WOODFORD COUNTY

The birthplace of bourbon, Woodford county is full of scenic beauty, incredible bourbon, and southern hospitality. Visit historic sites, vineyards, local parks, or one of the nearby distillieries on your own or on a guided tour.

 

With Wander in Woodford, locals and visitors can use their mobile devices to complete different tours, checking in at each stop. Afterwards, stop by the Visitors Center for a complimentary gift!

 

Local spots to check out:

- Eckert's Orchard

- Bluegrass Scenic Railroad & Museum

- Woodford Reserve Distillery

- Castle & Key Distillery

- The Kentucky Castle

 

Photo: T, K. (2009). Martin Castle (now Castle Post) in Versailles Kentucky [Photograph]. Flickr. 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevint3141/3775703820/

SCOTT COUNTY

One of the fastest growing counties in the state, Scott County includes Georgetown (county seat), Sadieville, and Stamping Ground. It was one of the first few counties formed after Kentucky was granted statehood and is named after Revolutionary War hero Gen. Charles Scott, who helped lead the 1794 victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

 

With the largest Toyota manufacturing plant in the world and a blossoming healthcare industry, Scott County still has small town vibes with many city comforts. 

 

Visit Bi-Water Farms, Evan's Orchard, or one of the many shops and boutiques in the downtown area for a day of family fun and supporting local businesses. If you're here in September, be sure to stop by the Festival of the Horse for more family-friendly community entertainment!

 

Photo: Poore, R & S. (2007). Downtown Georgetown Kentucky [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Downtown_Georgetown_Kentucky.JPG

FAYETTE COUNTY

Fayette County was named after Marquis de Lafayette, a French officer who was one of George Washington's most trusted advisors during the Revolutionary War. It was one of the first three counties in Kentucky, formed from Kentucky County, Virginia, and its county seat, Lexington, is named to honor the historic Revolutionary War battle of the same name.

 

While you're here you can visit historical locations such as the Mary Todd Lincoln House or the Henry Clay Estate at Ashland, catch a race at Keeneland, or just drive along backroads taking in the radiant rolling hills the heart of the Bluegrass is known for. 

 

Photo: Calstanhope. (2016). Keeneland gate [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keeneland_gate.jpg 

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Franklin County is named after Benjamin Franklin and home to our state capital, Frankfort, a picturesque town set on the banks of the Kentucky River.

 

Home to the Kentucky Historical Society, Franklin County has many historical landmarks of its own. Visit the Old State House, the former state capital building, which hosted several significant events and numerous notable politicians, or the pioneer Daniel Boone's grave. If your interest is bourbon, you can check out Jim Beam's or Buffalo Trace's distilleries!

 

Frankfort is also home to Paul Sawyier's Boyhood Home and Paul Sawyier's Library. Sawyier is one of the most recognized and popular artists in the region due to his breath-taking and easily-identifiable paintings of particular areas, cities, and landmarks in Kentucky.

 

Photo: Mobili, M. (2016). U.S. Route 60 Frankfort, KY [Photograph]. Flickr. 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mobili/

 

BOURBON COUNTY

Well-known for its fertile soil, rolling hills, and bluegrass pastures, the first settlers here found a network of trails used by buffalo and Native Americans for thousands of years, called Limestone Trace. This puts Bourbon County in the center of the earliest settler movement into Kentucky.

 

One of the first things those settlers did was plant corn to feed their families and livestock. When they eventually ended up with more corn than they could easily sell or get rid of, they used their resourcefulness to make corn whiskey. By 1812, many distillers started aging their raw "white lightening" product in charred oak barrels to create the smooth, brown bourbon whiskey that is loved today.

 

Visit Jacob Spears' House, an innovative farmer and one of the first distillers of bourbon whiskey. 

 

At Hartfield & Co. Distillery you can see methods of production from pre-prohibition times. Book a tour, stop by for a tasting, or pick a single barrel and experience Bourbon from Bourbon County!

 

Photo: Riley, C. (2019). Jacob Spears House — Bourbon County, Kentucky [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacob_Spears_House_%E2%80%94_Bourbon_County,_Kentucky.jpg 

CLARK COUNTY

Formed in 1792 from Bourbon and Fayette counties and named after Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark, Clark county has a heritage steeped in rich history. At least 19 pioneer settlements or forts are believed to have been founded in the area, including Strode's Station in 1779 near what would later become the county seat, Winchester. Clark County Courthouse was built in 1853 and still continues to host the Circuit Courtroom and Family Courtroom for the administrative Office of the Courts.

