Williamson County's county seat. Historic Main Street, top-ranked schools, and a small-city feel that punches way above its weight. One of the best places to live in Tennessee — and people are figuring that out fast. Pop. ~88,000 (2024 est.).
The sun's down. Wendell's up. Let's find the good stuff.
Wendell's watching over Franklin tonight.
Moving to Franklin? Here's everything you need to set up your new place.
| Service | Provider | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Middle TN Electric (MTEMC) | (615) 890-9762 | Member-owned co-op. NOT Nashville Electric — MTEMC serves Franklin. |
| Water/Sewer | City of Franklin Water Mgmt | (615) 794-4572 | City limits only. Outlying areas may use utility districts. |
| Gas | Atmos Energy | (888) 286-6700 | Some homes are all-electric. Check before signing a lease. |
| Trash/Recycling | City of Franklin | (615) 794-4572 | Curbside pickup in city limits. Outside city: private hauler (Waste Management, Republic). |
| Provider | Type | Speeds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | Fiber | Up to 5 Gbps | Widely available in newer developments. The top pick if you can get it. |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | Cable | 50 – 1200 Mbps | Good coverage across Franklin. Reliable for most households. |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 5G/LTE | 33 – 245 Mbps | No contracts. Availability varies by address. |
| Unit | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 BR | $1,400 – $1,900 | More affordable along Murfreesboro Rd corridor |
| 2 BR | $1,700 – $2,400 | Cool Springs & McEwen Northside on the higher end |
| 3 BR | $2,200 – $3,200 | Luxury complexes push above $3K. Spring Hill is cheaper. |
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Tennessee. 95%+ graduation rate, strong ACT scores, and excellent extracurriculars.
| School | Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin High School | 9–12 | Historic, near downtown. Strong academics and athletics. |
| Centennial High School | 9–12 | Newer campus. Excellent academics and sports programs. |
| Battle Ground Academy | K–12 (Private) | Prestigious college-prep. One of the top private schools in TN. |
| Grassland Middle | 5–8 | Highly rated. Feeds into Centennial and Ravenwood. |
| Spot | Details |
|---|---|
| K-9 Corral Dog Park | Jim Warren Park, 917 Columbia Ave. Separate large/small dog areas, water stations, shaded. |
| Harlinsdale Farm | 239 Franklin Rd. 200 acres of trails and green space. Dogs on leash welcome. |
| Pinkerton Park | 405 Murfreesboro Rd. Paved trail along the Harpeth River. Leashed dogs welcome. |
Most Franklin apartments are pet-friendly but expect $200–$500 deposits + $25–$50/mo pet rent. Weight and breed restrictions vary.
| Store | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Publix (Berry Farms) | 5021 Hughes Crossing | South Franklin. Full deli, bakery, pharmacy. |
| Publix (McKay's Mill) | 1021 Riverside Dr | West Franklin near Westhaven. Solid everyday store. |
| Publix (Fieldstone) | 2020 Fieldstone Pkwy | East Franklin / Cool Springs area. |
| Kroger | 1203 Murfreesboro Rd | One of Franklin's busiest. Full-service grocery with pharmacy. |
| Kroger | 2020 Mallory Ln | Cool Springs corridor. Near Whole Foods and Aldi. |
| Whole Foods | 3004 Mallory Ln | Cool Springs corridor. Organic, prepared foods, and a solid hot bar. |
| Trader Joe's | 545 Cool Springs Blvd | The only TJ's in southern Williamson County. Always packed on weekends. |
| Store | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe's | 3000 Mallory Ln | Full-service home improvement. Cool Springs area. |
| The Home Depot | 420 Cool Springs Blvd | Full-service home improvement. Rental center available. |
| Ace Hardware of Franklin | 118 Everbright Ave | Near downtown. Locally oriented, helpful staff. |
| Harpeth Hardware (True Value) | 1110 Hillsboro Rd | Locally owned True Value. Great for quick grabs without the big-box hassle. |
Franklin has more going on after dark than most people realize. Main Street is the anchor, but there's good stuff spread across town.
