When most people think about Bardstown, Kentucky, bourbon is probably one of the first things that comes to mind (and for good reason!) Known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, this small Kentucky town is surrounded by some of my all-time favorite distilleries. After visiting Bardstown and the Bourbon Trail at least once or twice almost every year, I can confidently say it’s worth experiencing beyond the bourbon.
The first time we visited, I immediately fell for the historic downtown, local shops, great restaurants, and the genuine small-town feel. We typically spend our days leisurely distillery hopping (bourbon is still very much a priority around here), but we always carve out time for some of the other experiences Bardstown has to offer.
From historic homes and museums to a dinner train, local restaurants, beautiful outdoor spaces, and plenty of bourbon experiences, there’s enough here to easily fill a long weekend. Whether you’re planning a Bourbon Trail trip or just looking for a charming Kentucky getaway, these are my favorite things to do in Bardstown, KY.
10 Things To Do In Bardstown KY
I personally think Bardstown is the perfect home base for a Bourbon Trail weekend, and I’d recommend staying for two to three nights if your itinerary allows. That’s enough time to visit several distilleries without rushing from tasting to tasting, while still leaving room for a long lunch, some shopping, or a few of the historic attractions around town.
When we visit, we almost always stay right in downtown Bardstown, typically at the historic Talbott Inn. I’ll admit, we’ve taken friends and recommended it to people who were a little skeptical at first with its old-school, non-commercial hotel feel and not much of an online presence. But everyone we’ve sent there has ended up agreeing with us: it’s inexpensive, full of character, and you really can’t beat the location. Being able to walk to restaurants, bars, bottle shops, and Court Square at the end of a day of distillery hopping is one of my favorite parts about staying here.
That’s really what I love about Bardstown, you can make bourbon the focus of your trip without making it the only thing you do. The mix of history, food, shopping, and small-town charm gives you plenty of ways to break up those distillery visits and actually experience the town you’re staying in.
Where Is Bardstown Kentucky
Bardstown is located in Nelson County in central Kentucky, about 40 minutes south of Louisville and roughly an hour and 15 minutes from Lexington. That location makes it such an easy stop on a Kentucky road trip or a convenient home base for exploring this part of the Bourbon Trail.
You’ll definitely want a car for reaching the distilleries and attractions outside town, but once you’re downtown, park it and explore on foot. Court Square puts you within an easy walk of restaurants, bars, shops, historic buildings, and several attractions (which is another reason I always prefer staying right in town!)
What Is Bardstown Kentucky Known For
Bourbon may get top billing, but Bardstown offers a really fun mix of Kentucky history, food, and small-town charm alongside its distilleries.
- Bourbon: There’s a reason Bardstown is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, with major distilleries and craft distillers throughout the surrounding area.
- Kentucky history: Bardstown dates back to the 1700s, and its historic homes, museums, and architecture make it easy to step back in time while exploring.
- My Old Kentucky Home: The historic Federal Hill mansion and surrounding Kentucky Home State Park are among Bardstown’s most recognizable landmarks.
- Historic downtown: Court Square is lined with historic buildings alongside locally owned shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries.
- Southern food: You’ll find plenty of Kentucky favorites, from fried chicken and country ham to Hot Browns and bourbon-inspired dishes.
- Small-town charm: This is the part that won me over, and apparently I’m not alone! Bardstown has been named the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America,” and more recently ranked the #1 Most Welcoming Small Town in America for 2026. It has that relaxed, genuinely friendly feel that makes wandering around town just as enjoyable as checking another distillery off your list.
What To Do In Bardstown KY
Explore & Shop Around Downtown Bardstown
If you only have a few hours in Bardstown, start downtown. Court Square and the surrounding streets are the heart of town, filled with historic buildings, locally owned boutiques, restaurants, bars, galleries, and plenty of that small-town charm that won me over on our first visit.
You really don’t need an itinerary here. We usually wander through the shops, stop somewhere for a drink or coffee, and just see where we end up. It’s also why I aways recommend staying downtown during a Bourbon Trail trip. Most distilleries wrap up around 5:00 pm, so you can grab breakfast before heading out, come back between tours, and then walk to dinner and drinks in the evening without getting back in the car.
- Cost: Free to explore
- Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
- Pair it with: Breakfast before your first distillery or dinner and drinks after your last tasting
Visit My Old Kentucky Home State Park
One of Bardstown’s most recognizable attractions is My Old Kentucky Home State Park, home to Federal Hill, the historic mansion associated with the song “My Old Kentucky Home.” Guided mansion tours take you through the home while sharing more about the people who lived there, its architecture, and its place in Kentucky history.
