Franklin, Kentucky is full of fascinating things to do—so much so, you might want to try them all!
In my view, Franklin is a charming Southern town with plenty to offer visitors. With a population of just over 9,000, it’s small but packed with entertainment and historical charm. If you love history, you’ll feel right at home here.
From enormous antique shops to historic Shaker homes, a haunted museum, and an elegant Victorian house museum, Franklin truly spoils its visitors for choice.
Still wondering what to do in Franklin, KY? Let’s explore some of our favorite activities in Franklin County:
Visit Bright’s Antique World
Bright’s Antique World lives up to its name—it’s essentially antique shopping on steroids! Spanning 35,000 square feet, this massive antique mall features aisles lined with street lamps and booths styled like individual storefronts, where sellers showcase a wide range of treasures.
You’ll find everything from furniture and ornaments to toys and household goods—perfect for taking home a unique piece of history. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to explore the vast collection.
If you happen to be in Franklin on a Saturday, don’t miss the fortnightly outdoor bazaar. Parking is free, and there’s no entrance fee, making it an ideal day out for antique lovers.
Wine Tasting at Sumner Crest Winery
If you’re a wine enthusiast, Sumner Crest Winery is a must-visit any day of the week. The winery offers daily tastings, featuring more than twenty wines—all crafted right on the premises.
While you’re there, be sure to stop by The Grape Vine Café, open from 11 AM to 5 PM. It’s one of my favorite spots in Franklin, KY, serving delicious homemade flatbreads and other tasty appetizers. There’s also an on-site gift shop for souvenirs and wine-related treats.
Sumner Crest Winery also hosts regular concerts on the lawn, so it’s a good idea to check their website for event schedules before planning your visit.
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Spend the Night at Shaker Village
Plan a trip to the South Union Shaker Village, the oldest National Landmark in Kentucky. Here 34 buildings from an older, gentler age have survived. Built between 1809 and 1875 most of the buildings are located on a gravel track.
The Historic Center displays and exhibits Shaker living spaces and relics of their lifestyle. South Union Shaker Village has the largest collection of southern Shaker furniture in the US.
You could spend the whole day on this adventure. Arrange a self-guided tour or attend a curated weekend where you can learn to become a Shaker maker. There are also evening adventures, hayrides, horse-drawn carriage rides, and seasonal exhibitions.
The center opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm or you can stay overnight in a historic building.
Kenny Perry Country Creek Golf Course
Kenny Perry made his name on the PGA Tour. He has designed the well-appointed Kenny Perry Country Creek Golf Course for the use of golf lovers in the town. The golf course, at his home, is just minutes from downtown Franklin, meandering over the pretty countryside.
A fully stocked on-site pro shop has a wide range of equipment on offer. Relax in the clubhouse after the game and enjoy a snack from the snack bar.
The club is open from 7 am to 6 pm daily. Green fees for the 18-hole course come in at $37 on a weekday and $42 over the weekend. You can also choose to do the 9-hole course or take some time out on the driving range.
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Visit the Dueling Grounds Distillery
Built on a dueling field, the aptly named Dueling Grounds Distillery hosts tours and tastings seven days a week. The bourbon distillery has an on-site gift shop and bottle store. The business also hosts regular events on the outdoor patio.
The expert tours start every hour on the hour running from 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday. You can also join cocktail hour between 3 and 7 pm on a Sunday. Every Sunday there are new cocktails up for grabs. The Dueling Grounds form part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. So, enquire about the tour while you’re there.
Find Ghosts at Octagon Hall Museum
Built as a family home in 1847, Octagon Hall is on the National Registry of Historic Places. During the Civil War, it served both Federal and Confederate troops. It also served as a hospital. It is now a museum and contains Civil War and Native American artifacts. The grounds contain a slave cemetery and a historical garden.
Many regard the building as the most haunted in the south, and management invites para-normal teams on special ghost-seeking tours in the late afternoon and early evening. The museum opens Wednesday to Saturday from 9 am to 11 am and from 1 pm to 3.30 pm. Anyone over 12 will pay $5.
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Go Downtown for Some Franklin KY Shopping
Make sure to spend a little time in the historic downtown Franklin. It’s a great place to shop and stopover for a coffee and a chat. Historic buildings in the area include the courthouse built in 1882. The Franklin Presbyterian Church is just a little younger having been dedicated in 1886.
Stopover at the Brickyard Café. Once carriages were made and repaired here. Today there is still a buggy in the café. It stands upon a hand-operated lift.
Find Entertainment at Kentucky Downs
Head to Kentucky Downs if you’re in the mood for some great entertainment. The Mint boasts more than a thousand gaming machines. It’s open seven days a week and pays out millions monthly.
Not into gambling? You may want to try out one of the restaurants and bars at Kentucky Downs. The Center Bar, Corner Café, and Oasis Side Bar offer drinks, cocktails, and meals into the early hours.
