Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Frankfort, Indiana

Set between Indianapolis and Lafayette, Frankfort is a charming small town and the seat of Clinton County.

The city was established in the 1830s by three brothers and was named after Frankfurt am Main in Germany as a tribute to the ancestral home of the brothers’ great-grandparents.

Two prominent historic structures dominate the old town center of Frankfort. The first is the Clinton County Courthouse, which continues to fulfill its original role while being surrounded by several local small businesses characterized by historic storefronts.

The second notable building is Old Stoney, a striking Richardsonian Romanesque edifice, initially constructed for a high school and currently serving as Frankfort’s City Building.

1. Downtown Frankfort

The historic center of Frankfort has attracted considerable investment over the past decade, and it continues to thrive as a quintessential location for dining, shopping, gathering, and community events.

It features the Frankfort Commercial Historic District, which includes nearly 50 contributing structures.

Built between approximately 1870 and the post-World War II era, these buildings exhibit a wide range of architectural styles, including Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Classical Revival.

The functioning Clinton County Courthouse (1882-1884) stands as a remarkable centerpiece for downtown, showcasing the French Second Empire style.

A variety of community events are hosted at Veterans Park and Prairie Creek, complemented by a summer farmers’ market on Saturdays just off the courthouse square.

2. TPA Park

The largest public park in Frankfort is located approximately one mile north of downtown and offers an extensive array of amenities that are unexpected for a town of this size.

From late November through December, TPA Park hosts the Holiday Festival of Lights, featuring over a million captivating Christmas lights, along with hot chocolate and soup from the concession stand.

Additionally, during the summer, visitors can enjoy a petting zoo, which includes sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and donkeys, as well as a newly renovated aviary.

For those seeking physical activities, facilities are available for baseball, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and horseshoes. Children can enjoy the play areas, which now include a zip line. At the time of writing, a new multi-million dollar pool complex was also in progress.

3. Old Stoney

An additional striking monument in the heart of Frankfort is the old Frankfort High School building, which was constructed in 1892 and has undergone restoration in recent years.

Comprising Ohio sandstone with Bedford limestone accents, Old Stoney is designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, featuring elements of Jacobethan architecture visible in the tall chimneys and steep gables.

The building served as a high school for 70 years, followed by a brief period as a junior high, until the Clinton County Historical Society relocated to the second floor in 1980.

City Hall occupies a significant portion of the remainder of the building, which continues to be a visually appealing part of Frankfort’s architectural landscape.

4. Clinton County Historical Society & Museum

Located in what was once the gymnasium of the high school, the second-floor museum chronicles the 200-year history of Clinton County.

Visitors will discover a diverse collection of artifacts, each possessing its own intriguing narrative.

These artifacts may include historic clothing, medical instruments, century-old school furniture, photographs, farming equipment, newspaper articles, military memorabilia, appliances, business signs, and flags. The main gallery retains the wooden flooring of the original gymnasium.

5. Prairie Creek Park

The centerpiece of downtown Frankfort’s ongoing revitalization is this new park that opened in 2019 at a total investment of $9 million. This area, which spans the creek, has been designed to accommodate outdoor performances and community engagements.

The park features a covered stage with a spacious lawn and concrete terrace in front. Prior to or following performances, audiences may gather in the service area, which is outfitted with benches, shelters, and attractive lighting.

On warm summer days, families can enjoy the splash pad, which includes thematic sprays and fountains designed for fun.

6. Frankfort Commons Golf Course

TPA Park is home to a well-regarded public golf course that was previously part of the Frankfort Country Club, established in 1926. In recent years, Frankfort Commons has undergone new management, resulting in noticeable enhancements to both the course experience and customer service.

The course features slightly hilly terrain, which comes into play significantly on the 9th hole, a par 4/5 that is nearly entirely uphill.

Another challenging hole is the 14th, a par 4 with a narrow dogleg and two traps situated before the green. After completing the round, you can enjoy a meal at the new FoxDen Grill, offering a variety of options including wings, salads, sandwiches, burgers, breakfast selections, and hand-tossed pizzas utilizing a special cheese blend.

7. Red Barn Summer Theatre

For around 50 years, this charming old cow barn has served as a venue for professional theatrical performances.

Seating 200, this structure dates back to 1908 and has been a significant attraction for audiences across Central Indiana since 1973.

The Red Barn non-equity theatre company, which performs in this space, was established a few years earlier, in 1968, and has seen many members transition to successful careers in theater, including Broadway.

At the time of writing, the most recent season featured the jukebox comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes” and Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.”

