Thoroughbred Limited 2015 May 14 - 17, 2015

Videos of the Lexington Area: Click to view.
Rolling Through the Bluegrass Video   Horse Capital of the World Video

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On Friday evening, we plan to have a bourbon based, cooking clinic hosted by the convention as a free clinic for all registered guests.  The clinic will be presented by local chefs who will teach our guests about the ambiance of bourbon based fine food, with an emphasis on deserts and cocktails.  The clinic will be presented on Friday May 15, 2015 from 6:30pm to 9pm in the convention hotel, the Campbell House.

Tours In the Lexington area: The committee has chosen a number of quality tours for our registrants and guests to enjoy while attending our convention.  They are all within close proximity of the convention hotel.  Information about these tours will also be available in the hospitality room.(Click links in yellow for more info)

Toyota Factory Tour M-F  9:00am to 4:00pm  1-800-TMM-4485 for reservations. This is a very popular attraction. Make your reservations well in advance. Photo ID required. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.(TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky, is Toyota’s first wholly owned manufacturing facility in the United States. Since 1988, Toyota's Kentucky team has been building quality vehicles in the Bluegrass state. Today, "TMMK" is the largest Toyota plant outside of Japan. Each year in Georgetown, nearly 7,000 team members build about 500,000 vehicles and engines. That's about 2,000 vehicles every day!!
  Toyota's friendly staff of tour guides will lead you through portions of our 7.5 million square foot facility via an electric tram. The tour begins in Stamping where you will see cars take shape from huge coils of rolled up steel. Then move to Body Weld where these stamped pieces are put together. Watch as a team of computer-controlled robots perform the welds that result in a completed body shell. Look up and see overhead conveyors transport the cars from Paint, to the Final Line in Assembly. Through the tour, your guide will point out the foundations of the world renowned Toyota Production System as well as give insight into the line side processes of the TMMK team members.
  This tram driven tour takes approximately an hour and a half. Sit back and enjoy as Toyota introduces you to Kentucky craftsmanship at its best.  Admission to the Visitor Center and plant tour is free but reservations are strongly encouraged! Those without may tour as space permits.  Camera pictures and backpacks are not allowed

Alltech Brewing and Distilling Co. Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co  Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last tour is at 4 p.m.)  Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m. (last tour is at 4 p.m.) Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. is the producer of award-winning beer and spirits and one of the few joint brewing and distilling operations - or “brewstilleries”-in the world. Since its founding in 2000 by Irish entrepreneur Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech, its Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale® has grown to become the brewery’s flagship brew, capitalizing on the brewery’s proximity to fresh Kentucky bourbon barrels.
 Tours of the brewery and distillery are available every day to the public for $7 per person. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are available for groups of 15 or more. For VIP tours, events, and large groups, see our special tour options below.  This could be a fun place to spend your lunchtime on Friday or Saturday.
  The tour begins in the Visitor Center (brick building) located in downtown Lexington. Visitors 21 and over will receive four tasting tickets to taste their choice of the five beers and four spirits.  Tours last one hour and run every hour on the hour.
  Spirits and merchandise are available for purchase on site, but beer is available only for sampling. 
  Make sure to visit the rest of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at kybourbontrail.com 
Visitor Center Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last tour is at 4 p.m.) Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m. (last tour is at 4 p.m.) Tours last one hour and run every hour on the hour.

 Mary Todd Lincoln House Mary Todd Lincoln House  Tours 10AM-3PM (last tour at 3PM) Tours are on the hour and last approximately one hour.  Tours are limited to 15 people per tour and are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Admission $10 for Adults 
  Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, the Mary Todd Lincoln House is a must visit National Trust for Historic Preservation site.  This two-story brick, late Georgian house with its stone water table and belt course was built in 1803-1806 as an inn by William Palmateer.   
This simple two story brick building on West Main Street was home to Robert S. Todd and his family, including his daughter Mary, wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Mary Todd was not born at this house but moved here with her family in 1832 when she was 14 years old. For four years Mary attended boarding school during the week but returned home on the weekends. She continued to live at the West Main address until 1839, when she moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her sister, Mrs. Ninian Edwards. It was here that she eventually married a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln in 1842.

Henry Clay Estate Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Tuesday – Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Sunday 
 The highlight of a visit to Ashland is the guided tour of the 18-room mansion.  You will enter the front door and begin a  journey through the Clay family mansion and time travel from the 18th century to the present.  Guided tours of the mansion take approximately one hour. 
  To take advantage of the full, “Ashland Experience” you’ll want to allow additional time to see the permanent Henry Clay exhibit room, an informational video about Henry Clay and to enjoy the Museum Store.  Outdoor options are plentiful - with a self-guided tour of the outbuildings, formal garden and walking trails, and Civil War monument.  The grounds are free to visit year-round but a tour of the mansion costs $10 for adults.. 
 Tours of the mansion are guided by knowledgeable docents and begin on the hour and last approximately one hour. Tickets may be purchased in the Museum Store in the mansion. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your tour begins to allow adequate time to purchase tickets. This ensures that the tour starts on time and that guests don’t miss the beginning of the tour.  The last tour of the day begins at 4 pm.
  Different tour options for groups scheduling in advance include: mansion tours, garden tours and tree tours.  For groups wanting garden and mansion tours, our discounted combination rate is $11.  Ashland’s parking lot is located on Fincastle Road. There is a regular paved parking lot as well as overflow grass-crete spaces on either side of the driveway. Handicapped parking is available.  Lunch at the Ginkgo Tree Cafe — in the shade of Ashland’s historic trees is the perfect complement to your Ashland visit.  This popular outdoor cafe, named for the Ginkgo trees at Ashland, is located on the brick patio around the old smokehouse. 
 Open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM from late April through September, weather permitting

