Votes
2012 Best Small Towns in America
- 1602 votes - Most Beautiful
- 222 votes - Friendliest
- 46 votes - Most Fun
- 18 votes - Best For Food
- 8 votes - Most Patriotic
Description
The Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown is a Kentucky landmark and quintessentially hospitable. Kick off your visit in downtown’s Courthouse Square where distinct small town storefronts lead to the picturesque, distinguished Courthouse. From here a walking tour, carriage ride or trolley trip will transport you through history and traditions.
The first stop on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, this town’s tastings are most visitor’s first stop upon arrival. From small, family-owned distilleries to world-famous Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, bourbon is an art form here and a part of Bardstown’s identity. For this spirit’s biggest connoisseurs, come for the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September or add the Museum of Whiskey History to your itinerary.
My Old Kentucky Home is another must-stop, the state park where Stephen Foster wrote the song locals still hold dear. For a feel of that time ride the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, which offers a first-class meal through beautiful Bluegrass Country. The town’s history is further commemorated at the Civil War Museum and Kentucky Railway Museum, where visitors can ride a locomotive and view model trains and artifacts.
In addition to charming shopping, varied dining and Southern bed and breakfasts, enjoy outdoor recreation, wineries, even more museums and an array of local festivals. With 30 annual events, there’s always something happening here, with food, music, history and spirits bringing the community together. See why locals love living here in their reviews.
Traveler Reviews
Lived in Bardstown since I was 12 years old, it's a small town with beautiful nature and historic buildings. Lots of things to do and places to see. I love all the festivals and fairs
Bardstown is truly a unique and charming small town. The sun really does shine bright on My Old Kentucky Home, one of the many beautiful places to see in Bardstown!
Bardstown has it all! The town is steeped in history and is perfect for a walking tour, plus the distillery industry provides great opportunites to see the process of making bourbon from start to finish! Lots of great, local restaurants as well as unique shops, plus an art gallery featuring local artists, make Bardstown a place you will want to visit again and again. It's beautiful, friendly and just lots of fun!
It's the bourbon capital of the world! Bardstown is the quintessential southern town and home of Stephen Foster, America's most patriotic composer. There's so much to do: visit one of the many bourbon distilleries, go downtown to shop at one of our many vintage, antique and specialty shops. Or you can gain knowledge of our American past at one of our civil war museums. And did I mention there's music at the Bardstown Opry! The U.S. is filled with small towns and ours is one of the best in the country.