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Elkhorn Campground Frankfort, Kentucky |
Frankfort
Explore the Bluegrass State’s home to bourbon, architecture and fun
The scenic roads and leafy lanes that lead to Frankfort are as Bluegrass perfect as it comes. Think sprawling horse farms bordered by low-slung white fences and framed by undulating green hills. Kentucky’s historic and pretty capital, which unfurls on the banks of the Kentucky River, oozes Southern charm. Comprising red-brick homes splashed with ornamental whimsy, handsome historic buildings, luxuriant parks, centuries-old distilleries and ethereal cemeteries, Frankfort is a grand destination unto itself. Just outside of town, nature preserves and outdoor recreation add to Frankfort’s under-the-radar appeal.
Bourbon at Buffalo Trace
For non-Southerners keen to get under the skin of the state’s passion for bourbon, a tour of the Buffalo Trace Distillery is a marvelous eye-opener. Set amid 150 acres of manicured lawns and gardens, Buffalo Trace is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is a place to savor the nation’s “native spirit.” The distillery, which is named for its location on an ancient buffalo crossing, first opened its doors in 1787 and is (or contentiously claims to be) the oldest continuously operated distillery in the U.S.
For a different bourboun experience, check out Rebecca Ruth Candy Tours. This iconic maker of bourbon balls opens its doors to guests who like to mix their sweets with spirits.
Kaplansa
The Old and the Beautiful
Hailed as one of the finest state capitol buildings in the nation, Kentucky’s fourth and current Capitol building is a showstopper. Completed in 1910, the fabulous Beaux Arts confection is a Francophile’s dream. Designed by Frank Mills Andrews, the marble and granite structure is topped with a 190-foot dome which is a copy of Napoleon’s tomb in Paris. On a self-guided tour, you can check out the statues in the rotunda of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and Henry Clay. Even the beloved Col. Sanders, founder of finger-lickin’-good KFC, has been immortalized in stone. Behind the Capitol, Kentucky’s 34-foot-wide floral clock ranks as one of the town’s top attractions. Surmounted over a pool of water, it takes some 10,000 plants to fill the clock.
Known as the “Old Capitol,” Kentucky’s previous state Capital iteration was designed in Greek Revival style and served as the Capitol from 1830 to 1910. Now a museum run by the Kentucky Historical Society, it’s worth a visit to check out the self-supporting staircase, the only one of its kind in the world.
While in town, take a walk through the Frankfort Cemetery. This is home to the gravesite of Daniel Boone, the iconic pioneer who opened up much of Kentucky for settlement. Outdoorsy types will enjoy Cove Spring Park and Nature Preserve, which protects wetlands and forests near Frankfort’s northern limits.
For More Information
Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist and Convention Commission
800-960-7200
Kentucky Department of Travel
800-225-8747