# Bardstown

Bardstown is a city in the Kentucky Derby Region, located 40 miles southeast of Louisville. It is the county seat of Nelson County. It calls itself "The Most Beautiful Small Town in America" and it's certainly at least a contender.

## Get in
### By car

The main east-west route is the Bluegrass Parkway, bringing in traffic from Elizabethtown and I-65 South, 20 miles west. It also brings in Lexington traffic from the east. The two Bardstown exits are Exit 21 (US 31E) and Exit 25 (US 150). Nelson County also has exits off the parkway at Exit 10 (KY 52) to Boston and western Nelson County and Exit 34 (KY 55) to Bloomfield and eastern Nelson County.
Two roads arrive from Louisville. KY 245 (New Shepherdsville Road until it enters the city and becomes John Rowan Boulevard) funnels traffic from Exit 112 off of I-65 in Bullitt County. Although Route 245 goes through a fairly hilly area, the road is well-engineered with modest grades and no sharp curves. The other route is US 31E-150 which comes directly from Louisville. Before several miles were rerouted in the current century, the road was narrow and winding at spots. While it remains two lanes from Mount Washington until a couple of miles north of 245, it's now a noticeably less stressful drive that still offers nice views of the Nelson and Spencer County countryside.

### By plane

* 38.174167-85.7363891 Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), Louisville (40 miles northwest of Bardstown, about a 35-45 minute drive). The closest airport with commercial passenger jet service. Service from Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and United.
* 38.037503-84.5983292 Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington (50 miles east of Bardstown, about a 1 hour drive), ☏ +1 859 425-3114. A medium-sized regional airport which has service from Allegiant, American, Delta, and United, with daily non-stop service to more than a dozen cities.

#### General aviation

* 37.8144-85.49973 Samuels Field (BRY ), 1924-B Boston Rd (2 miles southwest of Bardstown on US-62).

## Get around

Other than the tour buses listed below under "Do," there is no public transportation of any use to visitors in Bardstown. The historic district is very walkable, otherwise you will need to drive or take a taxi.

## See
### Distilleries & Wineries

* 37.80322-85.476511 Barton 1792 Distillery, 501 Cathedral Manor, ☏ +1 502 331-4879, toll-free: +1-866-239-4690, info@bartonbrands.com. Producers of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve. The distillery offers tours and a gift shop. Free.
* 37.79478-85.468252 Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center, 1311 Gilkey Run Rd., ☏ +1 502 337-1000. State-of-the-art visitor center is designed to provide the ultimate educational and entertainment experience. Tour a working rickhouse, see a movie and receive a tutored tasting in the "Taste of Heaven" barrel-shaped tasting room.
* 37.647778-85.3488893 Maker's Mark Distillery, 3350 Burk's Springs Rd, Loretto, ☏ +1 270 865-2099. Enjoy the sounds and smells of this uniquely crafted small batch bourbon. Purchase a souvenir bottle and hand-dip it in Maker's signature red wax (must be 21 to purchase and dip).
* 37.86943-85.300684 Springhill Winery, 3205 Springfield Rd., Bloomfield (12 miles east of Bardstown), ☏ +1 502 252-9463, wineshop@springhillwinery.com. Tour the winery cellar and experience winemaking, enjoy the historic display of Kentucky's wine heritage and browse the gift shop and tasting room. Stay overnight in the Victorian Plantation Manor.
* 37.7855-85.46185 Willett Distillery, 1869 Loretto Rd., ☏ +1 (502) 348-0899. Either the largest craft distillery or the smallest major distillery, depending on who you talk to. The tour still lets you see the whole whiskey making process, from the mash tubs to the pot still to the aging process. Beautiful setting. (updated Oct 2017)

