Franklin Street Inn is located in a historical neighborhood only steps from downtown Appleton.

A short walk gets you to:

• Lawrence University -  (1 block) Enjoy art, musical performances, theater, cultural events and outdoor sculpture at the second co-educational college in this country.

  

   
• The History Museum at the Castle  This museum features exhibits on Houdini, Edna Ferber, and local history. (2 blocks)

  

   
• Houdini Historical Walking Tour - Visit the birthplace Harry Houdini and other historic sites of one of Appleton’s most famous citizens.
   
• Fox Cities Performing Arts Center -  Enjoy the best in live entertainment at Northeastern Wisconsin’s premier performing arts venue! (5 blocks)  



• Paper Discovery Center –  Explore the world of paper in this fun, hands-on Paper Discovery Center which also contains the International Hall of Fame exhibit.
   
• City Park, the oldest Appleton Park with tennis courts and playground equipment, is around the corner from the inn.
   
• Many ethnic restaurants and pubs. (2 blocks)
   
• A historical walking map of the area is available with all houses described in our neighborhood, the Historical City Park area.
   
• Specialty shops and the Downtown Avenue Mall (2 blocks).

A short drive gets you to:

Sports

• Golf - A Golf Package is available for the Winagamie Golf Course in Appleton. Combine your stay at the inn with a golf outing!
   
• Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Baseball - Home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Class “A” affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. You can experience the tailgating, giveaways, promotions, and great baseball.
   
• Green Bay Packers - Come visit Lambeau Field for a game or walk through the Packers’ Hall of Fame.
   
• Wisconsin International Raceway - WIR is a multipurpose motor sports facility presenting weekly programs on both oval tracks and the quarter-mile drag strip.
   
• Badgers Sports Park - Miniature golf, batting cages, Nascar Go-Karts, game room, laser tag, and inflatables.
   
• Experimental Aircraft Association - Home of EAA Air Venture, Oshkosh. Encourages & supports recreational aviation.
   
• Laser Quest - Live action laser tag at its best.
   
• Funset Boulevard - The midwest’s finest family entertainment center: carousel, train, mini golf, laser tag, batting cages, Hollywood themed restaurant, giant kids playground.
   

Museums/Gallery

• Bergstrom-Mahler Museum - Housed in a historic mansion, this museum holds one of the largest and finest glass paperweight collections in the world.
   
• The Trout Museum of Art - The Trout Museum of Art’s mission is to promote, teach and nourish the creation and appreciation of the visual arts.
   
• Air Venture Museum – A museum dedicated to the preservation & display of aircraft. Features over 20,000 historic aviation objects. More than 100 airplanes on display as well as flight simulators and airplane rides. Oshkosh, WI
   
• Weis Earth Science Museum – Experience Wisconsin geology while having lots of interactive, hands-on fun at the state’s official mineralogical museum.
   
• Paine Art Center & Gardens – An exquisite 1920’s mansion with historic interiors, an exceptional art collection and breathtaking display gardens. In Oshkosh.

Historical

• Hearthstone Historic House Museum This beautiful residence, featuring carved woods and stained glass, is the first to be lit by a central hydroelectric station. Rare Edison light switches and electroliers are still in operation.
   
• Charles A. Grignon Mansion - Tour an 1837 Greek Revival Mansion with stunning architecture and authentic décor.
   
• Doty Island Historical Tour – (920) 751- 4614  View the homes of some of the areas earliest industrialists as well as the parks and bridges of Doty Island.
   
• Tayco Street Bridge Museum – (920) 967-5155  Historic photos and artifacts bring the job of a bridge-tender to life.

Nature

• Heckrodt Wetland Reserve – 65 acres of forested wetland Handicapped accessible trails allow year round access. Nature programs are available.
   
• Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve – Go on an eight mile hike or ski adventure through 775 acres of prime wildlife habitat. Visit the earth sheltered nature center building, also.
   
• Gardens of the Fox Cities – Visit a quiet place where you can be in harmony with nature while visiting the garden displays or hiking the trails.
   
• High Cliff State Park - Park provides picnic areas, hiking trails, and a visitor center as well as a boat marina.
   
• 1000 Islands Environmental Center – Stroll along riverbank trails, hike nearby woods, and keep your eye to the sky for a chance to see bald eagles that nest here. Nature center with trophy mounts from North America, Africa, & Asia as well as several other cities.

Entertainment

• Barlow Planetarium - Wisconsin’s premier planetarium offers star shows and laser shows.
   
• Weidner Center in Green Bay – Performing Arts 

Shopping

• Fox River Mall
   
• Fox River Antique Mall
   
• Harp Gallery Antiques
   
• Factory Outlet Mall (Oshkosh)
   
• Simon’s Cheese Factory Store - Come take a tour and try a taste of real Wisconsin cheese.
   
• Kerrigan Brothers Winery - Tours and tastings are available daily. Cheese carvings are also made to order.