Whiskey-lover's paradise on Main Street. Five pages of whiskey, killer old-fashioneds, and solid bar food. Great people-watching from the window seats.
328 Main St • objfranklin.com
Franklin's neighborhood dive since 2005. Live music, karaoke, pool tables, and a kitchen that stays open. 21+ only. Everybody knows your name.
595 Hillsboro Rd • thepondinfranklin.com
30+ Tennessee taps plus nationals. Steps from downtown. Good food menu. If you want to drink local, this is the spot.
117 5th Ave N • hophousetntaps.com
Part restaurant, part honky-tonk energy. Southern comfort food, big whiskey selection, and live music most nights. A Franklin institution.
120 4th Ave S • puckettsrestaurant.com
Franklin's longest-running family-owned sports bar. 20+ years. House-made pizza, tons of TVs, and open until 3 AM every single night.
4140 Carothers Pkwy • Facebook
Franklin's only actual brewery. Craft coffee in the morning, small-batch beer later. A cool dual-concept spot that's totally unique.
216 Noah Dr • curiobrewing.com
| Name | Location | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolan's Bar & Grill | 4140 Carothers Pkwy | Until 3 AM daily | House-made pizza, classic pub grub |
| Tony's Eat and Drink | 1000 Meridian Blvd | Until 1 AM | Full bar & grill menu |
| Tin Roof 2 | 9135 Carothers Pkwy | Late | Tacos, quesadillas, live music weekends |
| Drake's | 553 Cool Springs Blvd | Until 12–1 AM | Craft beer, burgers, sushi. Kitchen closes 1hr before bar. |
| Waffle House | Multiple locations | 24 hours | When all else fails. Murfreesboro Rd and Cool Springs. |
Own a home in Franklin? Here are the local resources and contractors you need.
Family-owned, local. Full general contractor license. Specializes in roof replacements and metal roofs. Insurance claims welcome.
Phone: (615) 645-2055 • fivepointsroofing.com
Franklin-based. Roofing, painting, and garage floors. Residential and commercial. GAF certified contractor.
Phone: (615) 434-3333 • threestone.com
Local Franklin roofer. Roof maintenance, hail damage repair, and full replacements. Available 24/7.
Phone: (615) 505-7663 • qeroofing.com
Locally owned, serving Franklin since 1998. Consistently praised for honesty, integrity, and fair pricing.
Phone: (615) 394-6000 • trustheritage.net
Major Middle TN company headquartered in Franklin since 1944. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Available 24/7/365.
Phone: (615) 567-1000 • leecompany.com
Franklin-based since 1976. Family-owned by the Woodside brothers. Residential and commercial HVAC — repairs, maintenance, and installations.
Phone: (615) 791-1362 • cmheatcool.com
Headquartered right in Franklin. 24/7 service. Drain cleaning, pipe repair, water heaters, and full plumbing. "The Punctual Plumber."
Phone: (615) 590-3240 • benjaminfranklinplumbing.com
20 years serving Franklin. 24-hour emergency plumbing. Flooding, burst pipes, sewage backup, gas leaks.
Phone: (931) 215-1693 • tnpipemaster.com
Long-established Franklin name. Responds quickly to emergencies. Dedicated after-hours line.
Phone: (615) 794-7707 • joslinco.com
Locally owned since 1999. Repairs, safety inspections, outdoor/motion lighting. Residential and commercial.
Phone: (615) 771-3999 • franklinlicensedelectrician.com
Licensed electricians serving Franklin homeowners, contractors, and businesses. 24-hour emergency service.
Phone: (615) 651-5393 • musiccityelectricians.com
NATE-certified. Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing under one roof. Strong reviews across Middle TN.
Phone: (629) 265-9528 • airstreamteam.com
Franklin-based. Custom outdoor living spaces, sustainable landscaping, patios, and retaining walls.
Phone: (629) 206-5077 • tituslandscape.com
Premier landscaping firm serving Franklin. Incredible attention to detail on full design-build projects.
