The 17 Best Things To Do In Bardstown, Kentucky

For centuries, bourbon has been Kentucky’s biggest and best calling card. So it’s no surprise that when you’re here, you’re well and truly in bourbon country. Historic Bardstown, a small town about an hour outside of Louisville, is in the heart of it all. The long-lived and long-loved distilleries in and around Bardstown (all 11 of them!) helped earn the place its spirited reputation–as well as its nickname as the Bourbon Capital of the World.

There’s no mistaking Bardstown for its big-city neighbors, and that’s the charm of it. Across its square mileage, it packs a bunch of fun things to do, both bourbon-related and otherwise, amid the beautiful Kentucky countryside.

Visit A Distillery

Start Small At Willett Distillery

This independent, family-owned company dates back to 1936 and offers guided tours of its facility (including its original copper still) with tastings. Although Willett isn't as larger as other area distilleries, the property is beautiful and its smaller size makes for a more intimate experience. Reservations are recommended for the distillery's bar and restaurant (more below).

Willett Distillery; 1869 Loretto Road, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 501-9699

Bottle Your Own Bourbon At Heaven Hill Distillery

No visit is complete without a trip to Heaven Hill Distillery, which is based in Bardstown and is known as the largest family-owned spirits producer in the U.S. They’ve been producing widely loved brands since 1935 and these days, you can book the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience for a tour and a chance to bottle your own bourbon to take home. 

Heaven Hill Distillery; 1311 Gilkey Run Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 337-1000

Head To Lux Row Distillers For Peacocks And Pairings

Nearby, Lux Row Distillers offers whiskey tastings–but that’s not all. There three different sorts of tours available–the Distiller’s Collection Select, which includes a cocktail and a peek at the distillation process, the Distillers Production Tour, which explores each stage of the bourbon production process, and the A Taste of Lux Row experience, which includes tasting, thieving, and a chocolate pairing. While you’re there, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the resident peacocks wandering around the property.

Lux Row Distillers; 1 Lux Row, 3050 E John Rowan Blvd, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 337-7420

Finish With A Tour At Bardstown Bourbon Company

Finish things up with a trip to Bardstown Bourbon Company, an award-winning distillery and one of the best local haunts for sipping. Self-described as "the modern bourbon experience," the company's building is sleekly designed compared to some of the other more historic properties, and the distilling methods are state-of-the-art as well. Tours include an A to Z guide to Bardstown's process, barrel thieving, and a VIP experience where you can fill your own bottle.

Bardstown Bourbon Company; 1500 Parkway Dr, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 233-4769

See Something New At A Museum

Learn About The Civil War At Museum Row

Downtown’s Museum Row includes The Civil War Museum (the fourth largest museum dedicated to the war), The Women’s Museum of the Civil War, and The Old Bardstown Village, a collection of log cabins dating back to the 18th and 19th-century. Collectively, you’ll see period weapons, uniforms, and other artifacts of life during this period.

Museum Row; 310 E. Broadway, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 349-0291

Explore Bardstown’s African American History At The Heritage Museum

The Old Union Church, which dates back to 1812, is the first brick church erected within the original city limits, according to the Kentucky Historical Society. Today, it is also a space that pays tribute to notable African Americans who have shaped Bardstown, including athletes, community leaders, business owners, educators, and more. 

Bardstown-Nelson County African American Heritage Museum; 315 N. 2nd St Bardstown KY 40004; (502) 507-1160

Check Out The Oscar Getz Museum Of Whiskey History

While you’re in town, stop by the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History to learn more about the history of the area and its distilling legacy, and check out the Old Talbott Tavern too. It’s one of the oldest stagecoach stops in the country, and you can still book a room, sip a glass of bourbon, or order a meal of Kentucky classics during your visit.

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History; 114 N. 5th St, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 348-2999

Explore The City’s Culinary Scene

Sample Craft Beer At Scout & Scholar Brewery

Bardstown may be a bourbon town, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for great beer, too. Named for brothers William (“the scout”) and David Bard (“the scholar”), who helped establish Bardstown in the late 1700s, this is the town’s first craft brewery. The beer menu offers something for everyone, including an array of sours (including several made with fruit, like peaches and cranberries), IPAs, pale ales, and even stouts. A hearty menu of pub fare (like bangers and mash with bratwurst) and Southern favorites (buttermilk fried chicken sandwich) rounds out the experience.

Scout & Scholar Brewing Co.; 112 W. Flaget Ave., Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 268-1234

Head To The Rickhouse For Steak And Spirits

Located in the historic Spalding Hall building, this low-lit, cozy dinner spot is popular for steaks, bone-in pork chops, and burgers. And if you haven’t had your fill of bourbon elsewhere, the Rickhouse offers its own flights where you can choose from a long list of brands.

The Rickhouse; 112 Xavier Dr, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 348-2832

Come For the Bourbon, Stay For The Food At The Willett

Willett Distillery isn’t just a destination for tours and tastings. The distillery’s restaurant, The Bar at Willett, is a popular restaurant in its own right. The menu changes daily but expect a lineup of creative, seasonally inspired dishes like chicken thighs with Calabrian chile, lime, and honey.

The Bar at Willett; 1869 Loretto Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 507-9396

Don't Miss Dinner At Bardstown Bourbon Distillery

Bardstown Bourbon Distillery (pictured above) also prides itself on its in-house kitchen and bar. The restaurant’s menu leans into its location by sourcing many ingredients from local farms and purveyors, including the bourbon made on site, which is used in a braised short rib dish.

Bardstown Bourbon Distillery Kitchen & Bar; 1500 Parkway Drive, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 233-4769

Spend An Afternoon Downtown

Find Treasures At Local Boutiques 

Bardstown’s charming main street district is filled with independently-owned shops. Peacock on Third, a boutique run by two lifelong friends, sells cute and colorful clothing and accessories. Find candles, jewelry, and Kentucky-themed gifts and clothing at The Bug’s Ear Boutique. For “handcrafted treasures,” from 50 local artists, head to The Artists Barrel.

Stop By The Soda Fountain At Hurst Drugs

Hurst Discount Drugs has been in operation for more than 100 years. While you can still pick up a prescription here, Hurst’s other draw is its old-fashioned soda fountain. Grab a seat on one of the black and red stools at the counter for a sundae or a milkshake.

Hurst Discount Drugs; 102 North 3rd Street Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 348-9261 

Take A Train Ride

Round out your trip with a journey aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, a dinner train with themed rides that will whisk you through the Bardstown scenery.

My Old Kentucky Dinner Train; 602 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004; (502) 348-7300