Franklin is like a giant playground for kids. From adventure-filled fun to delicious desserts and outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of things to do around town and two local experts are here to share all the details on how you can have fun in Franklin.
We’re Harper and Kellie Walton – a niece and aunt duo both born and raised in the area with a passion for writing about travel. Kellie is a freelance writer, and Harper is a fourth grader eager to follow in her footsteps. When tasked with writing about Franklin’s top to-do’s for kids, who better to consult than a resident, nine-year-old expert?
Here’s Harper’s guide to family and childhood fun in Franklin.
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Awesome Eats
When it comes to dining in Franklin, your options are seemingly endless. We’ve taken the guesswork out of dinner plans; these are our top favorites for families. Nashville Pizza Co. in Grassland packs its booths with families every night, and we love it for their gluten-free pepperoni pizza on a casual night out.
When we’re celebrating a special occasion, we go to J. Alexander’s in Cool Springs. The burger and fries from the kids menu are the best ever (pro tip: the kid’s menu burger is sometimes bigger than the regular!), and we love ordering dessert to round out the celebration. Make sure to wear your fancy clothes for this one.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
While you could spend all day shopping just on Main Street in Downtown Franklin, don’t forget about all the other kid-friendly spots throughout the city. From a thriving shopping mall to a historic destination, we love spending time browsing the stores at these retail centers.
Cool Springs Galleria has a lot of hidden surprises, like a store called Puffy Cotton Candy that’s dedicated to making giant cotton candy characters (we opted for a blue raspberry-flavored sheep while researching this guide). Squishables are all the rage right now, and there’s an entire store filled with fluffy versions of animals, food, and other objects. You can get a fluffy avocado toast keychain, a giant plush gumball machine, or squishy toasted marshmallows (or all of the above!). People travel far and wide to visit Franklin’s American Girl Place, which has miniature versions of pretty much everything you could think of, plus a cafe where you can dine in with your dolls. Right now, the store has lots of themed items to celebrate the Olympics.
The original Dortch Stove Works factory opened in 1929, and while appliances are no longer made there, they’ve created something even better. The Factory at Franklin just underwent a renovation, where our favorite spots like Third Coast Clay and Five Daughters moved into bigger and better homes. We love painting pottery at Third Coast Clay; Harper just completed a strawberry-shaped jewelry dish to hold all of her Eras Tour friendship bracelets. When her cousins from Texas are in town, a stop at Five Daughters Bakery to get donut holes is a must.
Last but not least, the new McEwen Northside retail and food area is a fun spot to spend a Friday night. We often grab a scoop of ice cream from Jeni’s and play in the swivel chairs outside with the whole family.
Adventure Extravaganza
If you’re craving adventure, you’ll find it in Franklin. Whether you’re looking for a spot to host a lively birthday party or just a place to play with friends, Urban Air is the best–they have rock climbing, ziplining, dodgeball, and trampolines so you’ll never run out of things to do (even the little kids… and kids at heart).
While Urban Air is an indoor adventure park, SOAR Adventure Tower is Franklin’s outdoor adventure extravaganza. Grab a harness and carefully climb through four levels and 110 climbing structures as you make your way to the top. Or, stay firmly planted on the ground by opting for a round of mini golf instead.
Fun for the Whole Family (Even the Pup)
This year, Harper’s family adopted an adorable Goldendoodle named Otie. They’ve always loved spending time outdoors, but now they love it even more with their new family member in tow. The Harpeth River runs through Franklin, and there are access points throughout the city for kids, pets, and their families to play in the water. Otie finds the perfect stick, and the ultimate game of waterlogged fetch ensues. We know he loves it because he does a big shake and soaks the whole family when we leave. You can also go canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the river when your four-legged family member stays home.
Near Downtown Franklin sits Pinkerton Park, which has both a ginormous wooden playground for kids and a long walking trail perfect for the pups. The trail and the grounds are perfect for beating the zoomies. Plus, you can pack a picnic and make it an all-day adventure – they even have a tiny table just for kids.