Phone: (615) 244-8949 • gardensofbabylon.com
Landscaping and hardscaping — design, installation, and maintenance. Residential and commercial.
Phone: (615) 424-8871 • sogrollc.com
Know a great local contractor? Email us at hey@townieguide.com.
Something broke at 2 AM? Here's who to call in Franklin.
24-hour emergency plumbing. Flooding, burst pipes, sewage backup, gas leaks. 20 years in Franklin.
Phone: (931) 215-1693 • tnpipemaster.com
Long-established Franklin company. Dedicated after-hours line for emergencies.
Phone: (615) 794-7707 • After hours: (229) 267-3313
Full-service 24/7 emergency plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Guarantees service within 24 hours.
Phone: (833) 258-2697 • happyhiller.com
Available 24/7/365. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Franklin-headquartered since 1944.
Phone: (615) 567-1000 • leecompany.com
Locally owned, serving Franklin since 1998. Call for after-hours availability.
Phone: (615) 394-6000 • trustheritage.net
NATE-certified. 24/7 emergency HVAC, electrical, and plumbing across Franklin and Middle TN.
Phone: (629) 265-9528 • airstreamteam.com
24-hour emergency electrical service for Franklin homeowners and businesses.
Phone: (615) 651-5393 • musiccityelectricians.com
Full-service electrical emergencies. Available around the clock, every day of the year.
Phone: (615) 567-1000 • leecompany.com
| Emergency | Who to Call | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Power Outage | MTEMC | (615) 890-9762 |
| Gas Leak | Atmos Energy | (888) 286-6700 |
| Water Main Break | City of Franklin Water | (615) 794-4572 |
Franklin is one of the most desirable cities in Tennessee. Here's why — and what you need to know once you're here.
| Park | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Harlinsdale Farm | 200-acre former Walking Horse farm. Rolling pastures, historic barns, trails. Hosts the Pilgrimage Music Festival. |
| Pinkerton Park | Fort Granger-themed playground, paved Harpeth River trail, picnic areas. Great for kids and dogs. |
| Jim Warren Park | Largest recreation park. Soccer, baseball, basketball, disc golf, K-9 Corral Dog Park, walking trails. |
| Aspen Grove Park | Lake, walking trails, large playground, pavilion. Nice nature break near Cool Springs shopping. |
| Timberland Park | On the Natchez Trace Parkway. Scenic hiking through woods. Quiet escape from suburban life. |
| Winstead Hill Park | Civil War site with sweeping battlefield views. Interpretive markers. A contemplative, historic spot. |
About 21 miles north via I-65 (~25–40 minutes, 50+ in rush hour). The closest major airport.
The key loop road connecting east and west Franklin. Learn it. Love it. Curse it during rush hour.
Local bus routes (limited). RTA 65X commuter express to downtown Nashville. Uber/Lyft available. Realistically: you need a car.
Scenic federal parkway along Franklin's western edge. No commercial traffic, no billboards. Perfect for a Sunday drive.
| Service | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Williamson Medical Center | 4321 Carothers Pkwy, Franklin | Franklin's main hospital. Full ER, trauma center, surgical suites, and specialist clinics. |
| Vanderbilt Health Franklin | 1598 Generations Dr, Franklin | Vanderbilt-affiliated outpatient and urgent care in Cool Springs. Walk-in and appointments. |
| Franklin Post Office | 209 3rd Ave N, Franklin | USPS. Downtown Franklin location. Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5 PM, Sat 9 AM – 12 PM. |
| Williamson County Public Library | 1314 Columbia Ave, Franklin | Main branch. Meeting rooms, children's programs, maker space, and free Wi-Fi. |
| Event | When | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street Festival | Last weekend of April | Arts, crafts, music, and food along Main Street. One of Franklin's biggest events. |
| Pilgrimage Music Festival | Late September | Multi-day music festival at Harlinsdale Farm. National artists, multiple genres. The big one. |
| Dickens of a Christmas | 2nd weekend of December | Victorian-themed holiday celebration downtown. Period costumes, carriage rides, holiday shopping. |
| Pumpkinfest | October | Downtown fall festival. Food, crafts, and family activities. |
| Franklin Farmers Market | Saturdays, April–October | At The Factory. Local produce, meats, baked goods, artisan crafts, live music. |
The Franklin most people don't know about — unless they live here.
