Guidebook and reviews for Frankfort
Drinks & Nightlife
We hang out here regularly, so lots of locals. It's a wine bar, but they serve beer and all spirits. Nice laid back atmosphere - some indoor seating, but in good weather everyone is hanging out on the sidewalk.
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Capital Cellars
227 W Broadway StWe hang out here regularly, so lots of locals. It's a wine bar, but they serve beer and all spirits. Nice laid back atmosphere - some indoor seating, but in good weather everyone is hanging out on the sidewalk.
The atmosphere is very nice, but all the bricks make for difficult acoustics for visiting. They also have one of the better decks that overlooks the river. Lots of bourbon choices (no surprise there); food is okay, but service can be a little slow at times. Contributing to Frankfort's art scene, be sure to check out their great mural on the side of the building.
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Bourbon On Main
103 W Main StThe atmosphere is very nice, but all the bricks make for difficult acoustics for visiting. They also have one of the better decks that overlooks the river. Lots of bourbon choices (no surprise there); food is okay, but service can be a little slow at times. Contributing to Frankfort's art scene, be sure to check out their great mural on the side of the building.
This is one of 3 locally brewed beer establishments. It is probably the most casual atmosphere. Limited indoor seating. Outdoor seating is on a small deck, plus under a large tent in a parking lot. They often have a Sunday brunch that is excellent - check web site for details. This place is a local favorite, with good turnout in nice weather. The beer and company are good. Limited food choices (pretzels, dogs, brats, etc.).
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Sig Luscher Brewery
221 Mero StThis is one of 3 locally brewed beer establishments. It is probably the most casual atmosphere. Limited indoor seating. Outdoor seating is on a small deck, plus under a large tent in a parking lot. They often have a Sunday brunch that is excellent - check web site for details. This place is a local favorite, with good turnout in nice weather. The beer and company are good. Limited food choices (pretzels, dogs, brats, etc.).
This is one of our favorites! The company is based out of Lexington, but they brew some special recipes onsite. Great beer selection! Food limited to bread sticks and ice cream (good, locally-made!) — oh, and usually a food truck. You can also take your own food. The place is the real draw: large setting, with many miles of hiking and biking trails, fruit trees, hops trellises — all seating is outdoors - some under pavilion roof. Only open on weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) — and in good weather it can have lots of people and live music. There is plenty of seating and space to spread out. Get there early if you want to eat at food truck!
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West Sixth Farm
4495 Shadrick Ferry RdThis is one of our favorites! The company is based out of Lexington, but they brew some special recipes onsite. Great beer selection! Food limited to bread sticks and ice cream (good, locally-made!) — oh, and usually a food truck. You can also take your own food. The place is the real draw: large setting, with many miles of hiking and biking trails, fruit trees, hops trellises — all seating is outdoors - some under pavilion roof. Only open on weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) — and in good weather it can have lots of people and live music. There is plenty of seating and space to spread out. Get there early if you want to eat at food truck!
This place has a great deck overlooking the river and the beer (brewed in Louisville) is pretty good. The best way to describe this is like a sports bar — lots of TVs, fried food, and beer. That said, it is a popular spot.
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Goodwood Brewing Frankfort
109 W Main StThis place has a great deck overlooking the river and the beer (brewed in Louisville) is pretty good. The best way to describe this is like a sports bar — lots of TVs, fried food, and beer. That said, it is a popular spot.
A quiet, authentic British-style pub. British beer selections, bourbon, mixed drinks and wine. Cozy, comfortable atmosphere. At times, has good food (but limited selection).
Mortimer Bibb's Public House
A quiet, authentic British-style pub. British beer selections, bourbon, mixed drinks and wine. Cozy, comfortable atmosphere. At times, has good food (but limited selection).
Small but lively bar, offering several bourbons, beer, wine, and mixed drinks. There's a pool table and table-top shuffle board upstairs. At times there is live music.
The Cooperage Bar
Small but lively bar, offering several bourbons, beer, wine, and mixed drinks. There's a pool table and table-top shuffle board upstairs. At times there is live music.
Food Scene
The atmosphere is very nice, but all the bricks make for difficult acoustics for visiting. They also have one of the better decks that overlooks the river. Lots of bourbon choices (no surprise there); food is okay, but service can be a little slow at times. Contributing to Frankfort's art scene, be sure to check out their great mural on the side of the building.
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Bourbon On Main
103 W Main StThe atmosphere is very nice, but all the bricks make for difficult acoustics for visiting. They also have one of the better decks that overlooks the river. Lots of bourbon choices (no surprise there); food is okay, but service can be a little slow at times. Contributing to Frankfort's art scene, be sure to check out their great mural on the side of the building.
This new and wildly popular ice cream pallor is a short walk away. We like our ice cream to be more creamy -- this ice cream is more sweet that creamy. However, it is very popular.
