When it’s time for a boys’ weekend – we have the perfect destination, ShelbyKY. With a variety of activities to fill the days, and some local favorites perfect to unwind at night, we have the itinerary ready for when you are heading this way!
Make plans to tour both distilleries located in ShelbyKY. The newest, Bulleit Distilling Co., opened its doors to visitors last summer. In their tour “The Frontier Whiskey Experience,” you will learn all about the cultural creators, entrepreneurs, and tastemakers that helped revive Augustus Bulleit's high-rye whiskey and create the bold, beloved Bulleit Frontier Whiskey of today.
This distillery checks off a stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and has an incredible patio with great views of the ShelbyKY countryside. Contact their Visitor’s Center for hours and availability. Tours are $20 per person and includes a tasting of the Bulleit portfolio. While you are there, pick up a custom label to adhere to one of their bottles of bourbon, perfect to keep as a memento from your trip.
Planning to continue on the trail? ShelbyKY is centrally located for the perfect hub and spoke traveler. Stay for a night or two at Bottled in Bond. This Airbnb rental has been featured on HGTV. It is a has a swanky and dramatic vibe, meant to replicate a scene from a James Bond movie. Offered at an average of $686 per night, the hosts can make your stay extra special by arranging chauffeured transportation, private chef accommodations, and dinner reservations.
Walk through the vintage revolving door into the Instagram worthy living area, and you will also find commercial-grade kitchen appliances, a custom dining table made from Jim Beam Distillery wood, and a custom-built poker table that seats nine. You can’t leave without playing a game on the vintage Skee ball machine. Finally, soak up the luxury of the spa-like bathroom with double sinks, double rain showerhead, and private water closet.
Also located in ShelbyKY, Jeptha Creed Distillery’s bourbon experience is the most unique of its’ kind. At arrival, you will be guided to Jeptha Creed’s farmland where you will be welcomed by a very intimate setting within our barrel barns. A tour host will take you through the story of Jeptha Creed, finishing with a personalized tasting straight from the barrel. Tours are $45 per person, last one hour, and are by reservation only. Grab a jar of their 4-grain Kentucky moonshine from the Gift Shop to take a piece of ShelbyKY home with you.
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A great spot for a small group dinner requires you to head into town to dine at The Red Lion, tucked behind the historic Science Hill. With their outdoor patio, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of live music under string lights while enjoying your pub-style meal. Much of the food has a southern influence, with a few standouts being the fried green tomatoes and salmon croquettes, but make sure someone in your party orders the pulled pork poutine so you can all have a few bites.
Extend your night on the town with a short walk to The Barrel Room for a night cap. The Barrel Room, located on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Shelbyville. You can enjoy the many local beers they have on tap, or their extensive bourbon collection. An extension of the Old Louisville Brewery, they also offer wine and cocktails.
While you are there, try the Old Louisville Brewery’s Blonde Ale, fittingly called Belgravia Blonde. They describe it as “One of the most approachable styles of beer. The Blonde, or Golden Ale, is an easy drinking beer that is visually appealing. It has no particularly dominating malt or hop characteristics.” If you go during a weekend filled with games, you can bet they will have watch parties joined together cheering on their teams.
Now for your round of golf – you are in luck! ShelbyKY has three courses to choose from, and if you can’t decide, we suggest you play all three!
Clear Creek Golf Center is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. With a challenging, yet fun-filled, executive golf course style, the 9-Hole course offers a variety of benefits to both beginners, advanced players, and to walkers seeking a bit of "golf fitness". Yardage on the 9-Hole course varies from 1400 to 1700 yards, with six par 3's and three par 4's. One 9-hole round is equal to approximately a two-mile walk. Clear Creek Golf Course offers three sets of tee markers for golfers. These markers include a forward tee, front nine tee, and a back nine tee for the same nine from a different view. Play is on an open basis with the first tee operating as "first come, first serve" seven days a week.
Measuring only 6,400 yards from the back tees, the course at Shelbyville Country Club may look easy on paper, but it is not. The links houses five par 5’s, five par 3’s and eight par 4’s. While length off the tee may be an advantage on some holes, it can easily be a hindrance on others. Narrow landing areas and gently bending fairways may leave long hitters in more trouble than they bargained for. The thoughtful design and multiple teeing grounds allow shorter hitters a more level playing field to challenge the longer player. With hundreds of mature trees, fast deceptive greens, and holes cut into the undulating landscape of Shelby County, the course at SCC demands both patience and control to navigate successfully.
Weissinger Hills Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course located in charming Shelbyville, Kentucky. One of the true delights about playing Shelbyville golf at Weissinger Hills Golf Course is the friendly way in which you will be treated. This Shelbyville golf course has four sets of tees for all skill levels. Golf Digest has given Weissinger Hills Golf Course a 3.5 star rating making it one of the finest public courses in the Louisville area.
Plan your trip with help from the ShelbyKY Commission & Visitors Bureau at 502-633-6388 or VisitShelbyKY.com.
Written by Allie Hembree Martin
Allie Hembree Martin is a native ShelbyKYian and after years of traveling the globe has returned to live in Shelbyville with her husband, Brandon. Allie is a podcast host, frequent contributor to national publications, and runs a digital marketing company, Fame and Fortune.