Bardstown is the Bourbon Capital of the World
Over 11 unique bourbon experiences can be found in Bardstown and that's just the beginning of this exciting Kentucky town!
Bourbon comes from Bardstown
Learn about the city of Bardstown, plan your trip, and view a bourbon-filled itinerary below.
Settled in 1780, Bardstown in Kentucky’s 2nd-oldest city. It is the county seat of Nelson County and an official trailhead of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. USA Today named Bardstown as “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America” in 2012 because of its unique and charming nature. With 11 distillery experiences located within 16 miles of downtown, Bardstown is one of the best cities to visit if you’re looking for a bourbon adventure.
Bourbon in and Around Bardstown
Book a tour at one of these world-class distilleries and taste some of the best bourbon around.
Fun facts about bardstown
- Bardstown was named “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America” in 2012 by USA Today and Rand McNally.
- More than 300 buildings in Bardstown are on the National Register of Historic Places, with nearly 200 in the downtown district.
- The Stephen Foster Story has been entertaining audiences at the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown since 1959.
- My Old Kentucky Dinner Train has been hosting bourbon tours since 1988. The Bardstown railroad was originally constructed in 1860; the dining cars were built in the late 1940s after World War II.
- The Old Talbott Tavern was built in 1779 and is located just off the Courthouse Square in historic downtown Bardstown. It is the oldest restaurant in Kentucky.
- Bardstown is “The Bourbon Capital of the World” and an official trailhead of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Come Find Bourbon supports responsible bourbon enjoyment. Must be 21 to participate and always enjoy your bourbon like a true Kentuckian, responsibly. Come Find Bourbon is a marketing partnership between meetNKY, Visit Frankfort, and Visit Bardstown.