Bardstown

By car

The main east-west route is the Bluegrass Parkway, bringing in traffic from Elizabethtown and I-65 South, 20 miles west. It also brings in Lexington traffic from the east. The two Bardstown exits are Exit 21 (US 31E) and Exit 25 (US 150). Nelson County also has exits off the parkway at Exit 10 (KY 52) to Boston and western Nelson County and Exit 34 (KY 55) to Bloomfield and eastern Nelson County.
Two roads arrive from Louisville. KY 245 (New Shepherdsville Road until it enters the city and becomes John Rowan Boulevard) funnels traffic from Exit 112 off of I-65 in Bullitt County. Although Route 245 goes through a fairly hilly area, the road is well-engineered with modest grades and no sharp curves. The other route is US 31E-150 which comes directly from Louisville. The road is narrow and winding at spots, but does offer nice views of the Nelson and Spencer County countryside.

By air

Samuels Field (designated BRY) is located two miles southwest of Bardstown on US 62, Boston Road. The airport has a single paved runway 5000 feet by 75 feet, designated 02/20, with a 4000-foot parallel taxiway and a connecting taxiway to the aircraft parking apron. The runway is equipped with Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MARL), Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) all radio controlled at 122.80MHz. An Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) is also available on 119,925MHz or by phone at (502)348-1867. Land facilities consist of a 1600 square foot terminal and administration building, 2000 square yards of apron, a 10 unit T-Hangar, 3 conventional storage hangars, and auto parking. There is 100LL Avgas and Jet A fuel system with a 24 hour self serve credit card system.
Louisville International Airport is located 40 miles northwest of Bardstown at the junction of I-65 and I-264. It is the closest airport with commercial passenger jet service. Airlines serving Louisville include American, Delta, Frontier, Midwest, Southwest, and United. It is also a major shipping hub for UPS.

By train

There is no Amtrak rail service in or near Bardstown. The closest Amtrak station is in Cincinnati, 150 miles away.

Other than the tour buses listed below under "Do," there is no public transportation of any use to visitors in Bardstown. The historic district is very walkable, otherwise you will need to drive or take a taxi.

Distilleries & Wineries

• Barton 1792 Distillery

  phone: +1 502 331-4879
  address: 501 Cathedral Manor
  Producers of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve. The distillery offers tours and a gift shop.

• Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center

  phone: +1 502 337-1000
  address: 1311 Gilkey Run Rd.
  State-of-the-art visitor center is designed to provide the ultimate educational and entertainment experience. Tour a working rickhouse, see a movie and receive a tutored tasting in the "Taste of Heaven" barrel-shaped tasting room.

• Maker's Mark Distillery

  phone: +1 270 865-2099
  address: 3350 Burk's Springs Rd, Loretto
  Enjoy the sounds and smells of this uniquely crafted small batch bourbon. Purchase a souvenir bottle and hand-dip it in Maker's signature red wax (must be 21 to purchase and dip).

• Springhill Winery

  phone: +1 502 252-9463
  address: 3205 Springfield Rd., Bloomfield
  Tour the winery cellar and experience winemaking, enjoy the historic display of Kentucky's wine heritage and browse the gift shop and tasting room. Stay overnight in the Victorian Plantation Manor.

• Willett Distillery

  phone: +1 (502) 348-0899
  address: 1869 Loretto Rd.
  Either the largest craft distillery or the smallest major distillery, depending on who you talk to. The tour still lets you see the whole whiskey making process, from the mash tubs to the pot still to the aging process. Beautiful setting.

Mansions & Houses

• Chapeze House, Kentucky's Home for Bourbon

  phone: +1 502 507-8338
  address: 107 E. Stephen Foster Ave
  A historic Kentucky mansion located on the Courthouse circle. Hosts Kentucky bourbon and American whiskey tastings and the Kentucky Bourbon Cooking School. The proprietors are Kentucky Colonel Michael Masters, The Host of Kentucky and Margaret Sue Masters, The Kentucky Hostess. This famous couple has been featured on Food Network TV, The Travel Channel and The Fine Living Channel.

• My Old Kentucky Home State Park

  phone: +1 502 348-3502
  address: 501 E. Stephen Foster Ave
  Federal Hill was the inspiration for Stephen Foster's ballad "My Old Kentucky Home" (also the state song of Kentucky). Built in 1812, it is featured on the Kentucky state quarter. The park offers tours of the historic home, a campground, and a golf course.

• Wickland, Home of Three Governors

  phone: +1 502 348-4877
  address: 550 Bloomfield Rd
  Self-guided architectural tour. Considered one of the best Federal-style houses in Kentucky, it was built about 1825-1828. Also, exhibits focusing on the three governors, the Civil War and black history.

