Bardstown might indeed be one of the most charming small towns in Kentucky, but it's also one of the most notoriously haunted. From historic sites and restaurants to eerie cemeteries and inns, it seems that ghosts adore this beautiful Bluegrass town, too! For the ultimate haunted tour of Bardstown, we recommend the following tour and dinner; and if that doesn't have you spooked, you can even extend your dinner into an overnight stay at one of the state's most notoriously haunted inns!
Bardstown is an immensely beautiful town that's known for so many different things: friendliness, walkability, charm, bourbon, and history -- lots and lots of history.
As Kentucky’s second-oldest town, Bardstown is also one of the most notoriously haunted, a hub of ghost stories, spooky sites, and unsettled spirits.
My Old Kentucky Home is perhaps the most iconic spot in town -- and the state. Originally built in 1818 by Judge John Rowan, the spectacular Bluegrass mansion was the unfortunate location of several tragic events throughout the late 1800s.
Among those events were the deaths of eight family members and eight slaves all within a 24-hour period due to cholera, and the accidental death of the judge’s son, who fell out of his bedroom window.
In the nearly 150 years since the tragedies that happened at My Old Kentucky Home, ghost sightings and stories have given the historic home a different kind of legacy. Many visitors claim to have seen ghosts wandering the grounds.
Today, visitors can take a tour of the infamous Federalist home, learning of the events both on and off the record.
Once you've toured Kentucky's most famous haunted house, break for supper at the state's oldest and most haunted restaurant: the Old Talbott Tavern. Since the late 1700s, the Old Talbott Tavern has provided shelter, sustenance, and spirits to the good folks of Bardstown, Kentucky.
When you stop in to have some fried chicken and a bourbon at the tavern, you'll be in good company... ghostly company, that is. Some of the tavern’s most famous patrons include Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln, John Fitch, and Jesse James – who left his mark on the tavern by shooting at an upstairs mural. You can still see the bullet holes today!
But it's not uncommon for diners to hear silverware clattering in the dining room, with glasses and cutlery moving on their own. Guests who check into the inn have also claimed to hear the piano playing on its own in the middle of the night.
When you come to Bardstown, you can expect Southern hospitality, world-class bourbon, and a charming small-town experience.
But with 200+ years of history and haunted happenings, you might get more than you bargained for in this legendary Kentucky town!
Did you know about this side of Bardstown? What do you think is the most haunted town in Kentucky?
Did you know Kentucky had its very own ghost town? This is definitely a must-visit for all you Bluegrass ghost hunters!
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