An Article from The Kentucky Department of Tourism
Bourbon Country!
Not only does Kentucky bourbon go down smooth and easy, so do Bourbon Country vacations. You can spend day covering the 225 miles that make up Bourbon Country or just a day or two visiting your favorites. Louisville is a great place to start your bourbon Country stay. It may be getting dusk by now and you may need to find accomdations.
In the morning, heading south from Louisville on I-65, in less than a half-hour you'll find a friendly little Kentucky holler that's the beautiful country setting for the Jim Beam Distillery. It's just a stone's throw from the pristine 25,000 acres of Bernheim Forest. Take a sip, then take a hike. Or continue on to historic Bardstown and stop in at Heaven Hill Distillery. On you way don't forget to pick up your "rooster Run" hat ... probably the most famous convenience store in the US! While you're there don't forget lunch at Old Talbot Tavern in Bardstown or take a side trip to My Old Kentucky Home State Park and the house where Stephen Foster wrote "My Old Kentucky Home."
Then it's off to the storybook setting of Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, less than a half hour away. You'll want to make time stand still here - even take a sit on the front porch of the original owner's house that stands on the top of the hill overlooking it all. Then it's back to Bardstown for a trip on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. Afterwards head due east on I-64 where you'll find the rustic charm and magic of Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey and Four Roses. You're in the heart of Bluegrass Country now and that means rolling hills, Thoroughbred horse farms and the Kentucky Horse Park. If you timed it right, maybe the horses are running at Keeneland, one of the most beautiful horse tracks in the world. You can also plan to side trip to a tasty lunch and antiquing in the ultra quaint town of Midway, or take a breather and chat with the locals in the Owl Tavern at the Bueamont Inn. You can try this side of Bourbon Country all in one day, but with all beauty in the Bluegrass, you'll probably want to come back again.
(for more informaton, visit www.bourboncountry.travel)
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All information below is courtesy of Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
1888 Historic Rocking Horse Manor: Beautifully restored historical building (502) 583-1022 www.rockinghorse-bb.com
Actors Theatre of Louisville: Internationally acclaimed tony-Award-winning professional theatre. They will be performing, "Menopause, The Musical" while we are there and will be offering a group rate for us. Check with Joy Bryant. (502) 584-1205 www.actorstheatre.org
American Printing House for the Blind: (502) 895-2405 www.aph.org
Atlantis Water Park: Clarksville, IN (812) 285-0863
Belle of Louisville / Spirit of Jefferson: River cruises on-board the historic Belle & charming Spirit. 4th St. and River Road (502) 574-2992 www.belleoflouisville.org
Derby Dinner Playhouse: Kentuckiana's only professional dinner theatre. (812) 288-8281 www.derbydinner.com
Carnegie Center for Art & History: (812) 944-7336 www.carnegiecenter.org
Cave Country Adventures: Walking & natural tours in two National Landmark caves (812) 365-2705 www.adventureindiana.com
City & Countryside Tours: Enjoy the beauty & history of Louisville & in surrounding areas with a guided tour (502) 807-5573 www.cityandcountrysidetours.com
Classic BiPlane Tours: Biplane rides (502) 836-5252 www.classicbiplanetours.com
CQ Princess, Captain's Quarters Yacht Charters: 86 foot luxury dinner yacht (502) 228-1651 www.cqriverside.com
Dinosaur World: 100 life-size dinosaurs in an outdoor museum setting (270) 773-4345 www.dinoworld.net
Downtown Ghost Tours: walking tour (502) 689-5117 www.louisvilleghostwalks.com
Falls of the Ohio Foundation: Nature & cultural history of the area including fossil beds & Lewis & Clark (812) 280-9970 www.fallsoftheohio.org