Museums & Memorials

• Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre

  phone: +1 502 349-0291
  address: 310 E. Broadway
  Located in Old bardstown Village, it is one of the best Civil War museums in the US. It has many artifacts from Civil War battles throughout the region, focusing mainly on the war's imprint on western states. The museum houses a collection of photographs, uniforms, cannons, flags, battle wagons, medical equipment, weapons and personal items. The museum plays host to Civil War Living History Weekends throughout the year when en-campment demonstrations recreate old times. Soldiers in period costumes will demonstrate skills such as cooking, musket, artillery and cavalry firing.

• Kentucky Railway Museum

  phone: +1 502 549-5470
  address: 136 S. Main St., New Haven
  Bells, lights, and steam whistles abound at Kentucky's official railway museum. The 5,000-square-foot museum contains a collection of artifacts, tools and photos, which interpret the story of America's rail system. There is also a railroad gift shop filled with train memorabilia, or watch several train layouts in the model train facility. Take a ride through the scenic Rolling Fork River Valley, with a 1940s vintage dining car. The Railway Museum hosts a number of events, including murder mysteries, Halloween and Christmas events.AAA discount.
• Old Bardstown Village, Museum Row, 310 E. Broadway, (502) 349-0291. The village is a recreation of a 1790 frontier community, home to settlers exploring the west. Eight original and authentic log cabins, each 150-200 years old, highlight a creek that runs through the grounds and supplies power to Brown's Grist Mill. Each cabin houses a different display, such as the history of Native Americans from the southwest and southeast, a recreated blacksmith shop, a wheelwrights shop, a still house and Captain Bean's Tavern. Demonstrations of flint knapping, arrowhead making, ancient spear throwing, ax making and ancient fire making.

• Old County Jail

  phone: +1 502 348-5551
  address: 111 W. Stephen Foster Ave
  Includes a tour of the original 1819 jail. All furnished with antiques and heirlooms. A chilling look at conditions in this jail that was in operation until 1987.

• Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Bardstown Historical Museum

  phone: +1 502 348-2999
  address: 114 N. 5th St
  An extensive collection of the liquor memorabilia of Oscar Getz and other distillers from the 1700s to today. On display are George Washington's mill stone, Prohibition prescriptions, a replica of Lincoln's Tavern in Illinois and Carrie Nation's hatchet.
• War Memorial of Mid-America, Museum Row, 202 E. Broadway, (502) 349-0291. This memorial pays tribute to all those who served in order to uphold freedom during America's wars, and dedicated and devoted themselves to the cause. The exhibit concentrates on the role mid-Americans played in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Desert Storm, depicted through artifacts and graphics.
• Wildlife & Natural History Museum, Museum Row, 310 E. Broadway, (502) 349-0291. This recently added museum boasts an exhibit of more than 100 life-sized animals, including an extensive display of these creatures in their natural habitat, and many varieties of fossils and minerals
• Women in The Civil War Museum, Museum Row, 310 E. Broadway, (502) 349-0291. In the historic Wright-Talbott House, this museum displays artifacts from Civil War-era women who served as homemakers, nurses and factory workers. It tells the stories of the women who even served on the battle lines as soldiers and spies. Elaborite, authentic dresses from the era are also on display.

Sports

• Bluegrass Speedway

  phone: +1 502 349-1241
  US 31E SOUTH at Bluegrass Parkway. A high banked, half-mile clay oval track featuring four divisions of racing weekly: Late Models, Open-wheeled Modifieds, Bluegrass Sportsman and Street Stock Sportsman.

Festivals & Events

• Antique Show & Sale Late March-Early April
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler Late April
• Bourbon Open Golf Tournament Mid May
• Summer Band Concert Series Fridays June-Labor Day
• Wine & Cheese Tasting Early June
• Stephen Foster-The Musical June-August
• Moonlight Big Band Concert Late June

• Kentucky Bourbon FestivalMid September

• Bardstown Arts, Crafts and Antiques Fair Mid October
• Flint Knapping Old Barstown Village Mid October
• Christmas 'Round Bardstown Thanksgiving-Christmas
• My Old Kentucky Home Candlelight Tour Late November-Early December
• Candlelight Tour of Homes Early December

Golf

Bardstown is a golf lover's dream with numerous championship courses in the area, each offering 18 holes of play:

• Cedar-Fil Golf Course

  address: 2330 New Shepherdsville Rd

• Maywood Golf Club

  address: 130 Maywood Ave

• Kenny Rapier Golf Course at My Old Kentucky Home State Park

  address: 668 Loretto Rd
  (KY 49).

• Woodlawn Springs Golf Club

  address: 103 Woodhill Rd
  (Off US 62).

