Bardstown, Kentucky

"Bardstown is in the heart of Nelson County. A small friendly community with a population of just over 14,000, anyone can visit its many attractions within just a short walk of downtown. It is a haven for the historian and traveler.  The Historic District, centered in the downtown area, includes sites such as St. Josephs Basilica - the first Catholic church west of the Allegany mountains, and one of the first four archdiocese in the United States. The Old Talbott Tavern, the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, and the wonderful and famous Old Kentucky Home, featured on the Kentucky quarter are also located in this district. My Old Kentucky Home, Visited by celebrated American composer Stephen Foster, it is said to have been his inspiration for the Kentucky State Song. You can tour the mansion and its gardens at Federal Hill during the day, and on summer nights, enjoy Kentucky's longest-running outdoor drama and official outdoor musical, which celebrates the life of the composer, Stephen Foster. The Stephen Foster Story is presented at the J Dan Talbott Amphitheater, located in the same park as the mansion.  Bardstown also boasts the title of "Bourbon Capital of the World." There are two bourbon distilleries in town - Heaven Hill and Barton Brands. Several other distilleries are within a short drive. The well-known Maker's Mark distillery is nestled in the hills and valleys of Loretto, just outside town. The world-famous Jim Beam distillery is also very near and is a must-see for visitors to the Bardstown area. Whether it is simply a sightseeing visit to the many attractions, a stopover at a bed and breakfast, or a business trip to the city's ever-growing industrial parks, Bardstown has it all. We are a community rich in pride and richer in hospitality."