Visit Frankfort Franklin Kentucky and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the natural wonders of Louisville, Kentucky: Falls of the Ohio and Bernheim Forest. Feel the charm of the historic city centre with the Waterfront Park and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Eat traditional dishes like Hot Brown or Burgoo in one of the many restaurants in the city. #Louisville #Kentucky #Travel Tips
Travelers from all over the world appreciate Frankfort sights due to their surprising mix of political history and small-scale charm. I grew up here, between the old brick houses and the modern office buildings, and every time I walk along the street, I feel like a time traveler who is torn back and forth between 1792, when the city was declared the capital, and today's government buildings. The city is located in the centre of Franklin County, more precisely in the Frankfort City-Township, and this is immediately felt when you take off the Interstate 64 and overlook the gentle hills of the Bluegrass – a sight that cries more to “Landhaus” than to “Capital City”.
Honestly, the political flair is not the only thing that enthuses me: the small cafes on Main Street serve coffee, which is stronger than most promises of choice, and the locals like to chat about the city's history while waiting for their horse trailers. Anyone who takes the bus from Louisville quickly realizes that the connection is surprisingly good; a short stop at the Frankfort station and you are in the middle of the happening. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype around the State Capitol – it's a beautiful building, but the true Frankfort sights are the people who live here, and the stories they tell while they stroll along the Kentucky River Promenade.
This guide invites you to stroll through Kentucky's slanted-charmant capital, where I want to share my favorite places – and a few of my slightly cynical comments – with you.
I always start with Kentucky State Capitol because the building is so majestic that you almost forget that the politicians here sometimes act as confused as we visitors. The dome-view from the outside is a real Instagram hit, but I confess: I don't understand the hype about the shiny marble columns – they feel like an overpriced appearance at the opera house. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then all of the surrounding counties will flow here to shoot “political” photos.
A short walk leads you to Old Governor’s Mansion, a house that has more stories to tell than most politicians who work here. I took part in a guided tour where the guide spoke more about the old wallpapers than about the governors – a real light for wallpaper lovers. The terrace offers a view over the city, and if you are lucky, you will see one of the rare but very proud squirrels that mark their precinct here.
If you have enough of politics and wallpapers, swing to St. Mary's Catholic Church. This is not only a church, but a small architectural miracle from the 19th century. I was there during a fair, and the choir sang so loud that I almost thought they would overtone the whole city centre – a good sign that there is still real passion, unlike some other attractions that taste more like tourist mass goods.
A bit off the hustle and bustle Old State House Museum. Here you can experience the history of Frankfort in the form of old furniture, documents and a rather dusty but fascinating collection of artifacts. I have found an old, handwritten protocol that documented the debate on the introduction of horse-cartridges in the 1800s – a real crunch for history freaks who believe that everything that is not digital is automatically more interesting.
Of course you can Frankfort Cemetery do not forget that looks more like a park than a cemetery. The artistic tombstones and the calm atmosphere make them a perfect place for a picnic. I once made a picnic with a friend there, while we discussed whether life after death is really as peaceful as the well-kept ways suggest here. And yes, the weather was perfect this day – a rare luck in Kentucky.
A short detour to Conrad-Caldwell House Museum gives you an insight into the life of the wealthy 19th families. Century. The Victorian institution is so opulent that you almost feel like being stuck in a time machine built only for the upper layer. I discovered an old porcelain that was so fine that I almost thought it could serve as a microscope object.
For those who prefer to love the water, there is the Riverfront Park at the Kentucky River. The river is wide and cozy here, ideal for a relaxed boat trip or just for sitting and watching people. I once met a local angler who told me that the best fish always bite at full moon – a tip I never tried because I prefer to enjoy the beer on the shore.
And because I can't forget that I'm here about Frankfort Attractions I add a last hint: if you want to feel the real heart of the city, then simply stroll through the city centre, past the small cafés, the local art galleries and the friendly faces that give you a smile that was not generated by a tourist app.
The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill – a piece of lively history that hides around 30 minutes south of Frankfort in Harrodsburg. I spent an afternoon there, while the children roamed in the museum and I fell in love with the artistically crafted furniture that still stand in the original style. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday morning, then the field behind the visitor center becomes a battlefield for the last free places.
A short trip to Hodgenville leads you to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. I don't understand the hype around the president, but the little log house where he saw the light of the world has something irresistible – a bit of dust, a bit of reverence and a shield that reminds you that you are standing on the floor of one of the few remaining birthplaces in the United States. The way there is lined with corn fields, and parking is an open field that you hardly miss when you drive to the south Highway 31.
If you have the heart of a real history lover, that is Perryville Battlefield State Historical Site A must. I was there on a windless autumn afternoon, when a small group of performances suddenly brought the field to life – cannon balls made of wood, drum beats and a narrator who knew more about the confusion of the confederates than I had about my own tax returns. The parking lot is small, but the terrain is so vast that you never really feel narrow.
A little bit of nature? The Kentucky River Palisades extends west of Frankfort along the river and offers a dramatic gorge that is best experienced at sunset. I made a picnic there, while a fisherman in the distance shouted loudly about the size of his pike – a real soundtrack for the soul. Access is via Route 62, and parking is usually a free space on the edge of the way, as long as you don't collapse with the local hiking groups on weekends.
For those who really want to understand the taste of Kentucky, the way to Versailles leads to Woodford Reserve Distillery. I have made a lead there that told more about the art of burning than I have ever found in a textbook. The special: The tasting in the cellar, where the light hardly penetrates through the thick walls, makes the aroma almost visually feel. The visitor center has a small parking lot that will be filled quickly when the tours start in the early afternoon – a good sign that you should be there in time.
A little adventure? The Red River Gorge is a bit further away (about 90 minutes drive), but the spectacular rock formations and the endless climbing routes are worth it. I remember an evening when I shared a beer with local climbers after a climbing section in the nearby huts, telling me that the area has been a magnet for “outdoor nerds” since the 1970s. The parking lot at the visitor center is large enough to host a few campers, but at the weekends it can quickly become full.
Last but not less impressive, the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade. I watched a sunrise over the natural stone bridge, while a few joggers in the background turned their rounds – an image that burns in because it is so simple and yet so majestic. The entrance to the park is free, parking is a large open area, but is quickly overrun by families with picnic blankets on holidays.
Next time you think about what you want to experience in the area of Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky, remember that Frankfort Attractions not only can be found in the city itself – they hide in the historical villages, along the river and in the wild hills that form the heart of this state.
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