On the National Register of Historic Places, the Kentucky Capitol is one of the most impressive…read moreCapitols in the US. After parking (large lot in back for visitors), we made our way past the Rose Garden to the main entrance just as 50 or so school children were exiting the building. Once inside, we were offered the choice of a guided or self-guided tour. We chose the latter. A useful brochure "A Self-guided Tour of the Kentucky State Capitol" is available at the entrance desk. The first floor features the Executive Branch -- the Governor's Office, Secretary of State, Attorney General, etc. -- as well as a tourist information desk and the Capitol Rotunda. The rotunda is highlighted by an Imposing dome that is 180 feet above. Four murals are featured, representing agriculture, industry, civilization, and culture. The second floor is the Judicial Branch, and includes, for instance, the Office of the Chief Justice and the Public Law Library. Interestingly, while we were visiting, there was a ceremony going on to induct young attorneys to practice before the court. The third floor houses the Legislative Branch, and features the Senate Chamber and the House of Representatives. There are some special things to look for while visiting -- (1) state seals, which features two men shaking hands, which illustrates the motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". These seals can be found on doorknobs, elevator doors, and more. (2) "high tech" technology from when the building was new in 1910, such as a glass-covered chute that allowed letters to be dropped from upper floors into a brass box near the entrance, and (3) symbols of power and justice, such as eagles and torches. The grounds are picturesque, and include the Floral Clock, Rose Garden, and various other buildings. Note that, in early May, 2023, there was scaffolding around the Capitol's dome, and only a limited number of flowers were in bloom.

Kentucky's picturesque and historic capital is not in a giant bustling city. Instead, it is in the…read moresmaller and friendly welcoming burg of Frankfort. I've stayed in town here on several occasions, and found the people to be quite welcoming. It is a beautiful historic building and if you're a fan of classic revival architecture it is worth coming to have a look. And while you're in town, there are many restaurants and other interesting places to visit.

Well, we were off-season (first week of May, 2023) -- but we can envision how pretty this floral…read moreclick will be! Workers were preparing the beds while we were there so it should be more picturesque soon. On the ground of the Kentucky State Capitol. Ample free parking in back.

This is the Kentucky Floral Clock, dedicated May 1961 by Governor Bert T. Combs and constructed as…read morea joint project between the state government and the Garden Club of Kentucky. The word "Kentucky" is spelled out around the top of the clock and "TEAM" across the bottom. It is suspended above a pool of water that has a few coins in it (and one more from me). Some facts: The face measures 34 feet across The tilt is 26 degrees The minute hand is 20 feet long and the hour hand is 15 feet long The face is composed of more than 10,000 flowers All of the flowers used in the clock face are grown in greenhouses nearby that are owned by the state. The coins collected fund scholarships for the University of Kentucky. If you're visiting the capitol, it's worth checking this out. Another find thanks to https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kentucky-floral-clock. [Review 13557 overall, 876 of 2020.]

From the Halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli;…read moreWe fight our country's battles In the air, on land, and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marine. -Marine Corp Hymn Buried amongst other great men including 17 Kentucky governors, one Vice President of the United States and the only Daniel Boone, you'll find this marker and an obelisk and a headstone denoting the final resting place of Marine Corp Lieutenant Presley N. O'Bannon. The marker reads, "First American to raise U.S. flag on foreign soil at Battle of Derne on shores of Tripoli, April 27, 1805. Led attack that overcame Barbary Coast pirates who were holding 180 American seamen for ransom. O'Bannon came to Logan County in 1807. Served in State Legislature 1812, 17, 20-21, and Senate 1824-26. Died in 1850. Remains moved to Frankfort, 1919." Born in Fauquier County, Virginia, O'Bannon's father was a captain in the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and later the commander of Fort Pitt (i.e., Pittsburgh) during the Revolution. Entering the Marine Corp in 1801, Presley O'Bannon commanded a detachment of seven Marines and two Navy midshipmen in diplomatic Consul General William Eaton's small army during the Tripoli campaign of the First Barbary War. In combined operations with the US Navy, he led the successful attack at the Battle of Derna (Libya) on April 27, 1805 which gave the Marines' Hymn its line "to the shores of Tripoli." He became the first man to raise a United States flag over foreign soil in time of war. In recognition of his bravery, he was presented a sword for his part in attempting to restore Prince Hamet Karamanli to his throne as the Bey of Tripoli. This sword became the model for the Mameluke Sword, adopted in 1825 for Marine Corps officers, which is part of the formal uniform today. So yeah, this man is rather important. Stop by when you're visiting Daniel Boone. https://www.yelp.com/biz/daniel-boones-burial-site-frankfort?hrid=V999ceomgWQ1xUHXmmmZhg. Semper Fi. [Review 13569 overall, 888 of 2020.]

