Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, founded Georgetown in 1782 when he led his congregation from Orange Co., VA, to 1,000 acres he purchased and laid out as a town called Lebanon. In 1790, the town was renamed Georgetown in honor of George Washington.
Craig built mills and created other projects to grow the town, but is remembered most for opening a distillery using the water from Royal Spring, the town’s water source. He is often called “The father of bourbon.” You can visit Royal Spring and see where he drew water. Georgetown has bourbon and much more.
LF Distillery
Why go: Bethany and Darin Dillow’s LF Heritage Distilling Company began in October 2023 on a five-generation family farm with springs of pure limestone water,
What not to miss: Their Blending & Bottling Barn remains true to Kentucky’s bourbon heritage with crafted bourbons. The barn, restored as a tasting spot, was once Bethany’s family’s tobacco barn. You’ll see the small stills Darin began making his spirits. The bar sits atop two bourbon barrels and sets the stage for a great tasting experience.
Sample some Bloodlines Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that are blends of six-to-nine-year-old bourbons and some of the Select Batch Super-Premium Kentucky Straight Bourbons with a higher proof. Outside, a tree-shaded patio provides a perfect place to sit and sip.
SheBuysTravel Tip: They’re building a new state-of-the-art distillery that will open soon.
Kentucky Horse Park
Why go: The 1,224-acre park includes all breeds. They offer events throughout the day. The sculptures are beautiful and worth seeing almost as much as the actual horses.
What not to miss: Hall of Champions Show introduces several racehorses. Equine Showcase details a breed’s characteristics. After the horses are presented you can get up close to them. Mounted Police Barn is open all day where you meet the equine partners that help patrol the park. Museum of the Horse has over 60,000 square feet dedicated to the history of horses.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Start with a Horse-Drawn trolley ride to get an overview.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
Why go: Old Friends Farm is the retirement home of over 300 retired thoroughbreds.
What not to miss: You’ll meet the oldest living Kentucky Derby Winner, Silver Charm, and other former winners. Meet founder, Michael Blowen’s, mini-horse, Little Silver Charm. Check out the famous horses’ graveyard. Bonapaw, who earned over a million dollars and raced over 40 times, is buried there. In the gift shop, you’ll meet the fattest cat I’ve ever seen, Lucy.
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Whispering Woods Riding Stables
Why go: Whispering Woods Riding Stables offers horseback rides for experienced or novice riders.
What not to miss: Take a 45 or 90 minute trail ride, or book a private ride. There are pony rides and cabin rides for younger children and lessons available for beginners. The horses are gentle; the trails wind through woods that are beautiful and wild so you have a chance of seeing deer or other wildlife. My horse was well-trained and obedient to the slightest reining.
Country Boy Brewing
Why go: Country Boy is the first Kentucky brewery built from the ground up since Prohibition. Daniel Harrison and Nate Coppage taught English in Japan and got interested in the Japanese craft beer scene. In February 2012, Daniel, Nate, Nate’s brother, Evan and Jeff Beagle opened a small brewery in Lexington.
What not to miss: The brew house opened February 2017. Enjoy craft beers and tour one of Kentucky’s most popular breweries. Marcus gave us a tour of the brewery.
Enjoy a delicious lunch from the Kitchen at Country Boy Brewing. We shared pretzel bites with Nacho Bait Beer Cheese and House Made Honey Mustard, celery and carrots on the side. I had a well-loaded hot dog. I brought home a six-pack of their Cougar Bait Ale.
Ward Hall
Why go: Ward Hall is a Greek Revival mansion built circa 1857 at a cost of $50,000 and paid for in gold by Junius Ward and this is only his summer cottage. His principal residence was in the Mississippi Delta. Ward Hall remains close to its original condition and is furnished with accurate period furniture.You can see he liked to show off his wealth.
What not to miss: I took a private tour with Ron Bryant, a knowledgeable historian. He told why the mansion wasn’t destroyed during the Civil War, “ When the Confederates were here, they remembered Junius Ward was a Confederate sympathizer. When the Union was here, they remembered Junius Ward’s uncle (Richard M. Johnson) had been vice president under Martin Van Buren.
It also has a ghost story. The third owner, Colonel Milton Hamilton, mysteriously either fell or jumped from a third-story window. His shattered body wasn’t found until the following day.
Downtown
Why go: Stroll along Georgetown’s picturesque Main St. and check out the wide array of antique and boutique shops.
What not to miss: Fabled Forest combines a bookstore with art and plants. Desserts by Rebecca offers breakfasts and lunches next to South Court Alley. Notice the painting of two racehorses in the alley. Stop in the Georgetown Antique Mall where you’ll find treasures. Besides the shops, don’t miss the statue of Lady Justice over the Scott County Courthouse.
There’s a Historic Downtown Walking Tour. A “Walk Through Time” to Royal Spring Park, including the historic marker about Elijah Craig.
Georgetown/Scott County Museum
Why go: This free downtown museum tells the story of Scott County from its earliest days.
What not to miss: There’re exhibits about Lafayette’s visit, transportation from coaches to trains. Arrowheads and other artifacts from Native Americans. Don’t miss Pete, the Famous Talking Crow exhibit. He plucked feathers from ladies’ hats and disliked alcohol so he broke liquor bottles. He disrupted races by shouting “go” before the actual start of a race.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re in town during the summer, check out Party on the Square in Downtown Georgetown.
Dining
- Favas 1910 Diner– Family-owned for over a century. Traditional American food. Don’t miss the pies.
- Local Feed– Housed in a refurbished ice house across the street from Royal Spring Park. Made-from-scratch comfort food. Don’t miss the deviled eggs and the lemon meringue pie.
- Chinkapin Brewing– A vibrant brewery in Georgetown, combining craft beer with wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Why go: It offers the perfect lodging with a kitchen and all the amenities.
What not to miss: I loved that I had a complete kitchen with a full-size refrigerator. Plus spotless comfortable suites with all the usual amenities and free breakfast.
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