Your Five-Minute Guide to Franklin
Whether you’re planning a campus visit for the first time, heading over for New Student Orientation, or gearing up for the fall semester, there’s plenty to do in Franklin when you get here. You can make the most of Dean College’s proximity to both Boston and Providence, but there’s also so much to take advantage of just steps from campus. Check out some of Franklin’s highlights that are all within walking distance from Dean.
Downtown Shops & Restaurants: Located on Main Street in the heart of Franklin, Dean is surrounded by local shops and restaurants. Enjoy a sit-down meal or order takeout with friends and family, grab a coffee and study fuel at a local café and shop local at one of the many stores and pop-up businesses around town. Check out a few popular local restaurants:
- The Cake Bar and Cafe
- Teddy Gallagher’s Irish Pub
- Franklin Pizza & Deli
- The Rome Restaurant
- Santa Fe Burrito Grill
Franklin Public Library: If you’re looking for a change of scenery while studying or additional books and resources, the Franklin Public Library is just across the street from campus. You can settle in for a study session, grab a book in between classes or participate in one of the library’s many events. Both the E. Ross Anderson Library on campus and the Franklin Public Library are also members of the Minuteman Library Network – which means if something isn’t on the shelves, you can request it from the network and pick it up at either library.
Franklin Town Common: When the weather’s nice, head to the Franklin Town Common for a day in the park. Relax with friends or participate in one of the town’s many festivals and events, like Concerts on the Common. Every Friday from June to October, the Town Common is also home to the Franklin Farmers Market, where you’ll find local vendors selling fresh produce, artisan food, crafts, gifts and so much more.
The Black Box: Beyond on-campus productions and performance groups, Franklin is rich in arts and culture. The Black Box is a local performing arts center that features performances by the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) and the Franklin School of the Performing Arts (FSPA), as well as a number of concerts throughout the year.
Boston and Beyond: Right next to campus is the Franklin/Dean MBTA Commuter Rail station, which gets you into the heart of Boston in just about 45 minutes. Explore the city on the weekends and take advantage of the wealth of internship and career opportunities available throughout Boston. You can even travel to and from campus for breaks – the train can take you into South Station for connections to Amtrak, additional MBTA Commuter Rail lines and Logan International Airport.
Looking for more things to do around Franklin and Dean College? Learn more about the local community.