Bardstown Kentucky is a great place for tourists to visit. There are many fun things to do in the area, and the experience is sure to be enjoyable. Some of the attractions that draw people to Bardstown are its historic downtown district, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Bardstown, there are a few things you should know.
First, the town is located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Country. This means that there are plenty of distilleries to tour and tastings to enjoy. If you love bourbon, Bardstown is the place for you. In addition to bourbon, Bardstown is also home to some of the best restaurants in Kentucky.
As a person or family, If you are in quest of a place to spend your vacation, make sure to check out Bardstown! You won’t be disappointed.
Pay a visit to the Home State Park
The authorized song of Kentucky is based on the Old Home State Park. “Good Night” was composed by Stephen Foster as a protest against slavery as he visited Federal Hill.
Senator John Rowan’s family owned Federal Hill on Federal Hill. As a result of the song’s success, the Commonwealth of Kentucky decided to purchase Federal Hill and protect it as a historical landmark.
As a result, the Federal Hills has become an important historical monument. It’s also a nice area to visit because of the lush green grass and magnificent trees. Intricate embellishments can be seen throughout the home, making it quite spectacular. It is also possible to go birding and have a picnic on the grounds of the palace.
Learn About the Women’s Civil War Museum
The Civil War Museum is a must-see in Bardstown, particularly if you have a passion for the past as I do. The Women’s Civil War Museum in Washington, D.C., provides a fascinating story about the brave women who fought and died in the American Civil War.
Journalists, medical practitioners and suffragettes all relied heavily on women throughout the Civil War. Many objects in the museum reflect how courageous women were throughout the war and how ready they were to fight for their country. The Women’s Civil War Museum also has a variety of artifacts and displays depicting the women’s roles as nurses and more.
In addition to weapons, Confederate swords, cannons, and other artifacts, the museum has an impressive collection of Union and Confederate costumes. They see how powerful women can be when they unite, and how important their role is in every industry.
Take a stroll on the Cobblestone Path
An eight-acre stretch of property on the east side of the Bardstown Downtown Area in Bardstown, Kentucky, is the site of this historic walk. The Bardstown Civil War Memorial is just across the street from this building, which has remained since it was built in the early 1900s.
Despite the fact that the Cobblestone Path is now only used by pedestrians, the city of Bardstown owns it since it was previously considered part of the city’s road network. The Cobblestone Path was first laid in 1785. It was built by the residents of Bardstown, Ky.
For non-minister males aged 16 to 50, it was a legal necessity that they help in building the construction of this and other roads, or face a $1.25-per-day penalty fee if they didn’t show up for work as planned.
Because of its significance in Kentucky’s transportation history, the Cobblestone Path was included into the National Heritage list on November 16, 1989.
Go Shopping at the Bardstown Peddlers Mall
Peddlers Mall is a great spot to go shopping if you want to have a great time. Antiques, curiosities, collectibles, vintage things, furniture, and more may be found at Peddlers Mall, a locally owned and operated shopping center.
They have fair prices, excellent customer service, and a welcoming environment, all of which combine to make for a pleasurable shopping experience.
You may also order online through their website or mobile app, and the delivery costs are quite reasonable.
Attend the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
For a week in the middle of September, tens of thousands of bourbon enthusiasts descend to Bardstown to commemorate the city’s 250-year history in the spirit.
With just 250 attendees when it began, this event has grown to be one of the biggest in the state each year, drawing more than 50,000 people from 20 different nations.
Many of the events take place on the beautiful lawn in front of historic Spalding Hall, which is hosting the festival during National Bourbon Heritage Month.
On the agenda are an auction of vintage and rare bourbons; a sampling experience; culinary workshops; speeches by industry leaders; live music; and the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay Race, in which teams roll bourbon barrels.
Like Bardstown, other Kentucky cities offer fun recreation centers too! Check out Williamstown, KY for enjoyable things to do for you and your family.
Visit McIntyre’s Winery for a Day of Wine Tasting
They utilize blackberry and blueberry juice from McIntyre’s Winery to manufacture their fruit wines. A vast variety of tastes and scents are available at McIntyre’s.
McIntyre’s Winery offers wine tastings and tours, as well as the opportunity to buy the winery’s handmade fruit wines. You may buy wine from the Winery’s online store or visit the Winery in person for a tour and tasting.
Visitors to McIntyre’s Winery may learn about the science and art of winemaking, as well as taste our handmade fruit wines, during vineyard tours and wine tastings.
Bardstown Bowling Center is a Great Place to Bowl
Bowling at Bardstown Bowling Center is one of the fun things to do in Bardstown. To get the most enjoyment out of Browning, get together with your loved ones and play it with them.
Bardstown Bowling Center features a food and drink area, as well as an arcade room, where you may play your favorite games. Bowling leagues for various ages are often formed, allowing you to compete against others your own age.
Bowling parties are the perfect way to get ready for a fantastic night at Bardstown Bowling Center’s birthday parties and celebrations of all types for all ages. To have an incredible time with your family and friends, Bardstown Bowling Center is the place to go.
Bardstown Community Park Is a Great Place to Have Fun
It’s an excellent way to spend time with your family and friends at a park. Among Bardstown’s several parks, Bardstown Community Park is a standout. All the beauty of a family picnic may be found in this acre-long park.
