Walkable communities are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. More people are looking for neighborhoods that make it easier to spend less time driving and more time enjoying everyday life. A walkable community encourages a healthier, more connected lifestyle by making it easy to access parks, trails, local businesses, and gathering places.
Walkable living doesn’t mean everyone walks everywhere, nor does it exclude those who rely on mobility aids or prefer to drive. Instead, it means having the freedom to choose. Whether you enjoy walking, use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, or simply appreciate shorter trips and convenient access to parks, shops, and community spaces, a thoughtfully planned neighborhood can make everyday life easier and more connected. It’s about creating options, not expectations.
At Sanctuary Village in Franklin, North Carolina, creating a walkable community wasn’t an afterthought—it was one of the guiding principles behind the community’s design. Located just a few blocks from Historic Main Street and the Little Tennessee River Greenway, Sanctuary Village makes it easy to incorporate walking into everyday life. While every resident creates their own rhythm, here’s what a typical day at Sanctuary Village can look like.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Begin the day with a cup of coffee on your porch before stepping outside for a morning walk through tree-lined streets and neighborhood parks. Then, within just a few blocks, you can set off on an invigorating loop that follows the Little Tennessee River Greenway, winds through Historic Main Street, and brings you back home.
Right next to the Greenway entrance, you’ll find the Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Orchard. It’s worth taking a few minutes to stroll among the heritage apple trees or pause to read about the orchard’s history before continuing your walk. Once on the Greenway, the sounds of the Little Tennessee River replace the sounds of traffic. Along the way, you’ll see joggers, neighbors walking their dogs, cyclists, birdwatchers, and others simply enjoying a peaceful morning outdoors.
From there, it’s easy to continue the loop into Historic Main Street. You might stop for breakfast at Not Just Donuts for a fresh bagel, breakfast sandwich, or, of course, a donut, or enjoy one of Franklin’s favorite breakfast spots, Brooklyn Bagels, before making your way home. Before long, the walk feels less like exercise and more like a natural part of your daily routine.
For many people, staying active becomes part of everyday life rather than something that has to be planned.
Tip: This loop can be enjoyed in either direction. We often head toward Historic Main Street first because the climb into downtown is more gradual. On days when we’re in the mood for a little extra exercise, we start on the Greenway and tackle the steeper hill into town instead.
Explore Downtown Franklin
One of Sanctuary Village’s defining characteristics is that it’s a walkable community located just a few blocks from Historic Main Street. Instead of planning a special trip downtown, visiting Main Street can become part of your everyday routine.
Perhaps you meet a friend for lunch, browse a favorite boutique, or stop for a treat at Main Street Coffee & Yogurt, where a specialty coffee or frozen yogurt makes a pleasant afternoon break. If you’re in the mood for something different, Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault offers handcrafted coffee, hand-dipped ice cream, and the nostalgic charm of an old-fashioned general store.
It’s the kind of place where you can linger without an agenda—window shopping, chatting with familiar faces, or simply enjoying the relaxed pace of a mountain town.
Throughout the year, Main Street becomes the heart of many community traditions. From lively festivals and holiday parades to summer evenings at Pickin’ on the Square and the annual PumpkinFest, there’s often something happening that invites residents to slow down and join in.
When downtown is only a short walk from home, everyday errands become pleasant outings, and community events feel like a natural extension of neighborhood life rather than destinations that require planning.
Discover Something New
Franklin rewards curiosity. Beyond its locally owned shops, restaurants, and cafés, the town offers opportunities to explore the history, culture, and traditions that have shaped this mountain community.
Spend some time at the Macon County Historical Museum, where exhibits tell the story of the people and events that helped define the region. Visit the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum to discover why Franklin is known as the “Gem Capital of the World,” or explore the Scottish Tartans Museum, the first museum in the United States dedicated to preserving and celebrating Scottish Highland dress, tartans, and heritage.
If you enjoy learning through storytelling, seasonal historic walking tours and ghost tours offer a different perspective on downtown Franklin, sharing the legends, architecture, and colorful history that make the town so distinctive.
Living within walking distance means these experiences don’t have to wait for visiting family or a special occasion. They can simply become part of an ordinary afternoon, adding another layer to the everyday pleasures of living in a walkable community.
Learn, Create, and Be Inspired
One of the pleasures of living in a vibrant small town is having opportunities to explore new interests and develop existing ones. Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious to try something different, Franklin offers ways to stay creative and engaged.
Located on Main Street, The Uptown Gallery showcases the work of talented local artists and hosts classes and workshops throughout the year. From painting and pottery to jewelry making and other creative arts, it’s a welcoming place to learn a new skill, meet people who share your interests, or simply enjoy the inspiration that comes from being surrounded by creativity.
For those who enjoy knitting, crochet, and other fiber arts, Silver Threads is a favorite downtown shop offering quality yarns, supplies, classes, and a welcoming community of fellow makers.
Living within walking distance of downtown means these opportunities are easy to weave into everyday life. Instead of planning a special trip, you can stop in for a class, browse a gallery, pick up supplies for your next project, or discover a new creative passion as part of an afternoon walk.
Walkable Life, by Design
A recent National Association of REALTORS® Community and Transportation Preference Survey found that 63% of Americans would pay more to live in a walkable community, and 59% would choose a smaller homesite in a walkable neighborhood over a larger lot that requires more driving. Those findings reflect the growing demand for walkable communities like Sanctuary Village. Meeting that demand, however, requires more than simply building homes close together. Truly walkable communities are the result of thoughtful planning, quality infrastructure, and a long-term commitment to creating places where daily life is more convenient, connected, and enjoyable.
That philosophy guided the design of Sanctuary Village from the very beginning. Located just a few blocks from Historic Main Street and the Little Tennessee River Greenway, the community was intentionally planned to make it easier to spend less time driving and more time enjoying the simple moments that enrich everyday life.
Whether it’s a morning walk along the Greenway, lunch with friends downtown, an afternoon art class, or an evening community event, these experiences become a natural part of everyday life rather than something that has to be planned.
That’s the beauty of walkable living. It’s not about walking everywhere—it’s about having the freedom to walk where it matters most.