Overview
Franklin is a city in Venango County, in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania. Franklin, Titusville and Oil City, make up the Oil Region. Although the town remains rather quiet, the oil boom has left the city with many historic buildings. The architectural features range from Victorian to Gothic Revival; it is said that all of the architectural styles used in the state from 1830 to 1930 can be observed in Franklin. The Appalachian Mountains and forests that surround the area also make it a popular destination for hikers and bikers looking to get out of the cities to experience nature.
8 sights · 18 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Franklin
Barrow-Civic Theater
Featuring a variety of theater performances from local actors, as well as comedy acts, instrumental performances, and other special productions. See the website to find out about what will be showing during your visit.
Tri-City Speedway
A race track hosting a variety of events, from the typical racecars to motorcycles and bus races.
Saint John's Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church also shows off the city's former wealth, with its complete collection of Tiffany Windows and mahogany pews. From the outside the church is a stunning example of Victorian architecture. However, from …
DeBence Antique Music World
A museum dedicated to antiques related to music, such as phonographs, organs, and player pianos. Not only do visitors get to learn about the music-makers, you also get to hear all of them played. It may seem like an odd …
Venango County Courthouse
The construction of the courthouse was completed in 1868. It was designed by Philadelphian architects and built by a local builder. It was made in the Italianate architectural style, most visible in its uneven towers. In…
Fountain Park & Bandstand Park
These parks flank the courthouse on both sides, with Fountain Park to the right and Bandstand Park to the left. The parks are over 200 years old, as they were incorporated into the original city layout in 1795. The Civil…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun.
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.
- ERI Erie International Tom Ridge Field, Erie — 51 mi away. Directions
- DUJ DuBois Regional Airport, Dubois — 51 mi away. Directions
- PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 66 mi away (major hub). Directions
Route 322 runs through Franklin from the east and west, and Route 8 travels through Franklin from Erie to the north and Pittsburgh from the south.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$470 a night (typical $130), from 9 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$600.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Saint John's Episcopal Church, Barrow-Civic Theater, Fountain Park & Bandstand Park
- Lunch Deets Sugar House
- Afternoon Venango County Courthouse, Venango County Historical Society
- Dinner Leonardo's Restaurant and Pizzeria
- Evening FoxTales Pub
Day 2
- Morning Space Capsule, Walking Tours, Outdoor Alleghent River Services
- Lunch Bella Cucina
- Afternoon Lucky Hills Golf Course, Franklin on Ice
- Dinner Kings Family Restaurant
Day 3
- Morning Tri-City Speedway, Allegheny River and Samuel Justus Bike Trail, Skate Capital
- Lunch Bistro by Pizza Joe's
- Afternoon Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, 4th of July Festivities Week
- Dinner Iron Furnace Coffee
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Franklin was founded in 1741 by the French during the French and Indian War, where French Creek meets the Allegheny River. When the British saw the French had built a fort, they sent George Washington, who would later become the nation's first president, to tell the French that the territory had already been claimed by the British. The French refused, and proceeded to amass an army (including local Indians) to attack Fort Pitt and Fort Dusquesne in modern Pittsburgh. When the British began to attack Fort Niagara, the French were forced to send their troops north and the territory was claimed by the British. After American independence from Great Britain, the layout of the city was redesigned by Andrew Ellicott, who also helped design the layout of Washington, D.C. With the discovery of oil in nearby Titusville in 1859, wealthy oil tycoons moved to Franklin, quickly changing Franklin from an unknown to a wealthy, bustling town. With large fires consuming the oil fields in 1892 and 1894, the wealthy dispersed as quickly as they had come.
Climate
Located in America's northeastern region, all four seasons can be experienced in Franklin. Spring and summer are often warm, but not uncomfortably so. August is generally the hottest month. In the autumn, the leaves typically begin to change colors around late September and early October around Applefest. It begins snowing around November. Lake-effect snow is not as great a concern in Franklin as it is closer to Lake Erie; however, it does occasionally cause heavy snow showers.
Tourist information
Get in
By plane
Go Venango Regional Airport (FKL)
It is a small local airport, with daily flights from Pittsburgh. Because of the limited flight options, many visitors prefer flying into Erie or Pittsburgh and then driving to Franklin however, flights have become very affordable with government subsidies, so it may be more worthwhile to fly directly here from Pittsburgh.
By car
Route 322 runs through Franklin from the east and west, and Route 8 travels through Franklin from Erie to the north and Pittsburgh from the south.
