Frankfort is not the first place I think of when telling people where to visit in the bluegrass state, but there are a lot of wonderful ways to spend a day or even a weekend in Frankfort, Kentucky. I easily filled an entire day with fun activities and there is plenty left to do for the next time I visit.
Salato Wildlife Education Center
The perfect place to start your day in Frankfort, Kentucky, especially with kids, is Salato’s Wildlife Education Center. We saw so many of Kentucky’s native wildlife including an alligator snapping turtle, white tailed deer, American bald eagle, black bear, and bison. There are many animals inside and some interactive activities for the kids. The path to the outdoor exhibits is paved as well as some that go through the trees as shortcuts. We spent about an hour here at a leisurely pace.
$5/adults and kids are free
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History
A great place to get an overview of Kentucky’s past is the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. You move through exhibits covering everything from the state’s earliest days to the present. I love the way each section was set up as a “here’s how people lived” type of scene. They even had a play area for children with period clothing to dress up in, trains to play with, and a weaving wall. This helped keep my little guy busy so I could read a few of the signs in the museum. I personally think all museums should have interactive areas for children. The City Museum is across the road and is more Frankfort-centric and free if you would like to learn more about Frankfort itself. Your ticket also gets you into the Kentucky Military Museum and the Old Kentucky State Capitol. I didn’t think my little guy could handle too many more museums in one day, so we’ll save those for another visit.
$8/adults, kids 5 and under free (ages 6-18 and military $6)
Frankfort Trolley
Take a forty-five minute ride through downtown Frankfort as your driver shares stories and local insight aboard a historic trolley. You can hop on and off at any of the stops, but I suggest starting at the Visitors Center and exploring from there. We enjoyed seeing so many things that we otherwise would have missed or driven right by without knowing their significance. I loved that our driver had lived in the area his entire life and had deep family ties to Frankfort. He told stories about trick-or-treating as a kid right up to the front door of the Governor’s Mansion and later taking his own kids to do the same. Our driver also said he regularly sees the governor and his wife out walking their dog while giving the trolley tour. The trolley stops at historic homes you can tour, the famous Floral Clock, and Rebecca Ruth Candy Tours.
Free
Frankfort Cemetery
Kentucky’s first and true frontiersman Daniel Boone lays to rest in Frankfort Cemetery. He has a monument with a beautiful view of downtown Frankfort. Rebecca Boone, Daniel Boone’s wife, is also buried here along with several other notable statesmen. There are signs that will direct you through the cemetery to Daniel Boone’s grave sight.
Free
Josephine Sculpture Park
Drive down the country roads of Frankfort, Kentucky, to Josephine Sculpture Park. Open from dawn to dusk, it’s a place where you can explore art at your own pace. We really enjoy sculpture parks because they’re outdoors, and you can interact with the art without getting in trouble. It’s also a great spot for little ones to get their wiggles out while experiencing something creative. You can spend as much or as little time here as you’d like. We saw about half of the sculptures in an hour, but we also spent plenty of time with our favorites. Be sure to read the plaques, as some pieces are meant to be interacted with in specific ways.
Free
Rebecca Ruth Candy and Tours
No surprise, this was our favorite stop of the day! Any chocolate lover will enjoy a visit to Rebecca Ruth Chocolates. You can take a tour of the factory and see how each piece of candy is made. They produce around 5 million candies each year, including 3 million of their famous bourbon balls. Even more impressive, each pecan on top of every chocolate is placed by hand. I also love the story behind the company. Two women faced hardships, started making homemade chocolates, and turned a small idea into an empire. They now ship throughout the contiguous U.S. I highly recommend the peanut butter, salted caramel, and pretzels. Their milk chocolate bars are also excellent. I was too busy eating chocolate to remember to take a picture for you!
$10/adults, $7 for ages 5+
Eats + Treats
Brown Barrel
The Brown Barrel is a cute little diner in downtown Frankfort, conveniently located within walking distance of many of the attractions I’ve mentioned. You may even see a train roll down the street as you enjoy your meal. The menu offers something for just about everyone. While the Frankfort location is newer, the restaurant’s roots trace back to Midway, Kentucky. You can read their story and visit either location.
Cliffside Diner
Hidden away along the side of the road is Cliffside Diner. A narrow aisle separates the booths from a row of barstools, creating a cozy dining room. You can watch your food being made right in front of you while cars zip by just feet from the window. They also offer patio seating, but there’s something about the interior that made me feel like a little girl back at my hometown diner. The cheeseburgers melt in your mouth and are definitely child-approved.
End of the Road
We thoroughly enjoyed our little tour of Frankfort, Kentucky. I hope that you will find time to explore Kentucky’s capitol for yourself. If you would like to spend more time in the great state of Kentucky then check out some of my other posts like Date Ideas in Lexington, Ky or Bardstown, Kentucky. All of which are on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail and have so much to offer any visitor. Subscribe to get a more inside look at my adventures and be the first to see new blog posts.
