The best things to do in Frankfort

Puttshack - Louisville brings indoor, tech-infused mini golf with automatic scoring and interactive twists, plus chef-driven shareables and handcrafted cocktails. It works for weeknight hangs, family smack-talk, or team outings when you want competition without keeping score on your phone.

From the Louisville newsletter, October 9, 2026

Dave & Buster's Louisville brings the fun with high-tech darts, Social Shuffle, an immersive Arena, and a towering 40-foot WOW Wall for watching the big game. Grab a bite, load a Power Card, and call up the crew for an easy win on weeknights or rainy Saturdays.

From the Louisville newsletter, October 4, 2026

Big Spring Country Club brings Louisville roots since 1926, with two campuses, Big Spring and Harmony Landing, and championship golf backed by dining, swimming, racquets, and genuine camaraderie. If you want a spot where families actually know each other, this is the place to sharpen the short game.

From the Louisville newsletter, September 27, 2026

Ten Pin Strike & Spare Family Fun Center keeps it classic with leagues, tournaments, and a legit pro shop, then flips the lights for cosmic bowling when you want a little show with your strikes. Kiddo bumpers, grown-up bar and grill, and party options mean it works for pretty much any crew.

From the Louisville newsletter, September 10, 2026

From barrel-aging warehouses to legendary stills, Buffalo Trace National Historic Landmark is where award-winning bourbons are born. Take a distillery tour, peek at the daily bottle offerings and Special Bottle of the Day in the Gift Shop, then refuel at the John G. Carlisle Cafe, because even legends get snacky.

From the Frankfort newsletter, October 17, 2026

The Golf Garage brings indoor golf to Frankfort, making it a handy spot to work on your game or enjoy a few swings without relying on a sunny day. A good local find for golfers who’d rather not let the weather decide when they play.

From the Frankfort newsletter, October 29, 2026

Built by the City back in 1957, Juniper Hill Golf Course is an 18-hole municipal track with active associations for every skill level, weekly Sweet Swingin’ Seniors, and a storied Governor’s Open that draws big names. Friendly, competitive, and unmistakably local... worth grabbing a tee time soon.

From the Frankfort newsletter, October 14, 2026

Franklin Square Cinema keeps movie night simple for Frankfort folks, offering multiple screens, digital projection and audio, and classic concessions that hit the spot. Catch the big new release or a low-key matinee and call it a win.

From the Frankfort newsletter, October 20, 2026

Ward Hall is Kentucky’s grandest Greek Revival mansion, circa 1857, and the docents make those ornate halls and period interiors feel alive. If you haven’t toured it yet, grab a friend and go geek out on architecture, local stories, and the kind of craftsmanship you can’t fake.

From the Georgetown newsletter, September 9, 2026

Capital City Disc Golf Course at Lakeview Park serves up 18 holes with rolling elevation and a mix of open and technical lines, a legit tune up for league night or a casual fling. The Frankfort Disc Golf Association keeps it buzzing with local leagues and homegrown tournaments.

From the Frankfort newsletter, October 27, 2026

Neighborhood multiplex featuring 1st-run films, 3D options, popcorn specials & special events.

When you want an easy win for family or friend time, Strike & Spare J Town keeps it lively with cosmic bowling, bumper lanes for the kids, an arcade and mini golf, plus leagues when you get hooked. Grab a lane, then hit the bar and grill or scope the pro shop.

From the Louisville newsletter, October 21, 2026

When the crew needs a quick win, Main Event Louisville nails it with laser tag that actually gets your heart going, plus bowling, arcade runs, VR games, gravity ropes, shuffleboard and even mini golf... then refuel with shareable apps and sweet desserts at the in-center restaurant.

From the Louisville newsletter, October 14, 2026

East Frankfort Park Disc Golf Course is part of the local scene championed by the Frankfort Disc Golf Association, a 501c3 pushing disc golf in town. Great for a quick after work loop or friendly competition, it’s where your putter gets humble and your group chat gets louder.

From the Frankfort newsletter, October 8, 2026

Cherokee Golf Course is Louisville’s oldest public track, founded in 1895, with a hilly layout and two lake holes that make accuracy king. It's the shortest of the Metro Parks courses, perfect for a quick round this week that still humbles you in the best way.

From the Jeffersonville newsletter, September 27, 2026

If your week needs a reset, Idle Hour Country Club delivers that members-only calm and a course with stories baked into every hole. Whether you’re sneaking in nine or catching up with familiar faces, it’s a classic Lexington breather that still feels fresh.

From the Mount Vernon newsletter, October 23, 2026

Sun Valley Golf Course is a par 71 built for Louisville regulars, with leagues, tournaments, and weekly games to keep the swing honest. Cruise the open front nine, then test nerve on the larger, undulating back with white sand bunkers and water waiting this week.

From the Brandenburg newsletter, October 11, 2026

Hopping aboard Belle of Louisville Riverboats is the kind of low-effort, high-payoff plan locals actually follow through on. Glide up the Ohio for sunset and moonlight cruises, Steamboat Suppers, or Sunday Funday, and soak up 200-plus years of Louisville history aboard the National Historic Landmark Belle or Mary M.

From the Jeffersonville newsletter, October 17, 2026

Comfy leather recliners, real stadium sightlines, and that big-screen feel make Xscape Theatres Blankenbaker 16 a legit go to when you want the living room to feel jealous. Between Flashback Cinema and the spooky Xscape After Dark lineup, there’s usually something fun to rally the group chat.

From the Louisville newsletter, September 23, 2026

Clue-solving, escape-room chain, featuring themed experiences for families and corporate event.

Long-running chain of recreation centers for mini-golf; some feature arcades & other attractions.

