Nestled in the verdant, rolling hills of central Kentucky, Bardstown is a historic destination at the heart of one of Kentucky’s biggest industries: bourbon. As they drive into town, visitors will notice an abundance of rickhouses from the 11 distilleries found within 16 miles of the town’s center.
Bardstown was first settled in 1780, making it one of oldest communities in Kentucky. It has an estimated 300 properties on the National Historic Register. These historic properties add to Bardstown’s quaint, small-town feel, leading it to be named America’s most beautiful small town by outlets like USA Today, Rand McNally, and Travel & Leisure.
This destination with a population of less than 15,000 is surprisingly easy to get to from Kentucky’s largest cities; it’s just 45 minutes south of Louisville and an hour west of Lexington.
With 750 hotel rooms at a mix of select-service and boutique properties, Bardstown is a capable host for small-to-midsize meetings, events, conferences and trade shows. It offers a diverse selection of venues, but it’s the community’s character that will charm attendees and planners alike.
“Bardstown truly captures the heart of Kentucky,” said Stacey Phelps, president of Visit Bardstown. “As the most beautiful small town in America and the bourbon capital of the world, we offer visitors an experience that blends history, hospitality and hometown warmth. Here, Southern charm isn’t just a saying; it’s a way of life. From the moment you stroll our historic downtown or share a toast of bourbon with our neighbors, you’ll see why people come as guests and leave as family.”
Here’s a look at some of the distinctive venues Bardstown offers for memorable meetings and events.
Log Still Distillery
The Bourbon Capital of the World has its share of distilleries, but one doubles as a multipurpose event venue with a range of spaces that can accommodate large-scale events. Log Still Distillery, just outside of Bardstown, comprises a sprawling campus that’s dedicated to both producing bourbon and hosting community and private events. The distillery’s scenic campus has rental spaces for overnight accommodations, many of which are in restored historic buildings on the property.
The Amp, the distillery’s 2,500-seat outdoor amphitheater, regularly hosts concerts for country and rock artists; groups can also rent the Amp for their own meetings, presentations and lectures. The distillery’s Tasting Room has incredible views of the Amp and can be rented for events with up to 100 people. Another nearby venue with a patio overlooking the amphitheater is the 47 Tasting Room, which has a capacity of 75.
But it’s the Legacy, the distillery’s main venue, which is its crown jewel for meetings and events. Just inside, the Breezeway can be used as pre-function space or for cocktail receptions. It’s lined with warm wood beams and bourbon barrels along its lofty ceiling. Exposed brick archways lead into the Legacy’s other spaces, including a banquet hall that can seat up to 350 at round tables, and the Chapel, a smaller space that can seat up to 150 at rounds. Additional spaces inside the Legacy include small suites and rooms for small-batch tastings.
Tables, linens and decor are all provided by the distillery, and catering is exclusively handled through the Legacy’s on-site kitchen. Groups that hold events at Log Still can opt for add-ons like distillery tours and guided tasting experiences.
“Log Still Distillery isn’t just about crafting bourbon,” said Wally Dant, the distillery’s founder. “It’s about creating a place where people can slow down, gather together and make memories worth raising a glass to.”
Guthrie Opportunity Center
If bourbon is the backbone of Bardstown, the Guthrie Opportunity Center exemplifies the town’s heart. This nonprofit, located just outside the historic downtown, pairs a capable multipurpose event space with a mission that’s dear to the Bardstown community.
“We are a mission-driven nonprofit that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing meaningful work opportunities, training and community partnerships,” said Lee Look, CEO of the Guthrie Opportunity Center.
The 70,000-square-foot warehouse building contains several event spaces, including its main venue space, which is 17,000 square feet. It can host everything from trade shows to craft fairs to meetings and can be divided into smaller breakout spaces. There’s also a small conference room, equipped with a television for presentations.
Also located in the warehouse is On-The-GO Foods, which can provide catering for events held at the center as well as food for external events, from boxed lunches to large platters.
“Part of our mission is our On-The-GO Logistics team that helps to make your event a success,” Look said.
Groups looking to volunteer or complete service projects can do so at the Guthrie Opportunity Center by helping with everything from working in the catering kitchen to pulling weeds in the on-site greenhouse, which grows flowers, herbs and vegetables for the community to purchase.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Adjacent to Bardstown’s historic downtown, My Old Kentucky Home State Park is another local gem. The park was built around Federal Hill, the historic plantation mansion commissioned by John Rowan in 1795. The mansion, completed around 1818, was renamed “My Old Kentucky Home” because it inspired the Stephen Foster ballad of the same name.
It became a state park in 1936 and today includes a campground, golf course, and the historic mansion and grounds. During the summer months, the park’s amphitheater is the setting for the outdoor drama “The Stephen Foster Story,” which features several of the composer’s most famous works throughout.
The park has several indoor and outdoor event spaces for large and small events. At the visitors center, a ballroom can seat 180 for a banquet or hold 300 for a reception. An adjoining patio can also seat 180 for a banquet. The park’s open-air pavilion, known as the Rotunda, is a flexible, 4,000-square-foot space that can be arranged to accommodate up to 500 for a cocktail reception or 300 for a banquet.
While the historic mansion can’t be rented for events, the nearby carriage house offers a rustic space for up to 36 classroom style or 50 for a banquet, and the garden can host up to 150 theater style. The Magnolia Room, in a log cabin, is a small space perfect for team building or bourbon tastings for up to 30 people. A large lawn by the home can host events of any size.
The park can provide tables and chairs, but it has a preferred vendor list for everything from tents to audiovisual and catering. Groups meeting at the state park can opt for add-ons like biscuit-making classes or a tour of the historic mansion.
“My Old Kentucky Home State Park just showcases the history of Kentucky, the history of Bardstown, and to have an event or meeting here is just really spectacular,” said Jeremy Riggs, the park’s manager. “The grounds are fantastic because it really feels like Kentucky. People really enjoy coming to a small town.”
