Franklin

Franklin is a small, upscale village in Oakland County, Michigan.

Understand

Franklin is a small community with a population of about 3,250 (2017). It is known mostly for its quaint, estate-style neighborhoods and for its old-fashioned downtown. Named after Benjamin Franklin by Elijah Bullock and other settlers in 1825, the town has many historic landmarks such as a fully-operational Cider Mill. The village’s collection of vintage architecture is uncommon in contemporary Metro Detroit.

Get in

By car

Franklin is accessible from Detroit by the M-10 (John C. Lodge) Freeway and from other areas of the state by I-96. Downtown Franklin is on Franklin Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road.

By bus

Franklin is accessible from most areas in Southeast Michigan by the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the only regional bus service in the area. The bus travels only to the edge of Franklin with stops on Maple Road and Northwestern Highway.

By train

The closest Amtrak station is in the nearby city of Birmingham, roughly 5 miles away from Franklin.

By plane

Franklin is part of Metro Detroit. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the closest international airport, about 30 miles (50 km) away.

Get around

By car

Travel by car to any part of Franklin takes a very little time. Traffic is extremely rare in the town. There are no parking meters due to the general lack of activity, there are usually available parking lots in town.

By foot

Franklin is pedestrian friendly, providing a sidewalk system through downtown and several surrounding areas. The only parts of the town without sidewalks are residential areas.

See

• Downtown Franklin. Being primarily a residential area, Franklin’s downtown area is the main attraction. Consisting primarily of original structure buildings, the downtown area is on Franklin Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road.

Do

• Franklin Cider Mill. Definitely the most famous attraction in town, the Franklin Cider Mill was established in 1837, the same year that Michigan gained its statehood. It was built and opened as a gristmill by Peter VanEvery, and it changed ownership several times throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Known for its famous apple cider, the mill also sells a variety of other items such as baked goods, jams and butter, honey, pumpkins, and other apple products. The mill is open from the Saturday before Labor Day (the first Monday in September) to the Sunday after Thanksgiving (late November). It draws a lot of visitors to town. 
• Franklin Park. Built around the Franklin Community Church, Franklin Park is known as the community gathering place. Complete with a playground, tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields, nature trails, and a sledding hill, the park is a place residents and visitors come to relax.

Buy

• Yanke Designs. Built in the 1930s. Offers beautiful custom-made fine, hand-crafted jewelry. 
• La Spezia Flavor Market. This home was built in 1840. It offers over 700 products to flavor; including spices, blends, infused extra virgin olive oils & 18-year-old aged balsamic vinegars. It also offers gourmet soups, drink mixes, flavored sea salts, Hawaiian cane sugars, marinades, pure extracts and flavorings. (updated Dec 2019)
• The Franklin Village Boutique. Built in 1936, this building began as an automobile repair shop and gas station. The Village Boutique carries one of a kind clothing and jewelry. This unique and stylish clothing store is known to be one of Franklin's best boutiques. (updated Dec 2019)
• Glamour Puss Beauty Bar and Boutique. Housed in what used to be known as the Franklin Hotel. This building was built in 1830 by Dr. Raynale and served as the first store in the village. Glamour Puss offers unique clothing, accessories, jewelry, and gift items. The boutique also has a beauty bar, which provides natural ready to wear cosmetics and superior skin care products. (updated Dec 2019)

Eat

• Franklin Grill and Tavern, 32760 Franklin Rd, ☏ +1 248 865-6600. Built as a blacksmith shop in 1840, the Franklin Grill and Tavern was established in 2001. The family restaurant is best known for its seasonal dishes and lively atmosphere. 

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  Market Basket

Drink

• Farmhouse Ice Cream and Coffee, 32644 Franklin Rd, ☏ +1 248 562-7708. Taking the form of a renovated farmhouse, it is another destination in Franklin known for its atmosphere. The shop features original ice cream and coffee products, and couches and picnic tables for people to relax on. 

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  Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream

Sleep

Hotels a few miles away in Farmington Hills, Southfield and Birmingham (Michigan).

Connect

Franklin Public Library, 32455 Franklin Rd, (248) 851-5846 The Franklin Public Library provides residents with public access computers, free Wi-Fi access, public telephones, and coping and fax machines. The library also has about 15,000 items available to rent, including books, audio books on CD, DVDs, and magazines.

Go next

• Detroit: The largest city in the state of Michigan, A 30-minute drive from Franklin. Home to a metropolitan population of nearly 5.2 million people. Serving as a primary financial, cultural, and transportation center to the people of the Metro Detroit area, it is also home to museums, major sports teams, and an overall rich city life. Top places visited by tourists include Greek Town, Mexican Town, and one of the four large casinos, including one across the river in Windsor, Canada.

• Birmingham: An affluent city and suburb of Detroit, Birmingham is very close to Franklin. Known as a great destination for shopping, it is also a great place to relax with several parks and many other attractions.

• Royal Oak: Another city in Oakland county, it is home to a population of 57,236. With many restaurants and a vibrant downtown, it is a hotspot for tourists in Michigan. Known for several attractions, including the Detroit Zoo, the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Arts, Beats and Eats festival.

Routes through Franklin

Pontiac ← Bloomfield Twp ←

N  S

→ Southfield → Detroit