Overview
Franklin is a city in Kentucky's Caves and Lakes region. In the mid-2000s, the community of Franklin was honored as one of the "50 Best Small Southern Towns."
4 sights · 2 things to do · 8 places to eat · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Franklin
Octagon Hall Civil War Museum
Civil War museum in octagonal structure.
Kentucky Downs Race Course
I-65 Exit. Open year-round for simulcast racing and dining. America's only turf track; features live thoroughbred racing in September.
First United Methodist Church
It's where June and Johnny Cash got married, yay!
Simpson County Historical Society and History Center
Discover the history of Franklin and its surroundings here and visit the old jail and jailer's quarters across the street.
African American Heritage Center
Tiny educational center about the African American history of the area.
Kenny Perry's Country Creek Golf Course
I-65 Exit 2. Designed by PGA touring pro Kenny Perry, this par 72 public course is nestled in picturesque countryside. Practice range, pro shop, snack bar.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Mar. (climate data from nearby Mammoth Cave National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BNA Nashville International Airport, Nashville — 42 mi away (major hub). Directions
- OWB Owensboro Daviess County Airport, Owensboro — 77 mi away. Directions
18 miles south of Bowling Green, I-65 Exits 2 or 6. The nearest airport is Nashville International, 40 miles south on I-65 (off of I-40).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning First United Methodist Church, Simpson County Historical Society and History Center, African American Heritage Center
- Lunch Brickyard Cafe Franklin
- Afternoon Kentucky Downs Race Course, Kenny Perry's Country Creek Golf Course
- Dinner Cracker Barrel
Day 2
- Morning Octagon Hall Civil War Museum
- Lunch Franklin Steak House
- Dinner Frosty Freeze
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
18 miles south of Bowling Green, I-65 Exits 2 or 6. The nearest airport is Nashville International, 40 miles south on I-65 (off of I-40).
See
See African American Heritage Center
Tiny educational center about the African American history of the area.
Do
Buy
Shop Bright's Antique World
150 booths, 25,000 sq. ft. of antiques; old kitchen furniture, china, & pottery; primitive & antique furniture; depression glass, old & new fenton; used books; vintage & estate jewelry; trade & postal cards, old toys; old hunting & fishing lures, pocket knives & tools.
Shop Heritage Antique Mall
130 booths with 90 dealers; early primitive to Victorian furniture; jewelry; collectibles; glassware.
Shop Strictly Country Antique Mall
A series of outbuildings on a working farm; antiques from various periods and styles; furniture and accessories; advertising collectibles; kitchen items; primitives; gasoline and auto related items.
Shop Violin in the Attic
Buy, sell, trade violins; lessons and repair; vintage jewelry; glassware, and some furniture.
Eat
Eat Brickyard Cafe Franklin
Fine Italian and Mediterranean dining. The building in which Brickyard Cafe is located dates back to the early 1900s. Early occupants were the Franklin Carriage Company and Hatter Hardware. The old hardware sign is now in the bar area. In the main dining room, an old horse-drawn buggy is suspended on the original manually operated lift platform, which transported buggies and carriages to the second and third floor workshops for repair. Franklin's rich local history is combined with the ambiance of cafes in the coastal cities along the Adriatic Sea, so sit back, relax and enjoy the Brickyard Cafe, where the past and present come together for excellent food and hometown hospitality.
Eat Cracker Barrel
Country style cooking; Old Country Store has gifts galore. Rocking chairs on the front porch invite one to "set a spell" and enjoy the lovely flowers that surround the restaurant.
Eat Franklin Steak House
Prime ribs; various steaks, b-b-q ribs, teriyaki chicken, catfish, salmon, shrimp.
Eat Frosty Freeze
Franklin's first fast food establishment: opened May 1956; features baby burgers, milk shakes, soft serve ice cream, especially an ice cream cone covered with a chocolate shell called the "Brown Derby"
Eat Jim's Barbecue
Eat in or carryout; plate meals or by the pound barbecue; vegetables, desserts, cornbread available.
Eat Sol Azteca
Authentic Mexican cuisine. Liquor by the drink.
Eat Wildfire BBQ and Grill
Hickory Smoked pulled pork (cooked 16 hours); Smoked pork chops; catfish; ribs.
Drink
The city of Franklin is referred to as "moist", allowing alcohol sales only by the drink in larger restaurants (seating at least 100). The rest of Simpson County is completely dry.
Sleep
Campground
Hotels & motels
Stay Days Inn
58 rooms; 10 smoking 48 nonsmoking; 3 handicapped/wheel chair rooms, continental breakfast; coffeemaker; cable tv; fax service, free local calls and newspaper; hairdryer; some rooms with microwave and refrigerator; outdoor pool; wireless high speed internet; pets allowed; rv/truck parking; restaurant nearby; credit cards accepted; AARP, AAA, corp., and government. discounts.
Stay Econo Lodge
49 rooms; smoking/non-smoking; handicapped/wheel chair rooms; continental breakfast; outdoor pool; coffeemaker; microwave/refrigerator; cable tv; small pets allowed; free local calls.
Stay Kentucky Motel
20 rooms; smoking/non-smoking; some have a microwave and refrigerator; HBO; B-B-Q grills. There is coffee and juice in the office. Weekly rates available.
Go next
Events
- Red River Meeting and Rendezvous About 1.3 miles west of Schochoh +1 270 586-7632. Enjoy living history at the Red River Meeting House; celebrate the commemoration of the "Second Great Awakening" in America in the early 1800s, beginning in Logan Co., KY. Camp in a place of rare beauty and peace. Participate in a variety of camp activities including reenacting the time period of 1800 with period clothing, cooking over open fires, music, games, and traders with wares for sale. There will be church services, history lessons, exhibits, cemetery tours, and various demonstrations. This is a great place and time for children to learn and play. No camp fee; service animals only; no water or electric hookup for modern tents and campers. Firewood and water furnished.
- Franklin Car and Craft Show Fair and car show on Courthouse Square. Mid-September. +1 270 586-7609
Nearby
Auburn
City / town · 6 listings · 13 mi away
Adairville
City / town · 16 mi away
Russellville
City / town · 12 listings · 19 mi away
Bowling Green
City / town · 65 listings · 20 mi away
Scottsville
City / town · 8 listings · 21 mi away
Lewisburg
City / town · 28 mi away
Hendersonville
City / town · 20 listings · 29 mi away
Morgantown
City / town · 6 listings · 35 mi away
My experience
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