 Headley-Whitney Museum  Wednesday - Friday  10:00am - 5:00pm Saturday-Sunday  12:00pm - 5:00pm 
The Headley-Whitney Museum was founded in 1968 by jewelry designer, George Headley and his wife, Barbara Whitney.  The Museum features jewelry, bibelots, dollhouses, a library, rose garden, and a shell grotto.  The Museum offers rotating exhibits, a gift shop, events and educational workshops.  George W. Headley III (1908-1985) was born in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1908 into a wealthy family. He grew up in Mississippi. Artistically inclined from an early age, Headley studied art at the Art Student's League in New York and l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He later apprenticed as a designer with the New York Jeweler Paul Flato in the 1930s. In the 1940s, Headley opened his own jewelry boutique in California at the Hotel Bel-Air. His account books of the time show that he designed for many of the Hollywood elite and their wives, including Douglas Fairbanks, Gary Cooper, the Marx Brothers, Vincent Minelli, Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, and Fanny Brice.
  After nearly a decade of success on the West Coast, Headley returned to his family farm, La Belle, in Lexington and continued his career designing jewelry and bibelots. Bibelots (pronounced "bib-loh") is French for knickknack or curio, and are small, ornate decorative objects of beauty rather than being functional pieces.
  In 1960, Headley married Barbara Whitney Henry Peck (d. 1982), sister of noted thoroughbred horseman Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (1899-1992) and daughter of the sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (d. 1942), founder of New York's Whitney Museum of American Art.
  In 1968, Headley opened his distinctive Jewel Room and Library building on the scenic grounds of La Belle Farm. The museum complex was completed in the 1970s with the addition of the Shell Grotto and the main building. 
 The Headley-Whitney Museum is located on Old Frankfort Pike Approximately 10 minutes from New Circle Road. Parking is free.  Admission is $10 for adults, seniors $7.  Tours of the Grounds & Library leave on the hour. The last tour is at 4:00pm.

 Kentucky Horse Park A State of Kentucky Park. 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511, one-half mile east of I-75 off Iron Works Pike (1973) at Exit 120. The Kentucky Horse Park Campground is .9 miles east of I-75 at Exit 120.
  Kentucky Horse Park tickets include admission to the world-renowned International Museum of the Horse, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the American Saddlebred Museum - the Showplace for Saddlebreds, a Horse-Drawn Tour and equine presentations throughout the day. Some shows and/or special events may require a separate or additional charge. Food concessions are available on park grounds, but visitors are welcome to picnic on the grounds as well. Picnic tables are available first come, first serve. Domestic pets are allowed to accompany their owners on the park grounds as long as they are on a leash or confined to an approved kennel.  There is an outstanding RV camp ground at the park offering 260 spacious sites with electricity and water.  Check the website for rates.
GENERAL ADMISSION RATES:  Your general admission ticket includes the following day for free!  SUMMER SEASON  Adult $16, seniors $15  PARKING:  Regular/Daily - $5.00
  The Kentucky Horse Park lives up to its reputation as the place to get close to horses as our daily show and activity schedule demonstrates. Home to many different breeds, large and small, the park introduces you to the world of the horse. 
  TROLLEY TOUR A 10- to 12-minute narrated trolley tour of the main activities area pulled by a team of Draft Horses. Included with paid admission. Weather permitting. Summer season -  horse-drawn tours depart at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
  INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE HORSE An Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum traces the 55-million-year history of the horse.  See racing trophies, priceless artifacts, carriages and more. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with the park schedule. 
  AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM and GIFT SHOP  Home to the largest collection of Saddlebred artifacts in the world including trophies, photographs, tack, artwork and a library of over 2,400 volumes used for bloodline and genealogical research. The Showplace for Saddlebreds is an exciting destination in the park. Visitors learn about the American Saddlebred throughout American history, see rare artifacts, and enjoy many wonderful interactive exhibits. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with the park schedule.  Hours of operation extended to 6:00 pm during June, July and August.
  FILM THE REIN OF NOBILITY Narrated by venerable horseman and film and TV star William Shatner, this majestic film explores the world of the horse and is shown in the Visitor Center throughout the day from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, with the park schedule.
 TYPICAL SUMMER SEASON SCHEDULE
10:00 am - Trolley Tour
10:15 am - Hall of Champions Show
11:00 am - Horses of the World Presentation
11:45 am - Mare & Foal Show - (Memorial Day - July 31)
1:00 pm - Trolley Tour
1:15 pm - Hall of Champions Show
2:00 pm - Horses of the World Presentation
3:00 pm - Trolley Tour
3:15 pm - Hall of Champions
  HORSEBACK RIDING A guided 35-minute trail ride, suitable for first-time riders, takes you along the outskirts of the park.  Available weather permitting. Tickets: $25.00 per ride.  Save $8.00 when purchased with park admission. Tickets are first-come, first-serve on the day of visit.  Restrictions: must be at least 7 years old, at least 4 feet tall, and not exceeding a weight limit of 240 lbs.  Departure Times: 9:45 am, 11:00 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:45 pm, 4:00 pm.

Woodford Reserve Distillery Woodford Reserve Distillery Monday thru Saturday: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Sunday (March-December): 1pm, 2pm, 3pm $10 per person. 7855 McCracken Pike Versailles, KY (859) 879-1812
  The Distillery itself is the oldest working bourbon distillery in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. Between its rich history and the Craft Bourbon distilled there today, it has quite a story to tell. The best way to hear it is to visit for yourself.
  If you are visiting us during our peak season on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and you are interested in going on our Bourbon Discovery Tour, it is suggested that you arrive at the Distillery an hour before the time you would like to tour. We do not currently accept reservations in advance and tour tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis.
  Take a guided educational tour through the Distillery that explains the history of bourbon, how we’re unique at all five sources of flavor, the bottling process, and much more. At the end of the tour, guests 21 and over can taste our award-winning Craft Bourbon for themselves in the Visitor Center. 
  There is a small restaurant at the distillery that serves a very nice soup and sandwich lunch that complements your tour of the facility.  The distillery is located in Versailles, KY and is a half-hour drive from the convention hotel.   

Buffalo Trace Distillery   Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sun (April-Oct Only): 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
  The Trace Tour leaves every hour, on the hour The Trace Tour begins with an engaging video of the history of Buffalo Trace Distillery. You will then walk amidst the path of rolling bourbon barrels. You will be captivated by the alluring smell and atmosphere of bourbon sleeping inside the aging warehouses. Then you will go inside the renowned Blanton’s Bottling Hall where you will see signature bourbons being filled, sealed, labeled, and packaged—all by hand. 
  To complement your visit to the Buffalo Trace Distillery, enjoy a delicious lunch at our Firehouse Sandwich Stop, located just a short walk away from the Visitor's Center at Buffalo Trace Distillery. The Sandwich Stop is inside of the original distillery firehouse, built in the 1930's. See authentic fire coats and boots once worn by distillery workers in the 50's and 60's when the Firehouse was in full swing at the Distillery and take your picture next to the 1964 Ford fire truck! 
  All visitors are welcome to walk in and there is no need to make a reservation. Families of all ages welcome.
  All tours are complimentary and include a tasting of some of our award-winning products.  The distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, KY about a 30 minute drive from the hotel.

