Trip Ideas Near Louisville

Looking for a Pure Kentucky getaway that has it all? Look no further than Oldham County, conveniently located 20 minutes from downtown Louisville. Stay here to experience the best of Kentucky all in one place. Take a tour of five different horse farms (and others!), sample some of the state’s exclusive craft bourbons, visit the state’s largest beer garden, explore the Trains on Main historic shopping and dining district, and indulge in luxurious award-winning accommodations. And don’t miss the horse farm restaurant and speakeasy for a truly unique dining experience that can only be had in ONE place in the United States!

Come discover why Oldham County is the ultimate one-of-a-kind Pure Kentucky destination with fabulous events just outside the city.

The “Farm Tour Capital of Kentucky”

Looking for a fun and educational activity in Kentucky? Look no further than Oldham Farm Tours! With the largest selection of farm tours in the state, you can schedule a visit directly with the farms from April to November. Experience a variety of horse breeds, from race horses to carriage driving, and even visit famous movie farms featured in Hallmark® films and owned by Jon Voigt. But that’s not all – you can also see alpacas, bison, sheep, dairy cows, botanical gardens, nature preserves, and organic and sustainable farms. There’s something for everyone at Oldham Farm Tours!   Farm Tours HERE

“Trains on Main” historic shopping & dining district

La Grange, Kentucky is a unique town that boasts a one-of-a-kind feature: a freight train that runs right down its Main Street. This historic district is a popular destination for visitors, and was even chosen by HGTV and People magazine for a 2022 episode of “Home Town Kickstart,” a new renovation show spin-off. The area is perfect for a leisurely stroll, with plenty of shops, boutiques, art galleries, and local restaurants to explore. Visitors can also check out the train observation tower and museum, and enjoy outdoor seating right by the railroad tracks. Don’t miss the chance to experience the rumble of the train in La Grange!  Trains HERE

La Grange Train Museum & Education Center

The railroad museum has impressive outdoor rolling stock, including a steam engine constructed in 1952 in England, an authentic 1929 Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Dining Car, a 1953 L&N Caboose, and two other rail-yard units. The dining car operated on the very tracks that now stand just feet behind away. The museum itself is housed in an original L&N Train Depot, which was constructed in 1914. The main level exhibits a wide variety of railroad artifacts and displays, including a room dedicated to the electric trolley interurban system that transported passengers between La Grange and Louisville from 1907 to 1935.  The lower level of the building the model railroad area. It is home to a wide range of functioning model train layouts, the biggest of which has over 800 feet of HO-scale track in its system!  Museum HERE

FRP La Grange Quarry

Voted #1 by Kentucky Tourism in Top 5 Swimming Holes in Kentucky!  FRP LaGrange Quarry is an adults-only (55+ feet deep!) rock quarry located on the outskirts of La Grange, KY.  The Quarry water is maintained solely through rain water. No ground runoff dumps into the quarry, meaning the water is clear, clean and natural, and is a great place to relax in the water! Come float, noodle, or be sure to visit this adult-only natural wonder that is clean, drug free, alcohol free and safe!

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

Kentucky’s Yew Dell Botanical Gardens is a unique and impressive destination, boasting several distinctions that make it a must-see for visitors. Not only is it the only botanical garden in the state on the National Historic Register, but it also features a solar geothermal greenhouse with a “green” roof – another first for Kentucky. The garden is home to the largest collection of hellebores and hostas in the state, and visitors can explore a miniature castle and a fairy forest, both unique to this botanical garden. With five AIA Awards to its name, this garden is truly one-of-a-kind. Plan your visit between April and June to witness the stunning Big Bloom!  Yew Dell Gardens HERE

Oldham County History Center & Museum

The Oldham County History Center boasts an impressive collection of whiskey jugs, making it the largest in Kentucky and one of the largest in the United States. Additionally, it is the only location in Kentucky with two sites on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, where visitors can obtain passport stamps. The center also houses the largest collection of oral histories from WWII veterans in Kentucky.  History Museum Campus HERE

Woodland Bison Farm

Experience the beauty of nature and the majesty of bison on a Woodland Bison Farm Tour. As you explore the farm, you’ll also encounter unique art installations that blend seamlessly into the landscape. From the larger-than-life pink snails at the entrance to the stunning Deborah Butterfield horse by the pond, you’ll be surprised by unexpected works of art in trees and in fields! Come see why this farm is a must-visit destination in Kentucky and supplier of the best bison in the culinary worlkd of Kentucky!   Bison Farm HERE

Oldham Gardens

Located in Crestwood, this beer garden is the largest cultivated beer garden in the state. Visitors can enjoy delicious food from the Backside Grill while sitting at the longest communal table in Kentucky, measuring 80 feet long. During the spring, wisteria overhead adds to the charming atmosphere.  3rd Turn Brewing & Backside Grill HERE

Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Kentucky Artisan Distillery is a unique destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®. It is the only completely farm-to-bottle distillery in Kentucky and the first distillery in Oldham County since Prohibition. The distillery is home to popular brands like Jefferson’s, Whiskey Row, and Billy Goat Strut. Visitors can take a tour of the former ice cream factory turned distillery, sample some of their award-winning spirits, and admire a collection of distilling antiques. You will appreciate this unique bourbon that’s aged at sea!   Our Distillery HERE

Barn8 Restaurant at Hermitage Farm

Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar, located in Barn #8 on a farm, offers a unique farm-to-table dining experience where guests can even eat in a barn stall. In addition to delicious food, the restaurant also features a selection of bourbons from the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. While the farm is now known for its culinary offerings, it has a rich history in horse racing. Hermitage Farm was home to Native Dancer, one of the most celebrated thoroughbred race horses of the 20th century. The farm also produced Dark Star, who famously beat The Grey Ghost in the 1953 Kentucky Derby, and Seattle Dancer, the world’s most expensive yearling at the time. Visitors can also take horse farm tours as part of the Oldham Farm Tours program.   Hermitage Farm & Barn8 HERE

Horse Carriage Museum at Hermitage Farm

At Hermitage Farm in Goshen, visitors can explore a one-of-a-kind collection of horse carriages at the newly-renovated Stud Barn and Carriage Gallery. Among the impressive displays is the iconic Brewster-made Vis-a-Vis Carriage, which was built in 1882 and famously featured in the classic 1939 film, Gone with the Wind. Another unique carriage on display is the “Stagecoach CEO” Carriage, which was created by artist Jeremy Dean using a converted Hummer H2. After exploring the museum, visitors can also book a cocktail class or farm-to-table dinner experience at the on-site restaurant, Barn8, which is located in a charming barn setting.