Frankfort, KY Real Estate & Lifestyle Guide

Frankfort appeals to families in part due to its educational options and kid-friendly amenities. The area is served by both Franklin County Public Schools and Frankfort Independent Schools. Frankfort High (the city’s small public high school) is known for its close-knit community and strong tradition, while Franklin County High and Western Hills High serve larger student bodies in the county with a variety of programs. In addition to public schools, Frankfort has a few private and parochial schools – for example, Frankfort Christian Academy (a K-12 Christian school) and Good Shepherd Catholic School (elementary/middle) – providing alternative education choices. Overall, the presence of decent schools and a local university (KSU) gives Frankfort a well-rounded educational environment.

For school rankings for Franklin County and Frankfort Independent, visit GreatSchools.org and Niche.com.

When it comes to recreation and amenities, Frankfort offers more than you might expect from a smaller city. Parks and outdoor spaces are abundant: residents can explore Cove Spring Park (a nature preserve with hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildflower meadows) or enjoy sports and swimming at Juniper Hill Park, which features an aquatic center and golf course. Lakeview Park offers ballfields, a dog park, and hosts county fairs and events, while the Capitol View Park is popular for mountain biking and disc golf. For a scenic overlook, many visit the Leslie Morris Park at Fort Hill, where Civil War earthwork forts remain and you get panoramic views of downtown. Frankfort’s location along the Kentucky River also means opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and riverside walks – the River View Park downtown connects to trails and showcases historical sculptures along the water.

History and culture are woven into everyday life here. Locals and visitors alike admire the majestic Kentucky State Capitol building and its blooming floral clock gardens, or tour the Old State Capitol and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History to learn about Kentucky’s past. The city’s bourbon heritage is a big draw as well – Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating bourbon distillery in the U.S., is located in Frankfort and offers regular tours and tastings (a must-do even for residents). There’s also Castle & Key Distillery and other distilleries in the surrounding region for bourbon enthusiasts. Frankfort’s downtown features local boutiques, antique shops, and eateries – you might grab coffee at a cafe on Broadway Street or dine at a farm-to-table restaurant in a renovated historic building. The downtown farmers market is a weekly event in season, and arts and crafts fairs pop up on the Old Capitol lawn throughout the year.

Community events and entertainment in Frankfort maintain a friendly, small-town atmosphere. Popular annual events include the Candlelight Tradition (a festive holiday kickoff each November when downtown shops stay open late and the Christmas lights at the Capitol are illuminated) and the Summer Concert Series, which brings live music to the Old Capitol lawn on Friday evenings in summer. There are also bourbon-themed events, arts festivals, an Independence Day celebration, and the Franklin County Fair. For everyday fun, families take advantage of venues like the Salato Wildlife Education Center (with live native animals and interactive exhibits) and the Josephine Sculpture Park just outside town. With Lexington and Louisville a short drive away, residents can easily take day trips for big concerts, shopping malls, or university sports, but many find that Frankfort’s own mix of parks, history, food, and community events is more than satisfying. In short, living in Frankfort, KY means enjoying a peaceful, historic small city with plenty of outdoor beauty and a strong sense of community.