Information
City: FrankfortCountry: USA Kentucky
Continent: North America
Frankfort, USA Kentucky, North America
Overview
Frankfort, founded in 1786 on the banks of the Kentucky River, became Kentucky’s capital in 1792 when the state entered the Union.Sitting right on the riverbank, it quickly became a hub for traders unloading crates and officials setting up offices.The city still holds onto its historic charm, from grand old government buildings with weathered stone columns to century-old homes and lively cultural landmarks.Government and Landmarks: In the heart of Frankfort, the neoclassical Kentucky State Capitol rises with white marble columns, home to the governor’s office and the state legislature.Around the grounds, you’ll find weathered monuments, graceful statues, and gardens trimmed with bright flowers.The Old State Capitol, a stately Greek Revival landmark that housed the state’s government from 1830 to 1910, now welcomes visitors as a museum where sunlight spills across its marble floors.In Downtown Frankfort and the South Frankfort Historic District, you’ll find 19th-century brick buildings, small boutiques with creaky wooden floors, and inviting little cafés.Cultural highlights include the Kentucky History Center and the Thomas D, where creaking wooden floors lead you through stories of the past.The Clark Center for Kentucky History hosts exhibitions that bring the state’s heritage to life, from faded Civil War letters to worn farm tools.In Frankfort, you can catch the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, the lively RiverView Festival, and bustling Market Days-all bringing the town’s culture and community to life with music, laughter, and the scent of barbecue in the air.Along the riverfront, Buffalo Trace Park, Cove Spring Park, and the Kentucky River offer shady picnic spots, winding trails, and wide-open views of the water glinting in the sun.Frankfort sits along the Bourbon Trail, where spots like Buffalo Trace welcome visitors for tours and tastings, the sweet scent of oak drifting from their barrel houses.Visitor Tips: Downtown Frankfort is small enough to cross on foot, so you can wander past brick-lined streets, historic landmarks, and the stately government buildings without ever needing a car.The river comes alive in spring and fall, when festivals spill into the streets and you can hear music drifting over the water.Local spots serve up Southern comfort, from smoky pulled pork to bourbon-kissed desserts.Frankfort is Kentucky’s heart for politics and history, where the Capitol’s white dome rises above streets lined with preserved brick buildings and echoes of the state’s past.
Landmarks in Frankfort
