Welcome to The Franklin Downtown Merchants Association
(formerly The Streets of Franklin Assoc.)
Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, our vibrant community is a treasure trove of shopping, great food, history, culture, and natural beauty.
Take A Self-Guided Historic Downtown Tour
Download the digital passport for a self-guided walking tour of Downtown Franklin. Learn about the historic buildings and stories that make Main Street a designated Great American Main Street.
Attend Festivals & Events
Check out downtown Franklin’s latest invite to enjoy our town: Sip & Stroll, always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Enjoy our new Social District by grabbing an approved beverage at a local establishment, then stroll down Main Street and do a little shopping! And beginning in May, you can enjoy the Farmer’s Market and Pickin’ on the Square too.
Otherwise, stay tuned here, Franklin hosts several annual events, including the All-American 4th of July, Taste of Scotland weekend, 80’s Flashback weekend, PumpkinFest, Winter Wonderland, and the Veteran’s Day parade. Additionally, historic downtown hosts both a farmers market and a craft market every Saturday during season.
Shopping
Main Street is home to unique shops offering everything from outdoor gear and specialty boutiques to home goods and jewelry. It’s a great way to find one-of-a-kind items and souvenirs.
The Main St. Dining Experience
The variety of eateries along Main Street caters to every taste, from homestyle cooking and BBQ to international dishes. Coffee shops, bakeries, and breweries add to the culinary diversity, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate.
Discover Museums
Dive into the local heritage at museums within walking distance of each other: the Macon County Historical Museum, the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum, and the Scottish Tartans Museum. Each offers a unique glimpse into different facets of Franklin’s past.
Outdoor Adventures
Franklin’s surrounding natural beauty is accessible with hiking trails like the Appalachian and Bartram Trails, numerous waterfalls, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting opportunities.
Visit Outdoor 76 to get your maps and all your outdoor gear, then reach out to Alarka Expeditions or Fish Tales to schedule your guides and adventures.
Services
From real estate at Vignette Realty (to make that dream mountain home a reality) to tattoos at Atomic Annie’s (to make that long desired ink story come to life) or New York-quality custom clothing and alterations at the SmokySewCo. Main St. has it all.
Our Mission
The Mission of The Streets of Franklin is to preserve and enhance the commerce, culture, and environment within the Franklin Community. Our purpose is to stimulate and support economic growth in Franklin, NC. The Association encourages a positive image of downtown and promotes it as an exciting place to live, shop, and invest. This is accomplished by sustaining and improving the appearance of downtown, and by strengthening and expanding the economic base of the Franklin Streets.
