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Plan a Midweek Escape to Come Find Bourbon

May 24, 2021

Fewer crowds. Better deals. All the bourbon.


Midweek travel has everything you want, nothing to miss. 


Don’t wait for the weekend! Escape routine now to enjoy Kentucky’s authentic bourbon road trip to Covington, Frankfort, and Bardstown during the week. Here are just a few of the fun things you’ll find to see and do along the way.



Covington



Located in Northern Kentucky at the edge of Bourbon Country on the Ohio River, Covington offers a mix of venues from boutique distilleries to historic neighborhoods, waterfront dining to nature trails, and so much more.



If bourbon is your focus, don’t miss The B-Line, a tour celebrating local bourbon culture at unique distilleries, bars, and restaurants. Distillery tours and tastings frequently sell out on weekends, so weekday reservations offer the best odds of getting inside Boone County Distilling Co.Neeley Family DistilleryThe Old Pogue DistilleryNew Riff Distilling, and Second Sight Spirits. Be sure to visit Revival for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to taste and purchase rare vintage bourbons and other spirits—with fewer folks around, it mimics a private tasting.


Keep your taste buds and legs busy on a two-hour, pedal-powered, rolling adventure with Pedal Wagon Covington, which stops at select local establishments (including several on The B-Line). Up to nine passengers share the pedaling effort; if you’re traveling with a group, reserve an entire Pedal Wagon for a private cruise. Or put your arms instead of your legs to work at Flying Axes where you can sip beer and throw axes inside a private throwing lane.


Find flavor and fun at Newport on the Levee, home to several local shops and eateries with waterfront views as well as venues for good times including The Galley on the Levee at the new BridgeView Box Park. Navigate a rope bridge suspended inches above a shark-filled tank at Newport Aquarium. Play arcade games, billiards, bowl, and more at Velocity ESports.


From delightful to surprising, discover the unique arts, heritage, and culture of Northern Kentucky and the Ohio Valley at the Behringer Crawford Museum. Meet the area’s most adorable adoptees at Purrfect Day Café, the new cat café where you can sip coffee or a cocktail while cozying up to a friendly feline.


Frankfort


Kentucky’s capital city sits on the shores of the Kentucky River between Covington and Bardstown and also midway between Lexington and Louisville. Frankfort is home to more than 30 attractions within a ten-mile radius of its walkable historic downtown, including distilleries, museums, outdoor adventures, drinking and dining establishments, and much more.


Get a behind-the-scenes look at distilling while downtown at Buffalo Trace, the nation’s longest-running and most award-winning distillery. A short drive away, Three Boys Farm Distillery is a craft producer on a 122-acre farm. Castle & Key Distillery holds more than a century of distilling history. Glenns Creek Distilling crafts new spirits in the former Old Crow Distillery. Drive a bit farther to reach Four RosesWild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve. Whichever distilleries you choose to visit, tour availability is generally greater during the week.


Enjoy the nation’s only boat-based bourbon tour with Kentucky River Tours. Delve into Frankfort’s past with the new bourbon and history walking tour. Walk among art at Josephine Sculpture Park, Kentucky’s only outdoor sculpture park, or downtown on the Historic Frankfort Walking Tour, a self-guided showcase of 40 distinctive works. Hike or bike nature trails in the 240-acre Cove Spring Park.


Dig into local flavor at eateries in the walkable, historic downtown including Bourbon On Main, where burgers are a perennial favorite; Main Street Diner, a family-owned 1950s-style eatery; B’s Bakery, known for from-scratch pastries and quiches; and Serafini, where local ingredients shine across the eclectic menu of dishes from lasagna to fried catfish. Tap into craft beer at Sig Luscher Brewery, a heritage brewery originally founded in 1866, or West Sixth Farm Brewery, where beers are made on site using hops and fruit grown on the property. At Cooperage Bar, pair a tasty sip with a game of pool or shuffleboard.


Bardstown


Bourbon traditions run deep in Bardstown, the state’s second-oldest city. The volume of bourbon made, aged, and shipped out of Bardstown is unrivaled: More than a third of the world’s aging bourbon—2.8 million barrels—is resting in Nelson County right now!



A total of 11 distillery experiences are within 16 miles of downtown Bardstown: Bardstown Bourbon Company, the first-of-its-kind Napa Valley-style campus with upscale experiences; Barton 1792, the city’s oldest fully-operating distillery; Heaven Hill, the nation’s largest family-owned spirits producer; Lux Row, one of the nation’s top independent alcohol beverage producers; Willett, an independent, family-owned producer; Log Still, one of Kentucky’s newest distilleries; Preservation, the region’s first and only 100-percent pot-distilled producer; Old Samuels, a brand first launched in 1844 that’s now offering historic tours; Jim Beam, the world’s No. 1 selling bourbon brand; Limestone Branch, run by 7th-generation Beam family members; and Maker’s Mark, the small batch bourbon readily identified by its iconic red-waxed bottle necks. Distillery tours and tastings routinely sell out on weekends, so come on a weekday for your best chance at getting inside.


