With a name like Bardstown, it comes as little surprise that the area would have a flair for the dramatic. Between the arts scene, an eclectic collection of museums and a variety of distilleries, the city has made a name for itself as a cultural hub. One of the oldest cities in the state, Bardstown's history and natural beauty are just as likely to attract homeowners as its below-average real estate prices. "When you get down to it, people move here because it's gorgeous," says Hannah Bowman, marketing and communications specialist with the city of Bardstown. A common enough story is the classic "vacationer who turns into a resident," according to United Real Estate's Doug Brink. "They come here for the bourbon industry, and then stay when they decide they like the town," he says.
The Barton 1792 distillery is just one of several large distilleries in the area.
Bardstown has a beautiful City Hall in the heart of the community.
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"The bourbon capital of the world"
Though automotive factories for names such as Toyota create many jobs in the area, the bourbon industry is probably the city's best-known employer. "We're the bourbon capital of the world," says Brink. Bardstown is home to nine distilleries, a significant chunk of the 46 found on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This feeds into the city's tourism industry, which is the foundation of several museums, theaters and spectacles in town. Flaget Memorial Hospital is also a major contributor to jobs.
The city's median price for real estate is in the high $200,000s, below the national average in the low $400,000s. The Historic Downtown District has a variety of restored 19th-century homes. Neighborhoods north of My Old Kentucky Home State Park tend to have midcentury homes. Some of the newest construction in the area is on the eastern side of town, along Fillatreau Lane.
Many of the homes in Bardstown are historical or from the 19th century.
Flaget Hospital is a large medical facility serving the residents of Bardstown.
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Stephen Foster and Jesse James
Bardstown is the home of several historic sites, including the 18th-century Old Talbott Tavern. "It's where we love to take out-of-towners," says Brink. "Apparently, Jesse James shot somebody there." Local museums include the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey, the Bardstown Historical Museum and the Civil War Museum. The Bardstown amphitheater is the home of an annual musical about the life of Stephen Foster. "That show brings people from all over the country," says Brink. "They even give a prize for who's traveled the farthest." Some popular local events include the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Cheers to Bardstown and the Bardston Arts and Crafts Festival. "It's different from other craft fairs I've been to," says Bowman. "It's affordable, and you see people buying all kinds of art."
The Bardstown Bourbon Museum is a great place to learn the deep history of the Bourbon Trail.
The Old Talbott Tavern has been serving the residents of Bardstown for decades.
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Visiting My Old Kentucky Home
The city's public parks center on the 20-acre Community Park, which features playgrounds, athletic courts and rentable pavilions. Don Harned Field is the site of regular Little League baseball games. Bardstown is also the site of My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the inspiration for Stephen Foster's song of the same name. The grounds are home to a 19th-century mansion, a golf course and a campsite.
My Old Kentucky Home park has a wonderful golf course you can visit for a day of fun.
Don Harned Field hosts games for the local Bardstown sports teams.
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Boutique shopping downtown
The Historic Downtown District is well-known for locally owned storefronts and restaurants. "We've got an active economic development team and Chamber of Commerce," says Brink. "All the businesses downtown coordinate with holidays and special events."
Bardstowns downtown area is a thriving retail hub.
There are lots of local businesses operating in Bardstown's downtown area.
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Between Lexington and Louisville
U.S. Routes 62 and 150 intersect in Bardstown, providing access to surrounding major cities. "We're a great in-between place—we're less than an hour from Lexington and Louisville," says Brink. "And the traffic is slim to none." The city has no public transportation, so a vehicle is necessary for most residents. The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, 37 miles northwest, serves millions of passengers a year.
Renovations at Bardstown High
Bardstown City Schools serves the area and has a B-plus from Niche, which recognizes it for its excellent administrators and diversity. In 2024, the district revealed plans for a multimillion-dollar renovation of Bardstown High School, including an outdoor theater, an arts center and a science wing.
Bardstown High School is a one of the most popular education options for teenagers in the area.
The Bardstown City Schools Central office is the administrative hub for the county.
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Important to know
FBI statistics show that Bardstown has higher property crime rates than the national and state averages. However, its instances of violent crime are a fraction of the two. In 2023, violent crime dropped while property crime increased.
Bardstown has cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. "We get the best of everything—all four seasons," says Bowman.
Wayne West is the broker/owner of The West Group Realtors in Louisville, KY providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive, and attentive real estate services. For the last 23 years I have been selling the Louisville real estate market and have personally sold more than $120 million in residential real estate. In that time I have acquired an extensive network of professionals that clients would need during the process. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells? I can help you through the home buying and sales process. Give me a call at 502 376 4106!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