I've visited here in a few field trips with my daughters over the years on there 3rd grade field…read moretrip to the Capital. The governors mansion is always a highlight of the field trip for the class. Lots of history and sites to take in on the visit. Te tour guides always do a good job of handling not only the class and questions but keeping it fun and interesting for the kiddos and adult chaperones such as myself

This is the Executive Mansion, Home of the Governor and Kentucky First Lady, located at the Capitol…read moreComplex. Located at 704 Capitol Avenue in Frankfort. Regularly scheduled public tours of the mansion are available Tuesdays and Thursday from 9 to 11am we were there on a Friday so was not able to go inside. The mansion officially opened with a large party on January 20, 1914, 96 yrs ago tomorrow. The mansion has 25 rooms, including 2 dining rooms, a grand ballroom, a commercial size kitchen, sunroom, and private living quarters for the Governor and his family The mansion is 80 ft wide and 200 ft long. Made of brick covered by limestone to match the Capitol building. Put on National Register of Historical Places in 1972. The first Governor's mansion is located downtown and built in 1798. There is a formal garden with fountain, very BEAUTIFUL in the spring and summer...definitely going back then to check it out. The current mansion took 2 yrs to build and cost $75,000 to build. Governor James B McCreary and his family were the first to live there. He was the 27th and 37th Governor of Kentucky. It is a tradition when the new Governor and family moves in to the home, they are greeted with a country ham, biscuits and a white cake...thus is a traditional meal for decades. The mansion was inspired with French influences by architect CC and EA Weber. Inspired the French chateaux, Petit Trianon, located at Versailles created by King Louis XV for his mistress, and later given to Queen Marie Antoinette by King Louis XVI.

Located at the Capital City Airport (IATA code FFT) and on the public side of the guard gate…read moreentrance, the Memorial honors the Kentucky Guardsmen and Guardswomen who sacrificed their lives in service, beginning with March 19, 1912. That was the date that Kentucky adopted the federal legislation known as the Dick Act which mandated significant change including a name change from Kentucky State Guard to the Kentucky National Guard. The memorial features a 70-foot wide granite circular plaza and at the center, a 22-foot wide granite stone in the shape of Kentucky that bears the names of Kentucky National Guard soldiers who have died in the line of duty. The memorial also includes a 125% life sized bronze statue of Daniel Boone who was arguably one of the most famous members of the predecessors of the Kentucky Guard. Boone National Guard Center is also named in his honor. There is adequate parking and the site is handicapped accessible. There are a number of captions posted that show the history of the memorial project, Daniel Boone (if you haven't been to his Burial Site, you should go https://www.yelp.com/biz/daniel-boones-burial-site-frankfort?hrid=V999ceomgWQ1xUHXmmmZhg) and the Kentucky Guard. [Review 13572 overall, 891 of 2020.]

The Kentucky national guard memorial is a nice tribute to those that have served in the national…read moreguard. It is easily located in a central position and he has a nice tribute for all the people from Kentucky that have served. I enjoy seeing different monuments and memorials and this is a nice one

Open Heart Sculpture located In downtown Frankfort, Kentucky in the cities most popular 2-3 block…read moreof shops, eateries and other public art pieces. This piece is one of many small to medium sized sidewalk sculptures within easy walking distance of historic downtown Frankfort. This metal sculpture featuring a silver heart with red interior dare I say right in the heart of downtown Frankfort. This makes for a very fun photo op that I'm sure many families, lovers and friends have posed in front of. Overall a fun and great public art piece that is part of a very cool To explore and discover sidewalk sculpture initiative that is all around the area.

This is a cool public are display that we found when we were walking around downtown Frankfurt. If…read morethe open-heart sculpture located real close to the street and easy to see.

Public art statue called thunder the Buffalo located on the campus of Buffalo trace distillery in…read moreFrankfort Kentucky. One of the handful of statues on the beautiful campus of Buffalo trace you can imagine a large portion of the public art is dedicated to buffaloes. Now is Thunder the official name of Buffalo trace mascot or just a cool sounding name the artist gave? I'm not sure. Either way this concrete monument is pretty neat and a fun photo op at one of my favorite places to visit in Frankfort.

Do you hear the rumbling? Do you hear the rumbling? It's thunder thunder the Buffalo coming down…read morethe pike to get you so you better be careful and get out of his way because that is a Buffalo is coming through.

Franklin county war memorial located In downtown Frankfort, Kentucky in the cities most popular…read more2-3 block of shops, eateries and other public art pieces. Very nice concrete monument that sits at the door of a government building. The three tall flags behind this monument for local vets make for a great visual and fitting salute to these alumni of the city. Overall it is always great to see honors for those who served before us and this is no different. Well done memorial.

505 all day tribute to the Franklin county veterans memorial people that have lost their lives…read morefighting for our freedom so of course, this is five stars