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Frankfort, Kentucky

Frankfort

Located between Louisville and Lexington, Frankfort offers a chance to unwind, explore and enjoy true Southern hospitality in an elegant city. Kentucky is world-renowned for its bourbon and this capital city is home to several distilleries. Grab a Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport and follow the trail signs to learn about America’s Native Spirit. Each distillery offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you can learn about its history and take a sensory-rich walk through the bourbon-making process. Finish off with a tasting flight and sample authentic Kentucky bourbon balls. The Kentucky River offers activities for weekend water enthusiasts and daytime drifters.

Capital Fun

Kentucky’s capital city region is home to several distilleries, each offering its own spin on the spirit. Buffalo Trace Distillery, the longest continually operating distillery in the U.S., is also the most award-winning distillery in the world. Castle and Key Distillery sets up shop in a real castle, in which bourbon is crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Glenns Creek Distilling focuses on making single barrel bourbons from wild yeasts. Three Boys Farm Distillery is a family-owned craft distillery producing whiskeys and single barrel bourbons. Four Roses Distillery offers 10 handcrafted bourbons; single barrels and small batch blends. And no bourbon experience is complete without bourbon balls—rich, dark chocolate combined with Kentucky bourbon—sold at Rebecca Ruth Candy.

The Kentucky Supreme Courtroom with wood paneling and flags

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Explore the natural beauty of the Kentucky River with a day of play, a self-guided tour or a relaxing riverboat cruise. Rent a double-decker pontoon, stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe and set out to enjoy the river. Take a seat on the Trace of Kentucky to learn about Frankfort’s river history as it floats by. Hop aboard the first bourbon tour boat in the country and discover why the river was vital in the creation and development of America’s Native Spirit.

Home to History

Discover the history of the city, the river and the bourbon industry with a trip to the Capital City Museum. Take a tour of the Old State Capitol, which houses the Kentucky Supreme Court, or trek up to Fort Hill, home to two Civil War earthen military fortifications, to enjoy a scenic view of the city. Frankfort Cemetery contains the graves of Union and Confederate generals, and 17 Kentucky governors along with pioneer Daniel Boone.

Vintage cannon in a grass field

Pixabay

Hunting Grounds

Hunters should head north of the city to the numerous wildlife management areas on the banks of the river operated by the state. Deer and waterfowl are plentiful in the floodplain and inland hickory forests. Make sure you acquire a Kentucky state hunting license before heading out for game.

For More Information

Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist and Convention Commission

800-960-7200

www.visitfrankfort.com

Kentucky Department of Tourism

800-225-8747

www.kentuckytourism.com