Looking for some Frankfort fun? Here's a list of things to do in Kentucky's capital

Frankfort is home to the Kentucky State Capitol and Governor's Mansion. But it also has plenty of other sites to visit, including local shops, outdoor adventures and quirky features you can only find in the Central Kentucky city.

Here's a list of things to do and places to visit in Frankfort:

Old State Capitol tour

The Old State Capitol is located in Frankfort, Kentucky.

While the capitol building may be closed, you can still take a tour of Kentucky's Old State House.

The Old State Capitol, at 300 W. Broadway St., in downtown Frankfort, hosted legislative sessions for almost 80 years.

The building was constructed between 1827 and 1880 and is now a national historic landmark. Visitors can sign up to take a tour guided by museum staff to learn about the building's unique architectural features and Kentucky's political history.

The guided tour takes place at 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets can be purchased onsite or at history.ky.gov/visit/old-state-capitol-experience. Visitors can also do a self-guided tour with audio, found on the Kentucky Historical Society website.

Castle & Key Distillery

Castle & Key Distillery doesn't just offer bourbon. It's also home to historic grounds and botanical trails and gardens.

The distillery, at 4445 McCracken Pike, offers several tours visitors can sign up for, including taking a look at the distillery's history and production process.

The European-inspired castle on the grounds was originally constructed in 1887 as the Old Taylor Distillery. Castle & Key began restoring the property in 2014 and opened up in September 2018.

People who are interested in taking a tour can book one at castleandkey.com. You can also walk the grounds and botanical gardens while sipping bourbon or shop at the distillery's retail store without signing up for a tour.

Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace is another fan favorite for bourbon connoisseurs. Like Castle & Key, the distillery offers a variety of tours and has a unique history.

Buffalo Trace is also known for offering bottles onsite that are difficult to find in stores, including Blanton’s, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch, Eagle Rare and Weller Special Reserve. The distillery, at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, typically draws a line of hundreds each morning to purchase a bottle at its gift shop.

Downtown Frankfort bars

Frankfort might be smaller than Louisville and Lexington, but it still offers a plethora of bar options.

If you're looking for a place with an extensive range of bourbon, House of Commons offers just that. The bar at 245 W. Main St. brands itself as a "bourbon library," offering "once in a lifetime pours" and "old favorites" in addition to an extensive cocktail menu.

For those looking for a casual setting, affordable drinks and late-night hours, Dicey Riley's is an Irish bar with an outdoor patio in the heart of downtown Frankfort, at 321 St. Clair St.

Other bars located downtown or within walking distance include Howser Tavern, 311 St. Clair St., and Mortimer Bibb's Public House, 330 St. Clair St.

Frankfort coffee shops

Andy's Artisan Bread, at 127 E. Todd St., is a favorite in Frankfort if you're looking for pastries and coffee. Located near the state capital, the bakery offers a wide range of baked goods, including croissants, scones, morning buns and Danishes, in addition to breakfast sandwiches.

Other coffee shops in downtown Frankfort include Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe, 235 W. Broadway St., and Engine House Coffee, 307 W. Main St. Both offer seasonal menus, and Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe is next door to Poor Richard's Books for those interested in book browsing.

Frankfort restaurants

There's most likely a restaurant for everyone somewhere in Frankfort.

For a more casual setting, the Brown Barrel, 202 W. Broadway St., Bourbon on Main, 103 W. Main St., and Goodwood Brewing, 109 W. Main St., offer classic American fare and extensive cocktail and drink menus.

If you're a fan of Thai cuisine, Thai Smile, located outside of downtown at 1193 Century Plaza US 127 South, is also a local favorite and is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays.

Josephine Sculpture Park

The nonprofit outdoor gallery is free and open every day for those looking to take advantage of the nice weather.

According to the Visit Frankfort website, Josephine Sculpture Park has almost 70 works of temporary and permanent art, which means visitors get a new experience each visit. The park at 3355 Lawrenceburg Road offers self-guided tours, scavenger hunts and other events throughout the year.

Cove Spring Park

The nature preserve at 100 Cove Spring Road is another option for an outdoor adventure, with three areas to explore: lower cove, upper cove and the wetlands.

Among the park's features are hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife viewing and an archery range. Park hours are 8 a.m. to dusk daily. Find more information at frankfortkyparksandrec.com.

Daniel Boone's grave

For those interested in Kentucky history, you can visit Daniel Boone's grave at the Frankfort Cemetery, 215 E. Main St.

The cemetery overlooks Frankfort and the Kentucky River, and Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca Boone were the first to be laid to rest there.

While Daniel Boone wasn't born in Kentucky, he is known as a "founding father of Kentucky" for exploring and opening the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap.

The cemetery is also the last resting place for thousands of other Frankfort citizens, as well as famous Kentuckians, including governors, statesmen and business owners.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at [email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Looking for some Frankfort fun? Here's a list of things to do in Kentucky's capital