Franklin: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · Kentucky · 20k people

Franklin

Locals say Pennyrile · “Gem of the Pennyrile”

Where the Pennyrile rolls into the dusk.

WKU RedPennyrile GreenField Gold

Welcome to Franklin, the heart of the Pennyrile! Whether you're here for the racing at Kentucky Downs, a day on Lake Malone, or just to stroll the courthouse square, you'll find a friendly pace and a strong sense of place. Make yourself at home.

Clubs for Franklin

No clubs for Franklin yet.

The room

Franklin Quiet now Where the Pennyrile rolls into the dusk.

One room for everyone around Franklin. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Franklin. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Kentucky Downs Turf-only horse racing track with a European-style meet.
Simpson County Courthouse Greek Revival building anchoring Franklin's square.
Logan County Courthouse Historic seat of Logan County in Russellville.
Lake Malone State Park Lake with fishing, boating, and hiking trails.
Auburn Historic District Preserved 19th-century small-town architecture.

Outdoors Fishing at Lake Malone
Outdoors Boating on Lake Malone
With kids Visiting the courthouse squares
With kids Attending the county fair
Evenings Catching live music at local bars
Evenings Attending horse racing nights at Kentucky Downs
Locals love Small-town diners
Locals love Antique shops

Through the year

Kentucky Downs racing meet September Turf racing with a festival atmosphere.
Simpson County Fair July Carnival, livestock, and local food.
Logan County Fair July Traditional county fair in Russellville.
Tobacco Festival October Celebrates the region's tobacco heritage with a parade.
Lake Malone Fishing Tournament Spring Competitive fishing on the lake.

Hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors. Summer brings thunderstorms; winter can have occasional snow and ice. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors.

Talk like a local

“Pennyrile”: The local name for the region.
“Crick”: A creek or small stream.
“Holler”: A hollow or valley between hills.
“Fixin' to”: About to do something.

Getaways

Bowling Green Home of the Corvette Museum and WKU.
Nashville Music city with endless entertainment.
Glasgow Small-town charm with a historic square.
Clarksville Cumberland River and Austin Peay State University.

Local flavour

Teams

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers NCAA Division I
Bowling Green Hot Rods High-A East (MiLB)

Also rooting for Tennessee Titans (NFL, Nashville), Nashville Predators (NHL, Nashville)

Eat and drink

Burgoo Hearty Kentucky stew, often made with mutton or chicken
Country ham Salted, cured ham served with red-eye gravy
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken Regional fried chicken chain headquartered in Franklin, KY

Where people go

Historic courthouse squares Russellville and Franklin have well-preserved downtown squares
Tobacco barns Iconic rural structures across the rolling hills
State resort parks Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and Lake Malone

Heritage and traditions

Proud of its small-town charm, deep agricultural roots, and the historic courthouse squares that anchor each community, along with the natural beauty of the Pennyrile.

This time of year in Franklin

Fall tobacco harvest September-October Tobacco is cut and hung in barns, a familiar sight.
Auburn Historic Home Tour fall Fall tour of antebellum homes in the historic district.

Say it like a local: “Pop” — A soft drink, especially a carbonated beverage.

Festivals

Auburn Historic Home Tour fall Fall tour of antebellum homes in the historic district.

Landmarks with a story

Russellville Historic District Well-preserved 19th-century architecture, including the courthouse square and surrounding blocks.
Franklin Historic District Downtown area with Victorian-era buildings and a classic courthouse square.
Auburn Opera House A restored 19th-century theater that hosts community events and performances.
Confederate Monument in Russellville Commemorates the Confederate government of Kentucky, which met here in 1861.

Food traditions

Biscuits and gravy A hearty breakfast staple served at diners and family tables, with sausage gravy over fresh biscuits.
Fried chicken A Sunday dinner tradition, often with mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread.
Cornbread A side dish for beans, greens, and stews, often baked in a cast-iron skillet.
Sorghum molasses Made from locally grown sorghum, drizzled on biscuits or used in baking.
Pickled vegetables Garden cucumbers, okra, and peppers preserved in brine, a summer tradition.

Music and arts

Bluegrass music Local jam sessions and festivals keep the tradition alive, with banjo, fiddle, and guitar.
Quilting A long-standing craft, with quilts often displayed at county fairs and community centers.
Country music Venues in the area host live country acts, and many locals play informally.

A little history

1861 Russellville becomes the capital of Confederate Kentucky
1796 Simpson County is established
1842 Auburn is founded
1960s Lake Malone is created as a reservoir

Rivalries

Franklin-Simpson vs. Russellville in high school football Annual matchup with deep community pride.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Conference rivalry in college sports.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee in college sports Border state bragging rights.
Simpson vs. Logan county bragging rights Friendly competition in local leagues.

Game day High school football on Friday nights
Game day Horse racing at Kentucky Downs
Outdoors Hunting deer and turkey
Outdoors Birdwatching
With kids Playing at the playground at Lake Malone
With kids Getting ice cream at a local shop

People here speak with a Southern accent, often drawing out vowels and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The pace is relaxed, and you'll hear a mix of rural Kentucky and Tennessee influences.

Only here

The term 'Pennyrile' comes from the pennyroyal plant that grows abundantly in the region.
Russellville was the capital of Confederate Kentucky during the Civil War.
Kentucky Downs is one of the few turf-only horse racing tracks in the US.
The region is dotted with distinctive tobacco barns, a symbol of its agricultural heritage.

New here? A few tips

Be prepared for hot, humid summers and mild winters; spring and fall are beautiful.
Try local specialties like country ham, burgoo, and biscuits and gravy.
Visit the courthouse squares on weekends to see community life and maybe a farmers market.
Learn to say 'y'all' – it's common and friendly.
Be aware of tornado warnings in spring; know your safe spot.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Part of Bowling Green area

Nearby

Every area

RussellvilleKentuckyRolling hills, warm hearts, and a slower pace.Bowling GreenKentuckyHome of the Hilltoppers and the Corvette.NashvilleTennesseeThe sound of the South GlasgowKentuckyWhere the hills open into wonder.GreenvilleKentuckyHometown roots along the Green River ClarksvilleTennesseeWhere the Cumberland meets the Kentucky line.MadisonvilleKentuckyCoal country's warmest welcome CookevilleTennesseeWhere the hills welcome you home.

Franklin, KY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.