Living in Franklinton, Columbus

Where is Franklinton?

Franklinton is bounded by the Scioto River to the north and east, I-70 and Harmon Avenue to the south, and Hilltop and West Columbus to the west. Across the river are Downtown and the Arena District, and Grandview Heights is a short drive to the northwest.

The neighborhood’s location puts several major Columbus destinations within a short drive. Times are approximate, outside rush hour:

• Downtown ColumbusAbout 5 min1.5 mi
• Arena DistrictAbout 5 min1.6 mi
• The Ohio State UniversityAbout 10 min4.4 mi
• Grandview HeightsAbout 10 min2.7 mi
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)About 20 min10.4 mi

Getting around

Franklinton has a Walk Score of 54, a Bike Score of 64 and a Transit Score of 40. Those are averages for a large neighborhood. In the eastern half, the arts district, Land-Grant and the riverfront are within a few blocks, and Downtown is a 15- to 20-minute walk across the Broad Street or Main Street bridge. Farther west, blocks get longer, and most residents drive for errands and groceries.

Cyclists have an advantage. The Scioto Trail runs along the river and connects to the Olentangy Trail, so a ride to Ohio State or out of town can start without much time on busy streets.

COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) bus routes connect the neighborhood with Downtown and the rest of the city. Line 10 runs along Broad Street, Line 6 along Sullivant Avenue and Line 9 along West Mound Street. For drivers, I-70, I-71, SR 315 and I-670 are all within a few minutes.

Housing in Franklinton

The housing stock is a mix of older frame houses on the residential blocks and newer apartment buildings near the river and on former industrial land. Warehouses converted into studios and event space fill in between.

Trace Quarter is one of the neighborhood’s newer residential communities, built on the former Mount Carmel West Hospital site. It puts residents close to Franklinton’s restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, parks and arts spaces, with Downtown just across the river.

Franklinton restaurants, bars and coffee

Franklinton’s food and drink scene mixes West Broad Street spots that have fed the neighborhood for decades with newer arrivals that came with the arts district.

• Tommy’s Diner: a West Broad Street staple since 1989, serving omelets, corned beef hash and gyros for breakfast and lunch.
• Land-Grant Brewing Co.: the neighborhood’s big taproom on West Town Street, with Ray Ray’s Hog Pit out front for brisket and ribs.
• Sweeney’s Walnut Street Tavern: a restored house turned 1950s-style neighborhood bar, where the bartenders spin vinyl.
• Brass Eye: a rooftop bar eight stories up on The Junto hotel, with patios facing Downtown and Franklinton.
• One Line Coffee: a West Rich Street café that roasts its own beans.
• Good Energy Café: a plant-based café inside the Idea Foundry building on West State Street.
• Callin’ Your Bluff Coffee: a Wild West-themed coffee pop-up at Land-Grant’s West Chapel Street space, known for creative espresso drinks.

Parks and outdoors

The Scioto River shapes much of Franklinton’s outdoor space, with trails and parks connecting the neighborhood to the larger Columbus riverfront.

West Bank Park, between Town and Main streets, is an open riverfront lawn that hosts a stage during Jazz & Rib Fest each summer.

Dodge Park on Sullivant Avenue includes a skate park with concrete bowls designed by Frank Hawk, father of professional skateboarder Tony Hawk.

Trace Quarter also includes a 1.7-acre public park within the community, giving residents another green space close to home.

For longer walks, runs and rides, the Scioto Trail runs along the river and connects to the Olentangy Trail. Across the Main Street Bridge, Bicentennial Park and the Scioto Mile extend the riverfront path into Downtown.

Things to do in Franklinton

Franklinton’s arts district keeps a steady calendar of its own, and the rest of central Columbus is right across the river.

Franklinton Fridays

Franklinton Fridays, held on the second Friday of each month, opens studios and creative spaces around the neighborhood for an evening of art, live music and pop-ups. See the Franklinton Arts District calendar for this month’s lineup.

Urban Scrawl

Urban Scrawl, central Ohio’s longest-running mural festival, brings artists together to paint murals live over a two-day event, with finished works supporting grants for local artists.

Museums and the Arena District

The neighborhood is also home to COSI (Center of Science and Industry) and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, both along the riverfront. For sports, concerts and larger events, the Arena District is about a five-minute drive away.

For current events in and around Franklinton, including resident events at Trace Quarter, see the Thrive event calendar.

Is Franklinton right for you?

Franklinton works well if you want a short commute to Downtown or the Arena District, like having studios, galleries and live music nearby, and want the Scioto Trail and riverfront parks close to home. Breweries, coffee shops and cultural events are all a short trip away.

If you would rather have a quiet suburban setting, extensive shopping outside your front door or a neighborhood where every errand can be handled on foot, another part of Columbus may be a better fit.