Quick Summary: Situated in the middle of Bluegrass Kentucky, the city of Bardstown is the state’s second oldest city and home to many different places to see and things to do, including numerous buildings listed on the National Historic Register in the historic downtown district. Named as one of the most beautiful small towns in America, it offers a pleasant destination for a getaway, particularly for any bourbon enthusiasts, as the city hosts the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Bardstown is also home to one of the largest Civil War museums in the country.


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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum

© Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History

© Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History

Basilica of St Joseph Proto-Cathedral

© Basilica of St Joseph Proto-Cathedral

Historic Cobblestone Path

© bilanol/stock.adobe.com

My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

© My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

Old Talbott Tavern

© Old Talbott Tavern

Willett Distilling Company

© Igor Normann/stock.adobe.com

Lux Row Distillers

© Lux Row Distillers

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