 Wild Turkey Bourbon Distillery Mon-Sat 9am-4pm Sun 11am-3pm. Tours offered on the hour.  Tour tickets $5 per person
  Wild Turkey is a genuine, benchmark Bourbon for uncompromising drinkers of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is one of the best selling premium Bourbons in the U.S. and in the world. Produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, Wild Turkey Bourbon is known by its signature 101 proof and by its unique unmatched flavor.
  There is a gift shop that visitors can visit before or after the distillery tour. 
  The distillery is located at 1417 Versailles Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY about a 45 minute drive from the hotel.

Keeneland Racetrack Tours    4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, Kentucky Keeneland is one of the most beautiful race tracks in the United States and offers live racing for three weeks in April and three weeks in October, but they welcome visitors year-round. If you’d like to spend a morning or an afternoon at picturesque Keeneland, we’ve got some great ideas about making the most of your visit with these suggested itineraries.  Unfortunitly, our convention occurs when the racing season has moved on to Churchhill Downs, but there is still plenty to see and do.
  True to its original mission to be a model race track, Keeneland today is an industry leader in developing and promoting innovations to advance Thoroughbred racing, improving safety and preserving the sport’s history and integrity.  The world’s best Thoroughbred owners, trainers and jockeys converge each April and October at Keeneland to compete in an idyllic setting like no other in the world. The Spring Meet is anchored by the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland Stakes, Grade 1 prep races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively. Keeneland’s Fall Meet opens with Fall Stars Weekend, featuring nine graded stakes which serve as a springboard to success for many horses in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.  
Keeneland’s grounds also feature a state-of-the-art Library, which serves as one of the world’s largest repositories of information related to the Thoroughbred. Founded in 1939, the Library today houses thousands of racing-related books and journals, photographic negatives, and such priceless collections as the Daily Racing Form archive, the photographs of Charles Christian Cook and Bert T. Morgan, and the equine cartoons of the internationally celebrated artist “Peb.”
  For more than 75 years, Keeneland has been committed to good corporate citizenship, both in the Central Kentucky community and the horse industry. To date, Keeneland has contributed more than $18 million to charitable and equine-related programs in the areas of health and human services, education, arts and culture, animal welfare and historic preservation.
   A National Historic Landmark, Keeneland features beautifully landscaped grounds that are open to the public every day. Fans and horsemen alike are welcome to enjoy its spectacular racing, attend one of its annual horse sales, or simply visit the grounds and celebrate Keeneland’s timeless beauty.
  Keeneland's paddock is one of the most beautiful places you will find in Central Kentucky—or anywhere, for that matter. In the mornings, its beauty and serenity are the perfect match for the new colt or filly who must be "schooled" in the paddock as part of a Thoroughbred's education. Every April and October, it is the hub of activity—alive with grooms, owners, trainers, jockeys and fans awaiting breathlessly as last-minute instructions are dispensed and fans get one last look at the magnificent horses before they run the race of their lives.  There is also a self guided tour map on the website.
  If you thought that afternoons were the only time of day to come to Keeneland, here is the chance to change your mind. Some folks say mornings are the best time of day at the race track because that's when the horses train for their next race. Mornings represent an amazing chance to see some of the sport's biggest stars strut their stuff without an audience of thousands looking on.  The track is open year-round to the public during training hours.  Training takes place from about 6 a.m. until 10 a.m.  There is no admission fee during morning training hours.
  AND, breakfast at Keeneland is one of Lexington's best-kept dining secrets and a truly fun experience.  The Keeneland Track Kitchen is the highlight of a morning here. You don't have to be a horseman to enjoy the food at the track kitchen, but you might end up sitting near a famous jockey, trainer or owner when you do.  The Track Kitchen is: Open year-round, except for major holidays, opens daily at 6 a.m., Located near the barn area; follow the signage or look for the black water tower. 
  AND when your done with all that there is a gift shop to die for.
  Keeneland is a short 15 minute drive from the hotel.

McConnelL Springs Park In June 1775, William McConnell and his fellow frontier explorers camped at a natural spring in the wilderness of the Virginia territory known as Kentucky. Word came from nearby Fort Boonesboro that the first battle of the American Revolution had been fought in Lexington, Massachusetts. In honor of the battle, the group named their future settlement “Lexington”.
  During the ensuing years, McConnell Springs — a National Registered Historic Site — served as the location of a mill, a gunpowder factory, a distillery, and a dairy farm. In more recent years, however, the site lay abandoned — but not forgotten.
  Citizen efforts to reclaim McConnell Springs for its historical and natural value began with the publication of Carolyn Murray-Wooley’s book "The Founding of Lexington" published in Lexington’s Bicentennial Year. In 1993, The Friends of McConnell Springs came together to raise funds and recapture the site. JPMorgan Chase donated the original property to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for parkland. Meanwhile, The Friends had cleared hundreds of tons of trash and construction debris, and in November 1994 purchased an adjoining lot to build the Kentucky-American Water Company Education Center.
  McConnell Springs is owned by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and managed by its Division of Parks and Recreation.

KY Children's Garden at the Arboretum The gardens are open from dawn until dusk each day. General Garden admission is free. There is a small admission for the Kentucky Children's Garden.  Children's Garden Pictures
  The Arboretum began in 1991 and is continuing to boast 100 acres of year-round color and plants. Stresses melt away among the 100 acres of marvelous sights and sounds of our gardens. Once you are there, you feel like you have escaped to a paradise. It is a delightful surprise to visitors from around the world and even in our own city. Young and older alike enjoy year-round activities for the entire family.
  The Arboretum was created in 1991 as a joint effort between the University of Kentucky and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
  The Mission of The Arboretum showcases Kentucky landscapes and serves as a resource center for environmental and horticultural education, research and conservation.
  The Transportation Garden in the Children's Garden was developed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY, and features a whimsical G Gauge garden railroad where children learn how plants and plant products travel both naturally by air and water, and by varieties of mechanical transportation.   
  The  model railroad emphasizes a rich history of railroading in the Mid Central Region(MCR). Several of the cars and the steam and diesel engines featured at the  Arboretum G Gauge model railroad are Chesapeake & Ohio Railway engines. 