Franklin's legit speakeasy. Enter through the alley behind Mellow Mushroom, flip a switch, and step into the 1920s. Craft cocktails. Jazz Sundays. Open until 2 AM Fri-Sat.
317 Main St • Speakeasy
Restored Victorian-era pharmacy turned cocktail bar and music venue. Elevated Southern food downstairs, second-floor music hall weekends. Cocktails inspired by 19th-century drink culture.
332 Main St • graysonmain.com
Upscale cocktail bar in the Harpeth Hotel lobby. Handcrafted cocktails, fortified wines, local beers. Refined but not stuffy. Perfect nightcap downtown.
130 2nd Ave N • 1799franklin.com
Distillery and cocktail bar in an 1800s livery stable on Main Street. Coffee shop by day, cocktail bar by night. The espresso martini with house bourbon cream is the move.
412 Main St • stablereservespirits.com
Self-serve wine dispensing system — load a card and pour from 28 rotating selections. Charming historic house, dog-friendly patio, local art on the walls.
206 E Main St • jjswinebar.com
New Orleans-inspired hidden gem at The Factory. Craft cocktails, fine wines, po'boys, and small plates. Happy hour Tue-Fri 2–6pm is a local favorite.
230 Franklin Rd (The Factory) • thewhitealligator.com
Coastal Italian with a rooftop bar downtown. Reimagined cocktails plus the rooftop views make this a go-to for date night drinks.
99 E Main St • culamartn.com
Start with cocktails at Amendment XVIII, walk Main Street with no plan, end at GRAY'S or 1799. The best date night in Middle Tennessee that doesn't involve Nashville.
Dinner at The White Alligator or one of the other restaurants, drinks at The Skylight, then wander the shops. A full evening under one roof.
200 acres of rolling pastures and historic barns. Pack a bottle of wine and a blanket. One of the most beautiful spots in Williamson County, and it's free.
What Franklin thinks of the neighbors. All love. Mostly.
"Brentwood is Franklin without a personality. Great schools, beautiful homes, zero culture. They drive to our Main Street for dinner and then go home and pretend they discovered it. We love Brentwood. They're our biggest fans."
"Spring Hill is what happens when a developer discovers farmland 15 minutes south of us and says 'What if we just kept building?' Half of Spring Hill thinks they live in Franklin. The other half has a Columbia zip code. Nobody there knows what town they're in, including the mailman."
"Columbia is us 20 years ago — before the boutiques, the parking problems, and the $6 coffee. They've got the square, the mules, and the river. We secretly miss being that. Don't tell them we said that."
"Nashville is that friend who got famous and now won't stop talking about themselves. We were a real town before Nashville decided 'suburbs' was a lifestyle brand. They've got the honky-tonks. We've got the history, the walkability, and no pedal taverns. We're fine."
All in good fun. We love our neighbors. Mostly. — The Locals
What Franklin thinks of the neighbors. All love. Mostly.
"Brentwood is Franklin without a personality. Great schools, beautiful homes, zero culture. They drive to our Main Street for dinner and then go home and pretend they discovered it. We love Brentwood. They're our biggest fans."
"Spring Hill is what happens when a developer discovers farmland 15 minutes south of us and says 'What if we just kept building?' Half of Spring Hill thinks they live in Franklin. The other half has a Columbia zip code. Nobody there knows what town they're in, including the mailman."
"Columbia is us 20 years ago — before the boutiques, the parking problems, and the $6 coffee. They've got the square, the mules, and the river. We secretly miss being that. Don't tell them we said that."
"Nashville is that friend who got famous and now won't stop talking about themselves. We were a real town before Nashville decided 'suburbs' was a lifestyle brand. They've got the honky-tonks. We've got the history, the walkability, and no pedal taverns. We're fine."
All in good fun. We love our neighbors. Mostly. — The Locals