Discover 
An Itinerary For Every Occasion
Rain, snow, sun, or gloom - sometimes all in one day - Franklin brings the fun 365 days a year. Our curated itineraries showcase Franklin's best for every season, ensuring an unforgettable experience no matter when you visit.
Date Night
Land a second....Maybe even a third...
For an exciting date night, check out Franklin's latest offerings: Savor Thai and Lao cuisine with vegan options at Sweet Basil, enjoy craft brews in a park setting at the seasonal Whitnall Beer Garden and compete in high-tech interactive golf games with food and drinks at the upscale Luxe Golf Bays.
Trending To-Dos:
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Eat: Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil offers a premium quick-casual experience for Thai and Lao food. The menu is filled with Asian street foods, fresh Thai entrees, Lao dishes and delicious Asian-Midwest fusion desserts with vegan and gluten-free options for dine-in or carry-out.
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Drink: Whitnall Beer Garden
Enjoy a beverage in a gorgeous park setting, featuring a changing selection of craft beer from local and regional breweries, as well as seltzer and non-alcoholic drink options. The beer garden is open seasonally, usually from late April to October.
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Do: Luxe Golf Bays
Take date night to new heights. Luxe Golf Bays is a high-tech, multi-story driving range facility with 57 golf bays, a beer garden and two restaurants. It features advanced Doppler technology to track ball spin and accuracy, allowing for interactive games. Let the best player win!
Between Games
It’s not over til it’s over...
Take date night to new heights. Luxe Golf Bays is a high-tech, multi-story driving range facility with 57 golf bays, a beer garden and two restaurants. It features advanced Doppler technology to track ball spin and accuracy, allowing for interactive games. Let the best player win!
Half Time Excursions
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Eat: Dog Haus
Dog Haus has gained acclaim for its signature all-beef Haus Dogs, handcrafted proprietary Haus Sausages and humanely raised, hormone-free Black Angus beef burgers - all served on grilled King's Hawaiian rolls.
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Drink: Umbrella Bar
The Umbrella Bar at Ballpark Commons offers a unique open-air atmosphere under a tent-like umbrella structure. It features a 360-degree view of The Rock Sports Complex, a great drink selection, ample sun or shaded seating, yard games, views of the replica baseball fields, and hosts popular food trucks and a Summer Concert Series.
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Do: Baseballism
Baseballism is the Official Lifestyle Brand of Baseball, offering a wide range of apparel such as shirts, hoodies, hats and more for baseball players, coaches, families and fans who appreciate the class, tradition and history of the sport.
Guys' Day Out
Let The Bromance Continue
Gather your crew and get ready for an unforgettable guys' day out in Franklin. Savor made-from-scratch burgers and local brews at Milwaukee Burger Company, winner-voted Irish pub grub and game-day fun at Mulligans, plus a stellar 7,000-yard golf experience at Oakwood Park Golf Course in Franklin.
The Perfect Line Up:
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Eat: Milwaukee Burger Company
Milwaukee Burger Company originated in Eau Claire, WI in 2008 before expanding to Franklin. They specialize in made-from-scratch items and support local breweries, showcasing the finest brews the area has to offer.
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Drink: Mulligans Irish Pub
Mulligans has been voted best happy hour, bar food, restaurant service, bang for your buck bar and runner-up for best fish fry in Milwaukee by the Shephard Express reader's choice poll! They offer 16 tap beers, local brews and Irish faves. You won’t miss a game here with their 21 flat-screen TVs.
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Do: Oakwood Park Golf Course
Founded in 1971, Oakwood Park Golf Course is the longest among Milwaukee County Parks' golf courses, spanning over 7,000 yards. The course offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Oakwood has become a top choice for hosting golf outings, thanks to its well-maintained layout, recently completed bunkers, and cart paths.
Girls Night Out
Who Runs the World?
Kick off an unforgettable ladies' day out in Franklin by indulging in rejuvenating coffee and pampering treatments. Prepare to paint the town as you sip handcrafted cocktails and dance the night away under the twinkling lights of Franklin's enchanting open-air umbrella bar.
Things To Know
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Drink: Blend Coffee & Cocktails
Coffee shop by day, cocktail bar by night - Blend Coffee and Cocktails caters to all tastes with traditional and creative coffee, tea, cocktail and lemonade offerings. Swing by for a lady's brunch or stop in later for tasty cocktails.
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Eat: Wegner’s St Martins
Wegner's St Martins Inn offers high-quality food and service, featuring Chef Dennis' experience in Italian, seafood, steaks and German cuisine with modern twists. Enjoy the old-school Wisconsin vibes while catching up with girlfriends.
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Do: The Salt Spa
The Salt Spa provides holistic wellness and relaxation in a tranquil environment. Enjoy a shared salt lounge with zero gravity chairs, a red-light booth with and without salt therapy, heated jade therapy and an infrared sauna with and without salt therapy and optional medical-grade chromotherapy (light therapy).
Family Fun Day
Buckle Up, Buttercups!