Farmington Historic House Museum: Federal-style home owned by the Speed family. Abraham Lincoln spent about three weeks here in 1841 (502) 452-9920 www.historichomes.org
Flame Run Hot Glass Studio & Gallery: (502) 584-5353 www.flamerun.com
Floyd Central Theatre Department: Award-winning, nationally known theatre program (812) 923-7808 www.floydcentraltheatreboosters.com
Frazier International History Museum: 1,000 years of history (502) 412-2280 www.fraziermuseum.org
Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium: Public astronomy shows (502) 852-6664 www.louisville.edu/planetarium
Glassworks: A multi-use facilit with galleries featuring artists from around the world (502) 584-4510 www.LouisvilleGlassworks.com
Hidden Hill Nursery & Sculpture Garden: Garden has 8 acres of garden art, fountains, benches, etc. (812) 282-0524
Historic Diamond Caverns: Featuring thousands of naturally colorful formations (270) 749-2233 www.diamondcaverns.com
Historic Locust Grove, Inc: Historic landmark site (520) 897-9845 www.locustgrove.org
Howard Steamboat Museum & Mansion: Victorian mansion, steamboat models (812) 283-3728 www.steamboatmuseaum.org
Huber Orchard & Winery: Winery tours and tastings (812) 923-9463 www.huberwinery.com
Jefferson Memorial Forest: Nation's largest municipal urban forest (502) 368-5404 www.memorialforest.com
Kart Kountry: go-carts, mini-golf, batting cages, bumper boats (502) 543-9588 www.gokartkountry.com
Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage: Museum & Cultural Center (502) 583-4100 www.kcaah.org
Kentucky Derby Museum: (502) 637-1111 www.derbymuseum.org
Kentucky Down Under: A hands-on informative Australian-themed animal park (270) 786-2634 www.kdu.com
Kentucky Horse Park: Celebrates all horses through films, museum & art gallery (859) 233-4303 www.kyhorsepark.com
Kentucky Museum of Art & Crafts: Dedicated to promoting the art & craft heritage of Kentucky: (502) 589-0102 www.kentuckyarts.org
Kentucky Railway Museum: Excursion on a vintage passenger train (502) 549-5470 www.kyrail.org
Kentucky Repertory Theatre: A professional theatre, nationally recognized for its quality performances (270) 786-1200
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival: Produces free professional productions of Shakespeare's plays in Central Park (502) 637-4933 www.kyshakes.org
Lincoln Hills - Patoka Lake Recreation Region: membership organization promoting tourism and outdoor recreation in Southern Indiana (812) 547-7028 www.exploresouthernindiana.com
Little Loom House: Three historic board & batten cabins - open Tuesday and Wednesday (502) 367-4792
Lost River Cave & Valley: Underground boat tour (270) 393-0077 www.lostrivercave.com
Louisville Ballet: The state ballet of Kentucky, provides the best in classical and contemporary dance (502) 583-3150 www.louisvilleballet.org
Louisville Horse Trams: Provides horse & carriage rides in downtown Loouisville (502) 581-0100 www.louisvillehorsetrams.com
Louisville Science Center: Largest hands-on science center (502) 561-6100 www.louisvillescience.org
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: factory tour (502) 588-7228 www.sluggermuseum.org
Louisville Stoneward Company, Inc: Unique, beautiful works of functional art (502) 582-1900 www.louisvillestoneware.com
Louisville Zoo: 1,300 animals from all over the world (502) 459-2181 www.louisvillezoo.org
Lucky Strike Lanes: dining and bowling (502) 560-1400 www.bowlluckystrike.com
Mellwood Arts Entertainment Center: working studios, restaurants, galleries (502) 895-3650 www.mellwoodartcenter.com
Muhammad Ali Center: Innovative exhibits on Muhammad's legacy (502) 584-9254 www.alicenter.org
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train: Two-hour train excurision featuring lunch & dinner gourmet meals (866) 801-3463 www.kydinnertrain.com
PNC Broadway Across America Louisville: Bringing the finest touring shows to Louisville (502) 584-7469 www.broadwayseries.com