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Hoggy's Ice Cream
301 W Main StThis new and wildly popular ice cream pallor is a short walk away. We like our ice cream to be more creamy -- this ice cream is more sweet that creamy. However, it is very popular.
One of our regular stops for coffee, sandwich, or quiet conversation - whether indoors in the old historic setting or out at their street-side tables. Breakfast is available - we usually get an everything bagel with bacon, eggs, spinach and Gouda.
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Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
235 W Broadway StOne of our regular stops for coffee, sandwich, or quiet conversation - whether indoors in the old historic setting or out at their street-side tables. Breakfast is available - we usually get an everything bagel with bacon, eggs, spinach and Gouda.
A very popular local Mexican restaurant. Live music is often available on weekends. You can dine in or at the street-side tables. The food is (Americanized) "Mexican" food. Very popular locally.
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Mi Fiesta
334 St Clair StA very popular local Mexican restaurant. Live music is often available on weekends. You can dine in or at the street-side tables. The food is (Americanized) "Mexican" food. Very popular locally.
Need pizza? A very popular spot for pizza and sandwiches with the local crowd.
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Buddy's Pizza
212 W Broadway StNeed pizza? A very popular spot for pizza and sandwiches with the local crowd.
Want to experience the river life? This small grill serves basic burgers, fries and other standard fare, with sitting right on the docks. This is where all the local "river rats" hang out.
Riverboat Grill
101 Riverboat LandingWant to experience the river life? This small grill serves basic burgers, fries and other standard fare, with sitting right on the docks. This is where all the local "river rats" hang out.
Rick is a real Cajun chef and the food is very good! While a little on the pricey side (since his place was show-cased on TV show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives"), it is good eating.
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Rick's White Light Diner
114 Bridge StRick is a real Cajun chef and the food is very good! While a little on the pricey side (since his place was show-cased on TV show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives"), it is good eating.
This place has a great deck overlooking the river and the beer (brewed in Louisville) is pretty good. The best way to describe this is like a sports bar — lots of TVs, fried food, and beer. That said, it is a popular spot.
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Goodwood Brewing Frankfort
109 W Main StThis place has a great deck overlooking the river and the beer (brewed in Louisville) is pretty good. The best way to describe this is like a sports bar — lots of TVs, fried food, and beer. That said, it is a popular spot.
Your basic home-town diner: This little place is great for breakfast or other meal. Very retro-style and homey. We get breakfast here occasionally.
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Main Street Diner
227A W Main StYour basic home-town diner: This little place is great for breakfast or other meal. Very retro-style and homey. We get breakfast here occasionally.
We like this place and go here to dine with friends periodically. It is very conveniently located to the Castle & Key, Woodford Reserve, and Glens Creek distilleries. The food is great and they have nice outdoor seating. If you want indoor seating (limited), we suggest you make a reservation.
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The Stave
5711 McCracken PikeWe like this place and go here to dine with friends periodically. It is very conveniently located to the Castle & Key, Woodford Reserve, and Glens Creek distilleries. The food is great and they have nice outdoor seating. If you want indoor seating (limited), we suggest you make a reservation.
This is a first class bakery - the real deal. Right in our neighborhood. Open Wednesday thru Friday 8-2, Saturday 8-1. They make the best breads, pastries, and coffee. Lee gets the Morning Bun or biscuit sandwich; Marianna gets the Chocolate Croissant. The souffle is excellent too!
Andy's Artisan Bread
127 East Todd StreetThis is a first class bakery - the real deal. Right in our neighborhood. Open Wednesday thru Friday 8-2, Saturday 8-1. They make the best breads, pastries, and coffee. Lee gets the Morning Bun or biscuit sandwich; Marianna gets the Chocolate Croissant. The souffle is excellent too!
Another hometown diner classic. Only a few short blocks away - right next to the river and the Capitol. Your basic counter diner - burgers, fries, plate special, etc.
Cliffside Diner
175 Old Lawrenceburg RdAnother hometown diner classic. Only a few short blocks away - right next to the river and the Capitol. Your basic counter diner - burgers, fries, plate special, etc.
Whether you just want a good pizza or want to support local farmers, this is the place to go. Locals makes delicious wood-fired pizzas with all Kentucky local ingredients. They also have Kentucky beers and a small grocery store full of local products. And on weekends you can sometimes hear local musicians! We highly recommend this place. We order the Umami Mama pizza on cauliflower crust.
Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub
863 Wilkinson BlvdWhether you just want a good pizza or want to support local farmers, this is the place to go. Locals makes delicious wood-fired pizzas with all Kentucky local ingredients. They also have Kentucky beers and a small grocery store full of local products. And on weekends you can sometimes hear local musicians! We highly recommend this place. We order the Umami Mama pizza on cauliflower crust.