### Mansions and houses

* 37.80888-85.466156 Colonel's Cottage, Kentucky's Home for Bourbon, 107 E. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 507-8338, toll-free: +1-800-704-4917. A historic Kentucky mansion located on the Courthouse circle. Hosts Kentucky bourbon and American whiskey tastings and the Kentucky Bourbon Cooking School. The proprietors are Kentucky Colonel Michael Masters, The Host of Kentucky and Margaret Sue Masters, The Kentucky Hostess. This famous couple has been featured on Food Network TV, The Travel Channel and The Fine Living Channel.
* 37.80734-85.454117 My Old Kentucky Home State Park, 501 E. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-3502, toll-free: +1-800-323-7803, myoldkentuckyhome@ky.gov. Federal Hill was the inspiration for Stephen Foster's ballad "My Old Kentucky Home" (also the state song of Kentucky). Built in 1812, it is featured on the Kentucky state quarter. The park offers tours of the historic home, a campground, and a golf course.
* 37.81191-85.453318 Wickland, Home of Three Governors, 550 Bloomfield Rd, ☏ +1 502 348-4877, toll-free: +1-800-638-4877, dixieh@bardstowncable.net. Self-guided architectural tour. Considered one of the best Federal-style houses in Kentucky, it was built about 1825-1828. Also, exhibits focusing on the three governors, the Civil War and black history.

### Museums and memorials

* 37.81126-85.463089 Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre, 310 E. Broadway, ☏ +1 502 349-0291. Located in Old Bardstown Village, it is one of the best Civil War museums in the US. It has many artifacts from Civil War battles throughout the region, focusing mainly on the war's imprint on western states. The museum houses a collection of photographs, uniforms, cannons, flags, battle wagons, medical equipment, weapons and personal items. The museum plays host to Civil War Living History Weekends throughout the year when encampment demonstrations recreate old times. Soldiers in period costumes will demonstrate skills such as cooking, musket, artillery and cavalry firing.
* 37.657-85.593410 Kentucky Railway Museum, 136 S. Main St., New Haven (13 miles south of Bardstown), ☏ +1 502 549-5470, toll-free: +1-800-272-0152, info@kyrail.org. Bells, lights, and steam whistles abound at Kentucky's official railway museum. The 5,000-square-foot museum contains a collection of artifacts, tools and photos, which interpret the story of America's rail system. There is also a railroad gift shop filled with train memorabilia, or watch several train layouts in the model train facility. Take a ride through the scenic Rolling Fork River Valley, with a 1940s vintage dining car. The Railway Museum hosts a number of events, including murder mysteries, Halloween and Christmas events.AAA discount.
* Old Bardstown Village, Museum Row, 310 E. Broadway, ☏ +1 502 349-0291. The village is a recreation of a 1790 frontier community, home to settlers exploring the west. Eight original and authentic log cabins, each 150-200 years old, highlight a creek that runs through the grounds and supplies power to Brown's Grist Mill. Each cabin houses a different display, such as the history of Native Americans from the southwest and southeast, a recreated blacksmith shop, a wheelwrights shop, a still house and Captain Bean's Tavern. Demonstrations of flint knapping, arrowhead making, ancient spear throwing, ax making and ancient fire making.
* Old County Jail, 111 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-5551, toll-free: +1-800-948-5551. Includes a tour of the original 1819 jail. All furnished with antiques and heirlooms. A chilling look at conditions in this jail that was in operation until 1987.
* 37.81225-85.4695711 Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Bardstown Historical Museum, 114 N. 5th St, ☏ +1 502 348-2999, whiskeymuseum@bardstowncable.net. An extensive collection of the liquor memorabilia of Oscar Getz and other distillers from the 1700s to today. On display are George Washington's mill stone, Prohibition prescriptions, a replica of Lincoln's Tavern in Illinois and Carrie Nation's hatchet.
* War Memorial of Mid-America, Museum Row, 202 E. Broadway, ☏ +1 502 349-0291. This memorial pays tribute to all those who served in order to uphold freedom during America's wars, and dedicated and devoted themselves to the cause. The exhibit concentrates on the role mid-Americans played in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Desert Storm, depicted through artifacts and graphics.
* Women in The Civil War Museum, Museum Row, 310 E. Broadway, ☏ +1 502 349-0291. In the historic Wright-Talbott House, this museum displays artifacts from Civil War-era women who served as homemakers, nurses and factory workers. It tells the stories of the women who even served on the battle lines as soldiers and spies. Elaborite, authentic dresses from the era are also on display.

