Let’s get one thing straight: bourbon doesn’t officially have to come from Kentucky. But the best of it does, and nowhere is that more evident than in Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World. With 11 distilleries surrounding historic downtown Bardstown, and bourbon prominently featured on both bar lists and menus all over, sipping spirits is undoubtedly the top draw. Still, there’s far more to experience in the state’s second oldest city, packed with history and charm. By all means, dot your itinerary with distillery tours and tastings, but here’s what to do beyond bourbon in Bardstown, Kentucky.
OKAY, VISIT THE DISTILLERIES
It’s unrealistic to suggest you don’t stop by at least a handful of distilleries while in the region, where bourbon heritage dates back more than 200 years. Opt for a healthy mix of legacy brands, like Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam, and modern campuses like Bardstown Bourbon Company and Log Still Distillery, where fine dining, concerts, and other entertainment round out a more robust experience. You can even sleep over at some distilleries, like Log Still, with a variety of cabins and B&B rooms.
Before heading out on your liquid exploration, build a bourbon foundation at the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History to learn about the spirit’s origin, rise, and prominence in American culture, told through the lenses of politics, advertising, and culture. Downstairs, The Rickhouse occupies the basement level of this historic building and is a town favorite. Feel free to order a premium steak paired with any of 150 bourbons on the menu, or hunker into a Hot Brown if you haven’t tried this Kentucky classic—it’s an open face sandwich of turkey, bacon, and tomato, all drowning in Mornay sauce.
VISIT MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME
Not many state songs are as well-known as Kentucky’s, and this one even has its own tourist attraction. My Old Kentucky Home State Park is open 7 days a week, and hosts both a campground and golf course, but it’s the historic mansion you’ll want to check out during your visit to Bardstown. While you may know him best for “Oh, Susanna,” or “Beautiful Dreamer,” Pennsylvania-born composer Stephen Foster is known to have stayed at this mansion multiple times before penning “My Old Kentucky Home,” and it’s possible, though undocumented, that the house and grounds inspired some of the song’s imagery. Either way, tour the furnished house with costumed guides and gain some insight into historic Bardstown living.
Note: The mansion is not open daily, so check seasonal hours before arriving.
MEANDER THROUGH MORE MUSEUMS
Bardstown has plenty of bourbon, but the small town is rich in museums, too. Bardstown Museum Row is a collection of four museums largely exploring the U.S. Civil War through the reconstructed Colonial-era Old Bardstown Village, the Civil War in the Western Theater Museum, The General Hal Moore Military Museum, and the Women's Civil War Museum.
The town is also home to the much newer Bardstown-Nelson Co. African-American Heritage Museum, rebalancing Black representation in the history and daily life of Bardstown, and expanding on the stories told on Museum Row. Just about 15 minutes outside of town, the Kentucky Railway Museum is home to a sprawling model train layout in the info-packed exhibit hall, plus an outdoor collection of historic train cars—some of which can be explored or even ridden—and a unique piece of state heritage in the WWII 40-et-8 boxcar gifted to Kentucky by France in 1949, when a dedicated boxcar full of gifts was sent to each U.S. state.
SHOP MAIN STREET
Bardstown’s downtown charm has long been noted and even nationally ranked, and for good reason. Anchored by Main Street, a bounty of picturesque shops sell antiques, décor, boutique clothing, jewelry, and more. You’ll find restaurants, florists, and Hurst Discount Drug, complete with a still-operating old-fashioned soda fountain perfect for an afternoon burger and shake. Just off Main, Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. serves from-scratch recipes of local produce and brats alongside its brews in a chic venue named for the Bard brothers, of Bardstown fame. Hint: Be sure to try the house cheesecake!
GO TROLL HUNTING
You’ll need to head about 30 minutes out of town for this one, but a visit to Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest is worth the detour. Great for families, friends, or even a solo romp in nature, the easily-explored gardens and grounds are invigorating year-round, and the collection of gargantuan wooden trolls tucked throughout the landscapes are a thrill for all ages. Grab lunch to go from Isaac’s Café, and take a ride down Forest Hill Drive to the Canopy Tree Walk for a special view. Eat here, or at the picnic tables you’ll pass along the way.
