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Planning a trip as a pet owner can be difficult. Leaving your pet back home can be complicated with boarding, daycare, or expensive house-sitting. Bringing your pet along with you can be even more complex. Are the hotels dog friendly? What about the activities you have planned?? Will you get to your destination but be unable to do anything?? If you are looking for the perfect place to travel with your pet, then look no further than Franklin, Tennessee (TN). There are many Franklin, TN activities where pets are welcome and many of these are listed below to help you plan your perfect trip with your pup.

When planning my own cross-country road trip I noticed a constant hurdle of finding places that would accomodate my dog, Dex. This caused me to completely re-plan my route and activities. Visiting Franklin, TN was a highlight of my trip as it is one of the top dog friendly vacation spots in the east coast.

Note: This post was created as part of a hosted stay with Visit Franklin, but all thoughts and reviews are my own.

Why is Franklin, TN so dog friendly?

Franklin, TN is the pilot city for Franklin-based Mars Petcare’s BETTER CITIES FOR PETS (BCFP) program and all of the 90+ shops and restaurants that can be are pet-friendly. The BCFP program is now being rolled out by Mars Petcare in several other US & International cities this year. Around the city there is great signage letting you know the pet-friendliness of each establishment and there are an abundance of white dog bowls along Main Street.

How to get to Franklin, TN

Franklin, TN is just under 30 minutes south of Nashville, TN. If you are coming from far away, the best option is to fly into Nashville, TN (airport code BNA), rent a car, and drive down to Franklin. However you may also be driving to accommodate your pet (like me) so note that Franklin is a 4 hour drive from Atlanta, GA, 2.5 hour drive from Birmingham, AL, 3 hour drive from Louisville, KY, and a 35 hour drive from Portland, OR (okay hopefully I am the only one crazy enough to drive this far haha).

Where to stay in Franklin, TN

There are many options for pet-friendly hotels in Franklin, TN. As a frequent-traveler, I concentrate many of my stays in Marriott Bonvoy properties and so I opted for the Aloft Nashville Franklin. It was vibrant, upscale, and even had dog-treats at the check in desk! This hotel would definitely be at the top of my list even if I did not have my pet with me. The Aloft Nashville Franklin was located outside of the main Franklin downtown area in the Cool Springs district so it was a little more business-district-esque.

Note: Check out this post on travel hacking to learn how you could stay at the Aloft Nashville Franklin for free using points.

Dog Friendly Franklin, TN Activities

Of course these Franklin, TN activities can be enjoyed without bringing along your dogs but it is nice to know you can bring your pets if you would like. Plus the city seems so happy with all the dogs and dog owners hanging out together.

Visit Downtown Franklin, TN

Downtown Franklin, TN is absolutely adorable. It has the most welcoming vibes and if you visit during the day it is bustling with activity. While you are in downtown Franklin, you can participate in many of the walking tours, such as this Historic Downtown Franklin Self-Guided Walking Tour. You can also discover much of the history of Franklin by walking around without an official tour and enjoying many of the historical placards. As you walk around you will notice many white dog bowls along Main Street.

Go Shopping

Shopping is not normally something that would be considered very dog friendly. However, visiting the shops in Franklin, TN is a great activity to do with your dog. The signage on the entryway of the shops in Franklin, TN clearly indicate whether your dog is welcome inside, on the patio, or not at all. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of your visit and you can enjoy checking out some of the great shops.

Visit the Carnton Plantation

Carnton Plantation is a slice of history tucked away in the backyard of not just any old house but a historic landmark from the Civil War. It’s a dog-friendly activity in Franklin since dogs are welcome to roam the scenic grounds. While they can’t join the guided house tours, there’s a designated area to tether your pet during your visit. Moreover, plan accordingly and ensure someone accompanies your dog outside during one of their indoor tours.

Eat at [Very Yummy] Restaurants

One of the most impressive parts about Franklin, was the quality of the restaurants. Since the city isn’t huge, this is not something I expected. However, we really enjoyed Puckett’s Restaurant, Ruby Sunshine, The Grilled Cheeserie, Yats, and Juice Bar – Franklin. Certainly with more time, there would have been more time for even more good food. Most places in the Franklin, TN area accommodate dogs on the patio and bring out a dog bowl so your pet has water and can sit right beside you.

Enjoy the Freedom Run Dog Park

Freedom Run Dog Park is one of the best dog-friendly spots in Franklin, TN. It is located at Liberty Park and offers pups and their owners the chance to play and bond within an incredible space. They even have a 1-acre park with a section dedicated to small dogs under 30 pounds and a large area for dogs over 30 pounds.

