Frankfort, IL Area Guide

When the Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad came through the township in 1855, the settlement became widely known as Frankfort Station, a name that stuck long after the tracks became a local trail. That railroad corridor now lives on as the Old Plank Road Trail, a 22-mile paved path that threads directly through town and connects neighboring villages along the same route trains once traveled.

Downtown Frankfort still reflects its origins as a railroad and farming community. The Frankfort Grainery and Breidert Green anchor the historic core, and even buildings added in recent decades blend with the older streetscape. Breidert Green hosts Fridays on the Green, Movies on the Green, and Concerts on the Green, keeping the town center as lively today as it was in its early commercial years.

Downtown Frankfort's dining scene is bustling with restaurants, coffee shops, and bars spread across more than 50 businesses in the historic core. Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar brings bold Mexican flavors to the mix, while Francesca's Fortunato delivers Italian cuisine from a well-established restaurant group. Cultivate Community Table focuses on farm-to-table cooking, and the Old Plank Trail Tavern is a cash-only local staple with deep roots in the neighborhood. Additional dining options extend along the U.S. 45 corridor north of downtown.

Getting around Frankfort means relying primarily on a car. There is no public transportation within the village itself, though two Metra commuter rail stations in neighboring Mokena provide service to Chicago for those willing to drive a short distance to board. The nearest station, Hickory Creek, is about 5.6 miles away, and Mokena station is approximately 6.2 miles out.

For drivers, Interstate 80 is just four miles from the village center and is the main artery for the roughly 30-mile commute into Chicago. U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Route 45 both run through town, giving easy access to surrounding suburbs and to Joliet to the west. The Old Plank Road Trail serves cyclists and pedestrians heading between villages, and the downtown area itself is easy to cover on foot.

Prairie Park, a 13-acre nature preserve right next to downtown, offers tallgrass prairie landscapes, a looped walking path, and a fishing pond, all within easy reach of the historic core. The Frankfort Park District manages 19 parks across the village, along with the Founders Community Center for indoor recreation. The Old Plank Road Trail stretches 22 miles from New Lenox to Park Forest, passing through Frankfort along the old railroad bed, making it a favorite for cycling and long walks.

For those who want to venture a bit farther, Hickory Creek Preserve is accessible within a short drive, with multiple entry points including LaPorte Road Access and Hickory Creek Junction. Bartel Grassland Nature Preserve adds another destination for open-land exploration just a few miles out.

Renting in Frankfort runs notably below the Illinois state average. One-bedroom apartments average around $1,088 per month, compared to the statewide average of $1,737, and two-bedroom units average around $2,045. Both figures have seen modest year-over-year increases of about 2 percent. On the for-sale side, Frankfort carries the highest median home price in Will County, reflecting the strength of the local housing market relative to surrounding communities.

The historic downtown serves as Frankfort's primary shopping destination, where more than 50 businesses operate across a walkable stretch of preserved architecture. Boutiques and beauty salons sit alongside coffee shops and specialty retailers, and the streetscape itself encourages browsing on foot. Breidert Green hosts seasonal markets and events that draw shoppers into the downtown core throughout the year.

For everyday retail and larger stores, the U.S. 45 corridor, known locally as LaGrange Road, offers additional options just beyond downtown. Bronson Square is the closest shopping center to the residential areas, and several other small retail centers are within a few minutes' drive.

Frankfort combines a walkable, architecturally preserved downtown with strong community events like the annual Bluegrass Festival and the 250,000-visitor Fall Festival, all within 28 miles of Chicago. Prairie Park, the Old Plank Road Trail, and a dining scene anchored by long-running local spots round out a well-rounded suburban experience.