Enjoy your visit: dine, stay and play!
You will find so many reasons to visit and even more to attend college here! Franklin, Indiana is the Johnson County seat and home to 26,000 residents. Only 25 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Franklin combines a charming small-town feel with the convenience of suburban living.
10 Wonderful Things to Discover in Franklin, IN
1. Historic Downtown
The college is a short walk from Franklin’s scenic downtown with antique stores, cafés, boutiques, multiple dining options, a bakery, a bike store, a candy shop and an artisanal candle maker. You can also watch old movies at the Artcraft Theater, a restored art deco movie house on the Indiana State Register of Historic Places. 
2. People Gather Here
Join us for concerts, art fairs, festivals, sports tournaments, church events, lectures, festivals, films, outdoor activities and more! Make new friends or bring your besties to experience the activities you enjoy. You will love Franklin traditions like our summer concert series, Saturday farmer’s market, fall festival and holiday lighting ceremony.
3. Opportunities to Make a Difference
As a student, you can volunteer with organizations that range from Habitat for Humanity to the Humane Society. Additionally, our campus clubs and student organizations offer numerous opportunities for leadership and service each year. Your energy and effort are welcome and needed!
4. History at Your Fingertips
In the city of Franklin, you will find historic stories combined with new experiences. We are proud of the rich legacy of Franklin College, which was the first coeducational institution in Indiana to admit women. Here you will also encounter the tale of the Franklin Wonder Five, a basketball team who won the Indiana State Basketball Championship consecutively from 1920-1922 and went on the become college champions in 1923. Historic preservation, from homes to businesses, is part of our town culture you can experience through the numerous historical markers around town.
5. Franklin is a Natural…with Parks and Greenways
Enjoy a stroll through Dame Mall on the gorgeous Franklin College campus, or head to Grizzly Park, complete with a trail, sports fields and tennis courts. Just outside campus, you will find the greenway of the Franklin Trail and picturesque Province Park, great for a picnics, walks, runs and bike rides.
6. Indianapolis
Franklin College is a 25-minute drive from the state’s capital and the nation’s 16th largest city. While Indianapolis is known as a sports metropolis, home to teams like the NBA Pacers and NFL Indianapolis Colts, it is also hub for cultural activities, a dynamic dining scene and an events calendar that keeps the city bustling 365 days each year. Check out the original, iconic LOVE sculpture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art or clear your sinuses with one of the world’s spiciest dishes—the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House. Step inside the world’s largest children’s museum or hang with eight orangutans at the Indianapolis Zoo’s International Orangutan Center. Dominatea game of duckpin bowling or step inside the majestic Indiana World War Memorial, which helps make Indianapolis second to Washington D.C. in the number of monuments dedicated to veterans and miliary conflicts.
For more information on Indianapolis area attractions, please see VisitIndy.com and VisitIndiana.com.
7. Situated for Success
With Franklin’s easy access to Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville and Chicago, you will find a wealth of internship and job opportunities. The college connects students and graduates with companies including Cummins, Eli Lilly and Company, State of Indiana, City of Indianapolis, Salesforce, Indiana University Health, OneAmerica, and with graduate schools like Indiana University, Ohio State University, and the University of Chicago.
8. Walk About Franklin
Easily reach what you need in Franklin either by walking or a short car ride. Cross the street to get additional resources from the Johnson County Public Library or go next door to the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center to find exercise classes, workout facilities, and an outdoor pool.
9. Fun and Games
Be sure to take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy some of the fun activities Franklin has to offer. Bring your paddle for a pickup game on one of the 8 pickleball courts downtown near the amphitheater. Check out full-size bowling at Hi-Way Lanes, or perfect your technical game with duckpin bowling at 10 Pins. Show off your footwork at the Franklin Skate Club or get into the driver’s seat at Rascal’s Fun Zone, where you will find go-kart tracks, bumper boats, mini-golf and 50 arcade games!
10. Shop ‘Til You Drop
Franklin is conveniently located near Kohl’s, Wal-Mart and Meijer, and is home to funky consignment stores and a Goodwill for thrifty finds. The Greenwood Park Mall and the Edinburgh Premium Outlets are each just a short drive away. Indianapolis offers even more great shopping options, including the Circle Center Mall, Castleton Square Mall and the Fashion Mall!