Bourbon and Whiskey Trail Self Drive Explorer

Welcome to Louisville! Upon arrival at Louisville International Airport, pick up your rental vehicle and drive approximately 10 to 20 minutes to the accommodation of your choice. Start your journey in "Bourbon City" by exploring downtown’s Whiskey Row, home to historic distilleries, tasting rooms, and a vibrant farm-to-table dining scene. For a deeper local experience, consider joining a bourbon distillery and horse farm tour, an Old Louisville walking tour, or a ghost tour.

After a hearty Southern breakfast, check out of your hotel and head east for approximately an hour and a half into Kentucky’s countryside, where horses graze peacefully along rolling green hills. Take the Bluegrass Parkway to visit over half a dozen distilleries, including Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Maker’s Mark, located in picturesque towns like Versailles, Danville, and Loretto. In Lexington, consider taking a tour of a thoroughbred horse farm, joining a guided walking art and appetizers tour, exploring the distillery district with a food and history tour, or enjoying a bluegrass cocktails and bites tour.

This morning, after checking out of your hotel, take a scenic one-hour drive to quaint Bardstown, a historic town known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World” with its 11 unique distilleries within a few miles. Sample spirits, enjoy live music, and soak in the atmosphere of this postcard-perfect Southern town.

Check out of your hotel and depart Bardstown, heading to Owensboro with a drive of just under two hours. Along the way, stop in Bowling Green to explore the Corsair Distillery and its unconventional whiskies, as well as the famous Corvette Museum. In Owensboro, choose from a wide array of bourbons at the historic Miller House restaurant, or sit back and enjoy live bluegrass music at one of the many live music venues in town.

Check out of your hotel and head south this morning for about two hours to Nashville, Tennessee. Along the way, consider stopping in Paducah, a town known for its traditional Kentucky moonshine. Learn about the history of moonshine and take a stroll along the waterfront before continuing to Nashville. Once there, try some spicy Nashville hot chicken and wash it down with local whiskey or craft beer. You might also want to visit the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in nearby Lynchburg.

Start your day in Nashville with breakfast at Pancake Pantry, a local favorite. Head to the Country Music Hall of Fame to explore its extensive exhibits. Stroll down Broadway for some shopping and if you haven't had it yet, try the classic Nashville hot chicken at Hattie B's. In the afternoon, visit the Parthenon in Centennial Park, a full-scale replica of the original in Greece. As evening approaches, take a tour of the Ryman Auditorium, known as the "Mother Church of Country Music." End your day with live music and dinner at one of the honky-tonk bars on Lower Broadway, where you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife that Nashville is famous for.