## Do
### Festivals & events

* Antique Show & Sale Late March-Early April
* Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler Late April
* Kentucky Elk & Outdoor Fest: Second Saturday of May at Kentucky Gun Company (see "Buy" below); first held in 2023. While it's a paid-admission event, the ticket includes entry into multiple drawings for various guns and outdoor supplies. The event is a fundraiser for youth outdoors education. Many hunting-related companies have booths. Most notably, Kentucky's annual drawing for permits to hunt elk is held here, with the results announced live at the festival.
* Bourbon Open Golf Tournament Mid May
* Summer Band Concert Series Fridays June-Labor Day
* Wine & Cheese Tasting Early June
* Stephen Foster-The Musical June-August
* Moonlight Big Band Concert Late June
* Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Mid September
* Bardstown Arts, Crafts and Antiques Fair Mid October
* Flint Knapping Old Barstown Village Mid October
* Christmas 'Round Bardstown Thanksgiving-Christmas
* My Old Kentucky Home Candlelight Tour Late November-Early December
* Candlelight Tour of Homes Early December

### Golf

Bardstown is a golf lover's dream with numerous championship courses in the area, each offering 18 holes of play:
* Maywood Golf Club, 130 Maywood Ave (US 150 South of Blue Grass Pkwy), ☏ +1 502 348-6600.
* Kenny Rapier Golf Course at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, 668 Loretto Rd, ☏ +1 502 349-6542. (KY 49).

### Tours

* Around The Town Carriage, 223 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 348-0331. Carriage ride provides a slow-paced way to see the sites of Bardstown. Offers carriages, buggies and a stagecoach to tour just about any size group.
* Walking tour ☏ +1 502 348-4877 or ☏ +1-800-638-4877. Based at the Welcome Center, 1 Court Sq. Self-guided tours of downtown Bardstown with maps available.
* My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

## Buy

* 37.8106-85.4671 Barbara's Etc., 109 W. Flaget Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-2519. 10 am–4 pm M–F, 10 am–3 pm Sa. Furniture, gifts, Vera Bradley.
* 37.8035-85.42522 Kentucky Gun Company (KYGUNCO), 401 Glenwood Dr, ☏ +1 502 348-3594. 9 am–6 pm; closed Sunday. Guns, archery supplies, and other outdoor needs (though no fishing gear). Also operates separate indoor shooting ranges for firearms and bows, with rental guns available.
* 37.8097-85.46683 Marshall's Jewelers, 106 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 348-5723. 10 am–5 pm M–F, 10 am–4 pm Sa. Quality jewelry made to last.
* Nettie Jarvis Antiques, 111 Taylorsville Rd, ☏ +1 502 252-9555. Bloomfield. Fine Kentucky & American Antiques.
* Toddy's Liquors, 110 S. 4th St, ☏ +1 502 348-1444. Single barrel bourbons, miniature gift baskets,Maker's Mark Candy, Gethsemani Farms products.

## Eat

There is the usual selection of fast food national chains.

### Delis

* 37.8105-85.46061 Boone's Butcher Shop, 100 Old Bloomfield Pike, ☏ +1 502 348-3668. 8 am–6–pm M–F, 7 am–3 pm Sa.

### Full Menu

* 37.8106-85.46652 Bardstown Burger, 126 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 350-7643.
* 37.8103-85.46673 Cafe Primo, 120 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 348-8822. Italian-American food, with a good reputation for its pizza.
* 37.8184-85.42844 El Jimador Real, 1009 Granite Dr, ☏ +1 502 348-4404.
* Hunan Chinese Restaurant, 708 Bloomfield Rd, ☏ +1 502 349-0716.
* Kreso's Family Restaurant & Mozart Cafe, 219 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 348-9594.
* 37.829-85.47395 La Herradura, 959 Morton Ave, ☏ +1 502 349-7193.
* 37.81-85.46786 Mammy's Kitchen & Bar, 116 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 350-1097. 6:30 am–3 pm Tu; 6:30 am–9 pm W–Sa; 8 am–3 pm Su. American comfort food.
* 37.809-85.46747 Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-3494, toll-free: +1-800-482-8376.
* 37.8268-85.4748 Umami Sushi, 942 Chambers Blvd, ☏ +1 502 331-0179. 11 am–10 pm M–F, 1–10 pm Sa–Su. Mostly Japanese, with a few Korean dishes as well.