Pottery Rowe: Studio and showroom (502) 896-0877 www.potteryrowe.com
Puzzle's Fun Dome: Kentucky's largest indoor family fun park (502) 261-7144 www.puzzlesfundome.com
Renaissance Fun Park: Family fun, go-carts, etc. (502) 253-9700 www.funathepark.com
Renfrom Valley Entertainment Center, LLC: Great entertainment & family fun (606) 256-2664 www.renfrovalley.com
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing: 300-acre historic Ohio river farm site (502) 935-6809 www.riverside-landing.org
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom: Thrilling, exciting, family friendly, safte, fun, affordable, charming. (502) 366-7508 www.sixflags.com/parks/kentucky-kingdom
Schimpff's Confectionery: family owned candy store and museum (812) 283-8367 www.schimpffs.com
Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia: Elizabethtown, KY (270) 234-1100 www.schmidtmuseum.com
St. James Court Art Show: Arts and crafts from over 700 artists (502) 635-1842 www.stjamescourtartshow.com
Star Cruises: year-round, climate-controlled dining (812) 218-1565 www.starofluisville.com
The Forest Discovery Center: Showcasing the beauty of the forest (812) 923-1590 www.forestcenter.com
The Fun Farm: Laser tag, paintball, miniature golf, go-carts (800) 952-3580 www.thefunfarm.com
The Hadley Pottery Co: Creates handcrafted stoneware (502) 584-2171 www.hadleypottery.com
The Kentucky Center: Kentucky's premier performing arts venue. Home of ballet, Broadway, opera, orchestra & children's theatre (502)562-0100 www.kentuckycenter.org
The Louisville Orchestra: Performs classical, pops, children's concerts (502) 587-8681 www.louisvilleorchestra.org
The National Corvette Museum: Bowling Green, Ohio (270) 781-7973128 www.corvettemuseum.com
The National Society Sons of the American Revolution: Genealogical library & museum (502) 589-1776 www.sar.org
The Old Bridge Inn: National Register Home (812) 284-3580 www.oldbridgeinn.com
The Old Medical School Building: (502) 736-6366 www.glmsfoundation.org
The Samuel Culbertson Mansion: Louisville's most historic and opulent mansion inn (502) 634-3100 www.culbertsonmansion.com
The Speed Art Museum: Kentucky's first and largest public art museum (502) 634-2700 www.speedmuseum.org
Thomas Edison House: Home of Thomas Edison during the years he worked as a telegrapher for Western Union (502) 585-5247 www.edisonhouse.org
Tours Plus: Custom designed guided tours (502) 897-3789
Waterfront Park: Family recreation area (502) 574-3768 www.louisvillewaterfront.com
Whitehall: Antebellum-style mansion (502) 897-2944 www.historichomes.org/whitehall
W. L. Lyons Brown Theatre: An elegant 1,400-seat theater and conference center/reception room (502) 562-0188 www.kca.org
DISTILLERIES & WINERIES
Broadrun Vineyards: (502) 231-0372 www.broadrunvineyards.com
Buffalo Trace Distillery: (502) 223-7641 www.buffalotrace.com
Equus Run Vineyard: (859) 846-9463 www.equusrunvineyards.com
Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center: (502) 337-1000 www.bourbonheritagecenter.com
Jim Beam's American Outpost: (502) 543-9877 www.bourbonheritagecenter.com
Kentucky Distillers' Association: (859) 336-9612 www.kybourbon.com
Maker's Mark Distillery: (270) 865-2099 www.makersmark.com
River Bend Winery: (502) 540-5650 www.intownwinery.com
Wild Turkey Distillery: (502) 839-4544 www.wildturkeybourbon.com
Woodford Reserve Distillery: (859) 879-1812 www.woodfordreserve.com
GAMING
Caesars Indiana: Elizabeth, IN (888) 766-2648 www.caesars.com
Churchill Downs: Thoroughbred horse racing & home of the Kentucky Derby (502) 636-4400 www.churchilldowns.com
Churchill Down Trackside: State-of-the-art intertrack wagering & sports viewing facility (502) 636-4400 www.churchilldowns.com
CHILD CARE SERVICES
Sitters Service, LLC PO Box 99523, Louisville, KY, (502) 297-9934 - Provide professional childcare placement services for in-home, hotels & group setting in the Louisville area www.sittersservice.com
