Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
www.talbotts.com
;
107 W Stephen Foster Ave; r from $69-109, mains $8-11; )
, which has
been welcoming the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Boone since the late 1700s.
Follow Hwy 31 southwest to
Hodgenville
and the
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
(
www.nps.gov/abli
;
2995 Lincoln Farm Road, Hodgenville; 8am-4:45pm, to 6:45pm summer)
, a faux-Greek temple constructed around an old log cabin. Ten minutes away is
Honest Abe's boyhood home at Knob Creek, with access to hiking trails.
About 25 miles (30 minutes) southwest of Lexington is
Shaker Village at Pleasant
Hill
(
www.shakervillageky.org
; 3501 Lexington Rd; adult/child $15/5, riverboat rides $10/5;
10am-5pm)
, home to a community of the Shaker religious sect until the early 1900s. Tour
impeccably restored buildings, set amid buttercup meadows and winding stone paths.
$100; )
and restaurant, a paddle-boat ride beneath the limestone bluffs along the
Kentucky River, and a gift shop.
THE BOURBON TRAIL
Silky, caramel-colored bourbon whiskey was likely first distilled in Bourbon County,
north of Lexington, around 1789. Today 90% of all bourbon that comes out of the
US is produced here in Kentucky, thanks to its pure, limestone-filtered water. Bour-
bon must contain at least 51% corn, and is stored in charred oak barrels for a min-
imum of two years. While connoisseurs drink it straight or with water, you must try
a mint julep, the archetypal Southern drink made with bourbon, simple syrup and
crushed mint.
donations appreciated; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, noon-4pm Sun)
, in Bardstown, tells the bourbon
story with old moonshine stills and other artifacts.
Most of Kentucky's distilleries, which are centered on Bardstown and Frankfort,
offer free tours. Check out Kentucky's official
Bourbon Trail website
(
www.kybourbontrail.com
)
. Note that it doesn't include every distillery.
Distilleries near Bardstown include:
Heaven Hill
(
www.bourbonheritagecenter.com
;
1311 Gilkey Run Rd; tours $3-5)
Distillery
tours are offered, but you may also opt to explore the interactive Bourbon Heritage
Center.
Jim Beam
(
www.jimbean.com
; 149 Happy Hollow Rd; tours per person $8; 9am-5:30pm
Mon-Sat, noon-4:30pm Sun)
Watch a film about the Beam family and sample small-
batch bourbons at the country's largest bourbon distillery. Beam makes Knob
Creek (good), Knob Creek Single Barrel (better), Basil Hayden's (velvety) and the
fabulous Booker's (high-proof enlightenment).
