How to Spend 2 Days in Franklin, Tennessee

~ Carmen

Franklin, Tennessee is a small, historic town located just 20 miles south of Nashville. Known for its Civil War history and thriving downtown, a visit to Franklin, Tennessee makes for a perfect weekend getaway or convenient road trip stop! You can easily see the major sites in Franklin in 2 days.

Franklin, Tennessee happens to be just 3 1/2 hours east of where we live in Memphis. When my daughter was a competitive dancer, she had frequent conventions and competitions in Nashville which left me time to explore the area, especially Franklin. Now that Joe and I are empty-nesters, Franklin has become a favorite destination when we only have a couple of days to spare.

How to Spend 2 Days in Franklin, Tennessee

Lodging in Franklin-

As a historic town, there are a variety of older homes that have been converted into bed & breakfast inns. These are mainly located close to the downtown area making the location very convenient!

How to Spend 2 Days in Franklin, Tennessee

Inn at Franklin Square

For our last trip to Franklin, we stayed at the Franklin Best Western. Get a great rate at hotels.com!

Day 1 in Franklin- Civil War Focus

If you love history, historical buildings or battle strategy, Franklin has that covered! On November 30, 1864, the town of Franklin became engulfed in one of the biggest Civil War defeats of the Confederate Army. Without getting into too many details, the Confederate Army needed to recapture Nashville, a huge supply hub. The small farm town of Franklin stood in their path.

Considered the 5 bloodiest hours in American History, over 10,000 Americans were killed or wounded during the battle. The South suffered its biggest loss of leadership of the entire war. Six Confederate generals were killed. Another 5 generals were wounded, and 1 was captured.

Considering how much of the town was effected by this battle, much of the reclamation efforts were to preserve Civil War sites and restore battle areas once covered up by businesses.

Carter House

The major battle line in the Battle of Franklin was located about 200 yards north of the Carter farmhouse, through the yard and up to the Carter cotton gin. What I loved about the tour were the descriptions of where the family sheltered during the battle and the visible musket holes that covered the farm office. It’s amazing that any of the farm buildings or the main house survived at all! The tours are 60 minutes long, plan at least 2 hours for the tour and visitor’s center.

The Carter’s farm main house- the family and other civilians sheltered in the basement while the battle raged just 200 yards away.

View from inside the farm office. The wall is still littered with musket holes.

Address: 1140 Columbia Avenue, Parking and Visitor Center access are located off of West Fowlkes St.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Admission: $18 or buy a combination ticket (Carter House & Carnton House $30) (Carter House, Carnton House, & Lotz House $35)

Lotz House

This historic home is right across the street from the Carter House. In fact the property was purchased from the Carter family by German emigrants Johann Albert Lotz and Margaretha Lotz to build the home in 1858. Johann Lotz was a master woodworker, and the house has been restored with many of the original wood-carved creations.

During the Battle of Franklin, the Lotz family took refuge in the basement of the Carter House. When they returned home, they found a very damaged house with the south wall completely blown off. In the days that followed the battle, the house was used as a field hospital. The floors still bear blood stains from surgeries done on the wounded soldiers. Plan about an hour for the tour.

Lotz House

Address: 1111 Columbia Avenue

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 1-4pm

Admission: $12 or buy a combination ticket (Carter House, Carnton House, & Lotz House $35)

Carnton House

Carnton House is located 2 miles from Lotz and Carter Houses. On the afternoon of November 30, the Confederate Army’s right wing went through the Carnton property. The main house was quickly designated as a field hospital. Some 300 wounded soldiers were treated inside the main house and hundreds of other wounded were treated across the grounds and in other property buildings. Just like the Lotz House, the floors still bear the bloodstains from that harrowing battle. The tour lasts 1 hour, but plan at least 2 to see everything.

Carnton House- make sure to view the different houses, garden, and family’s & Confederate cemeteries.

Address: 1345 Eastern Flank Circle

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Admission: $18 or buy a combination ticket (Carter House & Carnton House $30) (Carter House, Carnton House, & Lotz House $35)

Dinner- Big Shake’s Hot Chicken & Fish

No trip to central Tennessee would be complete without trying some hot chicken. Big Shake’s is a little chicken/fish joint that has a huge, loyal customer base. When we were there, a steady stream of to-go customers came in and out.

Big Shake’s Hot Chicken & Fish

Combo Platter- $12.99

Address: 1409 West Main Street

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-2pm & 4pm-8pm, Friday 11:00-3pm & 4:30- 8pm, Saturday 11:30am-3:00pm and 4:30 – 8:00pm

Day 2 in Franklin- Downtown

We devoted a whole day to shopping in the downtown area of Franklin. Now you may not have the shopping stamina that we have, but you must at least walk down the sidewalks and stop in a shop or two. A good place to start is the visitor’s center, located just off Main Street and 4th Avenue.

Leave time to explore this 16-block historic area.

Opened in 1937, this restored theater shows movies, and live music & theater events. On our last visit, the Franklin Theatre was hosting a film festival.

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant

We visit Puckett’s every time we come to Franklin, Tennessee. Puckett’s started in the 1950s as a little grocery store in the nearby area of Leiper’s Fork (visit this area if you have time). In 2002, the grocery store was transformed into a restaurant/music venue. Since that time, several stores have been built, including our favorite location in downtown Franklin. Reservations are recommended for dinner.

Southern cooking at its best!

Address: 120 4th Ave South

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7am-9pm Friday & Saturday 7am-10pm

Extra Time?

Want to spend some more time in the area? Check out the following sites not far from Franklin-

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail- 15 minutes away, see Natchez Trace Parkway Road Trip
Nashville- 30 minutes away, see How to Spend 4 Days in Nashville
Jack Daniels Distillery- 1 1/2 hours away, see Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour
Memphis- 3 1/2 hours away, see 3 Days in Memphis
Chattanooga- 2 1/2 hours away, see How to Spend 2 Days in Chattanooga

Have you been to Franklin, Tennessee before? We’d love for you to add your thoughts and recommendations. Have any questions? Please ask by commenting below! Keep up with all of our travel, camping, and cycling tips by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Leave us your email (blue box at the bottom of the post) to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and never miss a post!