### Specialty menu

* Hadorn's Bakery, 118 W. Flaget Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-4407. 118.
* Hurst Drug Store Soda Fountain, 102 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 348-9261.
* My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, 602 N. 3rd St, ☏ +1 502 348-7300.
* Stephen Foster Restaurant, 503 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-5076.

## Drink
### Bars

The Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown and Nelson County are wet.
* Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn, 714 N.3rd Street, ☏ +1 502-268-7266. Wine served by flight, glass & bottle. Beer from Kentucky and around the world.
* Bourbon Bar at Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-3494, toll-free: +1-800-482-8376. Very good selection of Bourbons, served by the flight or glass.

### Coffeehouses
## Sleep
### Bed & Breakfasts

* Colonel's Cottage Inn-Pioneer Park, 114 S. 4th St, ☏ +1 502 507-8338, toll-free: +1-800-704-4917.
* Colonel's Cottage Inn-Millstone, 107 Stephen Foster, ☏ +1 502 507-8338, toll-free: +1-800-704-4917.
* Jailer's Inn, 111 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-5551, toll-free: +1-800-948-5551.
* Old Kentucky Home Stables and Bed & Breakfast, 115 Samuels Rd, ☏ +1 502 349-0408. Coxs Creek,
* Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-3494, toll-free: +1-800-482-8376.
* 37.86943-85.300681 Springhill Winery And Bed & Breakfast, 3205 Springfield Rd. Bloomfield KY, 40008 (12 miles east of Bardstown), ☏ +1 502 252-9463, bnb@springhillwinery.com. Located at the Springhill Winery
* Red Rose Inn, 209 E. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 349-3003, toll-free: +1-888-707-0033.

### Campgrounds

* My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground, 668 Loretto Rd, ☏ +1 502 348-3502, toll-free: +1-800-323-7803. (KY 49).
* White Acres Campground, 3022 Boston Rd (US 62 East), ☏ +1 502 348-9677.

### Hotels and motels

* Bardstown Parkview Motel, 418 E. Stephen Foster Av, ☏ +1 502 348-5983, toll-free: +1-800-732-2384.
* Americas Inn Bardstown, 1714 New Haven Rd (Exit 21 off Bluegrass Pkwy), ☏ +1 502 348-1112, toll-free: +1-800-251-1962.
* Best Western General Nelson Inn, 411 W. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 348-3977, toll-free: +1-800-225-3977.
* Distill-Inn, 984 Frost Ave, ☏ +1 502 349-9400, toll-free: +1-800-228-5150.
* Hampton Inn, 985 Chambers Blvd (off KY 245 West), ☏ +1 502 349-0100, toll-free: +1-800-HAMPTON (4267866).
* Old Bardstown Inn, 510 E. Stephen Foster Ave, ☏ +1 502 349-0776, toll-free: +1-800-894-1601.

## Go next

* Louisville, 40 miles northwest of Bardstown , is Kentucky's largest city and home to Churchill Downs, site of the Kentucky Derby and Derby Museum. The city also offers museums to Louisville Slugger baseball bats and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
* Hardin County, 20 miles west, contains Fort Knox, an army base containing the US Gold Bullion and Patton Museum. The county seat of Elizabethtown, just to the south, houses the Schmitts Coca Cola Museum. It is also the setting of the Orlando Bloom/Kirsten Dunst movie "Elizabethtown"
* Hodgenville, 20 miles to the southwest, was the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site houses a replica of the log cabin Lincoln was born in.
* Lexington, 50 miles to the east, is the horse capital of the world. Yearling sales, where horses are sold for millions of dollars, takes place at Keeneland Race Course, where racing is held in April and October. Home of the University of Kentucky
* Frankfort, 55 miles northeast, is the state capital of Kentucky.
* Boating interests are available at Taylorsville Lake State Park, 20 miles northeast of Bardstown. The lake also offers plenty of fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. Tanglewood Golf Course offers 18 holes of championship golf.