Hunt-Morgan House Hunt-Morgan House Tours Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 1:00-4:00 Saturday: 10:00-3:00 Sunday: 1:00-4:00  Please note all tours begin on the hour.  Prices  Adult: $7.00  AAA, Veteran or Senior (65+): $6.00
  In the midst of Lexington’s historic antebellum Gratz Park, the Hunt-Morgan House stands as a reminder of early 19th century life, when Lexington was known as The Athens of the West.
  Built in 1814, the Federal style Hunt-Morgan House has many beautiful architectural features, including the Palladian window with fan and sidelights that grace its front façade. In 1955, the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation was formed to save the home from impending demolition. The organization restored the home to its Federal appearance and now operates the house as a museum.
  The museum’s collection of early Kentucky furniture, antique porcelain and 19th century paintings captures the elegance of the Hunt and Morgan families. The rooms are furnished with articles of the period as well as those owned by the family. The Alexander T. Hunt Civil War Museum, located on the second floor of the Hunt-Morgan House, features an extensive collection of Civil War relics and memorabilia.Click here to download the Hunt-Morgan House brochure. 
  The Hunt-Morgan Family: The Hunt-Morgan family of Central Kentucky ranks as one of the region's most historic, producing the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies, a civil war brigadier general and Kentucky’s first Nobel Prize Winner.
  During the early history of the nation, John Wesley Hunt became a leading landowner and businessman in Kentucky and one of the wealthiest men in the western part of the country. His business empire included interest in banking, horse breeding, agriculture and hemp manufacturing. Among his business associates were Henry Clay and John Jacob Astor.
  Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was christened “Thunderbolt of the Confederacy” by an adoring South and described as "King of the Horse Thieves” by Northern sympathizers. Morgan legends abound from his dramatic escape from a federal prison to a ride through the Hunt-Morgan House on horseback to kiss his mother goodbye.
  Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan brought international fame to the family and the Bluegrass by becoming the first Kentuckian to win a Nobel Prize. Morgan graduated in 1886 from the State College of Kentucky, later the University of Kentucky, and received his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. He co-authored The Mechanics of Mendelian Heredity, which established the fruit fly as the model agent for the study of genetics. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1933.

Waveland State Historic Site   225 Waveland Museum Ln.  Lexington, KY 40514  Phone: (859) 272-3611  Hours of Operation  Tours: Wednesday through Saturday - 10:00am to 5:00pm, last tour at 4:00pm.  Sunday - 1:00pm to 5:00pm, last tour at 4:00pm. Admission - Adults: $7.00, Seniors: $6.00, Students of any age: $4.00, Children below six years of age: Free admission.   For group rates, please contact Waveland State Historic Site. 
  Antebellum house with three original outbuildings - slave quarters, smokehouse and ice house. Guided tours focus on the everyday lives of family and slaves who lived and worked at Waveland. 
  This beautiful Greek Revival home was built in 1847 by Joseph Bryan, a grandnephew of Daniel Boone. Tours of Waveland focus on the Bryan family and life on a 19th-century Kentucky plantation. Waveland exemplifies plantation life in Kentucky in the 19th-century; from the acres of grain and hemp waving in the breeze (hence the Waveland name), to the raising and racing of blooded trotting horses. The outbuild-ings of Waveland, the slave quarters, smokehouse and icehouse, are important reminders of the social and economic climate of the time. Today, Waveland prides itself not only as one of Kentucky’s best examples of the Greek Revival style, but as a living house museum. Many personal effects, from needlework, to hand-written letters, lay undisturbed, as if the household has briefly departed in preparation for your visit.
  The guided tour includes stories about the Bryan family and the history of Waveland. Also includes the outbuildings, where guests learn about slave life in Kentucky. Stroll among the flower and herb gardens, and a short nature trail.

Patterson Cabin at Transylvania The Patterson Cabin at Transylvania University  Campus of Transylvania University 3 blocks from downtown Lexington  Third street just east of Broadway
  On Third Street, just east of Broadway, is a fantastic log cabin that dates to 1783. If this date is correct, the cabin would be one year older than the "oldest house in Lexington" - the Adam Rankin House. In Lexington: Heart of the Bluegrass, the claim is disputed altogether: the Patterson Cabin was likely not the first cabin built outside the blockhouse, but was one of about 30 cabins built around the same time. Still, it is the only surviving cabin... so symbolically, it is the first.
  The cabin itself was built by and belonged to pioneer Robert Patterson who was among those who settled Royal Springs (Georgetown), Lexington, and later, Cincinnati (Ohio). Born in Pennsylvania, Patterson was only 22 years old when he set out with a group to explore the wilderness. Leaving Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) in 1775, the group ultimately established a fort which would become Georgetown. Patterson went to the fort at Harrodsburg before returning to Fort Pitt for additional ammunition in 1776.
  After returning to Kentucky, he led a group of 25 men in 1779 to construct a blockhouse which would become the basis for Lexington. Four years later, Patterson felt it sufficiently safe to erect a cabin outside the walls of the blockhouse for himself and his growing family (not that the blockhouse would provide much further protection; it was torn down in 1783) [Lexington Leader, 5/25/1951]. It is unclear how long Patterson lived in the cabin, but we do know that he and his wife (married in 1780) had eleven children.
  In 1782, Patterson was second-in-command at the Battle of Blue Licks, a bloody battle which he survived. In 1788, Patterson formed a partnership in which he received a one-third ownership of the town site of Cincinnati, Ohio. But Patterson did not relocate to Cincinnati; he continued to serve Kentucky in various political roles until 1800 (his political career had begun in 1781).
  Patterson sold his Kentucky landholdings and moved to Dayton in the same year that Ohio achieved statehood, 1803. His cabin followed in 1901. 
 That's right! According to a 1901 announcement in the Bourbon News, "The old log cabin...has been purchased by John H. Patterson, President of the National Cash Register Company, and is being removed to Dayton, Ohio." The Lexington Leader confirmed: "The work of tearing down and loading the old Patterson cabin on the cars was completed yesterday, and the car was started last night to Dayton, where the old structure will be re-erected near the scene of Col. Patterson's conflict with the Indians, on the Pickaway plains." [10/9/1901]
  On May 5, 1906, the Lexington Leader followed up on the old Lexington landmark: "John H. Patterson, of Dayton, O., the famous National Cash Register man, has just issued an attractive brochure in gray and gold, which tells the story of the historic log cabin built by his ancestors in Lexington over a century ago, which he bought a few years and removed to Dayton, and rebuilt on a part of the ground adjoining his splendid home in the suburbs of that city.
  "Kaintuckeeans rejoice - the cabin is back!  The City Commisioners of Dayton voted to return the cabin to its origin: Lexington. Transylvania College would be the recipient and the old cabin was relocated to its present location [Lexington Herald-Leader, 5/18/1939]. Transylvania was a fitting place for the Cabin as it rests on part of Patterson's original 400 acre tract of Lexington. Patterson also was a trustee of the college.
  In 1951, a great restoration of the cabin occurred as a joint effort of Transylvania University, the State Highway Department and the Kentucky Historical Society. As one can imagine, several of the old logs had rotted through. Timber was felled from the Natural Bridge area and transported to the cabin for repair. Another restoration followed in 1976 to this great landmark of Lexington.