There’s also a basketball court, horseshoe pits, and picnic tables at this neighborhood park. Many slides and swings are available for your children to enjoy at the playground. Additionally, there are bike and jogging paths nearby.
Explore the Willett Distilling Company
One of the oldest bourbon distilleries in the world, Willett was founded in 1936 and has been manufacturing its own labels again after a 32-year break.
There are numerous aspects on the property that reveal the distillery’s rich heritage and history of small-scale operations, including as the aging warehouses, the cistern chamber, and many more that have been meticulously preserved by Willett.
For the water, the distillery uses a belt and pulley fan system from the turn of the century, as well as spring-fed lakes. The Willett family and the whiskey-making process are explained in detail over the course of an hour-long tour, which concludes with a sampling and the gift of your very own glass.
Shop at the Rusty Rooster
In Bardstown, shopping at the Rusty Rooster is one of the best ways to spend your time there. To find something unique, Rusty Rooster is the best place to go.
Unique and uncommon objects may be found at the Rusty Rooster, and there is always something fresh and exciting to discover. Because the business is immaculately clean and organized, everybody who enters will be enchanted by its attractiveness.
At Rusty Rooster, you’ll find a wide variety of unusual and high-quality goods at an affordable price. It’s a great place to meet friends and family; Rusty Rooster is available from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, from 10am-4pm on Saturdays.
Fine Arts Bardstown Society Exhibits Beautiful Artwork
An art gallery in Bardstown, Kentucky, is a wonderful place to see the exquisite expression of the human spirit.
Gorgeous paintings and sculptures adorn the walls of this lovely art gallery, which opened its doors in 2005. Artifacts and crafts of high quality are also on show.
There are a variety of topics you might look into, such as woodworking, painting, and other things. Local artists and artwork may be found here, which is a real treat.
Visit Wickland’s World-Famous Mansion
Three governors have called this three-story Georgian palace home. A Kentucky resident and a Louisiana resident both competed.
There are several classically-styled rooms across the huge estate. Kitchen features include a two-story kitchen. Additionally, there’s a large living room, a library, and a well sized attic.
Visit the Proto-Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
The Catholic Diocese of Bardstown used to have its headquarters at this church, which is now a minor basilica. It’s so stunning to gaze upon that you’ll be smitten with its holy beauty. Visit the church as well, since it has a lot of intricate features.
One cannot help but be mesmerized by the beautiful stained glass windows. In addition, there are numerous magnificent artworks from different times. Among these are works of art by Van Dyck and Murillo depicting the reign of King Louis.
Mattia Preti’s renowned painting was also given to this church by King Francis I of the Two Sicilies, who commissioned the work.
Visit Sympson Lake to Go Fishing
Sympson Lake is a 157-meter deep reservoir in Kentucky. Sympson Lake is situated to the west of Samuels Field.
Although the lake serves as an important water source, leisure activities such as boating and fishing are popular.
Every day, fisherman go to the area’s boat launch to catch their catch. Additionally, channel catfish, as well as white crappie, may be found in this region. In choosing where to fish, use your best judgment and be aware of any local regulations and limits.
Explore Whiskey’s History at the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Many attractions in Bardstown, the world’s bourbon capital, are centered on whiskey. The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History is one of them. the major provider of whiskey, this museum is housed in the exquisite Spalding hall, is a lovely homage to its gorgeous art,
The museum’s rustic feel is enhanced by the presence of whiskey-related objects. An Abraham Lincoln liquor license is only one of many items on display at the National Museum of Alcohol and Tobacco Studies.
Beginning in the 1960s, the gallery takes you on a expedition through the chronology of American whiskey.
Visit the Bardstown Historical Museum
It’s hard to believe that Spalding Hall, a whiskey history museum, is almost two hundred years old, but that’s part of the attraction. Rare whiskey artifacts from colonial times through prohibition are on display in the museum’s collection.
This is a great place to visit whether you’re interested in American history or Bourbon. There’s a lot to see and do. After serving as a hospital during the American Civil War, Spalding Hall is now a museum filled with priceless relics.
In addition, the museum’s gift store is well-organized, allowing you to find that special present for your loved ones. Visitors to Spalding Hall do not need to pay a fee, however gifts are always welcome.
Continue your Bouborn Expenditure at Lux Row Distillers
One of the newest locations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail may be found in Bardstown, Kentucky. One of Luxco’s first forays into the Bourbon industry is Lux Row Distillers, which launched in 2018.
In addition to Rebel, Daviess, and the charcoal-filtered Ezra Brooks, this facility also produces the extra-aged, limited-quantity Blood Oath, as well as the honey and butter-flavored David Nicholson.
An educational 15-minute guided tasting concludes the Lux Row experience, which includes a 45-minute tour of the distillery and its soaring barrel rooms.
Conclusion
If you’ve never gone to Bardstown, Kentucky, you’re missing out on one of the most picturesque and historic little towns in the United States.
Take a stroll around the city and discover what it’s all about. In Bardstown, there are more than 35 annual events and several attractions that draw visitors from across the globe. You never regret going.