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Capital of Kentucky, United States
Photo: Mobilus In Mobili, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. Downtown Frankfort is characterized by charismatic, old-fashioned, antebellum style buildings holding shops, cafes, restaurants and museums. A small city of about 25,000 residents, it is in the Bluegrass Region about 50 miles (80 km) from the state's largest city of Louisville and 25 miles (40 km) from Lexington.
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The gravesite of Daniel and Rebecca Boone in a setting overlooking the city of Frankfort. Other notables buried in the cemetery are Presley Neville O' Bannon, first American to raise the American flag on foreign soil and inspire "The Shores of Tripoli" in the Marine hymn; artist Paul Sawyier; Joel T. Hart; Theodore O'Hara, author of "Bivouac of the Dead"; professional wrestling valet Elizabeth Hulette, better known as Miss Elizabeth; Vice President Richard M. Johnson; and 17 Kentucky Governors.
Features the only monument in the state honoring Kentucky's African American Civil War Soldiers. It is one of only four monuments in the country dedicated to African American Civil War Soldiers. The 14-ft (4 m) monument was erected by the Colored Women's Relief Corps in 1924.
Built in 1855, this covered bridge is the only example of a Howe Trussed bridge in the state of Kentucky. It has been restored from major flood damage, which occurred in 1997. An area by the bridge offers a peaceful place to picnic.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is on an ancient buffalo crossing that became a pathway for westward moving explorers, pioneers and settlers. Distilling began here over two centuries ago, making it the oldest distilling site in the United States. The distillery boasts 12 of the largest fermenters in the industry, and a four-story still tower.
Short walk includes 167,000 sq ft (15,500 m2) Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, and two National Historic Register treasures: the 1830s Greek Revival Old State Capitol and the 1850s Old State Arsenal. 12,000 years of rich Kentucky history, inspiring architecture, exhibits and collections examining Kentucky's culture, politics and military history. The remolded exhibit "Hall of Governors" is also worth seeing. The museum is also home to state of the art archives that can be visited during normal business hours.
Located on the West Lawn of the Capitol Grounds and planted with thousands of colorful flowering plants, the face of this clock is 34 feet (10 m) in diameter.
Coffee Tree Rd., off the East-West Connector (KY 676). Overlooking the city, the names of all Kentuckians who died in Vietnam are etched in granite beneath the memorial sundial, with the point of the gnomon's shadow actually touching the veteran's name on the anniversary of his death. Recognized as one of the most original and unusual memorials in the nation.
The oldest official executive residence in the U.S. still in use. The federal mansion was home to 33 Kentucky governors from 1798-1914. Seven U.S. presidents visited. Still the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, but no holder of that office has lived in the mansion since 2003. (A 1992 change to the state constitution stripped the position of almost all of its constitutional duties, making it unnecessary for lieutenant governors to live in Frankfort.) The Governor's mansion, constructed of native limestone, was modeled after the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's summer villa. Tour includes the state dining room, ballroom, reception room and formal salon.
This national landmark was Kentucky's seat of government from 1831 - 1910. Greek Revival structure includes a unique, self-supporting staircase held together by precision and pressure.
Completed in 1910, the Beaux Arts design features 70 columns, decorative murals and sculptures of Kentucky dignitaries. Also, the First Lady Doll Collection, changing history and culture exhibits are featured on the first floor.
Built in 1900, by George Franklin Berry, a prominent distiller, this Georgian Revival mansion is situated on a bluff overlooking the State Capitol. The most outstanding feature is an elaborate music room built in Gothic Revival style with pipes rising behind an intricately carved oak grill, with a massive cathedral organ. Wood carvers spent two years carving ornamentation for this one room.
Liberty Hall (1796) is the Federalist style mansion of Kentucky's first senator, John Brown. This architectural masterpiece from Kentucky's first decade is lavishly decorated with local antiques owned by four generations of Browns that lived in the house. The grounds contain the largest formal boxwood garden in Kentucky with nearly three acres (1.2 hectares) of beautiful, perennial and annual borders.
The Greek-Revival Orlando Brown House, built in 1835, is the residence designed by Kentucky's most famous architect Gideon Shryock and gifted by John Brown to his son. It is splendidly furnished with antiques owned by the three generations of the Brown family that lived there until 1954.
Frank Lloyd Wright, recognized as the greatest American architect, designed his only house built in Kentucky for the Rev. Jesse R. Zeigler. The 1910 prairie-style house, now completely restored by Jane and Jim Brockman, has a lighted stained glass case surrounding the fireplace at the ceiling, the only one designed by Wright during his prairie period.
Scenic overlook allows visitors a panoramic view of the city of Frankfort and the State Capitol, nestled in the Kentucky River valley.
Park situated on hill overlooking over the city that was the site of two Civil War forts, plus a log cabin.
