If Kentucky can be described as the state of horses, bourbon and wine -- its capital Frankfort is at the heart of it all. Located on the banks of the Kentucky River, it is a quintessential river community with small town charm, rich history, and typical Southern hospitality. Stroll through the city to admire its fabulous architecture, especially the new and old capitol buildings, as well as the new and old governor mansions, which are open to the public. Get a sense of 200 years of city history at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, and learn about the way of life in old Kentucky at the Liberty Hall Historic Site.
Old State Capitol
Old State Capitol is a striking building in downtown Frankfort that served as the seat of the Kentucky government from 1831 to 1910 when it became too crowded and was replaced with the current capitol building. Young architect Gideon Shryock designed the building in the Greek Revival style to resemble a Greek temple with no windows in the front and an interesting self-supporting staircase held together by pressure and precision.
The building has been meticulously restored to its appearance from before the American Civil War. The Old State Capitol was converted into a museum in 1920 and today serves as the home of the Kentucky Historical Society, which manages the building and runs the tours for visitors. The building is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
300 W Broadway St, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-3016
New Capitol Building
Completed in 1910 in the Beaux-Arts style, the beautiful, stately building of today’s Kentucky's Capitol is the fourth building to be the home of the Kentucky government since 1792. Its predecessor still stands in downtown Frankfort. The building, designed by architect Frank Mills Andrews, has an elegant façade covered with Vermont granite and Indiana limestone.
The interior is decorated with brilliant white Georgia marble, dark green Italian marble, and gray Tennessee marble. The Capitol’s State Reception Room is used as a place for ceremonies and has hand-painted walls with murals and scagliola created to look like Gobelin tapestries. There is huge amount of art displayed all over the building. One of the most popular pieces is the Lincoln statue in the rotunda. There is also an interesting collection of dolls that belonged to various First Ladies.
New Capitol Building, 700 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-3449
Salato Wildlife Education Center
Just a few miles drive from Frankfort, Salato Wildlife Education Center is an educational facility on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources’ grounds with indoor and outdoor interpretive and interactive exhibits showcasing native animals and plants.
Visitors can see a range of Kentucky habitats – lush mountains, hilly prairies, marshes, running streams – and animals that make their home in them. Indoors, there is the Eastern Forest Diorama, live snakes, giant turtles, and native fish in huge aquariums. Miles of paved trails will take you to see bison, bears, and eagles. There are also habitats and gardens with flourishing native plants, picnic areas for a quiet weekend, and a lake to try your hand at fishing.
1 Sportsman's Ln, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-7863
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History
The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History is a 167,000 square-foot modern research facility and a museum. It also serves as the headquarters of the Kentucky Historical Society. The center has a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions and an extensive research library. The main permanent exhibit is called "A Kentucky Journey," and it provides insight into Kentucky and its inhabitants from prehistoric times to today. The Martin F. Schmidt Research Library is a history and genealogy research library.
It offers resources such as manuscripts, books, oral histories, and graphic collections about the places and people that made Kentucky what it is today. The library is popular among family historians who are trying to trace their genealogy. The center also has the Keeneland Changing Exhibits Gallery, which hosts various temporary exhibitions and a collection of Lincoln memorabilia.
100 W Broadway St, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-1792
Governor's Mansion
Kentucky's Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It has been home to 26 Kentucky governors since 1914. The mansion serves as the governor’s private home and an official public building. It is the center of the governor’s social, political, and ceremonial activities.
The mansion was completed in 1914 in the Beaux-Arts design, which took much of its inspiration from the Petit Trianon palace at Versailles, and its interiors are designed in French neoclassical themes. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kentucky's Governor's Mansion is one of the rare American executive residences that are open for public tours.
704 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-8004
Liberty Hall Historic Site
Liberty Hall Historic Site consists of two historic homes that John Brown, Kentucky's first senator, built for his family in a location surrounded by three acres of magnificent formal and informal gardens. Liberty Hall is a Georgian-style stately mansion Brown built in 1796, while the Orlando Brown House is a Greek-Revival house Brown built in 1835 for his son.
