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About Bardstown

Visitor's Information, Think Bardstown, County and City Map, Weather

Only thirty-five miles from Louisville, Bardstown, Kentucky is the county seat of Nelson and rated by several national publications as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. A small friendly community with a population of just over 10,000, anyone can visit the many special attractions within a short walk, which makes it a haven for a historian or anybody on vacation.

The "historic district", centered in the downtown area has sites such as St. Josephs Basilica which is the first catholic church west of the Allegany's and one of the first of four archdiocese in the United States; the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey history, and the Old Talbot Tavern which was a stage coach stop for travelers, famous and infamous, heading out west in the late 1700's.And, of course, the wonderful and famous My Old Kentucky Home mansion at Federal Hill. Frequently visited by the American composer Stephen Foster, it is said to be his inspiration for the state song. You can visit the mansion and it's gardens at Federal Hill in the day, and see the musical depicting the life of Stephen Foster and his music at the J Dan Talbot amphitheater that same night.

Another claim to fame for Bardstown is it being labeled as the "Bourbon Capital of the World". There are two distilleries in town, Heaven Hill and Barton Brands. Several other distilleries are within a short drive. The popular Maker's Mark distillery is nestled in the hills and valleys just outside of town in Loretto and is a pleasurable and scenic tour. The world famous Jim Beam distillery is also very near and is a must for visitors to the Bardstown area. Whether it is just a tourist visit to the many attractions, a stopover at one of many bed and breakfast's, or a business trip to the City's ever-growing industrial parks, Bardstown has it all. A community rich in pride and richer in hospitality.