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Franklin , the "Gem of the Smokies," is located on the banks of the Little Tennessee River near the Cullasaja River Gorge. It's surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and is best known for its gem mines, mountain crafts and natural beauty. Several mines in the area are open for public prospecting, including Jacobs Ruby Mine, the Cherokee Rubies and Sapphires Mine and the Old Cardinal Gem Mine. Several scenic drives, recreational areas and waterfalls are in the Franklin area, and just a short drive will take you to Asheville and the Biltmore Estate and the Smoky Mountain Railroad. Popular activities in the Franklin area, besides gem mining, include whitewater rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, trout fishing and golf. Approximately 600 miles of trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail, meander through the Nantahala Forest, making it a hikers' paradise. For wintertime fun, Franklin is just minutes to the Scaly Mountain ski area, which offers downhill skiing, sledding and snowboarding. You'll find a variety of accommodations and restaurants in Franklin, from fast food to fine dining, along with antique shops, art galleries and craft shops. Franklin likes to say it's "large enough to offer almost anything you need, but small enough to have the highest quality of life." One visit to this charming mountain town and you'll agree.

Surrounding areas: Alarka, North Carolina (12.4 mi), Lake Glenville, North Carolina (13.0 mi), Highlands, North Carolina (13.7 mi), Aquone, North Carolina (14.0 mi), Cullowhee, North Carolina (14.8 mi), Dillsboro, North Carolina (14.9 mi), Nantahala Gorge, North Carolina (15.9 mi)

Franklin Vacation Rentals




Franklin Hotels and Resorts

 
Hotels & Motels
Days Inn1320 E Main StFranklin, NC (828) 524-6491
Hampton Inn244 Cunningham RdFranklin, NC (828) 369-0600
Microtel Inn & Suites81 Allman DrFranklin, NC (828) 349-9000
Snow Hill Inn531 Snow HL RdFranklin, NC (828) 369-2100
Mountain High MotelMain St And Second StHighlands, NC13.5 mi.(828) 526-2790
Holiday Inn Express64 White Oak LnDillard, GA13.6 mi.(706) 746-3383
Knights Inn3 Best Inn WayDillard, GA14.6 mi.(706) 746-5321
University Inn563 N Country CLB DrCullowhee, NC14.8 mi.(828) 293-5442
Best Western River Escape Inn And Suites248 Wbi DrDillsboro, NC14.9 mi.(828) 586-6060
Mountain Creek Cottages162 Dicks CRK RdDillsboro, NC14.9 mi.(704) 586-6042
Comfort InnHwy 23/74Sylva, NC16.0 mi.(828) 586-3315
Cottage InnHwy 64 ECashiers, NC16.9 mi.(828) 743-3033
Valley Aire MotelHwy 107 NCashiers, NC16.9 mi.(828) 743-3998
Charleston Inn208 Arlington AveBryson City, NC17.2 mi.(828) 488-4644
Nantahala Village Mountain Resort9400 Hwy 19 WestBryson City, NC17.7 mi.(828) 488-2826
Sleep Inn500 SPG StBryson City, NC17.7 mi.(828) 488-0326
Ela Motor Court5280 Ela RdBryson City, NC18.4 mi.(828) 488-2284
Lloyd's On The River5370 Ela RdBryson City, NC18.4 mi.(828) 488-3767
Comfort Suites35 Hwy 441 NorthCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-3500
Days Inn Smokey Mountain Inn660 Painttown RdCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-2300
Econo LodgeUs Hwy 19Cherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-4575
Fairfield Inn & Suite - Cherokee568 Painttown RdCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-0400
Hampton Inn185 Tsalagi RdCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-3115
Holiday Inn CherokeeHwy 19 WCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-9181
Holiday Inn Expres Hotel & Suites376 Paint Town RdCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-3113
Holiday InnHwy 19 SCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-9181
Microtel Inn & Suites674 Casino TrlCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-7800
Quality Inn-cherokeeUS 441 N BypCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-4702
Ramada Limited196 Painttown RdCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-4231
Sleep InnHwy 441 Pob 1956Cherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-4730
TravelodgeAcquoni RdCherokee, NC20.6 mi.(828) 497-2226
Days InnHwy 441 Box 1176Clayton, GA20.9 mi.(706) 782-4258
Quality Inn & Suites834 Hwy 441 SClayton, GA20.9 mi.(800) 334-2214
Stonebrook InnHwy 441Clayton, GA20.9 mi.(706) 782-2214
Hampton Inn & Suites-Cashiers/Sapphire Valley3245 Hwy 64 ESapphire, NC22.0 mi.(828) 743-4545
Sapphire Valley70 Sapphire Valley RdSapphire, NC22.0 mi.(828) 743-3441
Woodlands Inn Of Sapphire1305 US Hwy 64 WSapphire, NC22.0 mi.(704) 966-4709
Baymont Inn-Cherokee/Smoky MTNS1455 Acquoni RdCherokee, NC22.1 mi.(828) 497-2102
Best Western Great Smokies Inn1636 Acquoni RdCherokee, NC22.1 mi.(828) 497-2020
Balsam Mountain InnBalsam MTN Inn RdBalsam, NC23.9 mi.(704) 456-9498
 
