Discover Nelson: History, Bourbon & Unique Excursions

Nelson offers many different ways to explore: in Bardstown, museums and historic buildings tell stories of people and eras, while bourbon tours, a dinner train ride, and day visits to the Abbey of Gethsemani offer other experiences. Day visitors do not need to make prior arrangements for services or walks around the grounds; reservations are required for overnight stays. As you plan your trip, it’s worth first considering which of these themes you want to shape your vacation. This can also help you choose a vacation rental based on your planned activities, rather than simply searching for a place to stay by name.

History in Buildings and Exhibitions

The Bardstown African American Heritage Museum is housed in Union Church. The historic church was built in 1812 and is described as the first two-story brick church west of the Appalachians. The Women’s Museum focuses on a different aspect of history: it documents the achievements of women of all backgrounds, races, and faiths in the 19th century and during the American Civil War. The two museums thus offer different ways to explore history—through a landmark building at one, and women’s experiences at the other.

Old Bardstown Village consists of ten original log cabins from the 18th and 19th centuries, forming a settlement from the colonial era. The Civil War Museum focuses on the western theater of the American Civil War. Its campus is centrally located in Bardstown, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and historic attractions. Admission to the campus includes all museum buildings and exhibitions, as well as Old Bardstown Village. As admission information may change, check the details before your visit.

Other Bardstown connections show the variety of historical topics explored here. The General Hal Moore Military Museum is dedicated to U.S. General Lieutenant General Hal Moore, who was born in Bardstown. My Old Kentucky Home State Park features a Federal-style mansion completed in 1818. These examples range from a person and his military career to a specific architectural period.

Bourbon, Dining, and a Ride on the Rails

Tours at Bardstown Bourbon Company include a look inside glass aging warehouses, a behind-the-scenes view of the distilling operation, and a library of historic spirits. The visitor experience also includes behind-the-scenes tours and tastings with the Master Distiller. Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience takes a different approach with guided tastings and interactive exhibits. At Lux Row Distillers, tours explore whiskey-making through five different brands housed under one roof. Comparing these experiences can help you decide whether you’d rather focus on production areas, tastings, or the range of several brands.

A train ride can also shape the character of a day. The My Old Kentucky Dinner Train combines a two-and-a-half-hour ride with a prix fixe menu freshly prepared on board. Four restored dining cars from the 1940s are available. Schedules and menus may change; check the latest information before your ride. The Kentucky Railway Museum offers a 55-minute ride to Gethsemani, with the route passing the grounds of Log Still Distillery. Schedules vary by season.

Day Visits, Golf, and Choosing a Location

The Abbey of Gethsemani welcomes day visitors for services and walks around the grounds; no prior arrangements are required. The visitor center features a film and an exhibition about monastic life. Since its founding in 1848, the Abbey has welcomed men and women of all faiths from around the world as guests. Reservations are required for overnight stays. Day visits and overnight stays therefore have different requirements—an important distinction when planning your days.

Golf enthusiasts can also visit the historic 18-hole course at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown. Together with museums, distillery experiences, and train rides, it offers a range of very different day plans, without requiring you to fit every theme into one stay.

When searching for a vacation rental, use your main plans as a guide. If the Civil War Museum campus is on your itinerary, its central location in Bardstown is a useful reference point: shops, restaurants, and historic attractions are within walking distance. For other activities, the specific visitor offerings and seasonal schedules are more important. Also explore Bardstown and Coxs Creek as other places in Nelson.

Explore more destinations: Martin County, Shelby County, Boyd County, Muhlenberg, Pulaski, Campbell.

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