 Loudoun House  209 Castlewood Dr, Lexington, KY 40505  (859) 254-7024  Gallery hours: Mon - Fri, 10am - 4pm and Sat - Sun, 1pm - 4pm  Admission is free and open to the public.
  The Loudoun House is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only five remaining castellated Gothic Revival villas left in the United States designed by New York architect A. J. Davis. Built in 1850 for Francis Key Hunt, cousin of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the U.S. national anthem and the 10th child of John Hunt, one of the first millionaire's west of the Appalachians, The Loudoun House, in Lexington's Castlewood Park, is owned by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Parks and Recreation and has been the Lexington Art League's administrative and curatorial home since 1984.
  The house's many towers, irregular volumes, vaults, asymmetrically arranged lancet, diamond-paned windows as well as other picturesque architectural features denote the Gothic Revival style. Hollow brick walls that provided for better insulation and walls covered with successive layers of sand and paint to resemble stone are notable. An unusual feature is the half-tunnel, which encircles the main foundations of the house to eliminate moisture from the footings of the walls and give them added stability. The house is long and shallow, its forms building up irregularly to the principal tower to the right side of the entrance pavilion. Chimneystacks, crenellated tower and turret, parapet walls, and pinnacles on the important gables comprise an interesting skyline. A gymnasium was added to the rear of the house and some of the porches have been removed , but its sense of picturesque romanticism remains.
  The residence was built for Francis Key Hunt in 1850. Francis Key was the son of John Wesley Hunt who built the Hunt-Morgan House. Between 1870 and 1889 Loudoun was the home of Colonel William Cassius Goodloe who served as chairman of the national committee of the Republican Party and was later appointed Minister to Belgium by President Hayes. Loudoun, now situated in Castlewood Park, is owned by the city of Lexington and houses the Lexington Art League.

Kentucky State Capital 700 Capitol Avenue Frankfort, Ky 40504  Open: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.  Sunday closed For tours or additional information about the New State Capitol, contact the tour guide's desk at (502) 564-3449. A short 45 minute drive west to the city of Frankfort, the current Kentucky's Capitol building is the fourth permanent building since statehood in 1792.  It was built to replace the earlier 1830 capitol, still standing in downtown Frankfort, which had become inadequate to accommodate the growing state government.  A long and bitter quarrel among Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort over which city should be Kentucky's Capital finally ended in 1904, when the legislature voted to spend one million dollars for a new capitol to replace the 1830 capitol on the old public square in downtown Frankfort.  The architect's design was far too immense for the square, so the present site in south Frankfort was chosen instead.
  Ground was broken in 1904 and on June 2, 1910 Kentucky's New Capitol was dedicated with imposing ceremonies.
  The architect was Frank Mills Andrews, a native of Iowa who practiced in Chicago, New York City, Cincinnati and Dayton.  Andrews was a distinguished architect.  He received the Silver Medal Award from the Royal Society of Arts in 1911 for a paper he presented on "American Architecture" at a meeting of the Society in London.  A proponent of the Beaux-Arts style, many striking architectural features and opulent decorative finishes in Kentucky's Capitol illustrate his penchant for classical French interiors.
  The State Reception Room was designed as a place for ceremonial events.  The walls are decorated with pilasters finished in scagliola and murals, hand painted to resemble tapestries from the Gobelin Tapestry Guild.  Original to the room, the hand carved Circassian walnut furniture was crafted to resemble 17th century French Baroque pieces.
  The room was recently restored under the direction of the Historic Properties Advisory Commission (HPAC) and the Office of Historic Properties.  The project included installation of HVAC for climate control, the conservation of wall murals and the restoration of the decorative finishes and furniture. 
  The elegance of the Capitol's interior was largely achieved by the generous use of white Georgia marble, gray Tennessee marble and dark green Italian marble.  On axis with the rotunda, the grand corridors feature 36 imposing columns of Vermont granite and delicate art glass skylights.  
  Decorative lunettes above each staircase highlight the entrances to the House and Senate chambers.  Painted in oils by T. Gilbert White, both depict frontier scenes with Daniel Boone.  The east mural portrays Boone and his party catching their first glimpse of the Bluegrass region atop Pilot Knob in 1769.  The west mural depicts the negotiations for the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals, which lead to the purchase of Cherokee land that would eventually become Kentucky. 
Kentucky's legislative bodies meet in the House and Senate chambers.  Both chambers continue the classical motifs of the building, incorporating scagliola (faux marble) for their decorative architectural features.
  The resplendent Supreme Court room serves as the seat of the judicial branch of state government.  The room is noted for its solid Honduras mahogany paneling and the elegant coffered ceiling covered in Old Dutch Metal leafing, hammered to imitate old bronze. 
  The exterior of the Capitol is faced in Indiana limestone and Vermont granite.  The richly sculptured pediment of the classical front portico was designed by Charles Henry Niehaus and carved by Australian sculptor Peter Rossack. Allegorical figures represent Kentucky, the central female figure, with Progress, History, Plenty, Law, Art and Labor as her attendants.
  The Office of Historic Properties of the Finance and Administration Cabinet serves as state curator over all state owned historic properties and is responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the Capitol so that we and future generations may continue to enjoy it.  The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Kentucky Governor's Mansion    704 Capitol Avenue  Frankfort, Kentucky 40601  (502) 564-3449 for more information. All Governor's Mansion tours are free of charge. Parking is available on Capitol Avenue in front of the Governor's Mansion or in the Capitol Annex parking garage.Regularly scheduled public tours of The Governor's Mansion are available every Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Groups and individuals are requested to contact the Capitol tour desk by calling 502-564-3449 or by emailing capitol.wc@ky.gov to confirm an appointment.
  Kentucky's Governor's Mansion is one of only a handful of executive residences in the United States to be open to the public for tours. Thousands of visitors from across the Commonwealth and around the world visit the Governor's Mansion every year. Contact the Capitol tour desk to schedule a visit soon.
  The Governor's Mansion is situated on the east lawn of the State Capitol grounds on a bluff high above the Kentucky River in Frankfort.  It was designed by Kentuckians C.C. and E.A. Weber of Fort Thomas in 1912.  The exterior was modeled after the Petit Trianon, Queen Marie Antoinette's villa on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
  The design of the Governor's Mansion was a product of its time -- the post Civil War Gilded Age of conspicuous consumption.  The building reflects the grand spirit of people who had not yet experienced a severe economic depression or a world war.  Great care was spent on the design and the interrelationship of every aspect of the Governor's Mansion with attention to exquisite decorative details executed in high-quality craftsmanship.  Historians have speculated that the advent of World War I interrupted the original construction before the interior and gardens could be completed.
  The mansion is elegantly proportioned with a front portico that includes four pairs of Ionic columns.  A stone balustrade and terrace make an impressive entrance to this historic building.  The interior of the mansion reflects the eclectic interest in French Neo-Classicism typical of the Beaux-Arts period.  Most lighting fixtures and decorative features such as the ornamental plaster and mantles, are original to the building.
  Including our current Governor, Steven L. Beshear and his family, 24 governors have lived in the mansion.  Between 1980 and 1984, the chief executive's home was renovated to its original Beaux-Arts style, which included the simple formal garden based on the original 1913 drawings of the mansion grounds. 
  The Governor's Mansion is listed on the National Register of the Historic Places. 

