Bardstown KY

Bardstown KY is located just south of Louisville in Nelson County. With a population of 11,700 people based off of the most recent consensus, it is a quaint old-fashioned small town. USA Today named it the “Most Beautiful Small Town In America.” Additionally, Southern Living magazine named it one of the “Best Small Towns in America.” However, it has been one of the most well-known small towns in America for quite some time. Therefore, it has quite a bit of unique history to prove it.

The name itself originates from pioneer brothers of the Bard family. David Bard was awarded a land grant of 1,000 acres from then governor Patrick Henry in 1785. Ironically, at this time the area was actually part of Jefferson County, Virginia. Today, if you mention Jefferson County to someone in the area, they might assume you’re referencing the county that Louisville resides in currently. While brother David obtained the land grant, brother William surveyed the area. Next, William platted the town which we know today as the “Bourbon Capital Of The World.”

With some of the oldest distilleries in the country, Bardstown bourbon has always been a staple of the community. It’s also expanding its footprint with new expansions such as Bardstown Bourbon Company. Tourism is driven by Bardstown distillery tours, My Old Kentucky Home, the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, and much more local Bardstown KY culture. That includes more recent events, relatively speaking, such as the Bourbon Festival, while others date back to historical Civil War era sites.

Hotels & Accommodations

Are you looking for accommodations and restaurants near Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, Bourbon Heritage Center, or the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey? We’ll keep you updated with the latest information for Airbnb stays, hotels, and other options such as the Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast.

Bardstown Distilleries & Tours

If you’re traveling to the area simply for the bourbon experience, you’ll potentially want to checkout Bardstown distillery tours and similar attractions. Therefore, Barton 1792 Distillery, Willett Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Lux Row Distillers, Preservation Distillery, Bourbon Heritage Center, or the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey might be on your list. If you have time to venture outside the immediate area, you may be interested in checking out the Maker’s Mark Distillery, Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Four Roses Bottling Facility, or Limestone Branch Distillery. In the near future, the area will welcome back two familiar names, Log Hill Distillery and Old Samuels Distillery. Fortunately, both of these locations are preparing a comeback on their original distillery sites from decades past.