This is a great restaurant - more formal, and somewhat on the pricey/up-scale side, but very good food. They serve a local brew (made by Sig Luscher) that is not served anywhere else - and we think it is their best beer. Good menu and a great view on the banks of the Kentucky River.
Limewater
This is a great restaurant - more formal, and somewhat on the pricey/up-scale side, but very good food. They serve a local brew (made by Sig Luscher) that is not served anywhere else - and we think it is their best beer. Good menu and a great view on the banks of the Kentucky River.
If you like Thai food, this is great. The atmosphere, since Covid, has changed somewhat, but it's still good food.
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Thai Smile
1193 US-127If you like Thai food, this is great. The atmosphere, since Covid, has changed somewhat, but it's still good food.
Arts & Culture
This is run by the state historic office. Some standard exhibits, others change with time. Check it out!
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Kentucky History Museum
100 W Broadway StThis is run by the state historic office. Some standard exhibits, others change with time. Check it out!
Free! Small, but complete local history of Frankfort. Quite a bit of bourbon history too.
Capital City Museum
325 Ann StFree! Small, but complete local history of Frankfort. Quite a bit of bourbon history too.
JSP offers more than 80 works of art outdoors in 30 acres of beautiful rolling meadows. Picnic tables are located throughout the park and several miles of walking paths through native meadows offer hours of family fun and adventure.
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Josephine Sculpture Park
3355 Lawrenceburg RdJSP offers more than 80 works of art outdoors in 30 acres of beautiful rolling meadows. Picnic tables are located throughout the park and several miles of walking paths through native meadows offer hours of family fun and adventure.
Parks & Nature
This park extends along the river with miles of trails going up through town. The trail is paved for much of the way so you can walk, run, or bike. Trial runs right past Buffalo Trace Distillery.
River View Park
404 Wilkinson BlvdThis park extends along the river with miles of trails going up through town. The trail is paved for much of the way so you can walk, run, or bike. Trial runs right past Buffalo Trace Distillery.
If you like to get out and see the local flora and fauna, this park has miles of trails, streams, limestone bluffs, wildflowers, a beautiful waterfall, and more. It even connects to a larger network of bicycling trails.
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Cove Springs Park
100 Cove Spring RdIf you like to get out and see the local flora and fauna, this park has miles of trails, streams, limestone bluffs, wildflowers, a beautiful waterfall, and more. It even connects to a larger network of bicycling trails.
Located only 3 blocks from our place, this park is a great spot to let the kids play or have a picnic. There's play equipment, picnic tables, a water park/splash pad and basketball court. Whether young or old, the splash pad is great for getting wet and cooling off in the summer.
Dolly Graham Park
Located only 3 blocks from our place, this park is a great spot to let the kids play or have a picnic. There's play equipment, picnic tables, a water park/splash pad and basketball court. Whether young or old, the splash pad is great for getting wet and cooling off in the summer.
Shopping
An amazing variety of locally crafted items. Located to Coffeetree Cafe and other great eating establishments.
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Completely Kentucky
237 W Broadway StAn amazing variety of locally crafted items. Located to Coffeetree Cafe and other great eating establishments.
This is your classic old style book store. Full of new and used books. Great selection. Locally owned.
Poor Richard's Bookstore
233 W Broadway StThis is your classic old style book store. Full of new and used books. Great selection. Locally owned.
This is our one and only convenient store in the neighborhood. It has a pretty limited inventory, with mostly snack foods, beverages (and beer), and the likes. There is a small section that includes some kitchen and cooking supplies - like flour, oil, etc. Only 3 blocks west.
Capital FOOD MART
This is our one and only convenient store in the neighborhood. It has a pretty limited inventory, with mostly snack foods, beverages (and beer), and the likes. There is a small section that includes some kitchen and cooking supplies - like flour, oil, etc. Only 3 blocks west.
Entertainment & Activities
This theater shows more than movies. If your timing is right, you can see some big name artists in the historically preserved venue. Once an old vaudeville theater, it now hosts plays, movies, music concerts, plays, and more.
The Grand Theatre
308 St Clair StThis theater shows more than movies. If your timing is right, you can see some big name artists in the historically preserved venue. Once an old vaudeville theater, it now hosts plays, movies, music concerts, plays, and more.
This business has several things worth considering here in Frankfort if you like the outdoors. Their main store is out in the county, north of town, if you want to rent canoes or kayaks on the Elkhorn Creek - there are both moderate and more advanced section of the stream - and it's beautiful! They also have a place you can rent boats to paddle on the Kentucky River right near downtown. There are guided barge and paddle trips with great information about the history and biology of the area. And there is the Bourbon Paddle Tour - where you paddle the Kentucky River, go through the locks (an experience unto itself), tour Buffalo Trace, then paddle and lock through back to your starting point. Check their web site for details and other trip options.