Bed & Breakfast
Freeze House Bed And Breakfast71 Sylvan HeightsSylva, NC16.0 mi.(828) 586-8161

Franklin Weather & Climate

The Mountains of North Carolina range from 800 feet to over 6,600 feet and topography affects the local weather. Expect temperatures to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops. Spring is unpredictable, particularly at the higher elevations. Snow may fall in March, but by May, things warm up with daytime highs in the 80s. Summer is warm and humid, but more pleasant at the higher elevations. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common in the summertime. Winter is generally moderate, but extreme conditions can occur in the mountains. It's not unusual to have warm temperatures in the valleys and snow in the higher areas. In the lowlands, snows of one inch or more occur just 1-5 times per year. More frequent and deeper snows fall at the higher elevations.

     Month       High Temp   Low Temp   Rainfall   Ocean Temp 
January 47°F 24°F 5.39 in. -
February 52°F 25°F 4.89 in. -
March 60°F 32°F 5.76 in. -
April 68°F 38°F 4.09 in. -
May 75°F 49°F 4.90 in. -
June 81°F 57°F 4.49 in. -
July 84°F 61°F 4.09 in. -
August 83°F 61°F 4.48 in. -
September 77°F 55°F 3.94 in. -
October 69°F 41°F 3.29 in. -
November 59°F 32°F 4.58 in. -
December 50°F 26°F 4.57 in. -

Franklin Map & Transportation

Main viewing image.
 
Click each thumbnail image to enlarge.
The closest airports in the area are the Asheville Regional airport (AVL) located about 50 miles east of Franklin in Asheville, North Carolina, the Mc Ghee Tyson airport (TYS) located approximately 55 miles northwest of Franklin in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Donaldson Center airport (GYH) located roughly 63 miles southeast of Franklin in Greenville, South Carolina, and finally the Greenville Spartanburg International airport (GSP) located around 68 miles southeast of Franklin in Greer, South Carolina.

Franklin Attractions

 
Amusement and Theme Parks
Cherokee Fun ParkCherokeeNC20.6 mi.
Santa's LandCherokeeNC20.6 mi.
Ghost Town in the SkyMaggie ValleyNC28.3 mi.
DollywoodPigeon ForgeTN43.1 mi.
Rockin' RacewayPigeon ForgeTN43.1 mi.
NASCAR SpeedParkSeviervilleTN48.6 mi.
 
Water Parks
Lake Lanier Island Beach & Water ParkLake Lanier IslandGA78.5 mi.
White Water ParkMariettaGA107.8 mi.
 
Golf Courses
Franklin Golf CourseFranklinNC 
Mill Creek Country ClubFranklinNC 
Highlands CoveHighlandsNC13.4 mi.
Trillium Links & Lake ClubCashiersNC16.6 mi.
Smoky Mountain Country ClubWhittierNC17.3 mi.
Rabun Country Golf ClubClaytonGA21.5 mi.
Chatuge Shores Golf CourseHayesvilleNC26.3 mi.
Mountain Harbour Golf & Yacht ClubHayesvilleNC26.3 mi.
 
Ski Areas
Scaly MountainScaly MountainNC12.3 mi.
CataloocheeMaggie ValleyNC28.3 mi.
Ski Wolf LaurelMars HillNC64.7 mi.
Ski BeechBanner ElkNC108.6 mi.
Sugar Mountain Ski AreaBanner ElkNC108.6 mi.
Hawksnest Golf & Ski ResortSeven DevilsNC110.0 mi.
 
State Parks
Black Rock Mountain State ParkGA19.4 mi. 
Moccasin Creek State ParkGA26.1 mi. 
Oconee State ParkSC27.3 mi. 
Chatuge State ParkGA28.6 mi. 
Keowee Toxaway State ParkSC33.6 mi. 
Unicoi State ParkGA37.1 mi. 
Table Rock State ParkSC39.9 mi. 
 
Museums
South Carolina Gold MuseumPickensSC43.3 mi.(Miscellaneous)
Sequoyah Birthplace MuseumVonoreTN56.1 mi.(History)
 
Zoos and Aquariums
Western North Carolina Nature CenterAshevilleNC54.9 mi.
Greenville ZooGreenvilleSC60.3 mi.
Knoxville Zoological GardensKnoxvilleTN61.8 mi.
Tennessee AquariumChattanoogaTN109.4 mi.
Warner Park ZooChattanoogaTN109.4 mi.
Zoo AtlantaAtlantaGA114.3 mi.


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