Even if historic homes aren’t normally at the top of your vacation list, it’s worth visiting because of how closely the property is tied to Bardstown and Kentucky’s story. The park also has an 18-hole public golf course if someone in your group would rather spend a few hours on the green.
- Cost: Park grounds are free, mansion tours and golf are additional
- Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
- Pair it with: The Stephen Foster Story if you’re visiting when performances are running
Stop by the Old Talbott Tavern
Old Talbott Tavern is one place I recommend to basically everyone visiting Bardstown. Dating back to 1779 and sitting right on Court Square, walking inside really does feel like you’ve stepped back a couple hundred years. In fact, it’s considered the oldest bourbon bar in the world.
We’ve experienced this place just about every way possible at this point: breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night drinks, live music, and even overnight stays. We’ve stayed at the newer Talbott Inn as well as upstairs in the historic Jesse James Room, where you can still see the famous bullet holes in the wall that are attributed to Jesse James.
For the full Kentucky experience, order a Hot Brown and grab a bourbon at the bar. We especially like stopping in on weekends when there’s live music. The food and pours have historically been pretty reasonably priced, although we’ve definitely noticed prices creeping up over the years to go along with the rise in demand.
- Cost: Free to visit, food and drinks are individually priced
- Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours for a meal and drink
- Pair it with: Exploring Court Square since you’re already right in the middle of downtown
Visit the Many Bourbon Distilleries
Okay, obviously we have to talk about bourbon. Distillery hopping is still the main reason we return to Bardstown so often, and there are enough Bardstown bourbon stops in and around town that you could easily build an entire weekend around them.
My biggest advice, though, is don’t try to cram in as many tours as humanly possible. We’ve found that two or three distilleries in a day is much more enjoyable. It gives you time to walk around the properties, shop for bottles, grab a cocktail or lunch, and actually enjoy each stop instead of constantly checking the clock for your next reservation.
Some of our favorite distilleries around Bardstown include Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Lux Row, Willett, and Preservation. Another tip to know is that you don’t necessarily need to book a full production tour at every single distillery stop. After you’ve seen how bourbon is made once or twice, the tastings, cocktail experiences, bottle-your-own experiences, and simply visiting the properties can add much more variety to your weekend and allow you to fit a few more stops in.
Check out my full post on Must Visit Distilleries in Kentucky to help plan your next bourbon trip!
- Cost: Visiting the properties/gift shops is generally free, the price of tours and tastings varies
- Time Needed: About 1 to 2 hours per distillery
- Pro Tip: Stick to 2 or 3 distilleries per day and leave breathing room between reservations
Explore Bardstown’s Museums
Bardstown has a surprising amount of history packed into such a small town, so museums are an easy way to break up all those bourbon tastings.
The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History is the obvious pick for bourbon lovers, with historic bottles, advertisements, memorabilia, and artifacts that trace America’s whiskey history. You’ll also find Museum Row, where several museums focus on Civil War history and Bardstown’s past. I wouldn’t necessarily dedicate an entire day to museums unless history is a major interest, but adding one between other stops is a nice way to experience another side of town.
- Cost: Varies by museum, Oscar Getz Museum admission is free
- Time Needed: 1 to 3 hours depending on how many you visit
- Pair it with: Exploring downtown Bardstown before or afterward
Ride the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
For something completely different from another tasting room, book a ride aboard the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. The experience combines a scenic train ride through the Kentucky countryside with a multi-course meal served on vintage dining cars (and it’s definitely a little more elevated than your average tourist train).
Think white tablecloths and at least business-casual attire. Your ticket includes the train ride and meal, while cocktails and gratuity are paid separately onboard. Tables seat four, so smaller parties may be seated with other guests when the train is busy.
They also offer themed rides throughout the year, including murder mystery experiences (my personal favorite!) and seasonal events like the North Pole Express. Regular dinner experiences generally allow children ages five and older, while age requirements can vary for the special events.
- Cost: Between $100 to $150 per person depending on time and date but includes the train ride and meal, alcohol and gratuity are additional
- Time Needed: About 2.5 hours
- Book Ahead: Weekend and themed rides can sell out, so this is one I’d reserve before your trip
See The Stephen Foster Story
If you’re visiting Bardstown during the summer, add Stephen Foster to your list. The Stephen Foster Story is Bardstown’s long-running outdoor musical performed at the amphitheater at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. The show brings Kentucky history and Foster’s music to life through live performances, dancing, costumes, and elaborate sets.
