- Our list of the best things to do in Franklin, North Carolina, features the top 120 nearby activities — including 62 great attractions with user approval ratings of 90% or more!
- Franklin, NC has a variety of great sights and experiences nearby. Top categories include: Outdoor Places, Museums & Galleries, Water Activities, and Amusement.
- The results below include the top 22 things to do within the city of Franklin, NC , followed by 98 popular activities in nearby cities, including Bryson City, Cherokee, Highlands, Sylva, Clayton, Sapphire, Cashiers, Dillard, Tiger, Hayesville and Hiawassee
Showing 1-10 of
476
8.7 Miles
89%
319 votes
6961 Upper Burningtown Road, Franklin, NC 28734
MoreLess Info
Owned and operated by the Klatt family, Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a working gem mine that allows patrons to search for their own gemstones. The Mine also features mineral samples, geodes and pre-cut gems.
0.0 Miles
Sitting 5,342 feet above Franklin, North Carolina, the Wayah Bald Lookout Tower offers unrivaled views of the surrounding land. The tower lies along the Appalachian Trail and is easily accessible from other area trails. There are outhouses and picnic tables on the tower's grounds.
1.6 Miles
95%
115 votes
1028 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC
MoreLess Info
The 1,500-seat Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts is located in Franklin, North Carolina. Its packed performance schedule includes concerts, musicals, 'straight' plays, ballets, modern dance presentations and other creative events.
4.2 Miles
North Carolina contains an abundance of gemstones and valuable minerals, and Rose Creek Mine lets customers share in the excitement of unearthing something new and precious. Adults and children are welcome to search for amethyst, rubies, sapphires, citrine, topaz, quartz and garnets.
0.1 Miles
The building that was once Franklin, North Carolina's county jail is now the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum. The Museum has eight rooms crammed with gems, jewelry, mineral samples and information related to mining and gemology.
4.6 Miles
94%
88 votes
5315 Bryson City Road, Franklin, NC 28734
MoreLess Info
Gem and mineral enthusiasts flock to the Mason Mountain Mine & Cowee Gift Shop in Franklin, North Carolina. This family-owned business is popular with children and adults. Visitors may pan for gems at the mine site or purchase polished stones at the gift shop. Refreshments are also available.
3.3 Miles
Located in the gemstone capital of the United States, the Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine specializes in mining and cutting amethyst, quartz, citrine, emeralds and sapphires. Admission is free, and customers who wish to pan for gems pay a small per-bucket fee.
0.7 Miles
Entertaining in a scary way, Where Shadows Walk features tours of haunted houses, buildings and graveyards. Along with cemetery tours, there are also historical and special holiday outings dedicated to seeing and experiencing ghosts.
6.5 Miles
85%
150 votes
41 Cherokee Mine Road, Franklin, NC 28734
MoreLess Info
Franklin, North Carolina's Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a working gem and mineral mine. Customers experience the thrill of finding uncut stones from native soil. The mine does not stock its soil with lab-created stones or gems from other locations.
1.6 Miles
Franklin, North Carolina is home to Fun Factory Franklin, a gigantic entertainment complex. Its most popular features include laser tag, video games, bowling, mini-golf and bumper cars. Birthday parties are welcome.