When planning to take your students out for a field trip, there are several boxes you want to check: How can you make it educational? Fun? Impactful and meaningful? Picking an activity or location can be difficult, which is why we’re here to help.

Whatever your goals, Franklin has plenty of field trip destinations to choose from—so what are you in the market for?

For outdoor exploration: The Little Tennessee River Greenway

The Greenway is perfect for younger children who want to get outside without leaving the beaten trail too far behind. With paved sidewalks wide enough for a group, the Greenway is a great location for a smooth tour of the local flora and fauna.

Kick it back at picnic shelters, climb on the playground at Wesley Park, challenge the students at the disc golf course, and trot across historic bridges together for a pleasant trip in the great outdoors!

For a show: The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

Getting whisked away to watch a show in a 1,500-seat state-of-the-art facility is a rare and breathtaking experience, which makes visiting the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (SMCPA) an awesome opportunity for your students—especially if they’re interested in the arts.

The SMCPA has school-day performances in the fall and spring every year with plays geared toward younger audiences, so each is family friendly and value oriented. It’s a perfect half-day trip that’s fun for the children and teachers alike!

For a historical experience: Historical Downtown

There’s plenty to see when you walk down the sidewalks of Franklin’s Main Street area. Count on hitting several museums in a day, like the Gem and Mineral Museum (which used to be a jailhouse!), Scottish Tartans Museum, and the Macon County Historical Museum.

Your children will learn all about our pocket of Western North Carolina, who lived here hundreds of years ago, and what brought our own ancestors to the valley. You might be surprised at the amazing stories hidden away in our small town!

For a reward: The Factory in Franklin

Good behavior is something to be celebrated, and there’s nowhere better to throw a party than the Factory. From arcade games to laser tag and bumper cars, the fun starts when you walk in the doors. The wide range of entertainment makes the Factory ideal for multiple grade levels, since there’s something for children of every age.

Plus, planning their meals is easy when you have restaurants in the same building, so stick around for some great food while you’re there! Enjoy pizza, burgers, and tacos at the Pizza Factory and the Taco Factory.

Explore Franklin together!

With so many different field trip opportunities in Franklin, the only hard part of planning your trip will be choosing where to go. No matter what you decide, you’re sure to have a great time with your students here in the mountains.