Join in the excitement of a live horse race at The Track. It is the only all-turf racecourse in the US. The course is considered the top-rated track by the Horseplayers Association of North America. With space for 11 horses per race, Kentucky Downs is the top race meet in America.
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Franklin Drive-in
Snuggle up under a blanket and enjoy a movie from the comfort of your car. Listen to the soundtrack in stereo from your car radio. You get to watch two movies. Buy a hot and tasty snack and make an evening of it. The entry fee works on a sliding scale depending on the number of people in the vehicle. The gates open at 6 pm from Friday to Sunday.
Gallery on the Square
Gallery on the Square has been in business since 1992. It is a nonprofit organization set up with the sole aim of assisting local artists. Here you’ll find a wide range of artwork from glassworks, to pottery, jewelry and mixed media works, all the work of local craftspeople. The gallery has regular exhibitions and functions. Buy a gift and have it gift wrapped on the premises.
The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 2pm.
The Old Jail and Jailers Quarters
The old jail and jailers’ quarters are home to the Simpson County Museum. The museum contains various archives including deeds, wills, and marriage certificates. The jailers’ quarters house various artifacts and paintings donated to the museum over the years.
The tiny cells have been left just as they were when last used. Chains and shackles make the experience all too real. The jailers’ residence goes back to 1860.
Though most of the records were lost in a fire that burnt down the courthouse in 1882, some records in the Old Jail go all the way back to the Civil War. You can take a tour free of charge Monday to Saturday.
Sandford Duncan Inn
One of the oldest log structures in the county, the Sanford Duncan Inn was built in 1818. The inn has a long history and was operating as an overnight lodge going back almost to inception. By 1822, tax records show that the inn was operating as a tavern.
Several famous historical figures, such as President Andrew Jackson, have stayed at the inn over its illustrious history. The inn is now furnished as it was in the 1820s and 1830s. You can book weekday tours of the Inn.
The inn is also open most Saturdays between 10 am and 2 pm.
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African American Heritage Center
Located in a Victorian home the African American Heritage Center serves to showcase the part that African Americans have played in the history of the area. Besides exhibits, the museum also runs educational programs for children.
The center is open weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm and on Saturday from 9 to 11 am.
Feathers and Friends Alpaca Farm
Take the kids to the Feathers and Friends Alpaca Farm to see llamas, alpacas, and other animals. The farm was closed for a long while and recently re-opened. It isn’t a petting zoo but you will receive food at the gate with which to feed the animals.
The farm is open from 9 am Monday to Saturday. Make an appointment as this is a working farm. The entry fee is $20 and the farm will accommodate up to four people at a time.
Days Gone by Museum Portland
Just ten minutes from Franklin, you’ll find the Days Gone by Museum in nearby Portland. Started more than 30 years ago, this privately owned museum aims to showcase the lifestyle of the early American household.
The warehouse and surrounding lawns contain over 100 antique cars, trucks, and tractors, all lovingly restored to their former glory. It also contains old-fashioned household appliances, tools, and farm ware. A plane and a section of train adorn the lawn outside.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm. Gain entrance for $5.
Baker Arboretum Downing Museum
A half an hour from Franklin, in Bowling Green, the Baker Arboretum and Downing Museum are well worth a visit. The Arboretum was started in 1992 and covers almost 115 acres of land. Jerry Baker worked with a landscape engineer to create a beautifully coherent collection of conifers and Japanese maples, interspersed by magnolias and other flowering trees.
The arboretum has an astonishing array of plant species all beautifully packaged in a peaceful park.
Alongside the Arboretum, you’ll find one of the free things to do in Franklin KY. The Downing Museum showcases the works of art of sculptor, painter, and designer Joseph Dudley Downing. It also serves as an exhibition center for other artists. Admission is free. Opening times change through the year so you will have to check the times before you visit.
The Historic Rail Park and Train Museum
Also in Bowling Green, combine your trip to the Arboretum with a visit to the Historic Rail Park and Train Museum. Here you can experience rail travel of a past era and learn important stories of the heritage. Located in the former Louisville and Nashville Railway Station, you can wander around the museum and take a guided railcar tour.
The combined tours cost $16 for adults and $10 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. If you only do the museum, you’ll pay half price. The park is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. You will have to book.
Riverview at Hobson Grove
Another highlight in Bowling Green is Riverview at Hobson Grove, a stunning Victorian-era home that offers a glimpse into upper-class life of the 19th century. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers even occupied the partially completed house. Completed in 1872, Riverview was regarded as one of the finest homes in Warren County. Today, the fully restored house serves as a museum, beautifully preserving the style and elegance of the era.
Riverview is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM. Please note that it closes for holidays and from mid-December through early March.
In Conclusion
If you’re searching for things to do in Franklin, KY this weekend, you’re sure to find something that appeals. From sporting events and gambling to historical excursions, Franklin County offers a variety of activities to suit every interest.