Visit Frankfort Clinton Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the American town of Frankfurt in the state of Indiana! Experience the German Festival, visit the Paul-Bunyan countryside and enjoy traditional dishes such as the "Green Bean Casserole" or the "Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie". An unforgettable travel experience for lovers of German culture and American traditions!
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Frankfort, Indiana is on the map at all, you have to travel back to 1829 when a few brave settlers decided to plant a small piece of New England in the Middle West. The city grew slowly, survived the railway boom and developed into a tranquil County Seat, which today has more charm than an overpriced hipster café in downtown Chicago. I usually come by car over the I‐65, because the bus connections here are rather a nostalgic relic from the 80s – a short stop in the center of town and you are in the middle of happening without tormenting you through endless car search.
I don't understand the hype around the historic half-timbered houses, but the little town hall that looks like it had a hobby historian from the 19th century. Century designed, somehow has something authentic. Right next to this is the old prison, which today serves as a venue – perfect if you are looking for a place where you can ask yourself if you are visiting a concert or a prison exhibition. And yes, the Frankfort sights are not just an Instagram filter, they are real, slightly slanted highlights that remind you that not every city needs a glistening metropolitan motto to make fun. So, if you want to sniff a bit of history and not be crushed by tourist crowds, you're right here.
I have to confess that what I love most about Frankfort, Clinton County Courthouse is an imposing brick building that looks like a Victorian architect drank too much whiskey and then decided to build a little more columns. I stood there for the first time in the summer of 2022, while a local politician gave a speech that talked more about the importance of parking than about something meaningful. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the whole town becomes the “Friday Night Festival”. Nevertheless, when you look at the building from the outside, you can almost hear the echo of the old court negotiations – a bit like a historical Instagram filter image, just without a filter.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Frankfort Community Public Library. I once borrowed a book about the history of corn production, because I thought it was a typical Indiana theme. Instead, I found a cozy corner with an old record player who accidentally turned “The Beatles” – no joke, that was the highlight of my afternoon. The library has free Wi-Fi (which is almost a luxury property in a small town) and a café that offers more cakes than you should eat in a month. So if you're looking for a place to check your emails and feel like you're in a movie from the 80s, you're right here.
Directly next to the town hall (yes, the old town hall, which is now a small museum) Clinton County Historical Museum. I don't quite understand the hype about old agricultural machines, but they are exhibited there so well that you can almost hear the squeaking of the old piston engines when you listen carefully. Last year, I took a lead with a retired teacher who had more anecdotes about the 70s school closures than a politician about tax increases. Practical: The museum is free, and parking is right behind the building – a small, inconspicuous parking space that is rarely full, unless you are on the first Saturday of the month when the “Historic Saturday” takes place.
If you have enough of dusty halls, get on your way to Frankfort Riverwalk. The path stretches along the Wildcat Creek and offers a surprisingly beautiful view of the water – yes, I know Indiana is not famous for its rivers, but this is a real secret tip. I once observed a sunset there, while an older couple loudly discussed the “good old times”; that was almost more romantic than any Netflix series. Access is free, and parking is at the end of the path where a small parking lot is available for visitors – mostly empty, except when the local running team is doing the training.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Frankfort Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, the main road turns into a colorful collection of fresh vegetables, handmade cheese and a stand that is supposed to sell the best homemade apple cakes in the region. I tried an apple cake there that was so good that I almost forgot that I was just looking for a souvenir. Practical: The market starts at 8 a.m. and you can park your car right in front of the town hall – this is the only time I can use the word “practical” without a bit of sarcasm.
Last but not least, if you ask yourself what else you can see in Frankfort, just look at the Frankfort Brewing Company on. This is not exactly a historical landmark, but the local beers are really great, and the brewery area has a small outdoor area where you can enjoy a cool beer in the summer while you take a look at the old industrial building. I once visited a 12-hour brew workshop there – that was a bit like a crash course in chemistry, just that you can drink something in the end. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the grounds only have a small parking space, but if you arrive early enough, you will get a place before the locals touch their tractors.
If you now think that this is too much, let me give you a little hint: just search for “Frankfort Sights” in your favorite search engine, and you will notice that most of these places are recommended by locals because they actually have something to offer – not just because they are on a map. And that's the most beautiful thing about this city: it's honest, a bit selfish and always ready to receive you with a smile (or a slightly energized view).
I start my little Odyssey right next to the field path where the old cornfield merges into a sloping field plug mosaic, and make a detour Lebanonthat is only about 15 miles east of Frankfort. There, the city has its heart in a pretty, slightly weathered Courthouse Square to push a few cafes that have more charm than the whole city center of Frankfort together. I once ordered a cinnamon latte and watched the locals – a mix of farmers and commuters – argue about the weather as if it were the latest from politics. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday morning, then the car park in front of the town hall becomes a battlefield.
A short jump to the north leads me to Kokomo Speedway. I admit I was skeptical because I thought it was just another small round course for hobbyists. But the moaning of the engines, the glaring light of the floodlight system and the fact that the spectators here really cheer loudly (and not just about the radio), convinced me. I once ate a hot dog there, which was so dry that I almost felt he was a souvenir from the 80s. Parking is a bit messy at the weekend, but the organizers have released a few extra areas behind the main gate – a small comfort for those who do not want to push their car on foot.
Going south, where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway how a magnet works for any car fan that has ever heard a motor. I don't quite understand the hype about the “Indy 500”, but the museum there that tells the story of racing in Indiana is really fascinating. I had an old racer jersey there and almost felt I could suddenly sit in one of the legendary cars. Parking is a labyrinth of endless rows, and if you don't arrive early enough, you'll have to enjoy a walk of almost a kilometre – a small price for the adrenaline that awaits you here.
A few miles east of Indianapolis, almost halfway back to Frankfort, lies this Hoosier Heritage Village in Hamilton County. This is not an ordinary amusement park, but a lively open-air museum, which is the rural Indiana of the early 20th. It's over. I spent there a day when a real forge forged me a little horseshoe – that was the only time I got something out of metal I didn't want to throw away immediately. The entrance is free, parking is usually easy as long as you don't come on the first Sunday of a month when the village festival starts and the road becomes a parking lot for tractors.
If you prefer nature instead of engines, then the Tipecanoe River State Park a real secret tip. The river winds through dense forests, and the trails are so well maintained that you feel almost like in a movie – only without the excessive camera rides. I rented a canoe there and spent almost all the time philosophizing the sounds of ducks, while an angler spoke loudly about the “good old times”. Parking is easy to find at the main entrance, but on hot summer days it can be full, so rather early there.
Last but not least a short trip to Cedar Creek Trail, a 12-mile-long cycle path leading through fields, small villages and a few old barns. I once made a round with a friend, while we discussed why Frankfort never gets the attention it deserves. The trail is well signposted, parking at the entry points is usually free, and you can take a break at any time at one of the small picnic tables – ideal for letting the soul budge while thinking about the next destination.
So next time you think about what you can experience in the area of Frankfort, Center Township, Clinton, Indiana, remember: Frankfort Attractions are not only what you find in the city, but also the small treasures all around – from historic places to fast track to quiet nature trails. Pack your curiosity and let yourself be surprised by the less well-known corners.
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