“Pure small town charm.” You’ll experience this in Georgetown, Kentucky, a picturesque town set in the rolling hills of Scott County. But that’s not all Georgetown has to offer. From horses to history to adventure travel, there are activities for everyone in the family. Whether it’s a romantic weekend, a girlfriends’ getaway, or a family vacation, you can find a treasure trove of possibilities. Here are some must visit sites in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Fun Activities in Georgetown, Kentucky:
1. Whispering Woods Riding Stable: Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, Whispering Woods has a horse for you. Set on 250 acres, there are miles of trails waiting to be explored. Whispering Woods has a stable of 24 horses available for riding. Each horse has extensive training by the staff before being allowed to be placed in the riding rotation. Guests are allowed to choose from horses suitable for beginner, intermediate and advanced riding. Trail rides, available for ages eight and up, can be your choice of 50 minutes, 1 1/2 hours or 2-hours. For the younger set, there is a 20-minute cabin walk. A gentle horse will be provided and a trained instructor will walk alongside the horse for safety.
Children (and adults!) will enjoy the petting zoo featuring miniature donkeys, goats, rabbits, cows, and pigs. Treats are available for free and visitors are encouraged to feed the animals. I’ve heard the pig will sit on command if you offer him a treat, but he ignored our attempts to bribe him. A small children’s play area is available with bean bag tosses and a fort/play set. Special events are held throughout the year including the creepy Haunted Trails of Whispering Pine, a creepy wagon ride through the woods filled with spooky surprises. Whispering Pines is open from March through November, seven days a week, for trail rides. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera that can be stored in the provided saddle bags. Tip: During warm weather, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
2. Old Friends Equine Farm: Have you ever wanted to pet a Kentucky Derby winner? How about take a selfie with a Preakness winner? You can during a tour of the Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. Founded in 2003, Old Friends was a dream for Michael Blowen, a retired Boston Globe Film Critic. Upset over the treatment of many thoroughbreds after their retirement, he created a safe haven for the horses to spend the rest of their days. Beginning with one horse, Old Friends has now expanded to 136 acres and is home to over 175 horses. Old Friends offers daily guided tours which help pay for the horses’ care. Three daily tours- at 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM are available from March 15th through November 4th with one winter tour offered at 11 AM. Each tour lasts at least one hour and guests are encouraged to feed the horses.
One of my favorite horses was War Emblem. A 2002 Kentucky Derby Winner and Preakness winner, War Emblem is a spirited horse with a humorous past. With 7 wins and $3,491,000 in earnings, War Emblem decided one day he no longer wanted to race. Vets were called in to determine if he was injured, but nothing proved to be wrong. He effectively put himself into retirement! Following his racing career, he was purchased for a stud farm in Japan. Although he produced 118 foals in his 12 years as a stud, he once again decided this was not what he wanted to do with his life. Even placed in a pasture full of mares, he decided he was no longer interested. Today, his maintains his independence in his own private paddock at Old Friends.
3. Bourbon 30: is different than the large distilleries located along the Bourbon Trail. Founded in 2010 by Jeff Mattingly, this is small batch brewing at its best. Each barrel is individually crafted to “create a well-balanced profile.” You can stop by Bourbon 30 for individual tastings, but it’s their unique approach to bottling that sets them apart. Consumers are encouraged to create their own unique blend of bourbon from the available barrels. Different sizes of shapes of bottles are available and prices range from around $85 to $120 a bottle. Customers are allowed to follow the brewing process each step of the way. Their names and the special blend of their bottle are printed on a label attached to the back of the bottle. No two bottles will ever be same from week to week as the bourbon ages and develops different flavors. It’s a unique way to purchase an affordable private reserve.
Places To Eat
1. Fava’s of Georgetown– If you are in the mood for classic Southern cooking, Fava’s is the place to be. In business for 107 years, this Georgetown classic features breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We stopped by for a breakfast of homemade pancakes, served with a side of crispy bacon and eggs cooked to order. The service was friendly, the prices are reasonable and the food is delicious. Dinner specials are available each day, along with a variety of homemade desserts. Located on East Main Street, the restaurant serves up historic charm in a kid friendly environment. Their hours are 7 AM- 3 PM Monday through Thursday, 7 AM- 9 PM Friday and Saturday and 11 AM – 3 PM on Sunday.
2. Galvin’s on Main– Opened in 2008, Galvin’s is a family owned restaurant located on- you guessed it- Main Street. The perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two or a girlfriends’ lunch date, Galvin’s offers freshly prepared food served up in a relaxing atmosphere. Note: because the food is freshly prepared, plan around 25 minutes wait time for entrees. We ordered the Pot Roast Sandwich, a tender meaty sandwich served with au jus and homemade potato chips and the Pulled Pork Sandwich, served with homemade chips and coleslaw. They were worth the wait. Galvin’s is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 AM until 10 PM, Thursday until 11 PM, and Friday and Saturday until midnight. Galvin’s is closed on Sundays.
