Bardstown

Bardstown, Kentucky, has long been regarded as one of the best small towns in the United States, having been named The Most Beautiful Small Town in America by Rand McNally and USA Today. Other honors are frequently bestowed upon the town, and it's easy to see why. This little piece of Kentucky could be a movie set. Bardstown was founded in 1780 and was named after the Bard Brothers, who purchased the land and surveyed the town. The charm starts the moment you cross the town line. You can walk the historic streets or hire the Around the Town Carriage to take you on a whimsical horse and buggy tour.

Bardstown is most well-known for its bourbon distilleries. When most people think of Kentucky bourbon, they think of Bardstown. This tiny town is the world's bourbon capital, and almost all of its 11 distilleries offer tastings and tours. You might be in a reflective mood after a few bourbon tours. The Bernheim Arboretum and Research Center, a natural preserve and forest displaying beautiful wood sculptures handcrafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, is the next stop. Make My Old Kentucky Dinner Train a part of your Bardstown itinerary. This experience harkens back to a more glamorous era of travel, when well-dressed upper crusters would dine in a railcar on their way to a fantastic vacation. You can eat a gourmet meal on the train as it travels through bourbon country.