If you are looking to relax in a quaint setting, take in the fresh country air, enjoy live entertainment or historical museums, or visit a local zoo, then you have come to the right place! The City of Franklin and the County of Southampton are affordable options for all travelers, including senior citizens, couples, and families.
The two communities offer a wide variety of attractions, ranging from historical walking tours and museums to popular concert series.
Arts & Culture
Farms
Zoo
Arts & Culture
Boykins Museum
The Boykins Museum preserves the rich, rural railroad history of Southampton County. The 1840 train station serves as a country store with antique automobiles and other antiquities on display.
31584 Main Street
Boykins, VA 23827
(757) 654-9550
The Elms (See the Camp Family Historic Home by appointment only)
The Elms is the former home of the historic Camp Family who helped to found the growth and prosperity of the City of Franklin. Because it displays a life-size Santa, complete with sleigh and reindeer atop its three stories each year from Thanksgiving through New Years Day, it is often referred to by youngsters as The Santa Claus House. The Elms Foundation now operates out of the home, which has on display one of only two complete Dorothy Doughty bird collections in the world!
717 Clay Street
Franklin, VA 23851
(757) 562-3439
Franklin Southampton Visitors Center & Museum
The Franklin Southampton Visitors Center and Museum has a pleasant staff of volunteers who will assist you with questions regarding the community and who can also describe the many historic items on display there. The Downtown Franklin Association also houses their offices here, working to ensure the long-term viability of the downtown district as a cultural destination.
www.downtownfranklinva.org
120 South Main Street
Franklin, VA 23851
(757) 562-6900
Southampton Agriculture Museum
The Southampton Agriculture Museum is located on 10 acres of land with outdoor and indoor exhibits of more than 7,000 items, many of which are more than 200 years old. The Heritage Village on campus includes a 1950's Country Store, a one-room school house, a country dwelling, a 4-seater outhouse, and much, much more.
26135 Heritage Lane
Courtland, VA 23837
(757) 653-9554
Rawls Museum Arts
Rawls Museum Arts offers world-class art exhibitions that are constantly changing, state-of-the-art educational programs, as well as opportunities for community involvement in the arts for all ages. To see a calendar of art shows and exhibits, click here. Displays present a wide range of modern and classical art, emerging artists, regional artists, and displays from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
www.rawlsarts.com
22376 Linden Street
Courtland, VA 23837
(757) 653-0754
Farmers Markets
Courtland Farmers Market
The Courtland Farmers Market is seasonal and open on Thursdays at 6:30.
Southampton Business Park
24540 Agri-Park Drive
Courtland, VA 23837
(757)
Franklin Farmers Market
The Franklin Farmers Market's prime season begins on the third Saturday in May and continues through the last Saturday in October. Hours of operation are from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Off-season begins on the second Saturday in November, and runs through the last Saturday in February, with hours of operation from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm.
www.downtownfranklinva.org/page/franklin-farmers-market
210 South Main Street
Franklin, VA 23851
(757) 562-6900
Zoo
Bear Path Acres
Bear Path Acres Animal Educational Center is open to the general public to enjoy in a quiet country setting that is an educational and fun experience. Animals range from buffalo and emus to lemurs and black leopards. (Lions, and tigers, and bears… oh my!)
www.bearpathacres.com
34574 Smith Ferry Road
Franklin, VA 23851
(757) 516-8774