Shaker Village 3501 Lexington Rd. Harrodsburg, KY 40330 859-734-5411
  Located about an hour south of Lexington Guided Tours (10 AM - 5 PM) Recommended Adults: $15 
  Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is America’s largest restored Shaker village. Learn about the Shaker lessons of sustainability, ingenuity and community. The village preserves 34 original buildings on 3,000 acres; view the interiors of more than a dozen restored structures along with heritage craft demonstrations and changing history exhibitions. Offers a full schedule of daily, hands on programs throughout the property, including  40 miles of trails in the Nature Preserve, livestock on the farm and a vibrant organic garden, along with cruises on the Kentucky River aboard the Dixie Belle paddle wheeler. 
 All visitor services are provided in the original historic buildings.

Bourbon Trail  Trip Planner For those of you choosing to visit our state for a longer period, Many visitors make the pilgrimage to all of the distilleries on the Bourbon trail, but you can also visit them one at a time. These tour locations are detailed elsewhere on the webpage.  
  Lexington: With great Bourbon, food, shopping and horses, what better place is there to begin your Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience? 
  Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, named after the limestone stream that runs through the city, is your first  stop and a relatively new addition to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® family. You won’t be disappointed by the tour of this stunning new distillery in the center of downtown Lexington near Rupp Arena and the Lexington Visitor’s Center. Make sure to sample their Bluegrass Sundown, a popular Bourbon-infused coffee drink while learning about the city’s deep Bourbon roots and Bluegrass heritage. If you have time, pop over to Barrel House Distilling Co., less than a mile away from Town Branch. It’s one of the founding members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour™ and features many unique products to sample. 
  Versailles/Midway: Make your way through the beautiful horse country for a delicious lunch at the Windy Corner Market & Restaurant, or hit the road heading west. If fine dining is in order, sit down to an unforgettable meal at the Holly Hill Inn nestled in the trees on the outskirts of Midway. Just need a snack and a cup of coffee? The Midway School Bakery has scratch-made doughnuts, pies, cookies and so much more. If none of those options float your boat, take Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives star Guy Fieri’s word for it and visit Wallace Station Deli in Versailles.
  The scenery doesn’t get much better here in Woodford County, home of several Kentucky Derby winners, dozens of beautiful thoroughbred farms and even a genuine castle! A breathtaking drive past some of the world’s fastest horses will bring you to the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery. Once you have lifted your jaw from the ground, you can jump on the hourly Bourbon Discovery Tour.  Call ahead for availability and reservations for the extended National Landmark Tour and the Corn to Cork Tour that are offered at different times of the week. So far, so good…it’s time to eat! While at Woodford Reserve, grab a bite from the seasonal offerings of Picnic on the Porch. The daily fare usually includes Kentucky favorites such as country ham, barbeque and homemade desserts. For something different, head back to downtown Versailles, check into the Woodford Inn and feast in the onsite restaurant, Addie’s Restaurant & Bar.  You could always make the short trip back to Lexington to visit the Keeneland racetrack, the Kentucky Horse Park, or just rest up after a cocktail at any of Lexington’s many famed restaurants and bars.
Lawrenceburg: Time to give ‘em the bird! They’ve been making whiskey in Anderson County for centuries, and two historic distilleries are waiting to share their timeless secrets. Lawrenceburg is only a few miles from Lexington, where Wild Turkey Distillery sits atop the Kentucky River. Take a wonderful tour of their new state-of-the-art distillery — the first built from scratch in Kentucky since Prohibition — and look for legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell roaming the grounds. Jimmy’s been crafting bourbon for 60 years and is always willing to sign a bottle or pose for a picture.  Their brand-new visitor’s center is scheduled to open in May/June of 2013.   Just eight short miles away is Four Roses Distillery, named the “American Distillery of the Year” by Whisky Magazine for four straight years. You’re sure to fall in love with the romantic story behind this iconic brand and the unique Spanish Mission style architecture. Stop and smell the roses – literally – that are abundant on the grounds, or chill out for your own “mellow moment” in the gazebo and barrel swing. 
  In 1999, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association formed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour to give visitors a firsthand look at the art and science of crafting Bourbon, and to educate them about the rich history and proud tradition of our signature spirit.
  It began in the 1700s with the first settlers of Kentucky. Like most farmers and frontiersmen, they found that getting crops to market over narrow trails and steep mountains was a daunting task. They soon learned that converting corn and other grains to whiskey made them easily transportable, prevented the excess grain from simply rotting, and gave them some welcome diversion from the rough life of the frontier. Since then, generations of Kentuckians have continued the heritage and time-honored tradition of making fine Bourbon, unchanged from the process used by their ancestors centuries before.  So how did it get the name Bourbon? Well, one of Kentucky’s original counties was Bourbon County, established in 1785 when Kentucky was still part of Virginia.  Farmers shipped their whiskey in oak barrels — stamped from Bourbon County — down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. The long trip aged the whiskey, with the oak wood giving it the distinct mellow flavor and amber color.  Pretty soon, whiskey from Bourbon County grew in popularity and became known as Bourbon whiskey. In 1964, Congress officially recognized Bourbon’s place in our history — and our future — by declaring it a distinctive product of the United States. Or, as we like to say, “America’s Official Native Spirit.”
  Today, Bourbon is a signature industry that helps create 9,000 jobs, generates more than $125 million in tax revenue each year and is a growing international symbol of Kentucky craftsmanship and tradition.  Bourbon tourism is skyrocketing too, with nearly 2.5 million visitors from all 50 states and 25 countries to the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour in the last five years alone.