8. Prairie Grass Observatory

Situated in the serene countryside west of Frankfort is the Prairie Grass Observatory located within the grounds of Camp Cullom youth camp. This facility capitalizes on the dark rural skies and houses four telescopes:

An impressive 28″ aperture Dobsonian, a 16″ Newtonian telescope, a 16″ LX200R Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and a 7″ apochromatic refractor.

Notably, approximately 20 asteroids have been identified at this observatory, in addition to many follow-up observations of newly discovered near-earth asteroids.

Individuals can enjoy the night sky during one of the observatory’s public viewing events, where loaner equipment is often available.

9. Eunice H. Bryan Woods State Nature Preserve

Located just a few minutes outside of town along Indiana 38, the Eunice H. Bryan Woods State Nature Preserve is an under-visited area encompassing nearly 30 acres. Within a region typically dominated by open farmland, this preserve holds a valuable expanse of old-growth deciduous woodland.

Noteworthy are the venerable oaks, some exceeding 250 years of age, that were present long before this land became less known than to Native Americans.

Donated in 1971, this preserve is most pleasantly experienced during spring when wildflowers such as bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, and Mayapple bloom.

10. The Milky Way

This nostalgic drive-thru restaurant has been serving the community since 1950 and holds a special place in the hearts of Clinton County residents.

Despite its retro aesthetic, The Milky Way is undoubtedly the premier destination for fast food in Frankfort, renowned for its consistent menu offerings.

True to its name, the soft serve ice cream takes center stage, complemented by an indulgent variety of sundaes, shakes, floats, and flurries.

However, visitors should not overlook the savory selections, especially the Coney dog, Reuben dog, meatloaf, gyro, tenderloin, and tacos.

11. Dull’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch

Located just ten minutes south of downtown Frankfort, Dull’s Tree Farm has been a local institution for approximately 40 years, offering seasonal activities throughout the year.

Spanning 40 acres, the farm features a variety of pines and firs. Visitors can choose their tree up until mid-December, and also explore the Wreath Barn for holiday decorations, while the Trading Post features local jams, honey, and maple syrup produced by small businesses in the area.

From late September through October, guests can participate in the Pumpkin Harvest, where they can select their own pumpkins, savor apple cider donuts, and partake in various family-friendly activities.

Additionally, from January to October, a quaint log cabin serves as a bed and breakfast experience, and in spring and summer, the farm offers a unique outdoor Escape Trail for those seeking challenges.

12. Frankfort Lagoons

Although not formally a park or nature preserve, this tranquil natural area, located north of the city, is maintained by the Frankfort Utility Service Board. Here, visitors can find a collection of three lagoons that offer some of the finest fishing opportunities in the vicinity.

Moreover, it serves as an excellent escape to nature for anyone seeking a brief respite. During the warmer months, the lagoons are often teeming with turtles and a variety of bird species, including numerous ducks and geese. There are also designated shelters available for picnicking.

13. Skydive Indianapolis

If skydiving is an experience you have always wished to undertake, there is no better opportunity than at Frankfort. Operated from Frankfort Municipal Airport, located three miles west of downtown, Skydive Indianapolis offers a variety of packages, including tandem skydives.

This method is the safest and most user-friendly approach for beginners to enjoy the exhilarating sensation of freefall from 13,000 feet. Preparation entails watching a training video, receiving a pre-jump briefing, and conducting a comprehensive review of the jump procedures on board the aircraft.

Once prepared, participants leap from the plane while securely attached to a certified instructor, experiencing a fall at 120 mph for 8,000 feet, before the parachute deploys.

Skydive Indianapolis operates tandem jumps seven days a week and provides an 11-jump program for those interested in progressing toward solo skydiving.

14. Frankfort Hot Dog Festival

During the last weekend of July, downtown Frankfort transforms into the setting for its signature Hot Dog Festival. This popular three-day event features live entertainment on three stages and over 150 vendors.

Hot dogs, both the culinary treat and the four-legged variety, take center stage, with numerous competitions for canine participants such as a dock diving contest and a dachshund race.

Additionally, there are demonstrations by trained dogs and workshops offering guidance on dog handling and puppy raising.

Highlights of the festival include a hot dog eating contest, a 5k “bun” run, a classic car show, and open talent competitions.

15. Thursday Thunder

On the first and third Thursdays of each month from May through September, Veterans’ Park hosts a gathering of cars and motorcycles. Having run for over a decade, Thursday Thunder has become a tradition in Frankfort, welcoming all types of vehicles.

Car enthusiasts can expect to see a remarkable array of hot rods, rat rods, survivor cars, customs, muscle cars, classics, trucks, bikes, and much more.

Concurrent with Thursday Thunder is Putter Around Frankfort, wherein local businesses create miniature golf holes within their establishments to foster additional foot traffic.