Bardstown is a beautiful and historic small town that looks like it is taken from a movie depicting the modern South. Located in Nelson County it is also referred to as the Bourbon Capital of the World.
Many visit Bardstown because of nearby distilleries such as Heaven Hill and Barton 1792, or the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The town also boasts of the My Old Kentucky Home State Park which is the one that gave birth to the famous Stephen Foster's song.
Besides, here are some other things to do in Bardstown:
1. Take The Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
This one, Heaven Hill Bourbon is an absolute jewel in Bardstown. The property is well maintained with a good well- maintained environment and just the right vibe.
Make this your first stop on the bourbon trail trip and set your standards high. Here you get to bottle your bourbon after tasting single-barrel bourbon that is exclusive to the distillery.
Your tour teaches you the proper way to taste bourbon and even fill and label the bottle to take home. There is a gift shop with a wide variety of products, from limited edition bottles to branded apparel.
Address: 1311 Gilkey Run Rd
2. Dine In At The Old Talbott Tavern
This historic place has a great atmosphere for dinner. The restaurant takes you back in time from the minutes you arrive.
Besides, a plentiful variety of non-veg options, they have a lot of vegetarian dishes as well. There is an adjoining bar that has the best stock of Bourbon.
One can also indulge in a self-guided tour. They hold much history with Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James stories. Although Bardstown is just a short drive from Louisville, it has much more southern charm hands down.
Address: 107 W Stephen Foster Ave
3. Shop Antiques At The Rusty Rooster
The Rusty Rooster has various decorative items and vintage furniture that are hard to find in other places. They have a very friendly staff and it's a wonderfully run local business.
It is hard to keep track of time while wandering around here. They provide all sorts of home decor including trinkets and also all forms of furniture. The by far best store in town to get something special in without breaking your bank is Rusty Rooster.
They have a price range for everyone's budget from pennies to whatever. This is one of the Bardstown attractions that is visited even by people from nearby regions.
Address: 620 Bloomfield Rd
4. Learn From The Old Bardstown Village & Civil Museum
The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into local history with its well-preserved historical building and wide Civil War exhibits. The outdoors depicts a 19th-century atmosphere.
They boast a fair amount of artifacts and help put a different perspective on how the war went down. Visiting here is far better than a video or class can teach.
If you purchase the main museum ticket, it gives you access to three other close by exhibits. They are Women of the Civil War, General Hal Moore Museum, and Old Village Museum.
Address: 310 E Broadway St
5. Make Candles At Sipz & Scentz - The Experience
Candle-making is a fun experience that you can try with your girls, with a partner, or with family. You can make a custom candle from start to finish.
The location is well-marked and easy to find. The owner is incredibly knowledgeable and shares the differences in types of wax, a good selection of drinks, and plenty of scents/jar selections.
As a result, someone who is very new to this can also participate. This is among the fun things to do in Bardstown Kentucky. Later you get to take your piece for free. You can visit the place between Tuesday and Saturday.
Address: 123 N. 3rd Street
6. Take A Tour of My Old Kentucky Home State Park
The park is named after one of the most famous songs to have ever been written, My Old Kentucky Home. The building and the grounds are all filled with history.
The overall tour takes approximately 45 minutes and there is so much information given in such an interesting and even comical approach. This place is fantastic due to the efforts and hard work of the staff.
After the tour, take a stroll around the garden. Here you can take as many pictures as you like. This is one of the popular Bardstown KY tourist attractions and is also open for weddings and other hosting events.
Address: 501 E Stephen Foster Ave
7. Stop By Basilica of St Joseph Proto-Cathedral
It is the first cathedral in the US west of the Alleghenies. It is great to see the construction details used over 200 years ago.
This historic basilica is truly lovely. Take time to read the historic signage on the outside of the building before entering. You will learn the history of the building as well as information about its status as a proto-cathedral and a basilica.
Inside, there is a guest book for you to sign along with a donation box. The artwork is beautiful and the architecture noteworthy. Make sure to notice the glass panel that allows visitors a peek at the "bones" of the building.
Address: 310 W Stephen Foster Ave,
8. Watch A Show At The Stephen Foster Story
A wonderful outdoor amphitheater show with a talented cast and great performances. They highlight the Stephen Foster Story who is known as the " father of American music," and other events.
They hold a unique perspective on the young Stephen Foster. They are typically performed for about 2 hours with a 15-minute interval between hours. Shows usually start from 8 pm but be there at 7:15 pm for seating.
It is one of the things to do Bardstown KY as it makes one so happy to listen to some tunes that are rooted deep in America. Book a show at the Stephen Foster Story website.
Address: 411 E Stephen Foster Ave
9. Explore The Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History
It is situated on the first floor in a lovely old historic building which used to be a Catholic Seminary. There are no charges for admission, however; they can take donations if people wish to give.
You will find a lot of great photos and artifacts on display in a long central hallway. There are also several large rooms located all along the main hallway with many items on display.
Almost all of the artifacts and displays highlight the rich history of Bourbon. You should visit this place even before the distilleries because the team at the Oscar Getz Museum has pulled together quite a collection of Bourbon Heritage.
Address: 114 N 5th St
10. Sample Drinks At Willett Distillery
This distillery is beautiful and clean, and the tour is excellent. You get to drink during the tour which is lovely compared to most tours you wait until the end.
Everyone on the property is friendly and knowledgeable, sharing information on various topics. They have cute super friendly cats walking around "protecting" the property.