Observe wildlife at a bio-diverse bird blind, hiking trails, and numerous events. Operated by the National Audubon Society, the fields, forests and wet areas are a haven for birds, mammals and wildflowers. Hiking trails meander about this 374 acre (151 hectares) nature center nestled along the Kentucky River.
An educational center with interactive and interpretive exhibits featuring native plants and animals. Scheduled wildlife education programs for children and adults are offered year round.
Josephine Sculpture Park is free and open every day from dawn until dusk. Experience our rotating exhibit of large outdoor sculptures and community artworks in the beauty of Kentucky's native, rural landscape. Enjoy the art and the outdoors on foot or on bike through artist-led or self guided tours.
18-hole golf course.
9-hole, Par 3 family golf course.
6 miles (10 km) of trails and parkland encompassing springs, waterfalls, and wooded hillsides.
Guided trail rides and horse rentals for all levels. Picnic sites, hayrides, indoor classroom and restroom facilities. Cold drinks and snacks available. Various lesson packages for children and adults. Come have fun.
Canoe Kentucky provides a network of water adventures: canoeing, kayaking, duckies, tubing, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking and caving. Canoe Kentucky's environmental/educational training division offers kayak and canoe classes with certified instructors. Guided or self-guided canoe trips and raft rentals available over mild whitewater Class I and II, depending on the stream.
Tours with a focus ranging from bourbon distilleries to history of the capital, or just sunset cruises.
The Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe offers weekly live music by top regional and national musicians. Performances are typically of the bluegrass, folk, singer/songwriter, and Americana genres. Homemade soups, sandwiches, breakfast and desserts available all day, along with a wide selection of organic coffees and, wine, handcrafted cocktails, micro-brew beers.
Enter a circa 1849-Civil War Home with the charm and history of yesteryear. Located in the heart of the Historic District, you'll enjoy your stay in a home rich in the history of Frankfort's political forefathers.
U.S. 60. 61 rooms. Cable TV with HBO, complimentary continental breakfast, outdoor pool, senior citizen discounts, rooms with refrigerators, non-smoking rooms.
189 rooms. Located Downtown, adjacent to Frankfort Convention Center. Within walking distance of KY History Center, Historic District, downtown shops and restaurants. 7 executive suites. Interior corridors. Meeting and banquet facilities for 500. Covered parking. Restaurant and bar on site. Hot breakfast buffet. Indoor pool, sauna, exercise room and game room.
123 rooms. Interior corridors. Meeting facilities for up to 80 people. Outdoor pool and exercise room. Handicap accessible. Complimentary Continental Breakfast.
67 rooms, 3 jacuzzi suites, indoor heated swimming pool, 24 hour guest laundry, fitness center, business center, and meeting room.
US 460 East. At the forks of Elkhorn Creek, campground offers electric, water and full hookups. Tent and trailer sites, camp store, swimming pool, showers, dump station, fishing, miniature golf, LP gas, laundry, playground and pavilion.
US 127 North. Located on the Kentucky River, at the mouth of Elkhorn Creek. RV & tent areas have water/electric at all sites and sewer to most RV sites. Two primitive camping areas. Camp store, concessions, dump station, and bathhouse. Boat ramps, bait, canoeing and kayaking on the Kentucky River and Elkhorn Creek. Fishing, skiing, hiking, and old fashioned recreation.
Features electric and water hookups, primitive camping, and bathhouse, 25-ft (7.5 m) barbecue pit, two shelter houses, cable TV, RV supplies, propane gas, sewer hookups to all campsites, Kentucky River boat ramp, fishing, playground and laundry facilities.
Campground shares facility with Lakeside Arena.
Completely Kentucky is proud to offer the work from over 450 of Kentucky's best artisans. Large selection of Kentucky arts and crafts and Kentucky gourmet foods.
Jessie's feature collectible reproductions of original oil paintings by American artists. You will find signed and numbered limited edition prints and canvases, along with a large collection of the most popular open edition prints available.
Rebecca Ruth Candy is world-famous as the originators of bourbon candy. This business was co-founded in 1919 by two ladies, Rebecca and Ruth, at a time when few women ventured into business. Today Ruth Booe's grandson is owner and operator of this unique confectionery landmark. Factory tour highlights include free samples, an antique cooking furnace with hand stirred copper kettles and a 15-foot marble slab named "Edna's Table". Rebecca Ruth makes over 100 varieties of confections and mail orders candy worldwide.
A gift shop full of unique and one of a kind gifts. Browse the two floors for that very special gift for any occasion. Adjacent tearoom/cafe open for lunch M-Sa 11AM to 2PM.
By plane
By train
There is no Amtrak service to Frankfort.
By bus
Buses into Frankfort are scarce, but Blue Grass Community Action does offer limited bus service to and from Lexington. Call +1-800-456-6588 at least 24 hours in advance to reserve.
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