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Canoe Kentucky
7323 Peaks Mill RdThis business has several things worth considering here in Frankfort if you like the outdoors. Their main store is out in the county, north of town, if you want to rent canoes or kayaks on the Elkhorn Creek - there are both moderate and more advanced section of the stream - and it's beautiful! They also have a place you can rent boats to paddle on the Kentucky River right near downtown. There are guided barge and paddle trips with great information about the history and biology of the area. And there is the Bourbon Paddle Tour - where you paddle the Kentucky River, go through the locks (an experience unto itself), tour Buffalo Trace, then paddle and lock through back to your starting point. Check their web site for details and other trip options.
Sightseeing
The state Capitol is just up Capitol Ave from our house. Free entry. Historic and fine architecture. There is a large floral garden out front (in season) and in front of Governor's Mansion (to east of Capitol). Many people like to have their picture taken in front of the large floral clock near the southwest corner of Capitol.
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Kentucky State Capitol
700 Capital AveThe state Capitol is just up Capitol Ave from our house. Free entry. Historic and fine architecture. There is a large floral garden out front (in season) and in front of Governor's Mansion (to east of Capitol). Many people like to have their picture taken in front of the large floral clock near the southwest corner of Capitol.
Capital City Museum
325 Ann StThis locally-curated museum showcases a range of items. Exhibits change. Free!
This fully restored, fully functional distillery is an amazing example of the grandeur of the old distilleries. The architecture includes old castle-style walls and turrets and formal gardens. You can tour the grounds and the production facility, as well as taste test! They have live music during warmer months - check their web site.
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Castle & Key Distillery
4445 McCracken PikeThis fully restored, fully functional distillery is an amazing example of the grandeur of the old distilleries. The architecture includes old castle-style walls and turrets and formal gardens. You can tour the grounds and the production facility, as well as taste test! They have live music during warmer months - check their web site.
This distillery, while not technically on the "Bourbon Trail," is one of the major players when it comes to bourbon. You can't miss this site. Get a complete tour of the distillery, taste their product, shop the gift store, and see the historic character of the grounds. A must-see destination in Frankfort. This is one of our favorite tours, and favorite bourbons - especially Wellers.
If you don't have a reservation, we hear you can show up to claim vacant spots first thing in the morning.
For a good meal after your tour, consider Locals Pizza Pub and Food Hub, just across the street (and down a bit).
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Distilleria Buffalo Trace
113 Great Buffalo TrceThis distillery, while not technically on the "Bourbon Trail," is one of the major players when it comes to bourbon. You can't miss this site. Get a complete tour of the distillery, taste their product, shop the gift store, and see the historic character of the grounds. A must-see destination in Frankfort. This is one of our favorite tours, and favorite bourbons - especially Wellers.
If you don't have a reservation, we hear you can show up to claim vacant spots first thing in the morning.
For a good meal after your tour, consider Locals Pizza Pub and Food Hub, just across the street (and down a bit).
This is another of the major producers of high-end bourbon in the Frankfort area. The 20 minute scenic drive is worth it. The tour, shop, and taste-testing are very enjoyable. A little trivia: We used to live on the grounds of this old distillery and had our first child there before it was renovated into it's current operation. Their bourbon is great!
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Distilleria Woodford Reserve
7785 McCracken PikeThis is another of the major producers of high-end bourbon in the Frankfort area. The 20 minute scenic drive is worth it. The tour, shop, and taste-testing are very enjoyable. A little trivia: We used to live on the grounds of this old distillery and had our first child there before it was renovated into it's current operation. Their bourbon is great!
If you like bourbon, you are no doubt familiar with Wild Turkey. ...just a short drive to see this establishment.
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Wild Turkey Distillery
1525 Versailles RdIf you like bourbon, you are no doubt familiar with Wild Turkey. ...just a short drive to see this establishment.
This "boutique" distillery is a small operation, producing new and alternative recipes. They are located on the grounds of some of the oldest distilling operations in the state.
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Glenns Creek Distillery
3501 McCracken PikeThis "boutique" distillery is a small operation, producing new and alternative recipes. They are located on the grounds of some of the oldest distilling operations in the state.
If you know bourbon, you know Four Roses. It is just a short drive to see yet another established distillery.
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Four Roses Distillery
1224 Bonds Mill RdIf you know bourbon, you know Four Roses. It is just a short drive to see yet another established distillery.
JSP offers more than 80 works of art outdoors in 30 acres of beautiful rolling meadows. Picnic tables are located throughout the park and several miles of walking paths through native meadows offer hours of family fun and adventure.
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Josephine Sculpture Park
3355 Lawrenceburg RdJSP offers more than 80 works of art outdoors in 30 acres of beautiful rolling meadows. Picnic tables are located throughout the park and several miles of walking paths through native meadows offer hours of family fun and adventure.