Tours

• Around The Town Carriage

  address: 223 N. 3rd St
  Carraige ride provides a slow-paced way to see the sites of Bardstown. Offers carraiges, buggies and a stagecoach to tour just about any size group.
• Heaven Hill Trolley, 1 Court Sq., (502) 510-0012. Tour history in style with an introductory tour of Bardstown's many attractions including the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center.

• Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services

  phone: +1 502 507-9364
  Bardstown/Nelson County Airport-US 62 WEST. Find out why the sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning. Full service adventure outfitter, including chartered flights, hiking, camping and sightseeing tours.
• Walking Tour +1 502 348-4877 or +1-800-638-4877. Based at the Welcome Center, 1 Court Sq. Self-guided tours of downtown Bardstown with maps available.
• My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

• ...at Mary's

  address: 214 N. 3rd St
  Custom framing, antiques, fine art.

• Barbara's

  address: 109 W. Flaget Ave
  Furniture, gifts, Vera Bradley.

• Barbie D's Gifts

  address: 145 S. Main St
  New Haven. Books, cards, pottery, angels, consignments and more.

• Bardstown Book Sellers

  address: 129 N. 3rd St
  Kentucky authors, religious gifts, quaility music, candles.

• Bella Salon & Spa

  address: 104 Manor Ave
  #101. Salon and day spa services.

• Gloriela's Boutique

  address: 117 N. 3rd St

• Marshall's Jewelers

  address: 106 N. 3rd St
  Quality jewelry made to last.

• Merle Norman

  address: 105 W. Flaget Ave
  Cosmetic studio.

• Nettie Jarvis Antiques

  address: 111 Taylorsville Rd
  Bloomfield. Fine Kentucky & American Antiques.

• Plantation Furniture & Designs

  address: 112 N. 3rd St
  Distinctive home furnishings and design.

• Rooster Run General Store

  phone: +1 502 348-8753
  address: 6515 New Shepherdsville Rd
  Hwy. 245 (between Bardstown and I-65). Once upon a time a woman went looking for her husband at Evans' Beverage Depot (he was known to stop there and linger a bit after work most days). When the wife showed up at the depot, the husband took off rather quickly, causing the other men to laugh and one to remark "Look at that rooster run." Former owner Joe Evans knew a good thing when it knocked on his door, and put a running rooster on a ball cap and the giant Ozzie Frank, a.k.a. The Big Rooster, out in front of his store, and a local legend was born. Today, Rooster Run is known worldwide. It's still a good place to grab a bite to eat and visit with friends and neighbors, buy gas for your car, or purchase a Kentucky souvenir. The giant Ozzie Frank rooster was named after Evans' daughter's Cabbage Patch doll and a community bus driver named Frank.

• Santa's Haven

  address: 208 N. 3rd St
  Unusual home decor.

• Toddy's Liquors

  phone: +1 502 348-1444
  address: 110 S. 4th St
  Single barrel bourbons, miniature gift baskets,Maker's Mark Candy, Gethsemani Farms products.

There is the usual selection of fast food national chains.

Delis

• Bardstown Bowling Center

  address: 1012 Commerce Blvd

• Bardstown Express Food

  address: 985 Bloomfield Rd
• Boone's Butcher Shop, 100 Old Bloomfield Pk., +1 502 348-3668.

• Busy Bee Chevron

  address: 1411 N. 3rd St
• Five Star Food Mart, 4 locations: 122 E. Stephen Foster Ave, 1855 New Haven Rd., 207 W. John Rowan Blvd., 610 Bloomfield Rd.

• Parkway Mini Mart

  address: 1545 New Haven Rd

• Speedy Mart

  address: 603 Bloomfield Rd
• Thompson Food Mart, 2 locations: 509 W. Stephen Foster Ave., 706 N. 3rd St.

Full Menu

• Asian Garden Restaurant

  address: 1442 E. John Rowan Blvd

• Blue Dragon

  address: 966 Chambers Blvd
• China Star, 317 Ky Home Square, +1 502 348-2588.

• Dagwood's

  address: 204 N. Third St

• Due West B-B-Q

  address: 962 Chambers Blvd

• El Camino Real Mexican Restaurant

  address: 885 Pennsylvania Ave

• Hunan Chinese Restaurant

  address: 708 Bloomfield Rd

• Kreso's Family Restaurant & Mozart Cafe

  address: 219 N. 3rd St

• Kurtz Restaurant

  address: 418 E. Stephen Foster Ave

• Los Nopales

  address: 942 Chamber Blvd

• Rosemark Haven Italian Restaurant

  address: 714 N.3rd Street

• Old Talbott Tavern

  phone: +1 502 348-3494
  address: 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Umami Sushi

  address: 942 Chambers Blvd

• Xavier's Restaurant

  address: 112 Xavier Dr

Specialty Menu

• Bearno's

  address: 962 Chambers Blvd
  Louisville-area local pizza chain.