The kiddos will love their day out in Franklin, jam-packed with activities for all ages. Get the wiggles out at one of Wisconsin’s most esteemed playgrounds before enjoying a custard treat, pizza and movie cuddles!
Fresh Family Finds:
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Play: Kayla's Playground
Nestled within a beautiful setting of 38 acres at Franklin Woods Nature Center, Kayla’s Playground offers a playful and relaxing atmosphere for ages 2+. The playground is all-inclusive and all-accessible with a little library, a large lawn area, cushion surfaces, rope climbing and more.
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Eat: Brick Pizzeria
Brick Pizzeria & Ristorante offers an authentic taste of Italy that's perfect for the whole family! Brick features a hand-built brick oven and uses imported Italian ingredients to recreate that unmistakable Old World flavor.
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Treat: Oscar’s Frozen Custard
Founded in 1984, Oscar’s has been serving custard for over 35 years. The family-run custard business recently opened a Franklin location. Enjoy a fresh, slightly warm house-made waffle cone and the flavor of the day.
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Do: Milky Way Drive In
The Milky Way Drive-In offers a nostalgic yet innovative movie experience. Its state-of-the-art LED wall enables viewing anytime, while car hop service delivers food to your vehicle by golf cart. Get ready for an extraordinary, celestial entertainment experience combining classic drive-in nostalgia with modern amenities.
Rainy Day Escapes
Rain, Rain, Go Away...
You don’t have to fear the rain when you visit Franklin! When rain dampens plans, visit Honey Butter Cafe for a cozy meal and explore Swimtastic Swim School for swim classes. Head to Franklin Public Library for drop-in classes and a wide selection of books.
The Rainy Day Rundown:
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Eat: Honey Butter Cafe
Honey Butter Cafe offers a relaxing atmosphere to indulge in specialties like honey puffs and organic coffee, with a variety of breakfast, lunch and locally sourced farm-to-table options. Offerings are vegetarian and vegan friendly.
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Play: Swimtastic Swim School
Take advantage of swim classes and open swim hours during a rainy day. The warm water and kid-friendly pools are sure to be a hit!
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Do: Franklin Public Library
Visit the Franklin Library’s kid-curated space! The library offers weekly drop-in classes, bingo and activities for all ages. All ages will be impressed with the comfortable setting and huge selection of books and media.
Outdoor Explores
Get Lost In Nature. Don't Worry - We'll Find Ya!
Explore nature at Wehr Nature Center's expansive trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna. Refuel at W+D Cafe for healthy bites and visit Wheel & Sprocket, Franklin's bicycle shop, for quality bikes and repairs.
Tree-mendous Expeditions:
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Eat: W+D Cafe
Fuel up at W+D Cafe, located in the MOSH Performance Center. Offering a variety of healthy menu items, W+D Cafe is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before or after your activity.
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Drink: Nutri Blend
Nutri Blend offers healthy smoothies, acai bowls, smoothie bowls and protein shakes. Run by a local family, the shop sources the finest ingredients, including organic acai from Brazil. Their mission is to make quality nutrition accessible to everyone.
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Do: Wehr Nature Center
Explore over five miles of nature trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna on 220 acres of protected land in Whitnall Park. Explore labeled gardens, a kid-friendly play area with a log cabin playhouse and a lake-view deck just outside the Visitor Center.
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Shop: Wheel & Sprocket
Ballpark Commons is home to Wheel & Sprocket, Franklin's community bicycle shop and a full-service bike shop offering high-quality bicycles, services like bike fittings and repairs and knowledgeable staff. Whether you're an avid cyclist or just getting started, check it out!
Seasonal Adventures
From One Extreme to Another
Experience seasonal fun from spring to winter with Franklin’s diverse activities. Explore Boerner Botanical Gardens in spring, enjoy baseball games and entertainment with the Milwaukee Milkmen in summer, get spooked at The Hill Has Eyes in fall and hit the slopes at The Rock Snowpark in winter.
Seasonal Shinanigans:
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Spring: Boerner Botanical Gardens
Located on the border of Franklin, the area boasts thousands of plants and fragrant displays throughout 12 formal gardens. Explore a rose garden, peony garden, and daylily garden, stroll under blossoming crabapples and enjoy the view while having a light lunch in the cafe or a special holiday brunch in the Garden Room.
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Summer: Milwaukee Milkmen
The Milkmen offer a unique family-friendly dinner experience combining baseball and entertainment. Enjoy a delicious meal while cheering on the team, catching home runs and partaking in fun activities like milkshakes and fried cheese curds.
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Fall: The Hill Has Eyes
The Hill Has Eyes is the #1 adult outdoor haunt in the Midwest. It is set on an incredible 45 acres, in a 100% outdoor setting. Check out haunts for ages 8+ & 13+ for a night of family fun.
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Winter: The Rock Snowpark
The Rock Snowpark offers a fun-filled day of winter adventure with skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. With multiple trails catering to all skill levels, tow ropes, lifts, and lessons available, it provides a thrilling experience for families and friends alike.