Franklin, TN is a quaint suburb of Nashville that most tourists miss out on. As a Franklin native, I take pride in our city that is just the right mixture of Stars Hollow and Mystic Falls. Growing up in Franklin shapes who you are, and there are certain experiences only people from Franklin have experienced.
1. You know the History of the Battle of Franklin like the Back of your Hand
Growing up in Franklin, I went on countless field trips to historic sites from the Civil War. The Battle of Franklin played a pivotal role in the Union's victory. I have visited historic houses that were used as hospitals as well as plantations where there used to be slaves. The city of Franklin prides itself in the quality of preservation they have taken to keep these sites in pristine condition. Because of Franklin's rich history, I am well versed in the history of the Civil War.
2. Downtown does not mean Nashville
Downtown Franklin is one of the most picturesque parts of the city. Main street is full of boutique shops such as Bathos or The Shops on Main while also having larger name brand stores such as Anthropology. Many times during the year, Downtown is home to various festivals such as Dicken's in December and Pumpkinfest in October. During these festivals the streets are lined with local merchants, performances, and local restaurants. In contrast to Nashville, downtown Franklin is a family friendly atmosphere where many families enjoy a Sunday brunch, shopping and much more. The Franklin Theatre is housed in downtown Franklin, adding to the picturesque atmosphere with their Marquee lights.
3. The Factory at Franklin is not just a factory
On the edge of downtown Franklin is an old oven factory that was converted into a shopping area. The Factory at Franklin is filled with clothing boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and pottery painting studios. Part of The Factory is The Boiler Room which was converted to a theatre. Local groups use the space to perform comedies, dramas, and old school classics. The Factory also includes an interactive set of old ovens where children love to play pretend. The Factory at Franklin has done a wonderful job at preserving the integrity of the building, while modernizing its type of commerce.
4. You Treasure your Coffee
Franklin is home to at least 6 separate Starbucks locations. On top of that you also have Frothy Monkey, Dunkin' Donuts, and McDonald's to get your coffee from. One would think that since there are so many options for where to get your daily caffeine fill that there would never be much of a wait; however, you are not the only person who loves their coffee. It would seem that every one is just as attached to their coffee as you, so you have to wait at least 30 minutes sometimes to get your liquid heaven. Even more ridiculous than the amount of people that drink coffee is the fact that people will wait. Talk about a treasure!
5. You still Tell People from Out-of-State that you are from Nashville
Regardless of the fact that I almost never actually go into the city of Nashville, when people in Saint Louis would ask me where I was from I would tell them Nashville. Their immediate response would be "Oh wow! How exciting. I've heard it's such a fun city!" And while this is true, you then have to explain that you actually live in a suburb of Nashville and don't visit the actual city very often. You try to convey how amazing Franklin is but for some reason people seem to be more interested in Nashville. People always want your recommendations for where to eat in Nashville or for what to do while there, and my first response is always "You should go and visit Downtown Franklin! The food there is amazing, and there is always something to do. The traffic is not nearly as bad as in Nashville and the people seem to be nicer as well."
