Sit, stay, and enjoy treats with your pup along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Words by Colleen McNally Arnett
Wide-open spaces, green rolling hills, and a windows-down, wind-in-your-hair road trip are why traveling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail by car is a dog’s dream. That said, glass bottles, rare whiskey, and wagging tails don’t always mix, so it makes sense that not every distillery or hotel opens its doors to pets.
Luckily, there are plenty of exciting options for the growing number of bourbon fans who want to travel with a four-legged family member in tow. Here, we’ve rounded up the most dog-friendly destinations and what to know before you go, so your trip can have less barking, no biting, and more bourbon.
Lexington Region
The gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Lexington is a great starting point. Distilleries like Bespoken Spirits, Wilderness Trail, and Hartfield & Co. are proudly pup-friendly, except for production areas.
Of course, Lexington has much more to offer than whiskey. Home to several colleges and universities, the city is the state’s second largest after Louisville, Kentucky, and boasts tons of hip, creative energy. West Sixth Brewing is a popular spot for beer with bites from the next-door Smithfield Seafood. The brewery repurposes spent grain into all-natural dog treats for $6 per bag.
When the weather allows, head to the patio at the nearby County Club, a restaurant specializing in smoked meats and modern takes on Southern classics, like the banana pudding with green chili wafers. The Kentucky Native Café, open seasonally between April and October, is another local favorite for outdoor dining. Located in the greenhouses of century-old florist Michler’s, the cafè offers a rotating menu of small plates, sandwiches, and soups for weekday lunch; savory and sweet crepes for dinner and weekend brunch; live music; and an authors’ reading series.
Staying overnight? Race over to The Manchester. The chic interiors, designed by New York-based Jenny Bukovec Design, celebrate a different beloved animal—Kentucky Thoroughbred horses—but this boutique hotel welcomes dogs of all sizes (with no additional fees) and thoughtful touches, like a hanging door sign reminding staff of the pup’s presence. Bonus: The Manchester’s well-stocked mini bar and room service deserve a crown of roses; the kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Paula Endara, a contestant on the 2025 season of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail stretches more than 70 miles with 60 destinations and counting
Central Region
Given that the Kentucky Bourbon Trail stretches more than 70 miles with 60 destinations and counting, the journey is part of the destination. Getting out of the cities and taking in the scenery of Horse Country are part of the joy.
Many of the winding roads are reminiscent of Ireland or the United Kingdom. Lean into the daydream with an overnight stay in a private tower suite at The Kentucky Castle, a 100-acre property that Architectural Digest calls the state’s most beautiful hotel. Here, dogs under 45 pounds can get the royal treatment for a nightly rate of $100.
With the castle as a home base, leash up to explore Kentucky’s dog-friendliest distilleries: Buffalo Trace and Whiskey Thief in Frankfort, Larrikin Bourbon Co. in Lawrenceburg, Jeptha Creed in Shelbyville, or Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm in Midway.
Each offers a unique taste of Kentucky culture. For instance, Kentucky’s only mother-daughter-led distillery, Jeptha Creed, honors their family’s Scottish heritage and also uses heritage corn, like Bloody Butcher Red, grown right on their farmland. At Whiskey Thief, guests sample pours straight from barrels, uncut and unfiltered. Meanwhile, the aptly named Bluegrass Distilleries uses blue corn in their grain-to-glass approach, resulting in a distinct, delicious flavor worth the drive. And though dogs can’t join the tours at the nearby Woodford Reserve, they can join you on the picturesque patio for an old fashioned or a refreshing mint julep.
Along the way, refuel with lunch on the back patio at Bourbon on Main overlooking the Kentucky riverfront. For a quick meal on the go, Beau’s Cafe serves fresh-pressed juices, espresso drinks, and tasty handhelds, like breakfast burritos or fried chicken biscuits with chili crunch and local apricot jam.
Bardstown Region
Only a few hours’ drive north of Nashville, Tennessee, Bardstown is known as the bourbon capital of the world. Nearly a dozen distilleries, including Lux Row and Preservation, are within a 16-mile radius. Both permit well-behaved dogs and are close in proximity, making it easier to visit both in one day. Tip: Tours fill up well in advance, so check times and availability before you go.
Start the day with a to-go box of doughnuts and sweet treats from Hadorn’s Bakery, a local institution run by the same family for three generations. Next door, Scout & Scholar Brewing Company’s spacious patio is the place for heartier plates, like the charcuterie pretzel, Kentucky Hot Browns, and seasonal salads.
On the fringe of this small but mighty town, the Bardstown Motor Lodge opened in 2023. With its revamped, mid-century motel style, the lodge’s retro design makes it easy to come and go with exterior entry to guest rooms without sacrificing style.
After a day of distillery tours and tastings, guests can sit and stay by the firepits and treat themselves to s’mores and a nightcap from the open-air bar. Doggone perfect.
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