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City in Kentucky, United States
Photo: Christopher L. Riley, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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Producers of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve. The distillery offers tours and a gift shop.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mid September
(KY 49).
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.
Italian-American food, with a good reputation for its pizza.
American comfort food.
Mostly Japanese, with a few Korean dishes as well.
118.
Wine served by flight, glass & bottle. Beer from Kentucky and around the world.
Very good selection of Bourbons, served by the flight or glass.
Coxs Creek,
Located at the Springhill Winery
(KY 49).
Furniture, gifts, Vera Bradley.
KYGUNCO
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.
Quality jewelry made to last.
Bloomfield. Fine Kentucky & American Antiques.
Single barrel bourbons, miniature gift baskets,Maker's Mark Candy, Gethsemani Farms products.
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.
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Louisville · International · SDF
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