It’s hard to squeeze all the wonders of Kentucky into one day – but our new Best of Kentucky experience tries! This new public tour recently featured by Tastemade Travel takes you to explore two of Kentucky’s most famous industries, bourbon and horses, on a full day Bluegrass adventure.
Best of Kentucky Experiences
Meet at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville and depart at 9:30 a.m. headed east toward Horse Country. Through the rolling hills and scenic vistas, you’ll arrive one of two iconic horse farms.
Mill Ridge Farm
For horse farm tours on April 8, May 13, May 27, and June 17, the Best of Kentucky experience includes a trip to Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington. Learn about Mill Ridge’s owners the Headley family who have been a part of Kentucky’s rich horse breeding and racing traditions for decades. Known for helping found Keeneland Race Course and raising more than 30 Grade I winners, this impressive family still owns and operates Mill Ridge.
You’ll travel around the horse farm and see the barn with recent foals and mares live. One a recent tour, a less than one-day-old foal and its mother greeted our tour group. Plus, get a chance to get up-close with yearlings in the field and maybe even pet one. But beware, owner Headley Bell says if one of the horses breathes on you, you’ll fall in love!
Godolphin at Jonabell Farm
For horse farm tours on September 2 and October 7, the Best of Kentucky experience includes a trip to Godolphin at Jonabell Farm. Home of the Darley stallions, this horse farm is the American headquarters for the Godolphin operation. This global thoroughbred breeding and racing facility is owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. Learn about the worldwide scope of the Godolphin operation and see award winning race horses from around the globe.
Stallions who have called Jonabell Farm home include Kentucky Derby winners Nyquist, Animal Kingdom and Street Sense. Each tour includes a stop at the grave site of Affirmed, the 1978 Triple Crown winner who lived at Jonabell for the last ten years of his life.
On all Mint Julep horse farm tours, we will do our best to let guests meet their favorite horses. However, there are no guarantees for the showing of any particular horse. Every day is contingent on the health and welfare of the animals.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
All Best of Kentucky tours then travel to historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort. This is where many popular brands including Blanton’s, Elmer T. Lee, Eagle Rare and Pappy Van Winkle are made. Learn about the distillery’s varied mash bills and production processes as you explore the historic grounds. Your tour concludes with a tasting of select Buffalo Trace products.
Finally, you’ll go back to Louisville and arrive at approximately 5:30 p.m. Be sure to ask your tour guide for suggestions of great Louisville restaurants, bourbon bars and more to continue your Kentucky excursion!
Plan Your Horse Country Adventure
Want an experience on your own schedule? We offer customized tours to Kentucky bourbon distilleries and horse farms seven days a week. Many of the best bourbon makers have special tours and elevated tastings only available to Mint Julep Tours guests. Reach out to one of our experience coordinators to start planning today.
About the Author – Rachel Goldenberg
Rachel Goldenberg has been Director of Marketing at Mint Julep since 2017. Her extensive bourbon education includes becoming an Executive Bourbon Steward through the Stave & Thief Society and graduating from Woodford Reserve’s Bourbon Academy. She is a Certified Tourism Ambassador and enthusiastic advocate for her adopted hometown of Louisville. When she’s not promoting Mint Julep’s portfolio of southern experiences, she can be found walking her dog or enjoying a drink on a Germantown patio.