Nelson district, Kentucky, United States

Places to visit near Bardstown

Bardstown is a town in Nelson district, Kentucky, United States, home to about 13,091 people. Within 50 km by road there are 118 places to visit — 46 hill stations & viewpoints, 27 churches, 3 parks and 12 forts & heritage. The must-see places are Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral (1 km), My Old Kentucky Home (1 km) and Abbey of Gethsemani (21 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Bardstown on the map

Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Nelson district, Kentucky, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Bardstown at a glance

Location
Nelson district, Kentucky, United States
Population
about 13,091
Coordinates
37.8092° N, 85.4669° W
Places within 50 km
118 (11 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Bardstown

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Bardstown: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Bardstown, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Bardstown

77 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Bardstown. The closest is Crutchers Knob (14 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Churches near Bardstown

47 churches within 100 km of Bardstown. The closest is Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Bardstown

33 parks within 100 km of Bardstown. The closest is Lincoln Homestead State Park (29 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Forts & heritage near Bardstown

30 forts & heritage within 100 km of Bardstown. The closest is Anatok Mansion (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Museums near Bardstown

25 museums within 100 km of Bardstown. The closest is Gallery on the Square (1 km); the best-known is My Old Kentucky Home (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Bardstown

13 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Bardstown. The closest is Sympson Lake (5 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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A one-day trip from Bardstown

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 6 km on the road.

  1. Start in Bardstown
  2. 1 km Gallery on the Square · museum, Nelson
  3. 1 km Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral · church, Nelson
  4. 1 km Garland's Art Sales · museum, Nelson
  5. 1 km Women's Civil War Museum · museum, Nelson
  6. 1 km My Old Kentucky Home · museum, Nelson
  7. 1 km Back to Bardstown

Plan a longer trip from Bardstown — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Bardstown

No traveller has reported from around Bardstown yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Bardstown

    All places near Bardstown by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Bardstown by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints4677Crutchers Knob (14 km)
    Churches2747Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral (1 km)
    Parks333Lincoln Homestead State Park (29 km)
    Forts & heritage1230Anatok Mansion (1 km)
    Museums1725Gallery on the Square (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs713Sympson Lake (5 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens210Knobs State Forest (25 km)
    Caves37Mamoth Cave National Park (30 km)
    Waterfalls14Fairmount Falls Park (41 km)
    Other attractions03Louisville Mega Cavern (60 km)
    Temples01T3 (62 km)
    Beaches & coast01Sandtrap 8 2 of 2 (51 km)

    Bardstown: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Bardstown?

    Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral (church, about 1 km), My Old Kentucky Home (museum, about 1 km), Gallery on the Square (museum, about 1 km), Garland's Art Sales (museum, about 1 km), Women's Civil War Museum (museum, about 1 km), Abbey of Gethsemani (church, about 21 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Bardstown?

    118 places on Spotwander: 46 hill stations & viewpoints, 27 churches, 3 parks, 12 forts & heritage, 17 museums.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Bardstown?

    Crutchers Knob, about 14 km by road; Bull Run Knob (16 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Bardstown?

    Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral, about 1 km by road; Saint Thomas Catholic Church (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Bardstown?

    Lincoln Homestead State Park, about 29 km by road; Highview Park (49 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Bardstown?

    Start in Bardstown, visit Gallery on the Square, then Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral, then Garland's Art Sales, then Women's Civil War Museum, then My Old Kentucky Home, and drive back — about 6 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Bardstown?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Bardstown

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Bardstown’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Bardstown on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.