By bike
If you are travelling from Oil City or Emlenton, you can enter Franklin by bike via the bike trail, which passes through Franklin. From there, you can easily travel to the downtown area.
Get around
On foot
Liberty Street contains shopping areas, the Barrow Civic Theater, the Courthouse, and the parks, making it a great place for those travelling on foot. St. John's Episcopal Church is also nearby, so visitors can see all of these without having to drive around however, not all of the sites are in walking distance, so those hoping to see more than the downtown area will need to take the bus or drive.
By car
The sites in Seneca, such as the mall and roller skating rink, can be reached from downtown Franklin by travelling on Route 322 East. For Two Mile Run County Park and Tri-City Speedway, drive down Rocky Grove Avenue. Rocky Grove Avenue becomes Route 417 outside of the city, but they are exactly the same road.
By bus
Franklin is served by the VenanGO Bus, which also has stops in Oil City and the Cranberry Mall. It costs $1.50 for adults and $0.75 for children ages 6-11. Children 5 and under, as well as Senior Citizens with PA Transit Passes, can ride for free. Buses operate from 8AM to 4PM and generally arrive at each stop once per hour, making it most convenient for shopping trips.
See
Much of the downtown area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for its architecture and history. Many of the shops, public buildings, and residences date back to the days when Franklin gained an immense amount of oil wealth. Notable historic buildings include the Courthouse, Public Library, churches, the Liberty Street shop buildings, and the Galena-Signal Oil Company building, which was once an oil refinery. The houses along Elk Street are exquisite examples of the Greek Revival architecture. Many other architectural wonders can be found scattered throughout the city.
See Saint John's Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church also shows off the city's former wealth, with its complete collection of Tiffany Windows and mahogany pews. From the outside the church is a stunning example of Victorian architecture. However, from the inside the church is even more breathtaking. St. John's Church includes one of three complete collections of Tiffany windows in the world. All of the windows in the church were commissioned by St. John's and created by the Louis Comfort Tiffany Studios. The "rose" window above the North entrance is the second largest Tiffany window in the world, also said to be one of Tiffany's personal favorites. The pews of the church are also quite beautiful, as the wood used to make them is all from the Amazon Rainforest in South America. Guided tours are available and may be scheduled by calling the church and making a reservation with a church docent;
See DeBence Antique Music World
A museum dedicated to antiques related to music, such as phonographs, organs, and player pianos. Not only do visitors get to learn about the music-makers, you also get to hear all of them played. It may seem like an odd museum at first, but the tour is quite entertaining. Downstairs is an antique shop open year-round. You can visit the shop without taking the tour if you wish.
See Venango County Courthouse
The construction of the courthouse was completed in 1868. It was designed by Philadelphian architects and built by a local builder. It was made in the Italianate architectural style, most visible in its uneven towers. Inside the courthouse there are displays of Native American artifacts, such as arrowheads and pottery, from Venango County and nearby areas.
See Fountain Park & Bandstand Park
These parks flank the courthouse on both sides, with Fountain Park to the right and Bandstand Park to the left. The parks are over 200 years old, as they were incorporated into the original city layout in 1795. The Civil War Monument was built just a year after the war ended in 1866. It contains the names of over 400 men from Venango County killed in the war. It is one of the oldest Civil War monuments in the state. The Egbert Memorial Fountain in Fountain Park was built in 1886 in memory of Dr. A.G. Egbert who gave a lot of his oil wealth back to the town. Bandstand Park contains a Vietnam Memorial, Revolutionary War Memorial and, of course, a bandstand where the Franklin Silver Cornet Band, one of America's oldest traditional town bands, plays regular concerts every summer. Applefest takes place in these parks every October.
See Franklin Antique Mall & Wild West Museum
Although most of the items are for sale, this antique mall is also set up as a museum. There are a wide variety of antiques and knick-knacks to look at, from armor to posters to toys. As antiques are sold and new antiques are brought in, you are likely to notice something new every time you visit.
See Venango County Historical Society
The Hoge-Osmer House is headquarters for Venango County Historical Society, and is also a house museum. The house was built by Thomas Hoge in 1866 at the close of the Civil War. The Newton Osmer family moved into the house in the early 1890s and made many renovations and additions.
- Much of the furniture on display belonged to the Osmer family and is original to the house, along with the light fixtures and Italian marble fireplaces. The house museum has many changing displays that include clothing, household items, tools and archival artifacts from the Society’s collections that help to tell the story of the history of Venango County.
