Named the most beautiful small town in the country, Bardstown, Kentucky is rich with history and culture. This quaint town will give you a glimpse of Kentucky culture and show you one of the most iconic landmarks of our state — the Federal Hill Mansion, otherwise known as “My Old Kentucky Home.” Louisvillians are sure to enjoy a day trip to this wonderful town, and people flock from all over the country to get a taste of the simple life here.
Welcome to the Bourbon Capital of the World
Here you can visit the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Willett Distillery, Barton 1792 Distillery, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center, and Four Roses Distillery. Bardstown, Kentucky is every bourbon lover's paradise!
You can tour the town in a Heaven Hill trolley...
This trolley will take you through downtown Bardstown and eventually ends up at the Heaven Hill distillery.
...or through a narrated carriage ride!
The coachman will take you on a relaxing and scenic ride through the landmarks of this beautiful town. He will tell you all about the history behind some of Bardstown's most beloved buildings.
Don't forget to visit "My Old Kentucky Home" State Park!
Here you can tour the "Old Kentucky Home" itself, which is named the Federal Hill Mansion. It was here that Stephen Foster found the inspiration for our state's anthem while he stayed with his cousins. At the Old Kentucky Home State Park, the Stephen Foster Story is performed, which details this famous composer's life. For a spookier tour of the mansion, check out the "Shadows of Federal Hill" on Sundays from 7 to 10 p.m. A carriage will take you to the mansion, and the ghosts who have lived there will tell you about its dark history.
Take a walking ghost tour of Bardstown.
Just in time for October, you and your family will be able to take spooky haunted tours of Bardstown. These tours meet every Saturday from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the Talbott Tavern. Tickets are $15.
Stop by the famous Talbott Tavern.
You'll love all of the incredible historic buildings that remain perfectly intact in Bardstown. The Old Talbott Tavern was built way back in 1779. Can you believe it's 238 years old? Daniel Boone and Abraham Lincoln are both said to have visited this amazing tavern.
Enjoy the fall foliage on this gorgeous dinner train ride.
This famous dinner train will take you through the beautiful Kentucky fall foliage. Tickets are $80 per person and cover the ride and meal.
Visit My Old Kentucky Dinner Train at 602 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004.
Enjoy the 37th Annual Bardstown Arts, Crafts & Antiques Fair...
More than 200 artists will be selling their art, crafts, and antiques on October 15th, from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Bring your whole family on a day trip to one of the best fairs in Kentucky!
...or the Colorfest at the nearby Bernheim forest.
The Colorfest at Bernheim forest will feature a hay maze, hay ride, pumpkin sling, and arts, crafts, and food vendors. The Colorfest is close to Bardstown in Clermont, Kentucky, so it would make a fun stop for families to take on a day-trip to Bardstown from Louisville.
What are your favorite things to do in Bardstown, Kentucky? Let us know in the comments below! Check out this article for more info about the beautiful fall foliage dinner train ride.
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