Both houses are decorated with well-preserved Brown family portraits, lovely furnishings, and a collection of Paul Sawyier watercolors. Visitors can participate in programs that demonstrate life in old Kentucky and feature activities such as hearthside cooking, crafts, music, activities for kids, seminars and lectures by eminent experts, exhibits, and events such as teas in the Orlando Brown parlor. There are daily guided tours of Liberty Hall. Access to the gardens is free of charge.
202 Wilkinson St, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-227-2560
Cove Springs Park
Located on the outskirts of Frankfort, Cove Springs Park is a beautiful 240-acre nature preserve and park that consists of wetlands, waterfalls, streams, springs, forests, ravines, and a number of historic features such as ruins of old stone dam and a crumbling limestone overflow tower.
The park is great area for hiking – there are six trails that total three miles together – environmental education, nature observation, picnicking, throwing Frisbee, and much more. Part of one trail is an elevated walkway over wetlands, and it has a number of interpretive signs. There are also two shelters with interpretative displays on the historic and natural features of the park.
100 Cove Spring Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-223-6965
Old Governor's Mansion
Completed in 1798, the Old Governor's Mansion in Frankfort is the oldest American official executive residence still in use, though it is the Lieutenant Governors of Kentucky who have been using the space since 1956. As the fashions changed, the building, which was originally designed in the Federal style, has undergone several changes, and certain Victorian details were added.
Thirty-five governors have lived and entertained at the mansion with their families. The last governor who lived here was James McCreary. The mansion served as the Governor’s office until 1872. Some of the important visitors to the mansion include Andrew Jackson, William Jennings Bryan, Henry Clay, and Theodore Roosevelt. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
420 High St, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-3449
Elkhorn Creek
Elkhorn Creek has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best smallmouth bass streams in Kentucky, but it also offers great opportunities for paddling and floating. Starting at the outskirts of Frankfort and flowing to the Kentucky River, this 17-mile scenic stretch of water offers enough adventures for anyone.
There are several campgrounds on its banks, and Canoe Kentucky rents boats and offers shuttle services. Fishing on the Elkhorn is so popular that there are now many yearly kayak fishing tournaments. There are some great stretches for paddlers and kayakers, and the rapids that can reach class III when the water levels are high offer some extra excitement.
Off Highway 1262, Frankfort, KY
Capital City Museum
Capital City Museum is a curious small museum in Frankfort that manages to depict 200 years of history of this charming historic small town with extraordinary exhibits displayed in what is basically one room. The museum is located in what is left of the famous 150-year-old Capital Hotel, which is itself a museum piece. There is a lot to see in a series of fascinating exhibits – from the assassination of Senator Goebel to the Kentucky River, Capitol Hotel, and Veteran’s Hall.
Collections of memorabilia cover such diverse aspects of life in Frankfort as local fire fighters, police department, various election buttons, early furniture, agricultural tools, and much else. Many history tours of Frankfort start at the museum. The museum also has a research library with maps, historic documents, books, journals, and genealogical information.
325 Ann St, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-696-0607
Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands on a hill overlooking the state capitol building. Completed in November of 1988, the memorial is an amazing piece of mathematics-based architectural design. It consists of a huge sundial with a stainless steel gnomon and a granite plaza beneath it.
The names of the 1104 Kentuckians who died in Vietnam are carved into the plaza, and the shadow of the dial touches each name on the anniversary of his death. The memorial is a majestic tribute to the fallen and garners large crowds of visitors each year.
365 Vernon Cooper Dr, Frankfort, KY 40601
The Vest-Lindsey House
One of the oldest homes in Frankfort, The Vest-Lindsey House is a federal-style mansion built in the early 1800’s. The house has undergone many changes over the years, but now has been restored to a style reminiscent of its original appearance.
Notable residents of the home include Senator George Graham Vest of Kentucky and Daniel Weisiger Lindsey, Inspector General of the Union Army’s forces in Kentucky. Many notable authors and artists have also visited the home, including Robert Wilson Burns and John Fox, Jr. Today the house is once again used as a state meeting house. Please contact the Division of Historic Properties for scheduling information.