Aside from the first taste at which everyone tries the Pot Still brand, you get a choice of what to try. You can then choose differently and enjoy your preference. Lastly, it might be hard for you to choose which bottle to buy and take home.
Address: 1869 Loretto Rd
11. Shop At Bardstown Farmer Market
It is a wonderfully nostalgic place to get fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more items. It's not far from several wonderful small local restaurants like Pat's Place and Hadorn's Bakery.
Some vendors have home-baked breads and canned jams, jellies, and other goodies. Parking can be limited, so you may want to use the parking on W Flaget across from Hadorn's and Mammy's Kitchen.
The market is not only visited by people of Bardstown but also from Louisville. This place supports local agriculture through awareness and consumer education. Do check for these things to do in Louisville, not your visit.
Address: 198-158 E Flaget St
12. Roam Around Wickland, Home of Three Governors
This Early American mansion was constructed in the early 1800s and was home to three different governors of New York. This is located near what appears to be a church and a horse farm.
The house is beautiful. The manager of the house gives a brief overview of the house and then lets you know about the upstairs. It is free to visit but donations are accepted.
It is the perfect place to accommodate even the largest family for get-togethers. There is a huge, modern kitchen situated towards the back of the property. They have also built a very nice, outdoor, double bathroom in the backyard. Perfect for an outdoor wedding or similar.
Address: 550 Bloomfield Rd
13. Play Games At Bardstown Community Park
This playground is super nice, and there are so many activities to choose from. Slides, swings, zip lines, picnic tables, and more.
The park has a very picturesque setting with an amphitheater/ shelter and a covered picnic shelter. There is also a natural area for hikers with ridges and a reservoir. Trails are marked at the trailhead and are simple to follow.
One can indulge in fishing also at the lake with a Kentucky fishing license. Beware this is a natural area and snakes and other animals are present use caution. It appears a good place to bring a dog.
Address: 407 E Halstead Ave
14. Shop From Lots of Booths At Bardstown Peddlers Mall
You can find a variety of different types of items here. Antiques, tools furniture, mopeds, jewelry, and just about anything you can imagine. This place is very well organized and maintained.
It is not so large that gets lost in the maze. If you're in the area, it's worth your time to take a look. You will drive an hour and pass 2 other peddler's malls to get here.
One should keep in mind basic rules while shopping. You are not allowed to open the cases before buying to check the condition of the game. You also cannot do a refund or exchange for another item.
Address: 1020 Granite Dr
15. Walk Around Women's Civil War Museum
Want to learn of the long and honorable service of women in the Military? This is an excellent way.
You will educate yourself on little-known and often overlooked history including the women who dressed as men to serve, led their units, and were recognized for their bravery and combat as well as surgical skills. It is recommended to take children here to help them understand.
The one-time entry cost is good for 4 museums over 2 days as well. You can expect less crowd on the weekday and employees will walk around with you and give lots of cool information about the displays.
Address: 204 E Broadway St
16. Eat or Drink At Mammy's Kitchen & Bar
The design inside is very cute, and the menus as newspapers are a great touch. It is located in an old carriage barn and has a good ambiance.
The portions are ample and the server is very friendly. The menu varies from traditional southern country biscuits and gravy to omelets. Some of the recommended dishes are gravy, try our famoys Meringue pies, pimento cheese, and bourbon-glazed pork chops.
There is an amazing bourbon collection at the bar, too. Lots of locals eat there, so you can derive that it will be a good place to stop for food or drink.
Address: 116 W Stephen Foster Ave
17. Look For Wooden Artworks At Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum boasts one of the big wooden artworks. How can waste be used is depicted in the best way here.
From the entrance to the visitor center, the view was gorgeous. You can take several trails to hike around. Nature walks with turtle and fish lakes it is just mesmerizing.
Moreover, there are so many things to find throughout the whole walk. The playground was awesome. There's even a wind phone where you can leave a message for a passed loved one. Pack your lunch and sit and eat close to the visitor center.
Address: 2075 Clermont Road
18. Book A Room At Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast
Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bardstown, Kentucky is rather an unusual place. This delightful B and B is located in a building that functioned as a jail from 1797 until 1987 thereby giving the place history and character.
The inn has seven comfortable rooms furnished with antiques, each with a private bath. Some even have a double Jacuzzi. People love the complimentary continental to full American breakfast which features baked French toast and fruits.
Moreover, there is free access to the internet as well as free car parking. Visit the Jailer's Inn website to get a room.
Address: 111 W Stephen Foster Ave
19. Join The My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
This Bardstown Train provides an opportunity to have a meal on a real train traveling through the historical city with beautiful views. The guests are offered to have a multi-course dinner while driving through the beautiful countryside of Kentucky.
The train's historic charm, complete with classic decor, adds to the experience, making it feel like a step back in time.
The train ride is very peaceful not fast at all and everything is brought out promptly and professionally. things to do in Kentucky as well.
Address: 602 N 3rd St
20. Enjoy Around The Town Carriage
The carriage ride takes you over downtown Bardstown. You get on a very gorgeous horse-drawn carriage and the driver points out places along the way and shares interesting facts about places around the area.
They have different types of carriages with various services, including wedding and prom carriages and simple hay carriages. It runs almost daily from 10 in the morning to 9 in the evening.
It is nice to take a break from spinning and traveling and walk through the gorgeous areas that remind us of history.
Address: 223 N 3rd St