With open fields, shady spots, and fun agility courses, it’s a great place for dogs to play and run around. Plus, with regular events and a friendly communal vibe, it’s a great place town for some dog-related fun.

Drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway

One of the most unique Franklin, TN activities is visiting the Natchez Trace Parkway. It reminded me a lot of the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina with its beautiful winding roads, overlooks, bridges, and trail heads. A prominent feature, the Natchez Trace Bridge can be viewed from below. This would be an even more amazing drive in the fall with all of the foliage.

Go for a Hike

One of my favorite dog friendly activities in Franklin, TN is hiking. My favorite hike that I did while in Franklin, TN was to Hidden Lake. Hidden Lake is located in Harpeth River State Park. Two other hikes I also enjoyed were the Old Natchez Trace Garrison Loop Trail along the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Lakes of Bowie Loop Trail in Bowie Nature Park. When visiting these trails remember to pack the ten essentials and follow the leave no trace principles.

Visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, a cherished national historic landmark, warmly welcomes pets. Therefore, it makes for a perfect outing for history-loving dog owners. Just grab a grounds pass and dogs can accompany their owners through outdoor areas. This way, you can enjoy a unique blend of history and nature.

As you learn about Andrew Jackson’s life and explore his residence, you’ll be immersed in the rich tapestry of Tennessee’s history. Beyond this historic home lies a sprawling farm with picturesque views and serene walking paths. Therefore, both you and your pet are sure to have an enriching experience.

Also, this iconic site not only offers a glimpse into Nashville’s past but stands as a testament to America’s heritage.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, a stop at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage promises a memorable blend of education, exploration, and outdoor enjoyment for you and your furry friend, making it one of the best dog-friendly spots in franklin, TN.

Please note: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is OPEN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 5:00 p.m.

Visit one of the many Parks

Franklin has so many parks that even if you are not much of a hiker, there are still tons of other park activities that you could do while you are visiting. Many of the parks accommodate horses, fishing, bike riding, kayaking, canoeing and more. The playground at Bowie Nature Park was one of the coolest playgrounds I have ever seen. It was massive with tons of things to do. We also enjoyed Harpeth River State Park.

Check out the Dog Park

This was probably Dex’s favorite Franklin, TN activity. If you think you know what to expect when you ready dog park, think again. K-9 Corral Dog Park is like “dog park – but make it fancy”. It is located on the Harlinsdale Farm grounds which are incredibly picturesque. If you don’t want to spend time at the dog park itself, there are also walking trails, horse trails, a polo arena, a visitor center and more. You can learn additional information about the Harlinsdale Farm here.

Visit Leiper’s Fork

Leiper’s Fork is just 15 minutes from Franklin and it is much smaller. However there are still shops and restaurants there that are definitlely worth checking out. Our favorite was the Leiper’s Fork Distillery. I am not usually a huge fan of whiskey but I decided to try a whiskey flight (when in Rome, right??) and was pleasantly surprised – I even bought a bottle. The inside and porches are not dog friendly, but dogs are welcome on the grounds. Please note that they did not have any dog bowls, so it’s a good idea to keep a collapsible dog bowl like this one with you so your pet has access to water.

Other Franklin, TN Activities

If you don’t have your dog or if your pup is worn out from all the other dog-friendly activities in Franklin, consider making a stop at Arrington Vineyards. It is not dog friendly, but we did have a great time while Dex relaxed at the hotel after a long and hot day.

Dog-Friendly Franklin, TN Activities FAQs

1. Is Lookout Mountain Tennessee Dog-Friendly?

At Lookout Mountain’s iconic Rock City Gardens, leashed pets are always welcome. So, don’t forget to bring along your furry friend for a stroll on the Enchanted Trail.

This spot features must-see landmarks like the Swing-A-Long bridge, Fat Man’s Squeeze, and Lover’s Leap, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of seven states.

2. Is Vanderbilt dog-friendly?

At Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, your pets are welcome in various areas, except inside buildings. So, take them around the developed sections, gardens, near the waterfront, and on local trails.

3. Are Dogs Allowed in Restaurants in Tennessee?

Dogs need to be on a 6-foot (or shorter) non-retractable leash. They’re welcome in outdoor dining areas but unfortunately can’t go inside the restaurant.

4. Are Dogs Allowed in Walmart in Tennessee?

Walmart allows service animals in stores. Pets, however, are not permitted inside the store.

Things to do in Franklin

Hopefully this guide to dog friendly Franklin, TN activities is helpful for planning an amazing getaway to this charming city. Have you visited Franklin, TN yet or is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

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