Overview
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.
12 sights · 4 things to do · 14 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 15 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bardstown
Maker's Mark Distillery
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).
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
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 ho…
Wickland, Home of Three Governors
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.
Kentucky Railway Museum
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…
Barton 1792 Distillery
Producers of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve. The distillery offers tours and a gift shop.
Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center
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 tas…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Louisville)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SDF Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Louisville — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LEX Blue Grass Airport, Lexington — 49 mi away. Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Barton 1792 Distillery, Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Bardstown Historical Museum, Colonel's Cottage, Kentucky's Home for Bourbon
- Lunch Old Talbott Tavern
- Afternoon Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre, My Old Kentucky Home State Park
- Dinner Cafe Primo
- Evening Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn
Day 2
- Morning Springhill Winery, Kentucky Bourbon Festival
- Lunch El Jimador Real
- Afternoon Around The Town Carriage
- Dinner Boone's Butcher Shop
- Evening Bourbon Bar at Old Talbott Tavern
Day 3
- Morning Maker's Mark Distillery
- Lunch Bardstown Burger
- Afternoon Maywood Golf Club
- Dinner Mammy's Kitchen & Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There is the usual selection of fast food national chains.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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
General aviation
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
Mansions and houses
See Colonel's Cottage, Kentucky's Home for Bourbon
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.
See My Old Kentucky Home State Park
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.
Museums and memorials
See Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre
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.
See Kentucky Railway Museum
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.
See Old County Jail
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.
See Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Bardstown Historical Museum
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
- 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:
Tours
Do Around The Town Carriage
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
Shop Toddy's Liquors
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
Full Menu
Eat Cafe Primo
Italian-American food, with a good reputation for its pizza.
Eat Kreso's Family Restaurant & Mozart Cafe
Eat Mammy's Kitchen & Bar
American comfort food.
Eat Umami Sushi
Mostly Japanese, with a few Korean dishes as well.
Specialty menu
Drink
Bars
The Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown and Nelson County are wet.
Drink Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn
Wine served by flight, glass & bottle. Beer from Kentucky and around the world.
Drink Bourbon Bar at Old Talbott Tavern
Very good selection of Bourbons, served by the flight or glass.
Coffeehouses
Sleep
Bed & Breakfasts
Stay Jailer's Inn
Stay Red Rose Inn
Campgrounds
Stay White Acres Campground
Hotels and motels
Stay Americas Inn Bardstown
Stay Best Western General Nelson Inn
Stay Old Bardstown Inn
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.
Nearby
Mount Washington
City / town · 11 listings · 17 mi away
Shepherdsville
City / town · 25 listings · 18 mi away
Hodgenville
City / town · 10 listings · 23 mi away
Elizabethtown
City / town · 8 listings · 23 mi away
Jeffersontown
City / town · 28 mi away
Fort Knox
City / town · 11 listings · 28 mi away
Shelbyville
City / town · 31 listings · 30 mi away
Saint Matthews
City / town · 18 listings · 32 mi away
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