- Venango County Historical Society also houses a Genealogical Research Library and Archival Resource Center, and is the designated repository for Venango County artifacts.
See Sibley Mansion
Also referred to as Sibley Castle and River Ridge, it is the former residence of Joseph Sibley, the founder of an oil refining company called Galena-Signal Oil (the company building still sits in downtown Franklin today). Sibley gained a lot of wealth from his business and was a known friend of Rockefeller and President McKinley. In fact, President McKinley was traveling with Sibley when he was assassinated in 1901. The Sibley Mansion was built in 1913 and Sibley lived there until his death. Today the mansion is owned by Life Ministries and used for their retreats however, they do offer tours sporadically throughout the year.
See Space Capsule
A very odd site indeed is the real space capsule from an Apollo CM located in front of the Dairy Queen. Only four of these capsules have not been converted into scrap metal; one is located in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and another is on display in Cape Canaveral. The one you see in Franklin is privately owned, along with the other which is not on display. If you're interested in learning more about it, enter the Dairy Queen. There is a tv inside displaying information about the capsule (along with ads for various Dairy Queen foods).
Do
Do Walking Tours
With so many historic Victorian buildings, representing a wide array of architectural styles, visitors often come just to walk around the town to view the buildings. There are a few ways in which you can do this. If you just want to see the architecture, you can do the self-guided walking tour. These Walking Tour Guides are available at Franklin City Hall or Franklin Chamber of Commerce. The Franklin Rotary Club offers guided walking tours during Applefest. Those interested should call in advance (+1 814 437-2072) to find out more information about specific tour dates. Other groups, such as the local Garden Club, offer House and Garden Tours during 4th of July Festivities Week.
Do Two Mile Run County Park
Two Mile Run is a tucked away just off Route 417 around a man-made lake. You can fish in the lake, boat, and swim at Crosby Beach. Around the beach there are also paddle boat rentals and volleyball nets. Two Mile Run has many different hiking and mountain bike trails for those who are more interested in exploring nature and the surrounding forests. In the wintertime, visitors can enjoy ice fishing and sled-riding or snowboarding on the hill near the entrance of the park. There are pavilions that can be used by the public when they have not been rented. For accommodations, visitors can camp or make reservations to stay at either the cottage or farmhouse (see "Sleep").
Do Allegheny River and Samuel Justus Bike Trail
Extending through Franklin midway, the 15 mile bike trail spans from Oil City to Emlenton. In Franklin it is borders the Allegheny River. While much of the trail is lined by trees, the trail passes through two old railroad tunnels, abandoned sites from the days of the oil industry, and other natural sites, such as the waterfall near the entrance of the Rockland Tunnel and the Indian God Rock, containing Native American pictographs carved over 1000 years ago (along with name carvings and graffiti). The trail is especially beautiful amidst the autumn foliage. Along with biking, many people also come to walk and roller blade. There are also spots along the trail for picnicking and/or resting. In Franklin, the trail can be accessed along Route 322 just after crossing the 8th Street Bridge. You can bring your own bikes or rent them at the Country Pedaler.
Do Skate Capital
A roller skating rink with great music from today, and dance hits from the 1990s. There is a snack bar inside, as well as a small room for kids to dance in. Races are held periodically, which are just for fun, so anyone can participate. It's most popular among youth, but many adults come to skate, as well.
Golf
Do Lucky Hills Golf Course
A reasonably challenging nine-hole golf course. There is also a driving range.
Do Wanago Golf Club
The Club's 18-hole course offers a 6134 yard, par 71 challenge. Beauty and character define the course with challenging greens, strategically-placed sand traps and magnificent scenery. Wanango is a course designed by A W Tillinghast.
Events
Do Franklin on Ice
Franklin's "cure for the winter blaughs", visitors gather to watch sculptors turn huge blocks of ice into beautiful works of art! If you find the cold is too much, check out the chili contest to sample the area's best chilis. Visitors can view the sculptures until they melt!
Do May Garden Mart
Fountain Park is in full bloom on this first Saturday & Sunday in May. A wide variety of florists and garden suppliers are on hand to supply you with anything you may need to plant, decorate and work in your garden and around your home.
Do 4th of July Festivities Week
Week-long celebration features concerts each night. The biggest day of this celebration falls on the Saturday before the 4th. This is LibertyFest and features the LibertyFest Parade and the Vogues at Bandstand Park. The week is capped off by a fantastic fireworks display at Riverfront Park.
