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5 Fantastic Ways to Explore Frankfort
Most people know Frankfort as the historic home of Buffalo Trace – the most award-winning bourbon distillery in the world – but there’s much more to explore in Kentucky’s capital city. Beyond Frankfort’s signature attraction, you’ll find a vibrant food scene, dazzling public art and a spirited history all wrapped up in a charming riverfront setting.
In fact, here are five great reasons to plan your next getaway to Frankfort, a special place in the heart of the Bluegrass State that offers the best of Kentucky … distilled.
Historic Walking Tour
What better way to start your visit than on a Historic Walking Tour of Frankfort’s charming downtown? Follow a costumed local historian who will share stories to entertain and educate you, or just grab a map at the Visitor Center at 300 St. Clair St. to explore more than 40 points of interest at your own pace.
Enrich your experience by diving into 200 years of local history at Capital City Museum, learning more at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History or strolling the grounds of the Kentucky State Capitol.
Public Art
More than just the state capitol, Frankfort is also the “Public Art Capital of Kentucky” thanks to a vibrant display of colorful murals, dynamic sculptures and unique architecture sprinkled throughout the town and in Riverview Park.
The Frankfort Public Art Tour curated by Josephine Sculpture Park offers a closer look at juried displays that change every two years, or you can take a self-guided walk to soak up the sights.
Don’t miss the Floral Clock boasting more than 10,000 blooms or the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, crafted as a giant sundial that casts a shadow on the name of each veteran etched in a granite plaza on the anniversary of his death.
Local Flavors
If you’d expect lots of variety on the area’s culinary scene, you’d be right. Kentucky’s capitol city offers everything from local cafés and bakeries to barbecue and bar-and-grills to seafood, Asian, Italian, Mexican and more!
Kickstart your day with a hot cup o’ joe from Kentucky Coffeetree Café and a sweet treat from B’s Bakery, where the owner once worked on the set of Food Network’s “Pioneer Woman.” Grab lunch at Buddy’s Pizza or Staxx BBQ. Toast happy hour at Capital Cellars, then settle in for a meal full of local flavors at Bourbon on Main. Or for waterfront food and drinks in season, a fun time awaits at Willie’s Tiki Bar at Benson Marina on the Kentucky River!
Riverboat Tours
With a city so famous for its river and bourbon, you can’t miss this opportunity to enjoy both at once.
Kentucky River Tours offers the only boat-based bourbon tour in the country. Climb aboard the “Bourbon Boat” to enjoy the newest, coolest way to learn about our signature spirit on a cruise that combines river history, bourbon culture and a whole lot of fun. Other tours explore a unique section of the downtown riverfront or offer stunning sunset excursions.
Award-Winning Bourbon
And, of course, there’s the bourbon itself.
Situated in a historic setting along the Kentucky River in the same path buffalo once carved through the wilderness, Buffalo Trace has celebrated the adventurous spirit of America’s early explorers by crafting award-winning bourbon for more than 200 years. You can stroll some of the distillery’s 130-acre grounds on your own, or take a fascinating guided tour followed by an equally enjoyable tasting. (For a unique experience, guided paddle tours combine a few hours on the water with lunch and a distillery tour, too!)
While in the area, don’t miss Castle & Key for a tour of the distillery, castle, boiler room, sunken garden, botanical trail and springhouse, then enjoy hand-crafted bourbon at Glenns Creek Distilling. Cap off your visit by sipping single-barrel bourbon and whiskey on a 122-acre farm at Three Boys Farm Distillery just outside of town in Graefenburg.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to discover the best of Kentucky … distilled? Plan your getaway at VisitFrankfort.com.
In fact, here are five great reasons to plan your next getaway to Frankfort, a special place in the heart of the Bluegrass State that offers the best of Kentucky … distilled.
Historic Walking Tour
What better way to start your visit than on a Historic Walking Tour of Frankfort’s charming downtown? Follow a costumed local historian who will share stories to entertain and educate you, or just grab a map at the Visitor Center at 300 St. Clair St. to explore more than 40 points of interest at your own pace.
Enrich your experience by diving into 200 years of local history at Capital City Museum, learning more at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History or strolling the grounds of the Kentucky State Capitol.
Public Art
More than just the state capitol, Frankfort is also the “Public Art Capital of Kentucky” thanks to a vibrant display of colorful murals, dynamic sculptures and unique architecture sprinkled throughout the town and in Riverview Park.
The Frankfort Public Art Tour curated by Josephine Sculpture Park offers a closer look at juried displays that change every two years, or you can take a self-guided walk to soak up the sights.
Don’t miss the Floral Clock boasting more than 10,000 blooms or the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, crafted as a giant sundial that casts a shadow on the name of each veteran etched in a granite plaza on the anniversary of his death.
Local Flavors
If you’d expect lots of variety on the area’s culinary scene, you’d be right. Kentucky’s capitol city offers everything from local cafés and bakeries to barbecue and bar-and-grills to seafood, Asian, Italian, Mexican and more!
Kickstart your day with a hot cup o’ joe from Kentucky Coffeetree Café and a sweet treat from B’s Bakery, where the owner once worked on the set of Food Network’s “Pioneer Woman.” Grab lunch at Buddy’s Pizza or Staxx BBQ. Toast happy hour at Capital Cellars, then settle in for a meal full of local flavors at Bourbon on Main. Or for waterfront food and drinks in season, a fun time awaits at Willie’s Tiki Bar at Benson Marina on the Kentucky River!
Riverboat Tours
With a city so famous for its river and bourbon, you can’t miss this opportunity to enjoy both at once.
Kentucky River Tours offers the only boat-based bourbon tour in the country. Climb aboard the “Bourbon Boat” to enjoy the newest, coolest way to learn about our signature spirit on a cruise that combines river history, bourbon culture and a whole lot of fun. Other tours explore a unique section of the downtown riverfront or offer stunning sunset excursions.
Award-Winning Bourbon
And, of course, there’s the bourbon itself.
Situated in a historic setting along the Kentucky River in the same path buffalo once carved through the wilderness, Buffalo Trace has celebrated the adventurous spirit of America’s early explorers by crafting award-winning bourbon for more than 200 years. You can stroll some of the distillery’s 130-acre grounds on your own, or take a fascinating guided tour followed by an equally enjoyable tasting. (For a unique experience, guided paddle tours combine a few hours on the water with lunch and a distillery tour, too!)
While in the area, don’t miss Castle & Key for a tour of the distillery, castle, boiler room, sunken garden, botanical trail and springhouse, then enjoy hand-crafted bourbon at Glenns Creek Distilling. Cap off your visit by sipping single-barrel bourbon and whiskey on a 122-acre farm at Three Boys Farm Distillery just outside of town in Graefenburg.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to discover the best of Kentucky … distilled? Plan your getaway at VisitFrankfort.com.