Whether you're chasing a forgiving fairway or want to test that fade you swear is intentional, University Club of Kentucky gives you 36 holes of Bluegrass golf between the Arthur Hills designed Big Blue Course and the punchy Wildcat Course. Grab a tee time, log your round on their app, make it a midweek reset.

From the Lexington newsletter, September 18, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

A Lexington classic with a one-mile red-clay oval, Red Mile Gaming & Racing mixes live harness racing with a lively gaming floor, Caesars Sportsbook, rotating live entertainment, and delightfully goofy nights like T-Rex and Wiener Dog races, making it an easy go-to when your crew wants variety.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 22, 2026

Need a reset close to Hamburg this week? Greenbrier Golf & Country Club blends a championship 18-hole challenge with casual and fine dining, year-round practice on TrackMan simulators, family-friendly activities, even a quiet spot to fish... a legit Lexington hideaway when you want life to exhale.

From the Lexington newsletter, August 10, 2026

Seneca Golf Course winds through Seneca Park beside Beargrass Creek, a hilly, tree-lined 18 that actually makes you think between shots. Hit the driving range and that fantastic chipping green, then test those zoysia fairways for a round that feels like a mini getaway right here in Louisville this week.

From the New Albany newsletter, October 11, 2026

Lakeside Golf Course is a laid-back 18-hole spread on roughly 185 acres, perfect when your short game needs a reality check this week. Hit the practice area, grab a quick bite from the snack bar, maybe poke around the pro shop, then go chase that one pure shot we live for.

From the Richmond newsletter, August 25, 2026

Whether you’re chasing first‑run favorites or indie gems, Kentucky Theatre pairs its ornate 1922 charm with series like Summer Classics, Freaky Fridays, and the Rosa Goddard International Film Festival, plus Troubadour Concerts and the homegrown Twelve Lions Film Festival.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 26, 2026

If slick, speedy greens and a layout that rewards shotmakers are your happy place, Midland Trail Golf Club delivers a private, member-focused experience with a love-for-the-game spirit, challenging fairways, and enough nuance to keep regulars coming back to shave one more stroke.

From the Louisville newsletter, September 17, 2026

If you like your rounds scenic and honest about your swing, Charlie Vettiner Golf Course brings rolling hills, bent grass greens, zoysia fairways, and enough bunkers, trees, and water to keep you focused.

From the Louisville newsletter, September 29, 2026

Think bourbon education that doesn't feel like homework. The Bourbon Theatres pairs a film about Kentucky’s favorite spirit with a guided tasting in a comfy LexLive theater, then points you to the bar for specialty cocktails. Book it for your next private group hang or team outing.

From the Lexington newsletter, September 14, 2026

Griffin Gate Golf Club brings a Rees Jones 18 where legends once competed, without leaving town, with Bluegrass views, GPS carts with 3D course maps, and solid short-game practice, plus a pro shop stacked with Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, and Odyssey. Cap it at Birdies & Bourbon, and book tee times ahead.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 17, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Catch a movie, then chase high scores in the arcade, roll a few frames, and refuel with eats and drinks, all under one roof. LexLive even lets you book your event, so your crew has zero excuses this week.

From the Lexington newsletter, September 20, 2026

Whether your short game behaves or not, Valhalla Golf Club serves up a true championship layout with Kentucky character. They host serious tournaments, keep things dialed with shuttle buses for events, and deliver that only-in-Kentucky golf experience locals crave when they want a round that actually feels big.

From the Jefferson County newsletter, October 22, 2026

Whether you need to shake off a rough week or just feel like making a glorious mess, Lexrage sets you up in a rage room to smash crockery and electronics for pure catharsis. It's a satisfyingly loud reset button locals will appreciate when the to-do list won't quit.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 24, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

With historic roots and a regal clubhouse, Lexington Country Club is the local go-to for lush fairways, court sports, pool time, and genuinely good dining. It’s social without trying too hard, with tournaments and parties that make weeknights feel like a win.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 15, 2026

Need a local fairway fix? University Club of Kentucky brings 36 holes across the Arthur Hills designed Big Blue Course and the shot shaping Wildcat Course, with rolling Bluegrass views that make even a bogey feel poetic, so grab a buddy, book a time, and go stripe it.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 12, 2026

Treat yourself to a behind-the-scenes tour at Churchill Downs this week, then get ready for the September and Fall Meet with live Thoroughbred racing, Twilight Thursdays, and kid-friendly thrills on Family Adventure Day. It’s the kind of Louisville tradition that never gets old.

From the Jeffersonville newsletter, October 4, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Quail Chase Golf Course is peak Louisville golf, a David Pfaff design rolling through Scotch pine, maple, oak and dogwood with McNeely Lake peeking in. The fairways were renovated with Tahoma 31 in 2024, so it plays extra smooth. Text your foursome and go stripe some.

From the Louisville newsletter, October 29, 2026

Whether you’re dodging the multiplex or craving something a little more curated, The Floyd Theater quietly delivers film series, special screenings, and the occasional campus gem in a comfy, no-frills room. Easy hop from Jeff, low-key crowd, and movies that make you glad you left the couch.

From the Jeffersonville newsletter, October 25, 2026

Need a low-effort hang this week? Fairway to Heaven Miniature Golf delivers 54 holes of outdoor biblical mini golf at Lexington Ice Center, perfect for friendly rivalries or kid energy burn, plus they handle birthday parties and group outings so you just show up and swing.

From the Lexington newsletter, October 9, 2026

Bugsy’s Entertainment packs state-of-the-art bowling, a massive arcade, creative putt-putt, immersive attractions, and a legit food and bar lineup into one easy hang. Rally the crew, snag a lane, crush some pizza, and let friendly trash talk do its thing this week.

From the Lexington newsletter, September 19, 2026

Casual dining chain with bowling, laser tag, an arcade, and ropes course.