Franklin (Michigan)

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.