During the week you can more readily get a seat at the bar at Old Talbott Tavern to sip among over 240 years of history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Talbott Tavern on Court Square in historic downtown Bardstown has provided shelter, food, and drink to visitors since it opened in 1779!

Head to the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History at Spalding Hall to dig into the history of American whiskey from pre-colonial days through the 1960s. Among the items on display see Abraham Lincoln’s liquor license, unique advertising posters, prescriptions used to purchase bourbon and other spirits during Prohibition, moonshine stills, novelty whiskey containers, rare antiques, and more.


Connect with nature at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Explore more than 40 miles of trails, including a four-mile Bike Hike Trail that follows Long Lick Creek and is just 10 minutes from downtown Bardstown that’s handicap accessible and dog-friendly.


Walk historic downtown Bardstown, “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America,” where most of the shops, bars, and restaurants are open, many with outdoor displays or seating. Retailers offer a wide range of goods, from art to clothing, housewares to jewelry, bourbon-branded merchandise to tasty ingredients for cooking and cocktails. There’s much to adore!


Plan Your Escape…


Whether you prefer an upscale hotel, casual rental property, or campground, you’ll find great places to stay when you Come Find Bourbon as well as abundant places to eat and drink local flavor. Why not linger longer? Work from Bourbon Country! 


Explore ComeFindBourbon.com for more trip ideas and find even more reasons to visit at meetNKYVisit Frankfort, and Visit Bardstown

February 17, 2025
If you’re a bourbon lover—or just someone who appreciates a great story poured into a glass —Covington, Kentucky, is about to steal your heart. This gem of a city blends history, innovation, and good ol’ Southern charm into an unforgettable experience for anyone curious about Bourbon. Whether you’re rolling up your sleeves at a blending workshop or sipping on more modern spirits, Covington has something special waiting for you. Bold Innovation at Wenzel Whiskey If innovation is what gets you excited, Wenzel Whiskey is the place to be. Their award-winning spirits are bold, complex, and unforgettable—just like the stories behind them. They’re known for pushing boundaries with their rectifying or redistilling process and personalized blending experience. Visiting Wenzel feels like being part of bourbon’s next big chapter. And trust me, once you’ve tasted their creations or blended your own, you’ll see why they’re making waves far beyond Covington. Want to learn more about their philosophy and spirits? Visit Wenzel Whiskey for a deeper dive into their offerings and upcoming events.
February 11, 2025
If bourbon is your passion – or even just a casual curiosity – you’ll find yourself at home in Bardstown. Known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, this picturesque town offers more than a sip of history—it serves a full pour of heritage, innovation, and craftsmanship. Here, bourbon isn’t just a drink – it's a way of life steeped in rich history and vibrant stories that make every shared glass a truly memorable moment. A Legacy of Family and Flavor at Willet Distillery Perched atop a scenic hill in Bardstown, Willet Distillery is a jewel in Bardstown’s bourbon crown. Founded in 1936, this family-owned distillery has remained true to its commitment to small-batch bourbon that’s always crafted with care. Stepping foot into Willet feels like being welcomed into a family tradition, where warmth, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for bourbon shines through. Known for their iconic pot still-shaped bottles and unique mash bills, Willet’s bourbons tell a story. Whether you’re savoring the smooth Willet Pot Still Reserve or are a collector hunting for the elusive Family Estate Bottled series, you’ll find yourself appreciating their dedication to detail. The distillery’s intimate tours and tastings are a must, offering an up-close look at the magic behind the craft. Learn more and plan your visit: https://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/ Honoring Tradition with 100% Pot Distillation at Preservation Distillery For those seeking a true taste of the past, Preservation Distillery is a must-visit. This boutique operation is one of the few distilleries in the United States exclusively using 100% pot still distillation, a method steeped in history but increasingly rare in modern bourbon production. Walking through Preservation Distillery reflects a reverence for heritage, from their use of traditional techniques to their dedication to small-scale, high-quality output. Their limited-release bourbons and ryes are packed with deep, complex flavors that harken back to the golden age of whiskey-making. Beyond the liquid, the distillery’s serene countryside setting and focus on sustainability make it a haven for bourbon lovers and eco-conscious travelers alike. Discover their story: https://www.preservationdistillery.com/ 
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