 

If you want to expand on your historical knowledge of Clark County and the rest of the Bluegrass Region, check out the Bluegrass Heritage Museum. This museum is a treasure trove of the region's history and cultural heritage with exhibits that highlight diverse stories and traditions.

 

Clark County is also home to the legendary Ketnucky-Proud soda Ale-8. Founded and bottled in Winchester, Ale-8 is a regional delight you should try when here! For foodies, each year Clark County hosts the Beer Cheese Festival the second Saturday of June. If you miss the festival, check out the Beer Cheese Trail with 15 different stops in the area!

 

Photo: Alter, R. (2016). Joe Blackburn Bridge - S-Shaped bridge [Photograph]. Flickr. 
https://flickr.com/photos/robalter/29819682965/in/photolist-2jc8tpc-8CYLKi-Mr4EQV-e8yGiB-9h7Wjy-bRVuhp-2qSb8Cf-bRVvGT-bRVvac-hjBotf-Mw62uf-d4BY2w-bRVu8D-bRVvYt-bVq2SA-d4CdWJ-d4BGtN-bRVuTz-bD1KfJ-bRVw32-bRVunT-bD1KDE-2qScja2-2qScjan-bD1Kqu

MADISON COUNTY

Established in 1785 from a portion of Lincoln County, Virginia, Madison County is named for the Virginia statesman and fourth president of the United States, James Madison. It is home to both Eastern Kentucky University, located in the county seat of Richmond, and Berea College. As the largest county in the Bluegrass, Madison county is well-known for its healthy cattle population and other agricultural products.


Each October, the county hosts Paint the Town Pink, a month-long event aimed to raise awareness and proceeds for breast cancer while promoting local businesses. 100% of the proceeds stay within Madison County to directly support cancer care initiatives, patient assistance, and community programs. 

 

During nice weather, try visiting one of the several golf courses nearby, such as Battlefield Golf Club, Gibson Bay Golf Course, or Boone’s Trace Golf Course!

 

Photo: Roussel, K. (2014). Silver Creek Falls, Madison County [Photograph]. Flickr. 
https://flickr.com/photos/9300748@N08/12034534863/in/photolist-jks8Wp-2nPSDUZ-2nPSEtV-2nPT1Tq-2nPQpMW-j3jNCJ-2nPRXL1-2nPMPke-2oz6ZWJ-2pk1U7v-2pj3oYH-2nPRXSt-2ozJr4U-2nPRXjj-2pc8bZp-2nPRXna-2pjWeuw-2piwKEP-CoXoA9-2nPQpZ9-2nPMNSk-2pk4QgR-2nPRX7v-2nPT1UC-2nPQpQ1-2nPMMV5-2nPSEQS-2pk6GT9-2oz7n7h-2nPRWzJ-2ozDbvz-2nPT1nF-2nPQoMK-2nPQpeX-2nPSDwu-2pk54M5-2nPT18H-2nPRWet-2nPSE5Z-2nPSEYs-2pdJeE9-2nPMPKx-2nPT2kH-2pc9Cr5-2nPSEPV-2piwRoo-q5Mhus-2nPQq47-2pcahek-2nPQqo5

ANDERSON COUNTY

Established in February 1827 from parts of Franklin, Washington, and Mercer counties, Anderson county is primarily known for both agriculture and its beautiful bluegrass landscape. The county seat Lawrenceburg is home to a variety of community events as well as multiple bourbon distilleries and vineyards.


In the summer, try some local food trucks with the Food Truck Fridays Summer Concert series. Food trucks set up at 11am for time to taste test different foods from different cultures, and at 6pm the Century Bank Park Stage gets set up for some local live music. Feed the whole family and enjoy the local community!


Feeling wild? From May through October, check out bungee jumping at Young’s High Bridge, a former railroad bridge that crosses the Kentucky River right next to Wild Turkey Distillery. 


Visit legendary distilleries such as Wild Turkey and Four Roses or check out the newcomers Larrikin Bourbon Company or Old Commonwealth Distilleries. Bourbon not your style? You can also visit two award-winning vineyards in Anderson County, Rising Sons Home Farm Winery and Lovers Leap Vineyards.

 

Photo: Riley, C.L.. (2019). Clark County Courthouse — Winchester, Kentucky [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clark_County_Courthouse_%E2%80%94_Winchester,_Kentucky.jpg