10 Best Things to Do in Shelbyville, Kentucky

© Galina Barskaya/stock.adobe.com

A great place to go to unwind and relax, Guist Creek Lake is the county’s largest lake where you can enjoy the company of the great outdoors. Situated in a serene, rural part of the county, wildlife such as deer, turkey, and even bald eagles can be spotted near the open water. Campers can enjoy the various amenities from March 1st through November. Whether it's the classic pitched tent camping or pull-through RV camping you prefer, the lush woods and the beautiful bank is a welcome home away from home. Fishing fans have much to look forward to with a marina with a boat launching ramp and a well-stocked supply shop.

11990 Boat Dock Road Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502-647-5359

© Mulberry Orchard

A day trip to Mulberry Orchard is a wonderful way to enjoy great country scenery and stock up with farm-fresh produce. The family-owned orchards produce 17 varieties of peaches and 16 varieties of apples during the summer season. To enjoy them straight off the trees you should try and visit between June and October. Children will love the chance to meet the farm animals, see where their food comes from and let off steam in the kids play area or go on a hay ride. You can order a light lunch, snack or treat from the Mulberry Kitchen and take home a feast of locally produced meats, honey, vegetables, preserves, berries and cider.

Mulberry Orchard, 1330 Mulberry Pike, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502-655-2633

© Wakefield-Scearce Galleries

Housed in the impressive 200-year old Historic Science Hill, the Wakefield-Scearce Galleries are must-see Shelbyville attractions for antique hunters and anyone who appreciates fine old architecture and furnishings. Today this former bastion of education, which has no fewer than 78 rooms, is home to one of the finest collections of English antique furnishings and silver ware in the US. The property is divided into three sections; the Gallery houses the retail antiques business, the Courtyard has five shops which sell up-scale apparel, silver, linens and other home décor and the Dining Room is a restaurant where you can relax after shopping in this genteel environment.

Wakefield-Scearce Galleries, 525 Washington St, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502 633 4382

© Bulleit Distilling Company

Distilling fine Kentucky bourbon according to a treasured family recipe which dates back to 1830, Thomas E. Bulleit Jr. opened the Bulleit Distilling Company in 1987. At the heart of the company and its famous product is the secret recipe which used an unusually high rye content to produce a bold and spicy bourbon with loads of character and a smooth finish. To add another dimension, the bourbon is aged in charred American oak barrels. You can learn all about the distilling process and enjoy an interactive tasting and guided tour when you visit the Shelbyville distillery to join the 1-hour Frontier Whiskey Experience.

Bulleit Distilling Company, 3464 Benson Pike, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502-647-5799

© Shelby County Community Theatre

The Shelby County Community Theatre is home to an award-winning troupe of performing artists from all around Shelby County. The theatre group was originally formed in 1977 and performed all over the county at schools and community halls. Finally, in 1979 the group found a permanent home at their present location on the corner of Eighth and Main Streets. Over the next 40 years the theatre group has gone from strength to strength, showcasing the amazing talents of the local community by producing a full calendar of sold-out performances each year. Your visit to Shelbyville would be incomplete without attending one of their shows – check their website for more details.

Shelby County Community Theatre, 801 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502-633-0222

© Talon Winery

Talon Winery welcomes visitors to come and enjoy a tasting of their award-winning wines at one of their tasting rooms in Shelbyville or Lexington. The winery produces a range of delectable white, rose and red wines as well as some very popular fruit wines and dessert wine options. From Monday to Thursday visitors can taste six wines for $5, while on weekends you get to try 3 wines for $3. If you visit on weekends you can enjoy free live music events – you are invited to bring along a picnic and enjoy the entertainment as you sip some wine. If you enjoy the wines you can join their Wine Club to receive some great deals.

Talon Winery, 400 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 859-971-3214

© Claudia Sanders Dinner House

Claudia Sanders was the wife of Colonel Harland Sanders (of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame). In 1968 she and her husband opened the original Claudia Sanders Dinner House, where genuine Kentucky hospitality and old-fashioned southern food was the name of the game. Although the original restaurant building was destroyed in a fire in 1999, the essence of Claudia and the Colonel live on in the new premises and you can look forward to enjoying the kind of country-style meal your grandmother would have been proud to serve. The menu features a brilliant Fried Chicken but many other southern favorites like Sugar Cured Ham and Fried Green Tomatoes are popular options.

Claudia Sanders Dinner House, 3202 Shelbyville Rd, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502-633-5600

© Jeptha Creed Distillery

Nestled on 64 acres of farmland where much of the raw product (in this case, Bloody Butcher Corn) is grown, Jeptha Creed Distillery believes in using only the finest locally sourced ingredients to produce their range of prime spirits. Not only do they make a very fine Kentucky Bourbon, but they also produce a range of other popular spirits including vodka, brandy, moonshine and occasional limited editions. You can experience the Jeptha Creed magic by stopping by for a free Distillery tasting. For a more in-depth experience you can book their small and intimate Bourbon Barrel Tasting where you will learn about the entire process of distillation and enjoy a tasting from the barrel.

Jeptha Creed Distillery, 500 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville, KY 40065, Phone: 502-487-5007

© Shelby County Community Theatre

Dedicated to promoting all aspects of the arts, the Shelby County Community Theatre boasts of various programs designed to create art and entertainment opportunities for adults and children alike. Since 1997, the Shelby County Community Theatre has been the best venue for the highly competitive event called Arts on Main Street. This annual juried art show draws acclaimed artists from Kentucky and neighboring states each time, making it a fantastic place to visit for art lovers. Catch various shows and theatrical plays by the award-winning community at Shelby and get lost in the up-close, transformative storytelling of the local talents from within the theatre's cozy, intimate venue.

801 Main Street Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065, Phone: 502-633-0222

© vadiml/stock.adobe.com

Celebrate the seasons at the Tim McClure Botanical Gardens, located at the entrance of Clear Creek Park. The garden features winding paths just waiting to be explored, each of which will take you through a collection of over 80 magnificent trees and eye-catching shrubs. One of the garden’s main draws is its gorgeous collection of perennial flora. Take in the fabulous beauty of the garden’s daylilies and columbines, as well as its coneflowers and other equally breathtaking plant life. Enjoy the sights and smells as the paths lead you to benches where you can stop and soak it all in. Named after former Extension horticulture agent Tim McClure, the gardens are fantastic educational and recreational destinations for visitors of Clear Creek Park.

1117 Frankfort Road Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065, Phone: 502-633-4593