Franklin Recreation Center

Franklin’s Recreation Center is always buzzing with activities. The complex features indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, racquetball courts, classes (of all kinds—not just for fitness!), and more. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.

7. Celebrate at Local Festivals

There’s always a reason for the community to gather in Franklin. With all kinds of different festivals taking place year-round, families can always find something fun to do together. Head to Pumpkinfest each fall for games and costumes, Dickens of a Christmas for a Victorian winter holiday unlike any other, and hit the Main Street Festival each spring for crafts, food, performances, and more.

8. Indulge in Ice Cream on Main Street

There are tons of cute little shops and restaurants on Main Street, but none that are quite as family-friendly as ice cream shops. Kilwin’s, Sweet Cece’s, and Sweethaven all have locations right on Main Street, or you can venture a bit further away for frozen custard from Whit’s, fancy flavors at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, or homemade ice cream from Handel’s. Lots of shops offer kid-sized scoops, perfect for little ones who can’t (or shouldn’t) eat taller cones.

9. Picnic and Play at Pinkerton Park

Franklin absolutely loves Pinkerton Park! It’s the most-used passive park in the city’s park system and features two playgrounds (one being the Tinkerbell Playground), three pavilions, a walking path, picnic tables, grills, and public restrooms. The park is connected with downtown by a bridge, making it a convenient spot to enjoy a whole afternoon before heading downtown for dinner (or after-dinner ice cream).

Franklin is such a wonderful place for families to visit, spend time in, and live. Packed with history, featuring a charming downtown Main Street, perfect for families (check out areas like Westhaven and downtown Franklin, or even nearby Leiper’s Fork, Cool Springs, Brentwood, McKay’s Mill, or Fieldstone Farms), a real community feel, Franklin is such a gem in Middle Tennessee. Whether you’re browsing downtown, exploring green spaces, hiking nearby Natchez Trace Parkway, or learning more about the area’s historical significance, these family activities in Franklin will create memories and moments you won’t soon forget.

FAQs

There are so many different activities in and around Franklin that would be fun for families with kids, including playing at Pinkerton Park, stopping for ice cream along Main Street, splashing around at splash pads or an outdoor pool, hiking on local trails (or participating in activities at Natchez Trace Parkway), or attending any of the many, many seasonal festivals Franklin hosts throughout the year.
Depending on the age of your kids, you might also like visiting SOAR Adventure Tower, or taking tours at Lotz House Museum or other historic sites around town.
It sure is! Franklin is often ranked one of the best places for families to live in Tennessee. The neighborhoods are safe, schools are highly-rated, there’s a strong sense of community, and lots of things to do. From cultural enrichment to picnic spots, parks with play areas, and more, there are plenty of events and activities to keep the whole family entertained.
There are so many fun things you can do for free in Franklin, including walking, hiking, or biking on the beautiful trails, playing at parks and playgrounds, attending town festivals and events, and so much more. You could even take a scenic drive to explore the area beyond Franklin itself.
Rainy days are no match for family fun. Try seeing a movie or live performance at The Franklin Theatre, visiting The Factory at Franklin for shopping or a snack, attending storytime at Landmark Booksellers, or heading to The Monkey’s Treehouse or another indoor play space located nearby.
There are tons of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in and around Franklin. Try the rope courses and different climbing elements at SOAR Adventure Tower, play at the Pinkerton Park playgrounds, go horseback riding at Harlinsdale Farm or let your dog run around at Harlinsdale Dog Park, see free movies or outdoor concerts all summer long, and more. Whether you just have a dog, have small children, or are trying to entertain teenagers (when in doubt, there's always a quick trip to downtown Nashville!), there’s a lot of fun to be had for families of all shapes and sizes.
It’s nearly always a great time of the year to visit Franklin because there’s just so much going on. Whether you’re looking for mild weather, sweet fall foliage, charming holiday lights downtown, or a fun-filled summer getaway (though, be warned, it’s hot!), each season has plenty of activities for families.
Depending on the age of your kids, you’re going to have lots of different options when it comes to eating out. Try popular spot Puckett’s Restaurant for Southern comfort favorites, swing by Mellow Mushroom for pizza, hit Merridee’s Breadbasket for lattes for the parents and pastries or sandwiches for the kiddos, or head to Mojo’s Tacos at The Factory at Franklin for tacos. You’ll find tons of spots with kids’ menus and outdoor seating, making it easy to take your family out to eat at any time of the day.
For more ideas on where to eat in Franklin, check out our round-up of breakfast and brunch spots we can’t get enough of.
It is! Downtown Franklin features plenty of sidewalks, easy-to-navigate crosswalks, and lots of spots to pop in for a quick bite or a browse. Not only that, but outside of Main Street, you can also find lots of paved walking paths and trails, making them super accessible for families with strollers or young children who aren’t quite sure on their feet just yet.
In a town like Franklin, with so many events taking place all throughout the year, you know there’s nearly always something to take your family to. Here are some of the heavy-hitters:
- Main Street Festival (Spring): featuring kids’ activities, food trucks, and more
- Pilgrimage Music Festival (Fall): featuring plenty of fun live music and performances
- Pumpkinfest (Fall): featuring games, kids’ activities, costumes, and more
- Dickens of a Christmas (Holiday): featuring Victorian carolers, carriages, and lots of period holiday activities
- Fourth of July Celebration (Summer): featuring fireworks (of course) and activities for kids and adults