Franklin, MI Road Trips

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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. The closest Amtrak station is in the nearby city of Birmingham, roughly 5 miles away from Franklin. Franklin is part of Metro Detroit. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the closest international airport, about 30 miles (50 km) away.

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. 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.