Kentucky Knob Region: Bourbon Country, Bardstown and Easy Living

Things to Know and Do:

• Narrow, U-shaped area in northern Kentucky between Louisville and Lexington, just south of the state’s famous Bluegrass Region.
• Home to rolling, farm-dotted hills, rugged cliffs, and numerous world-renowned bourbon distilleries.
• Approximately 230 miles in length, but never more than 30 miles wide.
• Dog friendly.
• To do:
  • Bardstown – Bourbon Capital of the World.
  • World-famous bourbon distilleries.
  • Scenic, rural drives.
  • Numerous excellent restaurants and shops in friendly small towns.
  • Several nearby state parks.

For most people, the mention of Kentucky conjures notions of things like the Kentucky Derby, bourbon distilleries, and perhaps Mammoth Cave. We’d like to tell you about a special little part of the Bluegrass State that we’ve found especially enjoyable – the Knobs Region.

The bright green portion of the map below shows the location of Knobs Region. It’s a horseshoe-shaped geological area made up of hundreds of mostly rounded hills and shallow valleys.

We first discovered the Knobs Region while driving through Kentucky in 2015. We were immediately drawn to its rural, idyllic landscape. Marked by rolling country roads, sweeping meadows, and quiet hilltop farms, the area is the essence of simple, country tranquility. In both 2017 and 2018, we stayed in a beautiful rental home located on a several thousand acre working farm near the community of Bradfordsville. Early mornings were perfect for gazing out across sunlit rolling fields and pastures, and the sun descending behind the farm’s knobs and was truly a thing to behold. We’re of the strong opinion that if one can’t relax in the Kentucky Knobs, they probably can’t relax anywhere.

If scenic drives aren’t your thing, check out the town of Bardstown, accurately billed as The Bourbon Capital of the World. Bourbon distilleries located in or near Bardstown include Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Willett, Jim Beam, Lux Row, Four Roses, Barton, Preservation, Limestone Branch, and Bardstown Bourbon Company. Bardstown is also home to My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Old Bardstown Village, and a number of locally flavored bars, pubs and shops. We discovered the Around the Town Carriage Tour, which is a relaxing and interesting way to learn more about the town and surrounding area.

Recommendation: If you enjoy a relaxing rural setting, slow-paced afternoons sipping great bourbon, being within 20 miles of the world’s most renowned bourbon distilleries, and visiting some incredibly interesting and scenic parks and historical sites, then you’ll likely enjoy a few days in Kentucky’s Knob Region. We stayed just outside the small community of Bradfordsville, which is within 20 miles of the towns of Lebanon, Campbellsville, and Bardstown. Each of those larger towns has its share of excellent shops, eating establishments, and sites to see. The Knobs Region borders the famous and breathtakingly gorgeous Kentucky Bluegrass area, which can be reached within an hour by car. Virtually every place we visited in this region is at least partially dog friendly. We highly recommend giving this area consideration when planning future week-long or shorter vacations.