  Kentucky Bourbon Trail® is a registered trademark of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
  Louisville’s rich Bourbon culture is pervasive not only in its deep Bourbon history and recent influx of downtown distilleries, but also in its restaurants, bars, attraction, and even its music. Louisville is the perfect place to start or end your Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure,  making it an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Check out  their website for more info – gotolouisville.com – 301 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202, 1-888-LOUISVILLE (568-4784)
  Smithtown Seafood is Lexington’s newest farm-to-table restaurant,  located in the Bread Box on West Sixth Street. We make everything on the menu from scratch, and whenever possible, with locally raised ingredients. Our menu is both familiar and creative, emphasizing local foods and old-fashioned Kentucky recipes in dishes such as Beer Cheese with West Sixth Smithtown Brown Beer and wild-caught fried catfish, flavorful salads and ethnic seafood dishes such as fish tacos and Tilapia African Style, vegetarian specialties and much more. Order at Smithtown’s counter and we’ll prepare your food to go, or find a seat in neighboring West Sixth Brewing’s beer garden and our staff will deliver your order to you. In our display case, guests will  see fresh wild-caught catfish from the St. Johns River in Florida, fresh head-on Canaveral white shrimp and royal red shrimp, fresh oysters and other fresh fish that is sustainably raised or responsibly farmed from  U.S. and Kentucky sources. Our fresh fish is available by the pound to take home.
  While in Bardstown make sure to check out the Kentucky Bourbon Marketplace! Located in the newly renovated Mary May House in the heart of downtown historic Bardstown. Stop in and shop for bourbon souvenirs and gifts. Visit our boutique liquor store and end your visit at our  unique bourbon bar sampling the best Bourbons the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has to offer! Visit website for more information.
  Lexington’s only historic boutique hotel the Gratz Park Inn exemplifies the  southern grace and charm for which Lexington is known. Nestled in the heart of downtown’s historic district located only two blocks from Main Street, the inn is part of a collection of 16 distinctive buildings occupying land first settled in 1781. Gratz Park Inn is surrounded by fabulous eateries – including the onsite restaurant, Jonathan at Gratz Park – Lexington’s best fashion boutiques, great antique shopping, historical landmarks, as well as nightlife and live entertainment at the Lexington Opera House or Kentucky Theatre. The inn is comprised of 41 beautifully appointed, individually decorated, luxurious rooms. Spacious and pleasing, each room is filled with antique reproduction furniture, fine woods and rich fabrics and regionally produced art. For more info please visit their website.
  We invite you to visit Danville, KY and Boyle County and experience our treasure trove of historic sites, scenic bluegrass vistas and cultural assets. Whether you visit our idyllic Main Street in Danville; the Civil War Battlefield and Merchant’s Row in Perryville; or the Knobs and natural beauty of Forkland; you will see why Boyle County is where “Preservation meets Progress.” We invite you to come and discover why “it’s better here”. Danville-Boyle County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 105 East Walnut St, Danville, KY 40422, 859-236-7794
  Enjoy a delicious lunch along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at Woodford Reserve Distillery’s Picnic on the Porch! Chef Ouita Michel’s culinary team prepares fresh sandwiches, soups, snacks and desserts using the best local ingredients. Many menu items have been created with a hint of Bourbon, such as our Bourbon Chili! Dine inside or on the distillery’s expansive porch overlooking the scenic grounds and beautiful Glenn’s Creek. Open 7 days a week year round. Special events and tastings scheduled throughout the year; visit woodfordreserve.com for more information.
  Chef Ouita Michel opened the Midway School Bakery in the cafeteria of the former Midway High School, built in 1924, in historic Midway. Guests will see staff in the open kitchen create scratch-made doughnuts, cookies, pies, breads and more. Coffee and espresso service are on the menu, including our Bluegrass Mocha with Bourbon Chocolate Sauce. Free wi-fi is available. Bakery shelves are lined with Kentucky products such  as Midway Honey, Woodford County’s award-winning Country Rock Sorghum, Wallace Station Bourbon Mustard, Ruth Hunt Candies, Windy Corner Market Pickled Okra, Weisenberger flours and mixes and gift baskets. See Chef Carrie’s Gluten-free Zone for muffins and her popular sandwich bread! Midway School Bakery goods also available at Windy Corner Market and Wallace Station Deli. Exit 65 off I-64. Open 7 days a week. Visit midwayschoolbakery.com for hours and menu.
  Admire the Bluegrass horse farm scenery while enjoying a fabulous breakfast, lunch or dinner at Windy Corner Market, 1 mile off historic Paris Pike just north of Lexington. Windy Corner is fashioned after an old-time country store. Chef Ouita Michel’s locally sourced menu features Po-Boy sandwiches, burgers, salads, seafood, breakfast, bakery goodies, soft-serve ice cream and more. Try a Kentucky Boy po-boy with pulled pork and our own Bourbon Barbecue Sauce! Dinner specials range from meatloaf to steak, from shrimp and grits to catfish. Wine and beer are available. Shop the shelves along the walls for delicious Kentucky Proud jams, sauces, flours and more. Open 7 days a week. Go to windycornermarket.com for hours and menus.
  Wallace Station Deli & Bakery is housed in a historic country store along scenic Old Frankfort Pike. Opened by Ouita and Chris Michel in 2003, Wallace is known for its jumbo panini sandwiches, burgers, salads, irresistible bakery case and breakfast sandwiches. Visitors will find our own Bourbon Mustard on sandwiches and in jars available for purchase. Desserts include huge homemade cookies, brownies, pies and more. Our Danger Brownie is topped with a Bourbon Bon Bon! Guy Fieri of “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” said our Big Brown Burger was “one of the Top 5 I’ve ever had!” Just minutes south of I-64 off Exit 65. Beer, outdoor dining available. Open 7 days a week. Visit  wallacestation.com for hours and menu.
