Overview
Mount Washington is a small town in the Kentucky Derby region of Kentucky, which used to be a popular resting place in the 1800s. It is in the northern part of the state near Louisville and the population is rising quickly. There is not much to do in Mt. Washington, however there are a few things you can stop and look at as you pass through.
2 things to do · 8 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Mount Washington
Mt. Washington Public Pool
The public pool has lifeguards and is located next to Mt. Washington Middle School.
Mt. Washington Spring Festival
2nd weekend in May Mt. Washington Middle School.
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 — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LEX Blue Grass Airport, Lexington — 52 mi away. Directions
The only way to get in and out of Mt. Washington is by car.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mt. Washington Public Pool
- Lunch China Café
- Afternoon Mt. Washington Spring Festival
- Dinner Country Diner
- Evening MillaNova Winery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Understand
Mt. Washington was known as "The Crossroads" in the 1800s as it connected Bardstown to Louisville, and Shepherdsville to Shelbyville. The name of the town was changed to Mt. Vernon once the town started growing, however that name was found to be taken by a town already. "Mt. Washington" was chosen and stuck throughout the years.
Get in
The only way to get in and out of Mt. Washington is by car.
By car
Two primary roads go into Mount Washington.
The main north/south route is US 31E/150, locally known as Bardstown Road on either side of the city. From Louisville, the road is four lanes all the way to Mount Washington, but it narrows to two lanes just to the south of the city. The 31E/150 signage and Bardstown Road designation are not used in the old downtown area; the main through road (four lanes) is designated as the Mount Washington Bypass, locally called "the Bypass". Within the heart of the city, the two-lane Bardstown Road follows the former route of 31E/150, now designated as US 31EX.
The main east/west route through the city is KY 44, known as Old Mill Road but usually called "Highway 44". Traffic from I-65 will exit at Shepherdsville to follow this road. Eastbound, 44 winds through countryside past Taylorsville toward Lawrenceburg. This is a two-lane road throughout the city, and at drive times, it can take several traffic light cycles to clear the 44/Bardstown Road intersection. If you need to turn left at peak hours anywhere along 44 in town, other than at one of the three traffic lights... good luck.
Get around
Mt. Washington has various sidewalks you can walk or bike on (many people choose to bike on them), however the primary form of transportation is by car.
Do
Do Mt. Washington Public Pool
The public pool has lifeguards and is located next to Mt. Washington Middle School.
Eat
Eat China Café
American Chinese.
Eat Derby City Pizza Co.
Local pizza chain, also offering subs, pasta, wings, and salads.
Eat El Nopal
The older of two local outposts of a large Louisville-area chain of Mexican restaurants. Next to the local Kroger, off the Bypass just north of the 44 intersection.
Eat El Nopal
A second location of the above chain, occupying a space that previously housed a number of different restaurants. This one is a couple of miles west of downtown, not far from a branch campus of Louisville megachurch Southeast Christian Church.
Eat Gallant Fox Brewing Company
A MouhtvWashington location of a Louisville-based brewpub; the two locations have different beer lists, and also offer bourbons and other cocktails. Both offer typical pub food (burgers, sandwiches, salads).
Eat Hometown Pizza
Hometown Pizza is a pizza chain in Kentucky with fresh, out of the oven pizza.
Eat New China Buffet
Americanized Chinese food; primarily buffet-style. Next to the ValuMarket supermarket, off the Bypass just north of the 44 intersection.
Drink
Sleep
Despite its population having grown to nearly 20,000, Mount Washington does not have a single motel or hotel. It's mainly a bedroom community that travelers pass through on their way to somewhere else. For lodging, look to Shepherdsville, Brooks (the next exit on I-65 north from Shepherdsville; included in Shepherdsville listings), Louisville, or Bardstown.
Go next
Shepherdsville is located near Mt. Washington.
Nearby
Shepherdsville
City / town · 25 listings · 10 mi away
Jeffersontown
City / town · 11 mi away
Saint Matthews
City / town · 18 listings · 15 mi away
Bardstown
City / town · 55 listings · 17 mi away
Louisville
City / town · 146 listings · 18 mi away
Jeffersonville
City / town · 30 listings · 20 mi away
Clarksville
City / town · 12 listings · 21 mi away
Shelbyville
City / town · 31 listings · 21 mi away
My experience
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