It’s also a fun evening option when you’re looking for something to do after the distilleries have closed for the day. Because performances are seasonal, check the schedule before your trip rather than assuming there will be a show while you’re in town.
- Cost: $28 for adults and $15 or $9 for kids depending on age
- Time Needed: About 2 to 3 hours
- Pair it with: Visiting My Old Kentucky Home State Park earlier in the day
Try the Southern Cuisine
Come hungry because Bardstown’s food scene deserves some room in your itinerary too. After quite a few trips, we’ve developed some definite favorites.
For a nicer dinner, we keep going back to The Rickhouse. We’ve ordered everything from the Hot Brown and steak filets to the blueberry salmon, but the Bourbon Bread Pudding is still my all-time favorite dessert anywhere. Keep an eye on their bourbon specials too, on our most recent visit, we were sipping on Eagle Rare pours for just $10.
For something more casual, Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. is another favorite. Get the chicken tender sandwich with Kentuckyaki sauce, or their KY Hot Brown, which is honestly one of the best Hot Browns I’ve had personally. Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar, Bardstown Burger, and Talbott Tavern are also solid choices when you just want good Kentucky comfort food without making dinner a whole production.
Check out my full post on Where to Eat in Bardstown to help plan your next Bardstown visit!
- Cost: $$–$$$ depending on the restaurant
- Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
- My Picks: The Rickhouse for a nicer dinner, Scout & Scholar for something casual
Head Outdoors at Bernheim Forest & Arboretum
When you need a break from bourbon and historic buildings, head to Bernheim Forest & Arboretum. This huge nature preserve outside Bardstown has hiking trails, art installations, beautiful scenery, and plenty of room to spend a few hours outside.
The main attraction I’d make sure you see is the Forest Giants. These massive wooden sculptures by artist Thomas Dambo are tucked along the trails, so finding them becomes part of the experience. It’s especially fun with kids, but we’ve found it’s a nice change of pace for adults too after a few days centered around distilleries and restaurants.
- Cost: $15 admission per vehicle
- Time Needed: 2 to 4 hours
- Pair it with: A slower morning or afternoon between distillery-heavy days
Enjoy the Local Bars & Bottle Shops
One of our favorite parts of staying downtown is ending the day with a nightcap and then simply walking back to the hotel. After a full day of distillery hopping, not having to think about driving anywhere is a major perk.
For cocktails and bourbon, we love Neat Bourbon Bar (definitely try the B&B Smash), Circa 1856 by Chicken Cock (best whiskey sour around), and Old Talbott Tavern (best pour options). Circa 1856 makes a really good Whiskey Sour with actual egg whites, and their curated Chicken Cock flights (yes, you read flights) are a fun way to try several expressions without committing to full pours.
If hunting bourbon is part of your trip (I don’t blame you) don’t skip the bottle shops. Toddy’s is where we’ve seen basically every hard-to-find bottle you can imagine, although you’re generally paying some steep secondary market prices for those there. Evergreen Liquors is my preference when we’re actually hoping to buy something with an extensive selection closer to MSRP. We’ve picked up Eagle Rare there for around $50 a bottle after tax.
Evergreen also occasionally makes allocated bottles into a game. The last time we visited, they hid tiny unicorns around the store and whoever found one earned the opportunity to buy an allocated bottle. Our group searched for almost an hour before I found the very last one, and as someone who gets slightly too competitive about things like this, I was ridiculously excited.
- Cost: Free to browse, cocktails, pours, and bottles vary widely
- Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
- Pro Tip: Browse Toddy’s to see the unicorn bottles; check Evergreen when you’re actually hoping to score something closer to retail
After so many trips to Bardstown, it’s still one of our favorite Kentucky weekend getaways. We may originally come for the bourbon, but it’s the combination of great food, history, walkable downtown, and that small-town atmosphere that keeps us coming back year after year.
If you’re planning your own trip, check out my guide to the Distilleries in Kentucky to start mapping out your Bourbon Trail stops, along with my favorite Places to Eat in Bardstown KY. I also have a complete guide on Where to Stay in Bardstown KY, plus my 24 Hours in Bardstown itinerary if you’re working with a shorter trip, which we have successfully achieved many times.
And as always, follow along with me on Instagram @sierrainthecity for more of my travels, Bourbon Trail trips, and all the places we discover along the way!