• Bryan's Hog Wild BBQ

  address: 607 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• David's Lounge

  address: 624 Bloomfield Rd

• Hadorn's Bakery

  address: 1/2 W. Flaget Ave
  118.

• Hurst Drug Store Soda Fountain

  address: 102 N. 3rd St

• Hurst Restaurant

  address: 829 Loretto Rd

• Jazzy's Pub

  address: 114 N. 3rd St
• Maxine's, 420 Cathedral Manor, +1 502 348-3459.

• My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

  address: 602 N. 3rd St

• The Old Stable

  address: 116 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Rosebud Lunch Cafe

  address: 714 N. 3rd St

• Stephen Foster Restaurant

  address: 503 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Still Bill's Restaurant & Lounge

  address: 109 Guthrie Dr

• Tom Pig's Restaurant

  address: 622 Bloomfield Rd

Bars

The Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown and Nelson County are wet.

• Rosemark Haven Wine Bar

  address: 714 N.3rd Street
  Wine served by flight, glass & bottle. Beer from Kentucky and around the world.

• Bourbon Bar at Old Talbott Tavern

  phone: +1 502 348-3494
  address: 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave
  Very good selection of Bourbons, served by the flight or glass.

Coffeehouses

• Java Joint

  address: 126 N. 3rd St
  Cappuccinos, espressos, sandwiches, soups, desserts.

Bed & Breakfasts

• Beautiful Dreamer

  phone: +1 502 348-4004
  address: 440 E. Stephen Foster Ave

• Colonel's Cottage Inn-Pioneer Park

  phone: +1 502 507-8338
  address: 114 S. 4th St

• Colonel's Cottage Inn-Millstone

  phone: +1 502 507-8338
  address: 107 E. Broadway

• The Homestead

  address: 3944 Bloomfield Rd

• Jailer's Inn

  phone: +1 502 348-5551
  address: 111 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Old Kentucky Home Stables and Bed & Breakfast

  address: 115 Samuels Rd
  Coxs Creek,

• Old Talbott Tavern

  phone: +1 502 348-3494
  address: 107 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Plantation Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 502 252-9463
  address: 3205 Springfield Rd. Bloomfield KY, 40008
  Located at the Springhill Winery

• Red Rose Inn

  phone: +1 502 349-3003
  address: 209 E. Stephen Foster Ave

• Shadowlawn

  address: 216 Flaget Ave

• The Veranda

  address: 405 N. 3rd St

• Victorian Lights

  address: 112 S. 3rd St

Campgrounds

• Holt's Campground

  address: 2351 Templin Ave
  (KY 1430).

• My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground

  phone: +1 502 348-3502
  address: 668 Loretto Rd
  (KY 49).

• White Acres Campground

  address: 3022 Boston Rd

Hotels & Motels

• Bardstown Parkview Motel

  phone: +1 502 348-5983
  address: 418 E. Stephen Foster Av

• Best Value Inn

  phone: +1 502 348-1112
  address: 1714 New Haven Rd

• Best Western General Nelson Inn

  phone: +1 502 348-3977
  address: 411 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Comfort Inn

  phone: +1 502 349-9400
  address: 984 Frost Ave

• Hampton Inn

  address: 985 Chambers Blvd

• Old Bardstown Inn

  phone: +1 502 349-0776
  address: 510 E. Stephen Foster Ave

• Old Kentucky Home Motel

  phone: +1 502 348-5979
  address: 414 W. Stephen Foster Ave

• Wilson Motel

  address: 530 N. 3rd St

• Louisville, 40 miles northwest of Bardstown , is Kentucky's largest city and home to Churchill Downs, site of the Kentucky Derby and Derby Museum. The city also offers museums to Louisville Slugger baseball bats and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
• Hardin County, 20 miles west, contains Fort Knox, an army base containing the US Gold Bullion and Patton Museum. Nearby Elizabethtown houses the Schmitts Coca Cola Museum. It is also the setting of the Orlando Bloom/Kirsten Dunst movie "Elizabethtown"
• Hodgenville, 20 miles to the southwest, was the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site houses a replica of the log cabin Lincoln was born in.
• Lexington, 50 miles to the east, is the horse capital of the world. Yearling sales, where horses are sold for millions of dollars, takes place at Keeneland Race Course, where racing is held in April and October.
• Boating interests are available at Taylorsville Lake State Park, 20 miles northeast of Bardstown. The lake also offers plenty of fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. Tanglewood Golf Course offers 18 holes of championship golf.