Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Old May 4th, 2022, 10:03 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kentucky Bourbon Trail

My husband is a big bourbon enthusiast. A milestone birthday is coming up and instead of throwing a party I want to take him on The Bourbon Trail. I知 thinking of a 3 or 4 night trip. I知 open to suggestions of where to stay, places to visit, etc. It must include the Buffalo Trace Distillary. I壇 love to see a day by day itinerary if any of you have one.

Thanks!
pgoody is offline  
Old May 4th, 2022, 10:34 AM
  #2  
J62
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
maybe our very own fodorite, aka kybourbon, will chime in....
J62 is online now  
Old May 4th, 2022, 01:50 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi pgoody, this is dated, pre-covid so double check hours, but I loved:

For Art, the Speed Museum
For Horses, Churchill Downs Museum
For Baseball, Louisville Slugger Museum
For Food, Hot Brown at the Brown Hotel

Out of town, Berea, Shakertown, My Old Kentucky Home.

What else, kybourbon?!
TDudette is offline  
Old May 5th, 2022, 06:27 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
An absolutely delightful place to stay. Owners are engaged and helpful.

https://bourbonmanor.com/?utm_source...utm_medium=GMB
rncheryl is offline  
Old May 5th, 2022, 07:10 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,370
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
You might want to have a look at this fairly extensive trip report filed recently on Flyertalk.

Better Make it a Double: Bachelor Party on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail - FlyerTalk Forums
Gardyloo is offline  
Old May 5th, 2022, 01:13 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My son got married at Buffalo Trace Distillery about six years ago, great historic place with wide variety of bourbons and nice tour. I'm not a bourbon guy, but we were in Frankfort for a few days and visited the close by Woodford Reserve and Jim Beam places. Both a nice visit, but not like Buffalo Trace. My one recommendation is to stay off of Route 64 and drive the back roads to see some of the horse farms in the area, some are pretty amazing.
DaveS is offline  
Old May 5th, 2022, 08:01 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow! DH and I are bourbon folks. Why have i not thought of this!!! Thank you so much for posting. Looking forward to replies.
StantonHyde is offline  
Old May 6th, 2022, 10:53 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,074
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have to expand on the "for horses" comment, especially because Buffalo Trace Distillery is between Lexington and Louisville,

Lexington is in horse country:
Keeneland is one of the best thoroughbred racecourses in the USA (def top 5) The fall meet is Oct 8-30 most days. They have tours on most days from now until about Thanksgiving. There are a few multi-day sales/auction events each year - that can be big money so maybe not open to public.
Kentucky Horse Park is nearby. There is another farm for retired horses nearby. at least one.
There are several famous breeding farms around Lexington and I think some have tours. pretty country

Louisville has Churchill Downs. The Spring Meet just started and ends July 4. Then from mid-Sept for a few weeks. I assume they have tours
mrwunrfl is offline  
Old May 8th, 2022, 12:20 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kentucky Bourbon Trail – Where the Spirit Leads You

See the trip planners at the link above.

May I suggest a visit to Maker's Mark-it is a beautiful little distillery in Loretto KY-not far from Bardstown where you will find Heaven Hill and others. Bardstown would make a nice home base for your travels. I recommend Bardstown Brewing Company for dining.

Jim Beam is not that far away in Clearmont, KY and has a great new visitors center where tours begin.

Buffalo Trace is in Frankfort which is not that far away. Lexington might be a place for home base. Every place I have mentioned is within a 1.5 hour drive.

If you would like to see bourbon barrels being made, look into Bourbon Cooperage in Lebanon. They have tours.

Last edited by charsuzan; May 8th, 2022 at 12:23 PM. Reason: spelling
charsuzan is offline  
Old May 8th, 2022, 01:39 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree with charsuzan re: Bardstown as home base.

Maker's Mark is my favorite tour. Pretty fun to do a tasting and you can dip your own bottle in the red wax. Nice food options there and good shop.
Woodford Reserve also offers a nice tour and delicious bourbons.

There is actually also a Bourbon Trail - Craft tours with smaller bourbon distilleries.

Keeneland race track in Lexington is one of my favorite places and you can't go wrong with a visit during their spring (Aprilish) or fall (Octoberish) meets. Tailgating style is fun for people watching and then checking out the horses, placing a wager, getting a drink, and looking for a place to watch the action and repeat. First race is usually around 1:15 and goes till close to 6. You can either dress up (especially popular on opening weekend) or you'll see plenty of other people dressed down if you'd prefer.

The Kentucky castle in Versailles is close to Keeneland and a special place to stay.

Agree with the hot brown at the Brown Hotel.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!
geanster is offline  
Old May 9th, 2022, 06:41 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Have any of you been on the Bourbon Dinner Train out of Bardstown?
pgoody is offline  
Old May 10th, 2022, 04:24 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No help on the Bourbon Train, pgoody, but please share everything about your trip to this wonderful area.
TDudette is offline  
Old May 15th, 2022, 10:14 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
pgoody, I have not done the Bourbon Dinner Train but know folks who have and really enjoyed it. I plan to do it soon.
charsuzan is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cd
United States
6
Jul 17th, 2014 05:45 PM
chip
United States
7
Mar 30th, 2012 08:40 AM
JPowellmiller
United States
10
Oct 19th, 2011 01:20 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -