Day Trip in Bardstown, Kentucky!

Bardstown is one of the cutest little town's in Kentucky! If you have a day trip adventure on the books this summer, I would suggest a Bardstown trip! We go to downtown Bardstown pretty often and always find something new. There are yummy foods, shopping spots and lots of historic things to see and do. Here is a day trip idea if you need one! 

Hadorn's Bakery

Our first stop in Bardstown is usually at Hadorn's Bakery. The bakery is an adorable white building on the corner with an old time feel. There can be a line, so plan to be early or for them to have run out of the most popular donuts by the time you go. Our favorites are the donut holes, Yum Yums and the glazed donuts. They have cookies and other dessert options to pick from as well. They carry my favorite chocolate milk brand 

Fresh Coffee Pastries and More

After grabbing some donuts, head on over to Fresh Coffee Pastries and More right on Main Street. This is a cute little coffee shop that has some pastries and drinks to order. I have tried their pumpkin steamers in the fall time from here. They have lots of flavor options and different types of drinks to pick from. I have gotten a cinnamon roll from there as well which was a little dry, but it warmed up good! 

Main Street

While you are drinking your drink, there is plenty of walking to do along Main Street. Bardstown has a little town square with the coolest building and a round about to make it easy to walk around. There are really cool old time shops. We have windowed shopped at most of the stores and have gone into a few. There are lots of Bardstown merch like shirts, sweatshirts, keychains, and lots of souvenirs. Lots of cute shops along Main Street! 

My Old Kentucky Home 

Right down the road from Main Street is the My Old Kentucky Home Museum and grounds. You can walk the grounds for $4.00 and take tours of inside the mansion for $18.00. The grounds are well taken care of and a fun little spot to see. I haven't done the house tour yet, but it is on my to do list for Bardstown. The house is visible from the main road. During the winter they have wreaths on the windows and it just feels like a small town Christmas town vibe. 

Women's Civil War Museum

There is another little history museum by downtown Bardstown called the "Women's Civil War Museum." There is a little village of old homes and displays of items from the war in the museum. The cost is $12.00 and covers four different display set ups. This is another item on my Bardstown to-do list. 

Bardstown Burger 

After walking around for a bit you might be ready for some lunch! Right on Main Street is a burger spot called, "Bardstown Burger." It is a cute little location and is the perfect downtown feel type place. I have gotten the Bardstown Burger which has a Mayo, bacon, cheese, onions and mushrooms. The burger bun is buttery and super soft. They have crinkle cut fries that were super crispy and had good flavor. This has been one of the food spots suggested to us from the locals multiple times. 

Bernheim Forest

If you aren't into Museum type outings, then you could head to Bernheim Forest. It is about fifteen minutes from Downtown Bardstown. There is a donation entry into the forest, but it's not required. There are miles of trials in the park. They have a nature park for kiddos, art displays, a gift shop, a cafe and every forest terrain you can think of. There is a lake, bridges over rivers, forest covered trails, paved walk ways, turtles, and the giant displays. We love Bernheim and go there often.  

Dinner in Bardstown

We haven't adventured out to Bardstown for a dinner meal, but I have heard great things about the Rickhouse. It is a fancy steak house right in downtown Bardstown. It looks like they do best with reservations and a bit nicer of a dress code. If you don't want anything too fancy then you could try Lee's Chicken which has some of the best mac and cheese and biscuits for a fast food restaurant. There is a Chili's, Fazoli's, Cracker Barrell, La Harradura and any fast food spots you can think of. 

Dinner Train (Weekends only) 

If you want to experience a train ride dinner while in Bardstown, then you'll want to go on a Friday or Saturday evening. The Dinner Train is a cool little train that serves some fancy dinner meals while travelling through Kentucky. The tickets do fill up pretty quickly, so be sure to reserve a spot before planning your day trip. We see the train passing by on the weekends and it looks super fun! The menu looks yummy as well! 

Thompson Food Mart

Dessert in Bardstown is usually ice cream options. Our favorite go-to ice cream is at Thompson Food Mart. It is a gas station that has self serve ice cream machines with some of the best ice cream ever! They are known for their banana flavor ice cream. There are eight flavors and they can be swirled together with another flavor. You can get a cone or a cup and there are a few toppings that you can add as well. 

Steven Foster Play (summer only)

If you are in Bardstown during the summer months then you can stay in town for the Steven Foster Play. It is a play at an outdoor amphitheater that shares the story of Stephen Foster. I have heard it is done so well and a must do while in Bardstown! I have it on our summer list this year! 

Let me know if you have a day trip in Bardstown! What did you find and where else should we try?