Overview
Franklin is a small, upscale village in Oakland County, Michigan.
1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Franklin
Franklin Cider Mill
Definitely the most famous attraction in town, the Franklin Cider Mill was established in 1837, the same year that Michigan gained its statehood. It was built and opened as a gristmill by Peter VanEvery, and it changed o…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jul. (climate data from nearby Detroit)
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.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 38 mi away. Directions
Franklin is accessible from Detroit by the M-10 (John C. Lodge) Freeway and from other areas of the state by I-96. Downtown Franklin is on Franklin Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
<gallery> File:MarketBasket.JPG|Market Basket </gallery>
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
Photos
Understand
Franklin is a small community with a population of about 3,250 (2017). It is known mostly for its quaint, estate-style neighborhoods and for its old-fashioned downtown. Named after Benjamin Franklin by Elijah Bullock and other settlers in 1825, the town has many historic landmarks such as a fully-operational Cider Mill. The village’s collection of vintage architecture is uncommon in contemporary Metro Detroit.
Get in
By car
Franklin is accessible from Detroit by the M-10 (John C. Lodge) Freeway and from other areas of the state by I-96. Downtown Franklin is on Franklin Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road.
By bus
Franklin is accessible from most areas in Southeast Michigan by the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the only regional bus service in the area. The bus travels only to the edge of Franklin with stops on Maple Road and Northwestern Highway.
By train
The closest Amtrak station is in the nearby city of Birmingham, roughly 5 miles away from Franklin.
By plane
Franklin is part of Metro Detroit. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the closest international airport, about 30 miles (50 km) away.
Get around
By car
Travel by car to any part of Franklin takes a very little time. Traffic is extremely rare in the town. There are no parking meters due to the general lack of activity, there are usually available parking lots in town.
By foot
Franklin is pedestrian friendly, providing a sidewalk system through downtown and several surrounding areas. The only parts of the town without sidewalks are residential areas.
See
- Downtown Franklin. Being primarily a residential area, Franklin’s downtown area is the main attraction. Consisting primarily of original structure buildings, the downtown area is on Franklin Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road.
Do
Do Franklin Cider Mill
Definitely the most famous attraction in town, the Franklin Cider Mill was established in 1837, the same year that Michigan gained its statehood. It was built and opened as a gristmill by Peter VanEvery, and it changed ownership several times throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Known for its famous apple cider, the mill also sells a variety of other items such as baked goods, jams and butter, honey, pumpkins, and other apple products. The mill is open from the Saturday before Labor Day (the first Monday in September) to the Sunday after Thanksgiving (late November). It draws a lot of visitors to town.
- Franklin Park. Built around the Franklin Community Church, Franklin Park is known as the community gathering place. Complete with a playground, tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields, nature trails, and a sledding hill, the park is a place residents and visitors come to relax.
Buy
Shop La Spezia Flavor Market
This home was built in 1840. It offers over 700 products to flavor; including spices, blends, infused extra virgin olive oils & 18-year-old aged balsamic vinegars. It also offers gourmet soups, drink mixes, flavored sea salts, Hawaiian cane sugars, marinades, pure extracts and flavorings.
Shop The Franklin Village Boutique
Built in 1936, this building began as an automobile repair shop and gas station. The Village Boutique carries one of a kind clothing and jewelry. This unique and stylish clothing store is known to be one of Franklin's best boutiques.
Shop Glamour Puss Beauty Bar and Boutique
Housed in what used to be known as the Franklin Hotel. This building was built in 1830 by Dr. Raynale and served as the first store in the village. Glamour Puss offers unique clothing, accessories, jewelry, and gift items. The boutique also has a beauty bar, which provides natural ready to wear cosmetics and superior skin care products.
Eat
Eat Franklin Grill and Tavern
Built as a blacksmith shop in 1840, the Franklin Grill and Tavern was established in 2001. The family restaurant is best known for its seasonal dishes and lively atmosphere.
<gallery> File:MarketBasket.JPG|Market Basket </gallery>
Drink
Drink Farmhouse Ice Cream and Coffee
Taking the form of a renovated farmhouse, it is another destination in Franklin known for its atmosphere. The shop features original ice cream and coffee products, and couches and picnic tables for people to relax on.
<gallery> File:Farmhousecoffee.JPG|Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream </gallery>
Sleep
Hotels a few miles away in Farmington Hills, Southfield and Birmingham (Michigan).
Go next
- Detroit: The largest city in the state of Michigan, A 30-minute drive from Franklin. Home to a metropolitan population of nearly 5.2 million people. Serving as a primary financial, cultural, and transportation center to the people of the Metro Detroit area, it is also home to museums, major sports teams, and an overall rich city life. Top places visited by tourists include Greek Town, Mexican Town, and one of the four large casinos, including one across the river in Windsor, Canada.
- Birmingham: An affluent city and suburb of Detroit, Birmingham is very close to Franklin. Known as a great destination for shopping, it is also a great place to relax with several parks and many other attractions.
- Royal Oak: Another city in Oakland county, it is home to a population of 57,236. With many restaurants and a vibrant downtown, it is a hotspot for tourists in Michigan. Known for several attractions, including the Detroit Zoo, the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Arts, Beats and Eats festival.
Nearby
Farmington Hills
City / town · 5 listings · 4 mi away
West Bloomfield
City / town · 6 listings · 5 mi away
Birmingham
City / town · 11 listings · 5 mi away
Bloomfield Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 5 mi away
Southfield
City / town · 3 listings · 5 mi away
Pontiac
City / town · 7 listings · 9 mi away
Royal Oak
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Novi
City / town · 9 listings · 9 mi away
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