Vacation planning can get tricky if you’re laying out the trip months in advance.
Perhaps you heard of an awesome indoor attraction, but the lady at the hotel really sells you on enjoying the sunshine on a hiking trail—and what do you do when your excursion gets flipped because it’s not so nice outside? Maybe you realize upon arrival that you’d really rather stay in with a sprawling view of the mountains to keep you company.
Lucky for our tourists, Franklin is a great destination for vacations of all sorts. Whether you want to revel in the outdoors, explore the indoor attractions, or kick back at a lodge for a lazy day in the clouds.

Sunny Days
Franklin is the hub of outdoor adventures galore! When the weather’s nice, time’s your only limit for the things you can do in a day.
Want to cannonball into your vacation? Check out the swimming hole at Bust-Your-Butt Falls, just an hour’s drive from Franklin on roads with spectacular mountain views. Fishers also have a dream come true, with multiple spots for fly fishing in the cool rivers, but if adrenaline’s more your speed, white water rafting is the way to go!
For you adventurers who’d rather not get wet, we’ve got hikes and bike trails from the easy-going, paved Little Tennessee River Greenway to more ambitious mountain trails and waterfalls.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a complete trip to Franklin without gem mining! We’re the ruby capital of the world, so make sure to set aside some time to get muddy and dig for treasure in the mountains!

Rainy Days
Don’t let rainy days get you down! There’s plenty to see and do indoors while you listen to the rain pattering the roof outside.
For instance, you can kick it back in one of our local breweries or taprooms for dark beers and friendly conversations. Downtown, you can pop in and out of our Main Street shops without getting drenched and bring home snazzy new outfits and mountain-made souvenirs.
Want to delve into Franklins wild and peculiar history? Check out our museums and drop into any number of antique stores for a taste of our past. You’ll be surprised at what you find in our quiet little town!
Now, the kids are in for a real treat if you visit the Factory! Our massive arcade is outfitted with everything from ticket games to laser tag and bumper cars—and all indoors. Time to get rid of some rainy-day energy!

Lazy Days
While venturing out is exciting, sometimes you just need a day to relax and recover from the craziness of everyday life. What’s the point of vacation if you just end up being stressed as you try to cram everything into a few days?
Whether you want the space and privacy of a personal balcony at Cat Creek Lodge, the old-fashioned hominess of Oak Hill Country Inn, or the mid-town location of Franklin Terrace, a lodge or bed and breakfast is absolutely the way to go.
For some, bed and breakfasts just isn’t the right speed—and that’s okay! We have hotels, motels, and AirBnB rentals galore for anyone hunting a great place to stay.
Whatever day it is, have a great one!
Franklin is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to breath that mountain air, enjoy the view from the porch, and explore what Western North Carolina has to offer. We can’t wait to have you, rain or shine!