Do Taste of Franklin
Taste of Franklin Weekend – Sample the tastes, shops and sounds of Franklin. Shop at the Annual Old Fashioned Bargain Days. Take-in the finals of the Taste of Talent Vocal Competition and the Taste of Franklin on Sunday (first Sunday of August) which features a variety of local foods to sample for very reasonable prices. Franklin is for Foodies and this day is a food lover’s delight!
Do Rock In River Festival/PA Stone Skipping Championship
This River Festival features crafts, a rock decorating contest, kayak rides and the fun of watching amateurs and professionals (including Guinness World Record Holder, Russ Byars) compete for the Pennsylvania state championship of skipping stones across the water.
Do Applefest
The legendary Johnny Appleseed was said to have travelled through Franklin spreading his appleseeds throughout the area, and Applefest celebrates the now-abundant apple trees in the area. The largest craft show in Western Pennsylvania, Applefest vendors fill both Fountain Park and Bandstand Park, selling a wide variety of goods, such as woodwork, paintings and jewelry. There are also many food vendors, with some of the biggest sellers being apple dumplings, apple cider, gourmet apples... you get the picture! Along with all of the crafts and food, performances and events are also held each day. Rides in horse-drawn wagons are available throughout the festival, the Applefest Race is on Saturday, and the Sunday car show on Liberty Street ensures that the crowds stay all weekend long.
Do Light Up Night
Held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Light-Up Night is a favorite celebration of the locals. The festivities kick-off with a parade on Liberty Street and continue with a fireworks display impressive enough to rival many larger cities! Throughout the evening, visitors can buy food and hot chocolate and view the Christmas tree exhibit in the Barrow Civic Theater.
Buy
Downtown
In Downtown Franklin, most of the shops are located along Liberty Street. The street itself has a nostalgic feel that makes browsing pleasant (and even more so since the parking meters were removed). A few of the more unique shops are Something Clever, offering unique clothing and accessories, Franklin Press with a variety of toys and games, and the antique shops, Liberty Street Antiques and DeBence Antique World.
Shop Daffin’s Candies
Daffin’s Candies, Hallmark cards and gifts, including Precious Moments, Jim Shore, candles, and accessories for birthdays, anniversaries, or any day.
Shop Something Clever
Women’s clothing, unique gifts including Brighton jewelry and Vera Bradley and leather items, along with all types of accessories and decorative home items.
Eat
Eat Deets Sugar House
The best place in Franklin for ice cream, Deets is known for giving generous portions! Although most people come for the ice cream, the hot foods, like subs and pizza, are also quite tasty.
Eat Leonardo's Restaurant and Pizzeria
One of the most popular restaurants in Franklin, serving excellent pizza and hot subs, as well as other Italian dishes.
Eat Bella Cucina
An up-scale restaurant that features dishes inspired predominantly by Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood and vegetarian dishes are particularly popular.
Eat Kings Family Restaurant
For those tired of fast food and pizza and hungry for homestyle cooking, Kings is a popular option. Kings is a Pennsylvanian chain restaurant, but it's one of Franklin's most popular restaurants, and it also stays open later than most others.
Eat Bistro by Pizza Joe's
Pizza and sandwiches.
Eat Iron Furnace Coffee
Quaint, locally owned cafe servig pastries along with a selection of coffees, teas, and speciality drinks. Free wi-fi available.
Drink
Drink FoxTales Pub
Although it's rather small, it's quite popular with the locals.
Sleep
Stay Two Mile Run Farmhouse and Cottage
For those looking to get out of the city and enjoy the areas natural surroundings, Two Mile Run offers the opportunity to rent either a cottage or farmouse. You must stay for a minimum of 2 nights. Amenities include a washer and dryer, clean linens, towels, a bathroom, a kitchen, a fireplace, and air conditioning. The cottage holds 5 people, and the farmhouse holds 10.
Go next
- Titusville
- Oil City
- Meadville
- Conneaut Lake
- Erie
- Butler
- Pittsburgh
Nearby
Oil City
City / town · 20 listings · 7 mi away
Titusville
City / town · 34 listings · 18 mi away
Grove City
City / town · 3 listings · 21 mi away
Meadville
City / town · 9 listings · 23 mi away
Clarion
City / town · 2 listings · 27 mi away
Butler
City / town · 8 listings · 37 mi away
Zelienople
City / town · 3 listings · 45 mi away
Warren
City / town · 3 listings · 47 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.