📷 Nyttend, Public domainBardstown Historic Downtown
Bardstown, KY
A courthouse square town at the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, with old taverns, museums and distillery tours nearby. Park on the square and walk, and book distillery visits ahead on busy weekends.
Bardstown in Nelson County was founded in 1780 and is one of the oldest settlements in Kentucky. A diocese was established here in 1808, the first center of Catholicism west of the Appalachians; the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral is a reminder of this. The Old Talbott Tavern, dating from 1779, is said to have hosted Daniel Boone and Abraham Lincoln. Today the town uses the title "Bourbon Capital of the World," and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival takes place here.
Well-known distilleries such as Heaven Hill, Barton 1792, Willett and Lux Row operate in and around Bardstown. In town you will find the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey and a Civil War museum that is regarded as the fourth largest in the United States. Outside town lies My Old Kentucky Home State Park with the mansion Federal Hill. You can explore the historic center on foot in one to two hours; distillery visits take extra time. Reserve distillery tours in advance on busy weekends, when demand is high.
- Nearest town
- Bardstown, KY
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 37.8092, -85.4669
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- White Acres CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Bardstown Historic Downtown
- Grandma's RV CampingMotorhome stopover17 mi from Bardstown Historic DowntownMotorhomes
- Louisville South KOACampsite18 mi from Bardstown Historic Downtown
- Brooks RV ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Bardstown Historic DowntownMotorhomes
- Etown RV ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Bardstown Historic DowntownMotorhomes
- Horine Reservation CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Bardstown Historic DowntownTentsDrinking waterToilets
All campsites in Kentucky · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Bardstown Historic Downtown?
Bardstown Historic Downtown is in Bardstown, KY, at GPS 37.8092, -85.4669. It is about 35 mi from Louisville.
Can you camp near Bardstown Historic Downtown?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lil patch of Heaven Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Bardstown Historic Downtown?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (13 mi), Maker's Mark Distillery (13 mi), Kentucky Derby Museum (32 mi) and Muhammad Ali Center (35 mi).
When is the best time to visit Bardstown Historic Downtown?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)