Make Father's Day One to Remember in ShelbyKY

Making plans for Father’s Day? A short drive from Louisville, Kentucky to ShelbyKY (Shelbyville, Simpsonville and Shelby County) will present numerous opportunities for you to make Dad’s day. Between shopping for a great gift and memorable experiences to spend the day on June 21, ShelbyKY is your place to visit to show Dad how loved and appreciated he is.

SHOPPING

Find a gift at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass: The only designer outlet mall in Kentucky is ripe for the perfect gift for every type of guy. For athletic dads, check out the Adidas, Nike and Under Armour stores. If you’ve got a dad who likes to dress up, venture into ones like Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Vineyard Vines. If you’re hunting for accessories, Oakley, Sunglass Hut and Skechers may have what you’re after. In addition to each of these stores, you’ll have more than 80 other spots to explore to secure an excellent present.

Get him bourbon from two world-class distilleries: As Your Bourbon Destination®, you can find Dad his favorite pour at either Bulleit or Jeptha Creed. Their gift shops are well-stocked with various options, so whether you’re looking to keep things in moderation or willing to splurge, you can find a spirit that meets your budget. If his bourbon collection is well-stocked, consider getting him some merchandise instead. With clothing, drinkware, cookbooks, and smaller trinkets, it doesn’t have to be bourbon itself to soothe your bourbon lover’s heart.

Snag some high-quality meat for the grill: It’s grilling season, and if Dad likes to spend his evenings fixing dinner, he’s really going to love it when you get him high-quality meat from Trackside Local. All of their harvesting and processing is done in neighboring Henry County, making each product Kentucky Proud. It’s also graded USDA Choice or higher. With burgers, steaks, bacon, ribeyes, and much more, this new but very popular location is a great out-of-the-box idea for a gift. 

If you’re coming to ShelbyKY from Frankfort or Lexington, you can also save a few minutes on your drive with a stop at The Farm Kitchen. Their meat comes directly from their family farm and are especially famous for their pork and chicken. They also have food ready to serve while you’re there, so treat yourself to lunch during your stop. But if Dad’s going to grill on Father’s Day, getting meat from either of these spots is a bonus because you’ll get to taste it yourself! 

EXPERIENCES

Distillery tours: While you’re at Bulleit or Jeptha Creed getting that gift we referenced earlier, you can schedule a tour for Father’s Day afternoon while you’re at it. Visitors rave about their tours, citing each staff’s hospitality, the unique features they each have to separate themselves from other Kentucky Bourbon Trail® destinations, and the taste testing experiences. Also, keep an eye out on their event calendars if you want to gift him with a tour for later in the year if something sounds too fun to pass up. 

Golf: An early morning tee time before watching the final round of the U.S. Open is an idyllic day for golf-loving dads. Check out our Golfer’s Guide to ShelbyKY blog for details on each of the courses in the area, but zero in on Clear Creek, Weissinger Hills and Shelbyville Country Club. Unless your family has a membership at one of the private facilities, these three will be your first ones to look into making a tee time at. 

Pool day: If Dad wants to hang out at the pool with the kids and your family friends, Clear Creek’s Family Activity Center will make for a great destination. With plenty of outdoor seating when you’re not in the pool, a concession stand, and fun water features, this is a wonderful option for those just looking to have a laid-back afternoon.

A day on the lake: If Dad still wants to be in the water, but would rather be on the open water, there are two premier lakes to look into: Lake Shelby and Guist Creek Marina. You can take a boat out on both sites, canoe, kayak, and go water-skiing. These are also popular fishing destinations known for having some big catches available. If you want to give him time to do that, don’t forget to get a fishing license!

Go biking: The open country roads and scenic valleys of ShelbyKY make it a popular destination for cyclists. There are several different routes you can take, with each of them offering something unique. Some are crafted for experienced cyclists who want to train for endurance and reach high speeds, while others are more equipped for families with young kids. 

One of the best things about ShelbyKY is there’s plenty more to see beyond what’s listed here. If you’re looking for more ideas, visit our Things To Do page to see how else you can treat Dad this year.

For Father’s Day or any other occasion, you can plan your trip to ShelbyKY with our visitor guide. It's free and contains wonderful information about how to spend your time in ShelbyKY.