What if your commute ended with a waterfall hike, your lunch break included a walk beside the Little Tennessee River and your office for the week had a view of the North Carolina mountains?
Remote work makes it possible to take the office somewhere new — and Franklin, North Carolina, makes it easy to turn a few working days into a mountain getaway.
Located in the mountains of Western North Carolina and surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, Franklin offers the essentials remote workers need along with something your home office probably doesn’t: hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic drives, locally owned restaurants, coffee shops and a walkable downtown waiting when you close the laptop.
Whether you’re extending a weekend trip, working remotely while your family explores the mountains or planning a full-fledged workcation, here’s how to work remotely and relax locally in Franklin, NC.
Find Free Wi-Fi in Downtown Franklin
Need to get online while you’re exploring downtown?
The Town of Franklin offers free Wi-Fi, making it easier to stay connected while spending time in the heart of town.
Downtown also puts you within walking distance of coffee shops, restaurants, local stores, galleries and museums. That means you can answer a few emails, grab lunch, browse the shops and get back online without spending your day driving from place to place.
For visitors who want to combine work and travel, that convenience matters.
Set Up Your Laptop at a Franklin Coffee Shop
Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what a workday needs.
Franklin has several coffee shops and cafés where visitors can grab a drink or bite to eat and get some work done. Before settling in for a long session, be mindful of busy periods and check with individual businesses about current Wi-Fi availability and seating.
Main Street Coffee & Yogurt
Right on East Main Street, Main Street Coffee & Yogurt offers coffee and tea, specialty drinks, pastries, frozen yogurt and free Wi-Fi.
Its downtown location makes it particularly convenient for remote workers. Finish a morning task, step outside and you’re already in the middle of historic downtown Franklin.
Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault
Part old-fashioned general store and part coffee stop, Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault is another downtown option when you want caffeine with a little local character.
Order a coffee, browse Franklin gifts and local products, and sit on their elevated patio for a perfect view of the downtown activity.
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub
Tucked just off Main Street, Rathskeller offers a different kind of Franklin workspace.
The coffee-house-meets-pub atmosphere makes it a comfortable place to grab coffee during the day, while beer, wine and cocktails make it equally easy to transition from work mode to after-work mode without going very far.
Leo’s Caffé Italia
If your ideal work break involves Italian coffee, Leo’s Caffé Italia offers indoor seating, a pet-friendly patio and free Wi-Fi along with coffee, sweet treats and savory options.
It’s an easy choice for a working lunch or an afternoon session away from your accommodations.
Choose Accommodations That Work for Work
For a multi-day workcation, where you stay matters.
Franklin offers vacation rentals, cabins, inns, hotels and other lodging options throughout the area. When booking, look beyond the mountain view and check the practical details you’ll need for your workday.
If video meetings are on your calendar, ask about Wi-Fi speed and reliability at the specific property before booking. Look for a table or dedicated workspace, comfortable seating, adequate lighting and good cell service if you rely on your phone as a backup connection.
Many local lodgings offer complimentary Wi-Fi and some options are within walking distance of downtown Franklin. Vacation rentals and cabins can provide more space and privacy for travelers planning longer stays.
One important mountain-travel tip: don’t assume every secluded cabin has the same connectivity as an in-town property. If dependable internet is essential to your job, confirm it directly with your lodging provider.
Take Your Lunch Break on the Little Tennessee River Greenway
This is where working remotely from Franklin starts to feel very different from working at home.
Instead of spending lunch scrolling through your phone, head outside.
The Little Tennessee River Greenway runs through Franklin and offers miles of multi-use trail along the river and its surrounding natural areas.
Even a short walk gives you a chance to stretch your legs, get outside and reset before the afternoon’s meetings.
Stop by FROG Quarters, headquarters of Friends of the Greenway, for information about the trail. You’ll also find a coffee bar, cold drinks, snacks and locally made items.
Then head back to work — hopefully a little more refreshed than when you left.
Grab a Local Lunch Between Meetings
A workcation shouldn’t mean eating lunch over the keyboard every day.
Franklin’s dining scene makes it easy to turn an open hour on your calendar into part of the trip. Downtown and the surrounding area offer everything from sandwiches and cafés to international cuisine, Southern favorites, burgers, barbecue and more.
If you have a longer break, choose somewhere you can sit down and recharge. If you’re booked solid, grab something to go and take it back to your accommodations.
Either way, choosing local turns an ordinary lunch break into another small piece of your Franklin experience.
Close the Laptop and Head for the Trail
Here’s the real advantage of working remotely from Franklin: when the workday ends, you’re already in the mountains.
Franklin is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and is close to some of Western North Carolina’s best-known hiking trails.
The Appalachian Trail passes just west of town, and Franklin holds a special place in AT history as the first community designated an Appalachian Trail Community.