3. Local Feed- Another fun date night or girlfriend’s night establishment, Local Feed is a true Farm to Table experience. Food is prepared fresh to order with all locally sourced or Kentucky Proud ingredients. Located in an old ice house with a charming ambiance, they serve specials based on fresh seasonal ingredients. We tried the Peach Bourbon Cocktail using peaches that had just been purchased that day and small batch bourbon from nearby Bourbon 30. You can’t go wrong with any of the menu items, but be sure to start with the small plates. These appetizers are a great way to start a meal. If you enjoy Brussels Sprouts be sure to try their version featuring mustard cream, bacon, and topped with a farm fresh egg. You can’t go wrong with their deviled eggs with ham crisps and roasted chives or the roasted beets. For an entree, try the Beef Bowl, a flavorful treat with a hint of heat. Local Feed is closed on Mondays and opens at 4 P.M. Tuesday through Sunday. Brunch is available from 11 AM-2 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
4. FatKats Pizzeria– Want a meal the kids will love? You’ll find it at FatKats pizza! Since its inception in 2005, FatKats has won the Best Pizza Midwest twice, the Best Pizza in Central Kentucky three times, and has been voted the Best Pizza in Georgetown. Every item on their menu is created fresh to order and is made locally. With a delicious selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and wings in addition to pizza, you’ll find something for every member of the family. I highly recommend trying the pizza. We tried three varieties; the Chicken Bang-Bang; a blend of veggies, bang-bang sauce, and chicken, the winner of the 2014 Midwest Pizza Award, the Cowboy Extreme, a cheesy chicken concoction and winner of the 2016 Midwest Pizza Award and the Sledgehammer, a classic three meat pizza. You can’t go wrong with any of them! FatKats is open 11 AM- 9 PM Monday through Thursday, until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.
Where to Stay
Hilton Garden Inn – Located 35 minutes from the Bluegrass Airport, the Hilton Garden Inn is convenient to attractions and historic downtown. Clean and comfortable, each room has a mini fridge and a microwave. Free internet is available, along with a complimentary business center, fitness center, and heated indoor pool.
Have you visited Georgetown? What is your favorite activity? What do you recommend as a must visit site?
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Beautiful! There’s nothing more peaceful than going to places like a riding stable or a farm! It’s definitely something that the kids will enjoy too!
Race horses are beautiful animals. War Emblem sure had a noteworthy career as a race horse and as a stud.. Anyway, Georgetown looks like a really nice place to visit to relax, unwind and unplug. Great food, good wine, and nature’s beauty all around.
I havent been to many places in the south and Kentucky looks like it should be on my list. Looks like a relaxed place to visit.
This is really fun! My son loves horses! He’ll enjoy here!
Horses are so majesting looking! I have seen a documentary on how race horses are cared for. It was just wow! I would love to go horseback riding again. It has been years! Georgetown sure is a pretty place to go to unwind and experience a simple, more relaxed lifestyle. If I could live there, I would!
It would be great to see a champion horse up close. I don’t know if that is a recent photo but War Emblem look ready to race. Georgetown really looks like a fun place with great food if we ever get down there.
I have never been to Kentucky, but have family that lives there. Your photos are beautiful. I have always loved horses.
Georgetown is such a pretty place to visit. I love horses. It has been so long since I went horseback riding! I wish I could visit someday!
I would probably spend the majority of my time visiting all the stables in Georgetown, Kentucky! Followed by some amazing places to eat there. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never been to Kentucky, but from what I’ve seen it has gorgeous farmland. Your pictures definitely confirm that. Kentucky is on my list of places to visit.
I’ve nver been to Kentucky. I’d love to see the horses and have heard that some of the farms are lovely. I find it helpful to know places to eat from others, it’s more of a local feel.
What an absolutely adorable place to visit! I know my kids would be head over heels for this area.
Looks like a simply wonderful location to explore. We drive through Kentucky from Michigan when we head to Florida, we may need a detour.
The Peach Bourbon cocktail looks entirely delicious! Georgetown looks fun and I love to visit animal farms.
I never been to this place but love how there are so many animals to see! My kids and I are all huge family lovers and would love to see the horses and pigs!
I would love to visit Kentucky one day! My children would love all of the animals and country life! Much different than NYC!
I would love to visit this place. I am a horse lover to my core and would thoroughly enjoy visiting them.
So many yummy things here.
What some awesome things to do, I am loving the idea of the farm and the horses those would be top of my list for sure!
I would love to go there and see the animals and stay at that hotel. What a beautiful place to visit!
The horses reminds me of our fun times in Virginia. The pig is so cute, reminds me of my Moms pigs back home.
We are thinking about going on a trip to the south east and that includes Kentucky. I’m trying to find stuff for us to do in each state so I will definitely add this to my list.
I have only been to Covington, KY and that was in high school for tournaments. I’d love to visit the old derby winners and my daughter would too!
This looks like a great place to visit. If I am ever in the area I will be checking out Bourbon 30.
We love visiting Kentucky, it really is such a beautiful state with such green countryside. Have to visit a horse stable if you go to Kentucky. Always good homecoming when it comes to food.
I have never been to Kentucky at all, but since I’m in Georgia, I plan to try to visit soon. Thanks for sharing this.
Georgetown sounds like a great place to visit. I love animals. I love whiskey (in moderation). I love great food. Seems like a winner to me!
I’m bookmarking this. Our goal is to visit all of the best places in the south. I mean, we live in Georgia, so they’ll all be somewhat close, generally speaking. Georgetown is going on our list!
I have never been to Kentucky before, but it sounds like a great state to visit. I will add Georgetown to my list to places to visit.