Kentucky’s capital city sits on the shores of the Kentucky River, midway between Lexington and Louisville. With its natural beauty, small town charm, and spirited history, we like to say that Frankfort is “Kentucky Distilled.” The following itinerary allows you to get a taste of Frankfort’s Food and Beverage scenes while also experiencing what we believe makes Frankfort Kentucky an fun place to visit!
Breakfast Suggestions:
Start your day with a cup of joe from Frankfort’s independent coffeeshop, the Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe. You’ll find a variety of brews as well as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. At Main Street Diner, a family-owned 1950s-style eatery, you’ll be served a breakfast with all the fixings. For the sweet tooth, make a stop at Poppy’s Bakery, with hand crafted treats perfect for the morning.; or find another local restaurant.
Morning Activities:
Enjoy as much fun as time allows!
- Tour Buffalo Trace, the nation’s longest-running and most award-winning distillery.
- Explore Josephine Sculpture Park, Kentucky’s only outdoor sculpture park, where works by artists from around the world dot rolling hillsides.
- Experience well-crafted spirits on 113 acres of rolling hills in a castle that holds more than a century of distilling history at Castle and Key Distillery.
- Visit Glenns Creek Distilling, a craft distillery that collected wild yeast from the Old Crow Distillery for its OCD #5 Bourbon, plus makes other bourbons, whiskey and rum.
Lunch Suggestions:
Try The Stave, which is known for its upscale Kentucky fare; Sage Garden Café, where fresh is always in season; Bourbon on Main, where eclectic fare is served on the patio above the Kentucky River (seasonally); or any of these Frankfort’s local eateries.
Afternoon Activities:
Do as much as you can!
- Visit Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., a craft distillery on a 122-acre farm.
- Stroll the Historic Frankfort Walking Tour, a self-guided showcase of 40 distinctive properties.
- Tour Liberty Hall Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark with two historic houses and four acres of gardens.
- Ride the nation’s only boat-based bourbon tour with Kentucky River Tours.
- Paddle Elkhorn Creek on a canoe, kayak, raft, or stand-up paddleboard from Canoe Kentucky.
- Pedal ten miles of singletrack mountain biking trails at Capitol View Park.
- Hike or bike nature trails in the 240-acre Cove Spring Park.
- Tap into craft beer at Sig Luscher Brewery, a heritage brewery originally founded in 1866, or sip local wine at Prodigy Vineyards, planted on the Peach Family Farm in 1998.
Dinner Suggestions:
Get dinner at Goodwood Brewing, where bourbon barrels flavor beer and the food menu is eclectic; Serafini’s, in the heart of downtown, is a local favorite with views of the state capitol grounds, or Limewater, offering elegant fare on the banks of the Kentucky River; or pick among other local eateries.
Late Night activities:
Savor a nightcap at Capital Cellars, Frankfort’s only combination restaurant, bar, and wine, beer and spirits retailer. Sip local brews at West Sixth Farm Brewery, where brews are made on site using hops and fruit grown on the property. You can also tap into the local scene at The Brick Alley, a neighborhood bar with darts, pool tables, karaoke nights, and live music on weekends. If a more intimate setting is more your scene, we recommend the Cooperage Bar where you can enjoy the cozy setting downstairs or venture upstairs for pool or shuffle board.
Stay overnight!
Do tomorrow what you could not do today
Settle into The Meeting House bed and breakfast in the heart of the historic district; Home2 Suites by Hilton Frankfort off I-64; Kentucky River Campground and RV Park among the trees; or another of the city’s abundant accommodation options.
Hours of operation and offerings can change, so confirm details and options before you arrive.