Overview
Shelbyville is a city in the Kentucky Derby Region, 30 mi east of Louisville and 20 mi west of Frankfort. It is the county seat of Shelby County.
2 sights · 7 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Shelbyville
American Saddlebred Horse Farm Tours
Monday-Saturday, by APPOINTMENT only. Visit an authentic American Saddlebred Horse Farm (show horses). Tours generally last about an hour and a half, you see a training session, mare & foal if available, horses in fi…
Science Hill
The history of Science Hill nearly coincides with the history of its residence, the City of Shelbyville. Wakefield-Scearce Galleries was founded 150 years later. After 114 years of continuous operation, Science Hill grad…
University of Louisville Golf Club
The golf club built for the University of Louisville.
Clear Creek Golf Course
Clear Creek Golf Course is good for beginners and yet offers a challenge to the more advanced golfers. Most golfers have found that this is not just a "chip and putt" course, and are able to use all the clubs in their ba…
Shelbyville Country Club
Formed in 1934, SCC offers members the best in country club services. This 6,400 yard golf course offers the most skillful, as well as the beginning golfer, a chance to test his/her skills as well as develop them. The si…
Weissinger Hills Golf Course
Weissinger Hills Golf Course is an 18 hole golf course located off of I-64 on KY 53. One of the true delights about playing golf at Weissinger Hills Golf Course is the friendly way in which you will be treated. The golf …
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 — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LEX Blue Grass Airport, Lexington — 36 mi away. Directions
Interstate 64 crosses Shelby County from west to east, linking Shelbyville with Louisville and, eventually, St. Louis to the west. Eastbound traffic will go to Lexington and on to West Virginia and Virginia Beach. Exits along I-64 in Shelby County are Exit 28 (KY 1848, Veechdale Rd) at Simpsonville, Exit 32 (KY 55, Taylorsville-Shelbyville) and Exit 35 (KY 53) both at Shelbyville and Exit 43 (KY 395, Waddy-Petona).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning American Saddlebred Horse Farm Tours, University of Louisville Golf Club, Shelbyville Country Club
- Lunch Bell House Restaurant
- Afternoon Shelby County Community Theatre, Lake Shelby
- Dinner Claudia Sanders Dinner House
- Evening Sixth & Main Coffeehouse Inc
Day 2
- Morning Science Hill, Clear Creek Golf Course
- Lunch Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
- Afternoon Weissinger Hills Golf Course, Guist Creek Lake
- Dinner Fiesta Mexicana
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
Get in
By car
Interstate 64 crosses Shelby County from west to east, linking Shelbyville with Louisville and, eventually, St. Louis to the west. Eastbound traffic will go to Lexington and on to West Virginia and Virginia Beach. Exits along I-64 in Shelby County are Exit 28 (KY 1848, Veechdale Rd) at Simpsonville, Exit 32 (KY 55, Taylorsville-Shelbyville) and Exit 35 (KY 53) both at Shelbyville and Exit 43 (KY 395, Waddy-Petona).
By plane
Louisville International Airport offers numerous flights to cities around the country.
Capitol City Airport in Frankfort handles small aircraft.
See
See American Saddlebred Horse Farm Tours
Monday-Saturday, by APPOINTMENT only. Visit an authentic American Saddlebred Horse Farm (show horses). Tours generally last about an hour and a half, you see a training session, mare & foal if available, horses in fields, and possibly the historic home. All tours are personalized to each visitor, with no group number requirement. There is no charge for the tour; however, a donation to the Luci Center (therapeutic riding center) is strongly suggested.
Historic Sites
See Science Hill
The history of Science Hill nearly coincides with the history of its residence, the City of Shelbyville. Wakefield-Scearce Galleries was founded 150 years later. After 114 years of continuous operation, Science Hill graduated its last class in 1939. During its time, Science Hill School had established a reputation of greatness for its contribution to education and culture. the lives of those girls who graduated from the prestigious school have affected the development of every state of America. After the school's 1939 closing, most of the premises became a residential inn. Misses Juliet and Harriet Poynter, daughters of Dr. Wiley Poynter, retained only the most western portion, the original structure as a home. The Poynter daughters were born here in the late 1800s, and here they would die nearly 100 years later.
Do
Golf
Do Clear Creek Golf Course
Clear Creek Golf Course is good for beginners and yet offers a challenge to the more advanced golfers. Most golfers have found that this is not just a "chip and putt" course, and are able to use all the clubs in their bag depending on conditions. Their courteous staff is always at your service. Special rates for Seniors are available weekdays and weekends.. The course is surrounded by some of Kentucky's best known antique shops and a number of well-known horse farms.
