Bardstown, Kentucky
Votes
2012 Best Small Towns in America
Contest ended: May 16, 2012
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.
Reviews
- Great Town for a long weekend getaway. The wife and I stayed in Bardstown last year at The Old Talbott Tavern & Inn. Knowing of the whispers of its haunting it made the stay more interesting when we were the only guest Sunday night and were given a key to the front door because everyone else goes home. Just me and the wife in the Inn all night...just outside the bedroom window a graveyard with above ground new orleans style graves and across the alley the gallows remain in front of the old jail. Sat night was full of nightlife in the Bourbon bar and by day we visited Markers Mark and hand dipped our own bottle of Kentucky Whiskey. Great food around town, shops, dinner train, carriage ride and wonderful Civil War Museum. Main St and the homes are something to see as well. Cant wait to escape Indiana again soon for another trip to Bardstown KY.
- on March 17, 2013
- Great neighborhoods that welcome you the day you are moving
- on November 16, 2012
- Bourbon Trail. Enough said!
- on September 13, 2012
- Love this town so much I moved hereClean, friendly and tons of things to-do.It also so pretty here. Early fall days are the best days to go for A walk around town. Don't forget Bourbon Festival in September.History is abundant all around. Including My Old Kentucky Home State park.Civil War Museum, Talbot Tavern and more.
- on July 25, 2012
- It is a beautiful and friendly town.
- on June 26, 2012