  The Holly Hill Inn in Midway, established in 2001, is a fine dining restaurant housed in one of Midway’s oldest homes. Renowned Chef Ouita Michel and her staff specialize in elegant fare using locally grown produce and meats, with a seasonal menu, award-winning wine list and full bar service with an extensive Bourbon collection. Ask about our Wine Guild and 1785 Bourbon Society tastings and events! Exit 65 off I-64. Reservations suggested at (859) 846-4732. Visit hollyhillinn.com for directions and menus.
  Nestled in the rolling hills of Central Kentucky sits Lawrenceburg, a quaint and historic community. It’s a place where the Bourbon is as old as the community and the wine is nationally acclaimed. Where one family’s tobacco-growing heritage has spawned a world renowned cigar factory. Also, where there resides a permanent living tribute to Kentucky’s soldiers, who have fallen in the war on terror. Visit our downtown to shop for antiques or dine at one of our local eateries. The  hospitality is warm and the location is scenic.
  Welcome to Shepherdsville-Bullitt County! Located on I-65 just 20 minutes south of downtown Louisville, we offer visitors the convenience of being near a thriving metropolitan area while lodging amid the gentle atmosphere of Southern hospitality. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of our natural landscape, visitors can enjoy great hotels, a plethora of dining options, outlet shopping, four award-winning wineries, a nationally acclaimed golf course, and a world renowned arboretum and research forest. All this and more make Bullitt County’s Clermont, Shepherdsville and Brooks areas great stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour. Shepherdsville-Bullitt County Tourism 395 Paroquet Springs Drive Shepherdsville, KY (502) 543-8687 (800) 526-2068
  In Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World™ and Most Beautiful Small Town in America, you have many opportunities to enjoy a hands-on tour and Sample our Spirit at one or more distilleries that are part of the Kentucky  Bourbon Trail® experience or the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour™. Surround yourself in our Bourbon Heritage and see why Bardstown is to Bourbon what Napa Valley is to wine. Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist & Convention Commission, One Court Square, Bardstown, Ky 40004, (800)638-4877
  Want to leave the driving, planning, scheduling with confirmed reservations, safe transportation and worrying about directions to someone else? Contact Mint Julep Tours–they plan the entire adventure, start to finish, so you can relax and leave the trip to them. Be sure to check out some of their specialty tours like the Maker’s Mark After Dark Experience and Jim Beam Super Premium Tour. For more details visit the MJT website or call 502.583.1433 
  Located in the geographical heart of Kentucky and now an Official Trailhead of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™, Lebanon is in the Heart of the Bourbon Belt. With Maker’s Mark & Limestone Branch distilleries located here, as well as the Kentucky Cooperage, we’re as close to Bourbon as it gets. Encounter a rich Bourbon experience, deep spiritual legacies, and a community that thrives on its unique history and heritage. Lebanon Visitor Center, 239 N Spalding Ave., Suite 200, Lebanon, KY 40033, 270-692-0021
  Welcome to Kentucky’s newest luxury and ONLY Bourbon themed full-service hotel, the Marriott Louisville East! Located off I-64 and Hurstbourne Lane, the hotel is a perfect location  for your start or finish of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour.  Come and try a true taste of Kentucky at Marriott’s unique restaurant and bar, Charr’d Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge.  Here you’ll find over 80 Bourbons under one roof as well as Bourbon-enhanced cocktails and food.  Come and see the hotel who recently won Best New Marriott Product for 2012!
  The Woodford Inn is a historic Kentucky bed & breakfast nestled among the beautiful horse farms of central Kentucky. We’re located just outside of Lexington, KY in the heart of historic Versailles. The Woodford Inn is just a short drive to several famous area attractions including the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland Race Course, and several of the bourbon distilleries near the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. Be sure to stop into  Addie’s, our restaurant that features a full Bourbon bar and fantastic food.
  R & R Limousine  is an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. Providing service to the extreme, they have ten packages to choose from, so you’re sure to be able to visit the distillery of your favorite Bourbon, or let them design a custom package tailored just for you based on the time you wish to spend. Check their website for details or call 800‐582‐5576.
  Located in Historic Harrodsburg, the Beaumont Inn is a Central Kentucky staple.  Owned and operated by the Fourth and Fifth Generations of the Dedman family, Beaumont Inn has been a Kentucky tradition for over 95 years.  Enjoy the Beaumont Inn’s white-table-clothed Main Dining Room or sample their more relaxed fare in either The Old Owl Tavern or The Owl’s Nest Pub where you can also sample any of their collection of fine Kentucky Bourbons from a list that totals well over 50 selections.
  REQUEST A FREE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® PASSPORT at your first distillery stop as a keepsake of your journey. Collect stamps in your Passport from each of our member distilleries to earn a complimentary T-shirt when you submit your completed Passport. Your Passport will be shipped back to you along with the shirt! 2 hours

Rail Related Attractions:

Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven: At the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven, Kentucky, recapture the romance of the local passenger train when it was small-town America's link to the world. Enjoy a 22 mile, 90 minute train excursion through the scenic and historic Rolling Fork River Valley on a restored passenger train.
Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns: The McCreary County Heritage Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, has taken on the task to preserve, protect, and interpret the rich history of one of the few company towns in America still surrounded by its coal, lumber, and railroad roots.So come ride the rails with us…to make some new memories and learn about mining for coal. 
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Lexington and Bardstown: Return to a bygone era of fine cuisine and gracious service in a vintage 1940's railroad dining car. Enjoy a four-course meal as you watch the beautiful Kentucky scenery pass by your window.
High Bridge of Kentucky connecting Jessamine County and Mercer County: It is a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

Coming from Cincinnati and north, here are some attractions along the way:

Newport Aquarium