Do Shelbyville Country Club
Formed in 1934, SCC offers members the best in country club services. This 6,400 yard golf course offers the most skillful, as well as the beginning golfer, a chance to test his/her skills as well as develop them. The signature "horseshoe" lake provides a challenge for the course, which lies in a serene setting in the rolling hills of Shelby County. This course places a true value on shot accuracy versus distance. With a limited membership, you can be assured of an enjoyable round of golf even during the busiest months of the year.
Do Weissinger Hills Golf Course
Weissinger Hills Golf Course is an 18 hole golf course located off of I-64 on KY 53. One of the true delights about playing golf at Weissinger Hills Golf Course is the friendly way in which you will be treated. The golf course has four sets of tees for all skill levels. Golf Digest has given Weissinger Hills Golf Course a 3 1/2 star rating making it one of the finest public courses in the Louisville area.
Movies and Theaters
Water Sports
Do Guist Creek Lake
The lake is primarily for fisherman. It is one of the best bass lakes for its size in the state. Fishery include: largemouth bass, hybrid stripers, cat fish, crappie, blue gill and rock fish. Many fisherman reports catching fish over 5 pounds regularly. The record largemouth bass for this lake is over 10 pounds. Speed boats are required to slow to an idle when passing fishing boats; however, there is a special water skiing area for those who enjoy the sport. Water skiing is permitted from the 3rd Thursday in May to September 30th. There is a launching ramp at the marina. The marina offers items such as: gas, live bait, tackle, boat supplies, snacks, drinks, ice, etc. Fishing licenses may also be purchased through the marina. Covered boat and pontoon slips are available for lease. Rental motor boats are also available on a daily basis.
Events
Spring
- May Classic Horse Show Shelby County Fairgrounds Mid-May.
- Shelby County Fair Shelby County Fairgrounds Mid-June.
Summer
- Shelbyville Horse Show Jubilee Shelby County Fairgrounds Late July-Early August.
- Shelbyville Horse Show Shelby County Fairgrounds Early August. Four night show featuring the finest American Saddlebred horses from around the country.
- Bluegrass Festival by the Lake Clear Creek Park September.
- Long Run Massacre Reenactment September.
- Kentucky State Championship Horse Show Shelby County Fairgrounds Mid September.
Fall
- Trims & Whims Crafts Show Wright Elementary School, 500 Rocket Ln. +1 502 633-5222. First week of November.
- Celebration of Lights Downtown Shelbyville Mid November.
- Christmas Parade Downtown Shelbyville First Saturday of December.
Buy
Gift Shops/Shopping
Shop Serendipity Kandy Kitchen
Shop The Keepsake Shop
Shop Pathelen Flower & Gift Shop
Shop Shelby County Flea Market
Eat
- Cattleman's Roadhouse, 221 Breighton Circle, +1 502 647-5959.
Eat Claudia Sanders Dinner House
Claudia Sanders, the wife of Colonel Harland Sanders, believed in gracious hospitality and generous portions in her restaurant. When Tommy and Cherry Settle rebuilt the new Dinner House, their objective was to keep the great Kentucky legend of Claudia Sanders Dinner House alive and well. The present Dinner House has been rebuilt on the same site, but it has been enlarged to 24,000 square feet and can sit up to 700 hungry guests at a time. Guests arriving at Claudia Sanders enter an Italian porcelain tiled foyer with a grand antebellum styled staircase. To the right is the receptionist area and a gift shop. Guests will enjoy their dining experience in one of four elegantly decorated dining room: The Thoroughbred Room, The Saddlebred Room, The Kentucky Room, and The Colonel's Quarters.
Eat Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Down home cooking with a country atmosphere. Gift shop on the premises.
- Marimba Mexican Restaurant, 2059 Midland Trail, +1 502 647-1990.
Drink
Tea
Alcohol
Shelby County is officially classified by the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control as "moist", meaning that the county as a whole is "dry" (not allowing alcohol sales) but contains a "wet" city where full retail sales, both packaged and by the drink, are allowed. The city of Shelbyville is wet. The surrounding county is 'moist" in a different sense, prohibiting package sales but allowing sales by the drink in larger restaurants (seating at least 100).
Coffee
Drink Sixth & Main Coffeehouse Inc
Sleep
Bed & Breakfast/Vacation Rentals
Campground
Go next
- Frankfort Kentucky State Capitol and home of Kentucky State University.
- Lexington Bluegrass horse region and home of University of Kentucky.
- Louisville Home of the Kentucky Derby and Louisville Slugger baseball bats.
Nearby
La Grange
City / town · 1 listings · 16 mi away
Jeffersontown
City / town · 19 mi away
Frankfort
City / town · 65 listings · 19 mi away
Mount Washington
City / town · 11 listings · 21 mi away
Lawrenceburg
City / town · 4 listings · 22 mi away
Saint Matthews
City / town · 18 listings · 24 mi away
Charlestown State Park
Park · 27 mi away
Jeffersonville
City / town · 30 listings · 28 mi away
My experience
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