The Bartram Trail also travels through the Franklin area, with access to hikes ranging from shorter outings to challenging mountain adventures.
You don’t necessarily need an entire day. Depending on the season and available daylight, an afternoon hike can fit between your last meeting and dinner.
Chase a Waterfall After Work
A waterfall makes a pretty good replacement for rush-hour traffic.
Franklin is surrounded by waterfalls, including several that can be incorporated into an afternoon outing or scenic drive.
Rufus Morgan Falls offers a forest hike to a beautiful cascade in the Nantahala National Forest, while The Waterfall Byway east of Franklin travels through the Cullasaja River Gorge toward Highlands, passing waterfalls and mountain scenery along the way.
Always consider available daylight, current weather and road conditions before heading into the mountains late in the day.
Or save the longer adventure for a morning when your first meeting isn’t until later.
That’s the beauty of a workcation: you get to use the edges of your workday differently.
Spend the Evening in Downtown Franklin
Once the laptop is closed for good, head downtown.
Historic Franklin is home to locally owned restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and places to enjoy coffee, craft beer, wine and cocktails.
Depending on when you visit, you might find live music, a festival, an art event or another community gathering happening around town.
Franklin also has a designated Social District in the downtown area, giving visitors another way to enjoy participating businesses while exploring the heart of town.
Check the Experience Franklin Events Calendar during your stay to see what’s happening after work.
Turn a Workweek Into a Longer Mountain Getaway
Remote work can also solve one of the biggest problems with a traditional weekend getaway: the weekend is never quite long enough.
Instead of arriving Friday night and leaving Sunday afternoon, consider arriving a few days earlier.
Work from Franklin during the week, then leave the laptop closed when the weekend arrives.
Spend Saturday hiking, exploring waterfalls or driving through the Nantahala National Forest. Browse downtown shops and galleries. Visit the area’s museums and heritage attractions. Take a scenic drive. Go gem mining. Explore the Little Tennessee River Greenway.
Or do absolutely nothing productive for a while.
You’ve already taken care of that part.
A Sample Workcation Day in Franklin
Wondering what working remotely from Franklin might actually look like?
Start the morning with coffee and breakfast downtown before settling in for a few hours of work.
At lunch, walk a section of the Little Tennessee River Greenway or head to a local restaurant.
Use the afternoon for meetings and focused work, then close the laptop and head outside.
Take a short hike, explore downtown, visit a waterfall or grab a locally crafted drink before dinner.
Tomorrow, do it differently.
That’s the point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working Remotely in Franklin, NC
Is Franklin, NC, a good place for remote work?
Franklin can be a great destination for travelers who want to combine remote work with a mountain getaway. The town offers lodging, restaurants, coffee shops, free public Wi-Fi in town and easy access to outdoor recreation in the surrounding Western North Carolina mountains.
Is there free Wi-Fi in Franklin, NC?
Yes. The Town of Franklin offers free Wi-Fi, and several local coffee shops, cafés and accommodations also advertise complimentary Wi-Fi. Availability and connection quality can vary, so travelers who require high-speed internet for work should confirm connectivity with their lodging provider before booking.
Where can I work on my laptop in Franklin?
Downtown coffee shops and cafés can provide convenient places for shorter work sessions. Main Street Coffee & Yogurt and Leo’s Caffé Italia advertise free Wi-Fi, while other coffee shops and casual establishments provide additional places to grab a drink or meal while spending time in town.
What can I do after work in Franklin, NC?
Franklin offers hiking, waterfalls, scenic drives, the Little Tennessee River Greenway, downtown shopping, museums, galleries, restaurants, breweries and other outdoor and cultural activities. The Nantahala National Forest surrounds the area, making outdoor recreation particularly easy to incorporate into a visit.
Can I stay in a cabin and work remotely in Franklin?
Franklin has numerous cabins and vacation rentals. Internet availability and speed can vary considerably by property and location, especially in mountainous or more remote areas. If connectivity is essential for your job, confirm the property’s internet service before booking.
How long should I stay for a Franklin workcation?
A four- or five-night stay can work especially well because it allows you to work during the week while still having time to explore Franklin and the surrounding mountains. Remote workers with flexible schedules can extend their trip through the weekend without using vacation days for the entire stay.
Work Remotely. Relax Locally.
You don’t have to choose between getting your work done and getting away for a while.
In Franklin, North Carolina, your workday can still include everything it needs — Wi-Fi, coffee, lunch and a place to focus — while your time off looks completely different.
Trade the commute for a mountain view. Take your lunch break beside the Little Tennessee River. Close the laptop and head for a trail, waterfall or downtown restaurant.
Bring the work with you.
Leave the ordinary workweek at home.
