Bardstown, Kentucky Travel Guide for Whiskey Lovers

Bardstown, Kentucky, the undisputed bourbon capital of the world, is a treasure trove for whiskey lovers. Heaven Hill was founded in Bardstown in 1935, and just opened its new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery here in September. Willett has been a Bardstown fixture since 1936, while Bardstown Bourbon Co., distilling since 2017, and Lux Row Distillers (since 2018) represent the new guard. About 15 miles away in various directions are James B. Beam, Maker’s Mark, and Log Still. But amid the thrill of visiting so many famous distillers on your trip to Kentucky, don’t overlook the charm of Bardstown itself.

First things first: Where should you stay? There are hotel options from historic to modern. Perhaps the most traditional is the Old Talbott Tavern, nestled in Bardstown’s Historic District. The building, home to just six guest rooms, dates back to 1779 and lays claim to being the oldest western stagecoach stop in the U.S. Each room is named for a famous patron of the tavern, which once housed the likes of Jesse James, Daniel Boone, and Abraham Lincoln. Prices vary, but generally range from $120 to $180 nightly. If none are available on your desired dates, right next door is the Talbott Inn, which has more rooms and a more updated feel.

At the other end of the spectrum is Bardstown’s newest lodging, The Trail Hotel. Formerly the Holiday Inn Bardstown, The Trail is now a luxury destination (a king bedroom is priced around $325-$412 nightly) and has a dedicated bourbon butler who’s tasked with scheduling your every need, from distillery visits to restaurant reservations. At the hotel’s bars, rare whiskeys are on offer, among them A.H. Hirsch 16 year old Blue Wax 1990 and Mount Vernon Rye 1943. Eventually, the hotel will have its own private label bourbon and rye, made in collaboration with an unnamed Bardstown distillery. While Talbott is right in the center of Bardstown, The Trail is about two miles south (either way, you’ll need a car, as not every destination is within walking distance).

Day One

If you’re a fan of sweeter breakfast options, Hadorn’s Bakery downtown serves up the area’s best doughnuts and other baked goods. It opens at 7 a.m. and is first-come, first-served, often selling out before its 1 p.m. closing time.

After breakfast, it’s time to explore some bourbon history. There are a couple of whiskey-focused museums within the city limits; the most prominent is the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History. Named after a pre-Prohibition whiskey distributor and whiskey memorabilia collector, the museum is located in historic Spalding Hall and shares the first floor with the Bardstown Historical Museum, a shrine to local history in general.

Walking through Oscar Getz, you’ll see whiskey artifacts galore—bottles, jugs, old advertisements, vintage barware, Prohibition- era medicinal whiskey prescriptions, moonshine stills, a still that may have belonged to George Washington, and even Abraham Lincoln’s liquor license. Over 1,500 whiskey bottles are also on view, some that Getz produced himself at his Barton Distillery— including bourbons Old Barton, Tom Moore, and Kentucky Gentleman, ryes dating back to the early 1900s, and an unnamed bourbon bottle from during the Civil War. The museum opens at 10 a.m., and considering there are technically two museums to cover in Spalding Hall, you’ll want about an hour to appreciate everything. (Tip: If you want to go deeper into bourbon education, the Bourbon Capital Academy offers a 2-hour Bourbon in Bardstown course for $55 that takes place at the Oscar Getz and includes a brief tour.)

Afterward, take a walk around the corner to the Basilica of Saint Joseph Cathedral, erected in 1823. King Louis Philippe of France donated a number of the paintings that adorn the walls, while others came from Pope Leo XII. It’s a striking structure filled with historical art.

For lunch, there are great options downtown, including Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar, Pat’s Place, and Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. Mammy’s and Pat’s Place offer home cooking; both have an extensive selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and appetizers. Scout & Scholar has a slightly smaller menu that includes salads, burgers, and sandwiches, plus gourmet hot dogs, rib eye, and other brewery fare.

While you’re downtown, pop over to Evergreen Liquors, a bottle shop and tasting bar with an excellent whiskey selection. The store carries hundreds of whiskeys, but the real attraction is the bar and its sought-after bottlings—among them Old Carter and Pappy Van Winkle. Evergreen’s staff also has a number of barrel picks from distilleries throughout Kentucky. If you’re in the mood to continue bottle hunting, a short walk from there is Toddy’s Liquors, which despite its unpretentious appearance is well stocked with prized bourbons.

Before heading back to your room, consider stopping by Circa 1856—Chicken Cock Whiskey’s micro-distillery, bar, tasting room, and retail space. One tasting option, The Inside Scoop: Bourbon Edition, includes three bespoke cocktails, each paired with a Chicken Cock bourbon-infused ice cream from Kentucky’s own Dewster’s Homemade Ice Cream.

The rest of the afternoon calls for some quiet time before the main event: an evening on the My Old Kentucky Home Dinner Train. The train departs from Bardstown’s train depot, right downtown, and takes you on a 2 1/2-hour, 35-mile journey through rural Kentucky, aboard a restored 1940s dining car. It’s a special occasion, and the ticket prices reflect that—adult tickets start at $116, while children are $76.50. But you’re treated to a four-course dinner and cocktails, with more than 35 bourbons onboard.

Day Two

Today we’ll branch out from downtown. Kick off the morning with brunch at Toogie’s Table, a farm-to-table joint sourcing from local farmers and distillers for its food and drink. Southern breakfast staples like shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, and brisket hash are all on offer, and if you want a cocktail with your meal, Toogie’s offers a Mimosa flight and a Smoky and Spicy Bloody Mary.

After breakfast, it’s time to hop in the car and head to the first stop of the day: the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience. Heaven Hill’s old Bardstown distillery was destroyed by fire in 1996; its whiskeys are now made at their Bernheim distillery in Louisville and the new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery on the other side of Bardstown. Its headquarters remain here, right where the Bourbon Experience is located. This is an ode to Heaven Hill’s history, and includes a museum with exhibits that highlight the stories behind Heaven Hill brands. There’s also a tasting and an option to bottle and label your own whiskey. The view of the many warehouses dotting the hillside across from the Bourbon Experience offers a true Kentucky scene.

The Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience has a restaurant—Five Brothers Bar & Kitchen— but if you’re ready for a change of scenery, head to a different distillery for lunch: The Bar at Willett serves up classic cocktails and smaller plates, while Bardstown Bourbon Co. Kitchen & Bar has a slightly more substantial menu that includes starters, entrées, and dessert, plus whiskey milkshakes and bespoke cocktails. Both offer ample opportunity for additional whiskey tasting and tours.

Some fresh air and a stroll are in order after the second meal of the day, so it’s time to visit My Old Kentucky Home State Park. There, you can tour the park’s 200 year old mansion, a former plantation home where U.S. Senator John Rowan lived in the 1790s. There are also picturesque gardens and great bird-watching.

Back to the hotel before the final meal of the day. Talbott Tavern, which has American fare, also offers some classics, while The Rick-house Restaurant & Lounge is the city’s best place for steak. Both have excellent whiskey pours too. But keep your powder dry for after-dinner drinks at the Volstead Bourbon Lounge, a speakeasy-style space that’s home to over 400 bourbons—a true mecca for lovers of America’s Native Spirit, the shelves lined with whiskeys new and old. Another great option is Neat Bourbon Bar, which opened a second Kentucky location in Bardstown earlier this year. There are currently over 100 whiskies behind the bar, 90 of which are vintage bottles, including some original Stitzel-Weller bourbon; it’s a place you can sip on some special pours and have one last toast to 48 hours in America’s bourbon capital.