About 20 miles south of Indianapolis, the small town of Franklin, Indiana, can be found in Johnson County. With a current estimated population of 24,000 and a space of around 13 square miles, Franklin is a small town with deep roots and rich culture. Many would agree that Franklin is the embodiment of the "ideal" small town in America. In fact, Life magazine even featured the town in a December 1940 photo essay entitled, "A Small Town's Saturday Night." The purpose of this essay was to depict the idea that small towns across the country could continue thriving after the Great Depression.
Ever since, Franklin has proven that idea to be true time and time again, and its population has nearly quadrupled since the publication. Today, Franklin is a small hub of culture, recreation, and more.
Franklin is an excellent place for people who enjoy leading an active lifestyle. Specifically, Blue Heron Park and Wetland is a popular destination for active members of the city. Here, you can find the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center, which boasts a large gym and fitness center for residents with paid memberships to enjoy. There are also a number of sporting facilities located here, where games and leagues take place throughout the year.
Outside the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center, you can find the majestic wetlands themselves. These are made up of nearly 60 acres of protected land, complete with trails and colorful wildflowers throughout. The wetland itself is completely natural (unlike others that are manmade), and many local schools team up with members of the parks department to hold educational activities and programs on the grounds of the wetlands each year. For smaller children, there are also a number of playgrounds throughout the property.
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Blue Heron Park and Wetlands, however, is the array of obstacle courses, which are great team-building exercise. The best part? Admission is completely free.
Franklin is also a town that's rich with culture, and this is evident in the efforts the town has gone through to preserve and improve the ArtCraft Theater. Located off of Main Street in downtown Franklin, this theater first opened in 1922 and served the community as a full-sized cinema for several years. Throughout the years, the theater has gone through many changes in terms of ownership, but today the structure itself is owned and operated by the city itself. Today, it's a popular place to view classic movies. However, it's also the prime location for the city's annual Fall Festival and Franklin B Movie Celebration.
If you want to watch a movie at this historic location, be sure to buy tickets well in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly. This is especially true during peak times of the season, such as during holiday showings.
Just west of the theater itself, you can also find the historical city hall building, which boasts impressive Colonial architecture and previously functioned as the city's post office.
Looking for a local place to enjoy a bite to eat? You'll have no shortage of options here in Franklin. For starters, consider checking out Aunt Judy's Kitchen, a quaint restaurant that has affordable yet delicious food. This restaurant frequently brings in diners from outside the city, especially on weekends, so consider arriving early to avoid a wait in this small restaurant. Be sure to try the fried chicken here; it's a local favorite.
Ann's Restaurant is also worth checking out; this place is best known for its breakfast menu (locals boast about the homemade biscuits), and their breakfast food is served all day long. However, if you're not in the mood for breakfast, their menu has plenty of other offerings, including their popular chili and their country-fried steak. There's also a small meeting room available inside the restaurant, which is a popular location for local businesses to hold gatherings. It can also be rented out for birthday parties and other special events.
Looking to grab a drink in a unique atmosphere? If so, then The Willard Restaurant is the place to be. The building that houses this restaurant actually used to serve as a hotel. Here, you'll find bar food favorites such as pizza, wraps, and burgers. However, they offer a little more than your typical bar food as well. Ask about their daily specials, which range from spaghetti and garlic bread to breaded shrimp and even barbecue pulled pork.
Despite its small size, Franklin has a pretty large and respectable downtown area. It gives off a "town hall" vibe and contains a number of older buildings that have been well maintained over the years and that have some impressive, unique architecture that's been preserved. This is where you'll find the city courthouse and the aforementioned ArtCraft Theater. Many of the walkways in downtown Franklin are paved with brick to preserve that old-time feel as well.
Even though you can walk the entire downtown area in just a few minutes, it is worth taking a stroll through, as it's a great way to be taken back to a simpler time without leaving the city.
