live entertainment by a local Kentucky musician for open mike night at the Dew Drop Inn.
"Folks, for my next song I will be singing: "Fat women in trailer parks".
2023 Bluegrass Tour Itinerary
Here’s where we went on our inaugural bluegrass tour - stay tuned for the 2024 itinerary!
Day 1: Sunday
We’ll arrive at our hub resort: the historic Boone Tavern in Berea, Kentucky.
After everyone has a chance to settle in and freshen up, we’ll head down the street to the Churchill‘s Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House which is truly one of the best restaurants we have ever found on our tours, for a bourbon tasting and lovely dinner.
A representative from Berea College will tell us a bit more about where we are. Thank goodness. Usually if you don't know where you are; chances are, neither does anybody else!
Day 2: Monday
Today we start driving. Fall foliage will be reaching its peak, and we’ll be enjoying the colors and crisp air as we cruise along. The roads in this area are uncrowded, hilly and curvy- perfect for sports car touring. There is slippery red clay at every dirt road, and horse manure only on your side of the road, but conveniently placed so the valet parker can clean it off your windshield every night.
We’ll start off heading west to the area called “The Knobs” where we will visit Heaven Hill distillery. Next we will have lunch at the, iconic Talbott Tavern in Bardstown, which is the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. This landmark has been in operation since 1779.
From there, we’ll make our way to the Maker’s Mark distillery for a tour and tasting and then a fantastic afternoon of driving to get us back to our hotel. Be sure to do your share of "tasting" so you can relax and sleep better. The roads in the area are known to slide from side to side for some peoples "final" trip to the hotel.
Dinner will be at the Boone Tavern tonight.
Day 3: Tuesday
We’ll start our day heading south east into Appalachia. You will be shocked how different the roads and scenery are when the locals have no money to be taxed to buy fresh asphalt. Our first stop will be at Flat Lick Falls near McKee, KY. After a bathroom break and a great little walk on a paved path to view this spectacular and virtually unknown water fall, we will take the drive to Natural Bridge Resort Park, where we will have a private lunch at the lodge.
We will head through the Red River Gorge and you will have the option to either take a short hike to view the Natural Bridge, or we’ll board a sky tram and head straight up Holy S***t mountain to take a short walk to the Natural Bridge. Take a clean pair of underwear just in case.
This will not be just any drive, as we will be taking Rt. 587 which is affectionately known, to sports car aficionados and motorcyclists as the “Ridge Runner”. Think Tail of the Dragon but with only horse drawn Amish wagons nose to tail between constant no passing zones, and no tourist traffic!
Dinner tonight will be back at the Churchill‘s Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House, where we will have a local beer tasting and another delicious dinner. Be sure to do your share of "tasting" so you can sleep better.
Day 4: Wednesday
We’ll start this day headed towards beautiful Lexington. Lush forests in brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange will give way to the rolling hills and the stunningly fertilized and manicured farms of horse country.
There, we’ll visit a couple of stud farms for a private tour to learn more about thoroughbred horse racing.
One lucky tourer will get to take home the nuts off a real horse in a zip lock bag for your kid's "show and tell day" at school.
Lunch will be at the century-old house that has been converted into the Holly Hill Inn in Versailles.
After lunch, we have been invited to visit the eclectic non electric car collection of Tom Jones, who runs the Keeneland Concours.
Dinner tonight will be your choice, with your own cash, so feel free to check out the local hot spots or dine on-site at the hotel for a more laid-back evening. Jimmy White's Carousel Lounge and the KiKiKi Saloon are off limits in town.
Day 5: Thursday
Today we’ll head south to Attorney Joe Rizzo's Slip and Falls, for a memorable (some people say) once in a lifetime ride over in a Bourbon Barrel.. After this lovely drive, we will head back north to Corbin, where we will visit the Harland Sander’s Café and museum. Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken was really born in Kentucky, and today you will learn all about it during the
6 hour tour concluding with a complimentary Bourbon Chicken Wing.
Our final dinner will be a truly spectacular one. We will board a bus and head to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, After a tour of the museum, we have dinner planned and live entertainment by a local Kentucky musician for open mike night at the Dew Drop Inn.
Day 6: Friday
We’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and parting ways (until next time), unless you really
meant it was a Once in a Lifetime tour and you'll never be back