It’s no secret we love Bardstown. This picturesque place is home to numerous historical sites, world-class distilleries, and top Bluegrass attractions. Bardstown is a delight to visit any time of the year, and it seems the rest of the country is catching on to its charms, too! In its recent list of Charming American Towns You Haven’t Heard of But Should Visit ASAP, Esquire named Bardstown, Kentucky, as one of the best small town vacations in the country. Here’s why:
Bardstown, Kentucky, really is the Platonic ideal of small towns in America.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors looking for a slice of small-town life.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
This small town is big on history – and bourbon. “If you like whiskey,” wrote Esquire, “Bardstown is basically a can’t-miss stop — you might not be familiar with it, but it is the bourbon capital of the world, after all. It’s home to several distilleries, including Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark.”
Bardstown Main Street/Facebook
Indeed, when you visit Bardstown, you can – and should – check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Bard Distillery/Facebook The Bard Distillery, 5080 KY-175 South, Graham, KY 42344, USA
But if you prefer imbibing in history, you can easily spend a weekend exploring Bardstown’s numerous historical sites, including the iconic My Old Kentucky Home State Park.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook Ic-8005D, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Another historical attraction in the area is the 224-Year-Old Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast, a notoriously haunted spot in the Bluegrass. Stay in a remodeled room or even a former jail cell at this B&B, and enjoy a wholly unique experience in Bardstown!
Jailer’s Inn Bed and Breakfast/Facebook Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast, 111 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
This friendly little town in Kentucky also has a thriving downtown business district that’s perfect for wandering around.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
Or simply sit back and tour the town via an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
While an enchanting place to visit all year-round, Bardstown becomes downright magical during the holidays. The festivities start after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s, and include twinkling lights, holiday events, and, quite simply, an awe-inspiring amount of Christmas cheer.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
Esquire was succinct in its praise of Bardstown, calling it a “must-visit” for its significance along the Bourbon Trail. And while that’s certainly true, Bardstown is so much more than just bourbon; Bardstown truly is the sum of all its parts: a beautiful slice of the Bluegrass State that’s about as perfect as it gets.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
Do you agree that Bardstown, Kentucky, is one of the best small town vacations in the country? Whether you call Bardstown home or live across the state, we recommend donning your tourist hat and taking a vacation to this winsome little Kentucky town!
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
Bardstown Main Street/Facebook
The Bard Distillery/Facebook
The Bard Distillery, 5080 KY-175 South, Graham, KY 42344, USA
Ic-8005D, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Jailer’s Inn Bed and Breakfast/Facebook
Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast, 111 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
For more memorable getaways in the Bluegrass State, plan a trip to one of these eight great small towns.
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Address: Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
