It is said that bourbon may be the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, but the town’s nearly two-and-a-half centuries of history is its very soul. Less than an hour south of Louisville, this is the perfect destination for a day trip. I asked my husband and our friends David and Kim to join me as we explored this history-rich town.
Bardstown, formally established in 1788, is among the oldest cities in Kentucky. Named America’s Most Beautiful Small Town by Rand McNalley/USA Today and known worldwide as the Bourbon Capital of the World.Its downtown includes buildings from the late 1700s that have been beautifully restored and maintained and are in use today in this vibrant, pedestrian-friendly area full of shops, restaurants, and inns.
Hadorn’s Bakery is a local favorite, and we arrived along with a steady (and efficiently served) flow of patrons hungry for the delicious confections. A crowd favorite, we were told, are the “yum yums,” so of course we had to try one! Hadorn’s is a third generation family-owned business. Originally started in Louisville in 1935, Hadorn’s moved to Bardstown in 1977 and is currently owned by Greg and Jamie Hadorn (grandson of the original founder). 118 West Flaget, 502.348.4407
Scout and Scholar Brewing Co., located next door to Hadorn’s Bakery, is an eatery and taproom with live music and trivia nights. We enjoyed the outdoor courtyard. It is named after the two brothers who founded Bardstown, William Bard (the “Scout”) and David Bard (the “Scholar”). William was the surveyor who laid out the city of Bardstown in 1780, while David helped build a sense of community. scoutandscholar.com 112 W. Flaget Ave, 502.268.1234
Ride the train and have a meal at the My Old Kentucky Home Dinner Train. Choose lunch or dinner, or consider a special event such as the Bourbon Excursion, the Murder Mystery Dinner Train. kydinnertrain.com 602 N. 3rd St., 502.276.3018
Story and photos by Patti Hartog
P.S. It’s that time of year to start planting? Check out this article to learn more.
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