Residents in the Westhaven community enjoy many amenities within the neighborhood, including pools, parks, boutiques, restaurants and a convenient Town Center for everyday errands. The amenities don’t stop there – living in Westhaven provides the opportunity to quickly and easily enjoy one of America’s favorite Main Streets. A short 3 mile drive down New Hwy 96, you will find historic and charming downtown Franklin. Bustling with restaurants, boutiques and host to a myriad of music and art events, downtown Franklin is the picture perfect place to spend an afternoon with the family, enjoy a date night or simply take a stroll down through downtown enjoying the picturesque homes and storefronts.
Downtown Franklin has been recognized as a top destination spot. Here are a handful of accolades:
- Best Southern Town (Garden and Guns Magazine)
- Most Romantic Main Street
- Top 10 for Historic Preservation
- Great American Main Street Award
- Number One Small Town in Tennessee
- Five National Register Historic Districts
- One of Five Best Places in America to Antique Shop
With so much to do in downtown Franklin, sometimes you need a little help getting started. Next time you visit downtown Franklin, stop by the Visitors Center, conveniently located off Main Street and 4th Avenue. The friendly staff is extremely knowledgeable on all things downtown Franklin and can equip you with tips and tools so you can enjoy downtown Franklin to the fullest extent.Downtown Franklin has it all – a variety of food choices, entertainment for all and lively festivals and events.
Food Scene
From Southern favorites to Italian and everything in between, you’ll find over 20 restaurants in historic downtown Franklin. With a variety of choices, it is easy to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Coffee lovers congregate at Frothy Monkey and The Coffee House at Second and Bridge.
Take the family to Mellow Mushroom, where you’ll find dozens of pizzas; Merridee’s Breadbasket, where breakfast rules supreme or Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant for some home cooked Southern favorites.
Enjoy a date night at Cork & Cow, an exceptional steakhouse; Red Pony, an upscale fine dining experience; 55 South for your Creole cravings or Zolo’s Italian Restaurant.
A full list of restaurants in downtown Franklin can be found here.
Entertainment
Nashville may be known as “music city” but music is very much alive in Franklin. Many musicians and songwriters have made Williamson County their home and you can find them in the various venues in town performing weekly.
Franklin Theatre
The Franklin Theatre has been a staple of downtown Franklin since 1937. Visiting the theatre offers a glimpse of the historical richness of the area. The theatre closed in 2007 due to rising rents, but thanks to the nonprofit preservation group Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, the theatre was rehabilitated and stands as a historic landmark. The Franklin Theatre is now a true testament of the historic preservation efforts in Williamson County.
Other prime spots to listen to live music include Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant.
Shopping
Downtown Franklin is a shopper’s paradise with 16 blocks of boutiques and gift shops. You can find unique clothing at Jondie, Franklin Road Apparel or Habit; buy stylish shoes at BoutiqueMMM; shop for one-of-a-kind children’s clothing at Magpies Girl, It’s Vintage Baby and The Purple Butterfly, find books written by local authors at Landmark Booksellers; get gorgeous home decor at Onyx & Alabaster, Hester & Cook, Kelly Spalding Designs and find unique gifts at White’s Mercantile, Scarlett Scales Antiques or The Heirloom Shop.
Learn about all the shops in downtown Franklin here.
Festivals & Events
Thousands of locals and tourists enjoy the annual festivals held in downtown Franklin, including Main Street Festival each Spring, Franklin on the Fourth in July, PumpkinFest in October and Dickens of a Christmas in December.
These festivals aren’t the only events held in downtown. Other popular events include:
Franklin Art Scene – takes place on the first Friday of every month year round
Bluegrass on the Harpeth – an opportunity to hear some of the best local bluegrass music, BrewFest – offering dozens of craft brews
Wine Down Main Street – offering dozens of wine samples
You can learn more about these and other events at downtownfranklin.com.
