Things to do in Franklin, NC

These mountains are arguably one of the most beautiful areas of the country if not the world.  It is truly and outdoor lover’s paradise.  Living in this area has its advantages.  Below are just a few of the many things to do that are either on your doorstep or a short drive from your home.  Whatever your pleasure, an agent is available to help you find your home.  See an activity you like?  Call the broker and he/she will assist you finding the perfect home to match the lifestyle you crave!

Appalachian Trail:

The Appalachian Trail snakes it’s way through our neck of the woods in all it’s majesty!  Trailheads and shelters are peppered all over these old mountains of North Carolina from Muskrat Creek Shelter at mile 81.4 to Fontana Dam Visitor Center at mile 166.1.  Would you believe the entire 84.7 miles of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, including famous views from Albert Mountain Tower, Siler Bald, Wayah Bald and Wesser Bald could be a scenic comfortable hike or drive from your doorstep?  Local businesses have everything one needs to enjoy this trail!  Call me and I will tell you where to go to get your gear.  You will need it since the Appalachian Trail will be your local backyard trail system.  It does not get cooler than that! Call Matt 828-371-8544 or emal mtipropertiesofwnc@gmail.com  

Cycling: 

Whether you choose to crank on the road, single-track trails or my favorite discipline of gravel grinding, our area has the best of it!  Buy your year-round or vacation home on a gravel road and I can give you any number gravel grinding routes straight from your driveway whether it be 10 miles or a dirty century of 100 miles.  I also have a grueling metric century of 64 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation change I would love to share with you!  Mixing it up on gravel and pavement is my idea of relaxing.  Heck, I will email you my Strava Maps if you don’t believe me that these routes exist! I have been on well over 1,000 miles of gravel roads in our area!   Double heck!  I’m always one to get out of the office and if you so please, I will give you a tour of the area and stop at your potential new home on the way…all on our bikes!  You think I am kidding?  Try me.   I dare you. 

Single-track bliss such as the world famous Tsali trails, which cover over 40 miles of trails can be your pleasure if you have just a few hours to ride.  If you have a day, take a ride toward Pisgah National Forest and hit some of the gnarliest single-track in the country.   Not my forte but I know people that would love to show off their skills to you.  Take a drive up toward Cashiers and hit Panthertown, one of my favorite trail systems.  The diversity of Panthertown Trails never disappoints!  Caution, you will get your feet wet.  Or take a drive to Dupont State Forest which boasts over 80 miles of gravel roads and single-track trails with some of the most stunning waterfalls on the east coast.  It also has one of the best single-track flow trails east of the Mississippi called the Ridgline Trail.  Google it and watch the video!

If you are a roadie and don’t enjoy the dirt and gravel, you will not be disappointed.  Epic routes are all over the place that include…you got it…epic climbs and epic descents.  I myself don’t even own a road bike but I have done many of the rides on my CX.  I can hook you up with road riders.  As a matter of fact, we have a road riding group that generally rides either every Tuesday and Wednesday during the Spring, Summer and Fall.  Routes vary.  All skill levels welcome! 

I will caution you about me…I am addicted to cycling.  We may get so into cycling I may forget you contacted me for real estate, so you may have to bring me back to reality!  Call Matt 828-371-8544 or email mtipropertiesofwnc@gmail.com

Hiking: 

In addition to the Appalachian Trail, Macon County alone has countless miles of other trail systems to enjoy.  Hike the Bartram Trail which meanders over 78 miles thru our woods.  We also have a crazy group of trail runners that utilize a section of this trail regularly for social runs whether it is 7 degrees or 80 degrees outside.  I would be happy to introduce you to this group of local crazies.  Some of our local businesses also sponsor a 25K and 50K Trail Marathon as well!  Sounds fun to me.  NOT! 