401 Wapping Street, Frankfort, KY 40601-2607, Phone: 502-564-0900
Josephine Sculpture Park
The Josephine Sculpture Park is a rural park decorated with sculptures and artwork from international artists. Melanie Van Houten founded the park on the grounds of her grandparents’ farm. Guests can view and interact with dozens of works of art and explore native plants and wildlife.
In addition, the sculpture park offers workshops, classes, and theater events to further promote the arts in Kentucky. The park is open every from dawn until dusk and is free to the public. The grounds can also be rented for parties, weddings, and family gatherings for a rental fee.
3355 Lawrenceburg Rd, Frankfort, KY, Phone: 502-352-7082
The Floral Clock
On the grounds of the state capitol in Frankfort stands the beautiful Floral Clock. The clock was commissioned In 1961, by then-governor Bert. I Combs commissioned the clock, whose face stretches 34 feet across and is covered by flowers exclusively grown in the state of Kentucky.
Beneath the clock is a pool of water that is often used as a wishing well, and the coins thrown into the well are used to fund scholarships. The Floral Clock is one of the most-visited attractions in Frankfort and is open to the public every day from dawn until dusk.
700 Capital Ave., Frankfort, KY 40601
Switzer Covered Bridge
Kentucky is home to many scenic back roads and thirteen classic covered bridges. One of these bridges, the Switzer Covered Bridge, is part of route 1262 and crosses North Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County. The bridge was originally built in 1855 and has been restored three times throughout its 100-plus year history, most recently in 1998 after the original bridge was completely washed away in a flood.
The Switzer was designated as the official covered bridge of the state of Kentucky and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
0.1 miles east of SR 1689 (Switzer Rd) on SR 1262, Franklin County, KY
The Grand Theater
Experience the arts at The Grand Theater, Frankfort’s center for the arts. The Grand was originally constructed in 1911 as a vaudeville house. It was then used as a movie theater for decades. In the early 2000’s, The Grand was carefully updated to its current condition as a concert house and movie theater.
Live concerts, theater events, movies, art exhibits, and children’s theater events are held throughout the year. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the theater ticket office.
308 St. Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-352-7469
River View Park
River View Park is the perfect place to play, picnic, or just relax in Frankfort. It is situated on both sides of the Kentucky River and provides beautiful views of the water from many different angles. Guests can hike along the park’s trails, rent a kayak or canoe to take out on the water, and enjoy a picnic lunch at a shelter house overlooking the river.
The park also features 16 historical sites with information about prehistoric, Native American, and early settlers to the area. Guided tours are given seasonally, weather permitting.
404 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601
Leslie Morris Park at Fort Hill
Take a stroll through the past at Leslie Morris Park at Fort Hill. Fort Hill stands just outside of Frankfort and was the site of a Civil War skirmish between the Union troops and Confederate invaders. Two Civil War forts are preserved on the site, along with the Sullivan family log home. The park offers hiking trails, picnic pavilions, and beautiful views of downtown Frankfort.
It is open to vehicles year-round, and guided walking tours are available for free from Memorial Day through the end of October. The park can be reached on foot from downtown Frankfort via a trail that starts behind the Capitol plaza.
400 Clifton Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-696-0607
Kentucky Military History Museum
For more than 200 years, the men and women of Kentucky have been involved in the military. That rich history is on display at the Kentucky Military History Museum, which is housed in the building that served as the state arsenal for over 100 years.
Women manufactured munitions for the Civil War in this very location. Today, military items such as rifles, bullets, and helmets are on display, and the stories of Kentucky’s soldiers are recounted here.
125 E Main St., Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-564-1792
Juniper Hill Golf Course
The 18-hole Juniper Hill Golf Course has been one of the most popular courses in the state of Kentucky since its opening in 1957. Today, the course offers golf associations for men, women, seniors, and children, as well as golf tournaments and charity events, and the yearly Governor’s Open attracts top golf professionals from around the country.
Rates for 9 or 18 holes of golf are available to non-members for very affordable rates. Tee times must be booked one week in advance. The course also has tennis courts and a small pro shop.
800 Louisville Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601, Phone: 502-875-8559
