Bardstown, Kentucky may be a small town, but it packs big appeal. Known as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, included in the book A Thousand Places to See Before You Die and one of the 100 Best Small Towns in the USA, historic downtown Bardstown Kentucky is packed with quaint shops, historic restaurants and museums.
The Old Talbott Tavern and Inn, built in 1779, is the oldest stagecoach stop in America. Today the Tavern and Inn consist of a Bourbon Bar, a bed and breakfast and a dining area. Before dinner, tour the upstairs area to view the Jessie James room. The Bardstown sheriff was a friend of Jessie and Frank James and let them hide out in the area for years, where they visited the Old Talbott Inn. The Jessie James room contains evidence of his visit- bullet holes in the wall he left during a long ago poker game. According to legend, Jessie has never left and can still be seen roaming the halls of the Inn. Another ghost, the lady in white, is known to haunt the halls as well.
Downstairs in the Inn, the thick stone walls and massive fireplaces testify to the years the Inn has been in existence. When we asked about house specialties, the Hot Brown, a Kentucky original sandwich containing cheese, bacon and tomatoes, served warm, and the Bourbon Chicken were recommended. I had the Bourbon Chicken, a thin, juicy chicken fillet served with a crispy topping. It came with the vegetable of the day, green beans, and a substitute of rice pilaf. Don’t miss the Talbot Tavern Pie, a blend of chocolately goodness, for dessert.
For a treat, we stopped by Hadorn’s Bakery. Opened in 1935, this family owned bakery serves delectable pastries. We purchased five large pastries, including a pecan cinnamon roll and a cherry cheese danish, for around $5.00. Described by some locals as the “best doughnuts ever,” I had to agree as their apple filled doughnut was melt in my mouth delicious. I didn’t try the YumYums, but they have been highly recommended to me.
If you need gluten free options in Bardstown, they’re available. Both Kurtz Restaurant and the Hamilton -Smith House have menus that will leave you impressed and not missing the gluten!
Before visiting one of the restaurants, be sure to take a stroll around downtown Bardstown. We found a wonderful consignment store, JT’s Consignment, that had great prices on gently used kid’s clothing. I may have left with a large selection of clothing for the baby.
Looking for a place to stay in Bardstown Kentucky? Visit the Jailer’s Inn, a bed and breakfast which was used as a jail from 1797 until 1897 or the Hampton Inn. Both include free wi-fi and a continental breakfast.
Visiting Bardstown Kentucky? Check out:
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Bardstown
Hometown History in Bardstown, Kentucky
Learn more about Bardstown by visiting their website at www.visitbardstown.com.
As someone who lives in a small town I love small town finds. Lovely food shared here
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This is so making me want to visit Kentucky. These places all look fabulous! I would love the tour.
you had me at BEST DONUTS EVER! I must go to this place! that breakfast plate looked fantastic too!
I love visiting restaurant in every country and town. This one seems pretty cool and i’d love to go there soon.
I love visiting restaurants in small towns. They usually have a ton of character. Both the Tavern and the Bakery are a must visit. I want a doughnut now.
This all sounds very good to me. I’d love to go to a real bakery. It’s been awhile!
This looks like a cool place to stay. I love buildings that have history. I haven’t been to Kentucky but I’ll keep this Inn in mind if I am ever in the area. The breakfast looks so good too.
This place really feels legendary and classic, I love the entire structure of that tavern/inn. That “Jessie” tidbit sounded creepy! Although nothing bad can be said with this post as well as the rest of what I can see, especially those oooh-yummy donuts. And is that a bacon omelette? It sure looks like something I can eat without even looking at it, haha.
What a great selections of restaurants that one must visit, I will most certainly have to check them out when I get on a road trip that way!
Thanks for sharing some of the history of Bardstown with us. I would like to visit.
I think I’d really like the Old Talbott and Hadorn’s Bakery. Bardstown would be a really fun place to visit.
I’d love to visit Kentucky some day. It seems like a city filled with so much charm and so many fun things to do (and cool restaurants to visit).
I’d love to visit Kentucky. It sounds like there are a lot of fun places to visit and things to do. Those pictures of meals look so delicious.
Is it bad that I plan travel around the food? Bookmarking this for when I am down there.
Oh you are killing me. this all looks SO awesome. I love finding really great places to try new foods at! if I ever get to Bardstown KY I will for sure be eating good!
I love visiting small town that have hidden treasures like restaurants with good food. My family and I try to visit the surround the small towns to take in the goodies. Hadorn’s Bakery reminds of the one in my town that we like to go and visit on Sundays.
I’ve never been to Kentucky and have always wanted to go. It sounds like Bardstown is an interesting place to visit. I love a good breakfast, sometimes it’s my favorite meal of the day.
I love the look of this inn. It feels so authentic and historical. Sounds like you found some good food too!