There are also a multitude of trails at Standing Indian Campground.  Short trails with waterfalls and scenic views!  You can drive your car up to a trailhead.  Hike a mile or two out and back, go back to your car, drive up the gravel road to the next trailhead and repeat all the way to the top until you get to the famous Pickens Nose Trail that will leave you breathless with the view.  That is also a very cool gravel biking route as well.  As a matter of fact, back to my addiction of cycling, if you want to torture yourself I will gladly give you (and join you) a 30 mile out and back, 100% gravel route that you will not soon forget!  It includes a gravel climb of 4.9 miles and 2,407 feet of climbing at an average 9% grade.

Back to hiking (I told you I can lose concentration), you have tons of options from anywhere you buy your home and I would love to talk to you about your purchase of your home.  Call Matt 828-371-8544 or email mtipropertiesofwnc@gmail.com

Harrah’s Casino: 

Just a 35 minute dreamlike, scenic ride up the road to Harrah’s Casino!  Full of fun and excitement to try your luck on penny real machines to high dollar poker machines and lots of tables with live dealers also.  Several great restaurants to choose from, Essence Lounge with live music on the weekend, lots of concerts, classy upscale shopping and even bowling.  Cherokee also boasts some amazing outdoor activities as well and has lots of adventures you won’t want to miss.  Did I mention Cherokee is right on the doorstep of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park?  Call Deanna 828-421-7611 or email deanna@uniquepropertiesofnc.com

Fishing:

In your wildest imagination you could not dream of a better area to fish.  Macon county and surrounding areas are home to countless rivers, creeks and lakes teeming with trout, bass, brim, crappie, catfish and many others.  We have homes we would love to show you with rivers, creeks and lakes literally on your property or homes within walking or a short driving distance to world class fishing.  Come see the Nantahala River, Cullasaja River, Buck Creek, Little Tennessee River, Burningtown Creek amongst others.  If you would prefer a lake there is Lake Nantahala, Lake Fontana, and Lake Santeetlah all with breathtaking beauty and seclusion.   When searching for your home, don’t forget to ask about all the fishing wonders in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Deep Creek and Standing Indian Campground.  You could spend a lifetime fishing in these three areas alone and never hit the same place twice.  Call Charles for more: 828-316-1180 or email bryantc47@yahoo.com 

Micro Brews!!!!!:

If you are in town and looking for a top place to have a micro brewed beer after a day of fishing, hiking, biking, shopping, boating or just in town to enjoy the North Carolina Smoky Mountain atmosphere and fun times, Franklin has two of the very best in Western North Carolina.

The Currahee Brewing Company (100 Lakeside Drive) opened in 2015 inside a 9000 square – foot production and canning facility. Guest are invited to experience a 2000 square foot tasting room with an outdoor German-inspired biergarten that overlooks the beautiful Little Tennessee River. They have a large variety of locally brewed beer and wine. A local food truck is located on the property to complement their in-house beer offerings. Onsite events and games are sponsored throughout the year.

The Lazy Hiker Brewery (188 W. Main Street) is located just a short distance from the Appalachian Trail (11 Miles), Bartram Trail (3 miles) while on the way to Katahdrin or Springer in the town of Franklin. Visitors to the brewery consist of those thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, seasonal along with year round residents, tourists from nearby states, all who enjoy a good craft beer. This brewery features over 14 unique craft beers with new ones being tested each month. The owners give credit to being a product of their location with age old mountains, clear blue skies and fresh mountain water. Large outdoor gas fire pit to help with the afternoon chill in the air. Grab a bite to eat at the on-site Mad Batters Food Truck. If you are in-town for just a short period of time and looking for a fun location to meet friends and family, this is one location you do not want to miss. And by the way your can bring your pets along as this is an animal friendly location. Call our resident craft beer agent Charlie at 828-316-1180 or email bryantc47@yahoo.com 

Gem Mining:

Franklin North Carolina is known as the "Gem Capital of the World!  Wouldn't it be so cool to go gem mining and bring it to  a local jewlery store and have it place on a ring or a necklace?  Click on the link and explore what Franklin has to offer for kids and adults alike!!!! GEM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WHITE WATER RAFTING

If you want some fun on the water all you need to do is call Tuckaseegee Outfitters for Whitewater Float Trips!  Tubing, Kayaks and Rafts!  You may contact them at 828-586-5050 or visit their website at www.RaftNC.com