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The Birthplace of Bourbon: 6 Reasons Georgetown, Kentucky, Should Be on Your Bucket List

By Jason Macumber

Georgetown is where bourbon weaves through everyday life. From its historic spring to modern distilleries, this small town blends heritage, flavor, and charm into one unforgettable pour. Add in top-tier dining, quirky dives, and lounges where friendships form over a good glass, and you’ve got a true Kentucky gem. Here’s why Georgetown should be your next stop.

Sip History at Royal Spring Park

Two women pose taking a selfie in front of a colorful mural of horses on a brick building corner, while two other people stand by the entrance of a boutique with striped awning on a sunny day.

It all begins here—at least according to legend. Royal Spring Park is the spot where Elijah Craig is said to have drawn water to create the first bourbon. Debate it all you want, but Georgetown leans into the story with pride (there’s even a Birthplace of Bourbon marker). The park is right in downtown, making it an easy stop between browsing boutiques, vintage shops, and 200-plus historic buildings listed on the National Register. History, shopping, and small-town charm, all in one stroll.

Local Feed Serves Flavor with a Twist

A person in a green sweater and tan apron pours whiskey from a bottle into one of several mugs on a counter, each with a spoon inside, in a cozy, rustic setting.

Right across from Royal Spring Park, Local Feed keeps things creative with farm-to-table plates and cocktails. Start with the cast-iron cornbread slathered in sorghum butter, then dive into a wagyu sloppy joe worth every bite. Pair it with their fiery favorite, the Mexican Firing Squad, blending Nulu Bourbon, lime, and habanero heat. It’s bold, unexpected, and exactly the kind of meal that puts Georgetown’s dining scene on the map.

Steak Nights Shine at Rodney’s on Broadway

Five people stand together outdoors, smiling and posing for a selfie. Some of them hold drinks, and they are in front of a red building on a sunny day. There are trees and patio furniture in the background.

Set inside a historic home just off downtown, Rodney’s feels like old Kentucky elegance with a splash of bourbon magic. Known for prime beef steaks and fresh seafood flown in daily, this is the spot to treat yourself. Their bourbon lineup is strong, but the real star is Rodney’s Old Fashioned—Kentucky bourbon stirred with bitters and finished with a Luxardo cherry. Order one, settle into the cozy dining room, and you’ll understand why locals keep coming back.

Golden’s Pub & Deli Brings the Groove

A rustic bar with a wooden counter, glassware, and bottles of liquor displayed on shelves. Warm hanging lights illuminate the area, and a TV is mounted above the bar. A drink menu sits on the counter.

Golden’s isn’t your average pub—it’s a family-run Georgetown staple that leans into personality. The building was once a family grocery store and still has that hometown feel, just with bourbon bottle lights hanging above and a porch lined with lawn jockeys. The bourbon list is impressive, the live music is lively, and the fish and chips have a cult following. It’s the kind of place where you’ll come for the whiskey but stay for the stories.

Taste the Future at LF Heritage Distilling

A person in a sleeveless black top stands beside wooden barrels, reaching for one of several whiskey bottles arranged on a barrel, with plastic cups and tasting samples nearby.

Georgetown’s bourbon past is legendary, but its future is being poured at LF Heritage Distilling. While their state-of-the-art facility is under construction, you can visit the Tasting & Blending Barn, tucked into a fifth-generation family farm. Drop in during the week—no appointment needed—to sample, blend, and learn from the pros. From intimate tastings to large group tours, the experience feels personal and hands-on. Grab a bottle before you leave, because this rising name in bourbon is one to watch.

Unwind at Leaf & Barrel Cigar & Bourbon Lounge

A hand holds metal tongs to light a small pile of wood shavings on fire, with bright orange flames rising from a rustic wooden surface in a dimly lit setting.

Sometimes the best part of bourbon is who you share it with. Leaf & Barrel is Georgetown’s cigar and bourbon lounge, where the atmosphere is as smooth as the pour. Whether you’re new to cigars or a seasoned aficionado, this is the place to relax into a leather chair, spark a conversation, and sip something good. With premium hand-rolled cigars and carefully chosen bourbons, it’s less about the menu and more about the camaraderie.

Georgetown Bucket List Bonuses

A person wearing a helmet smiles while riding a gray horse outdoors near a wooden fence and leafy green trees on a sunny day.

Beyond bourbon, Georgetown is Kentucky through and through. Saddle up at Old Friends or Whispering Woods for a day with the horses, or wander the grounds at the Kentucky Horse Park. Outdoor lovers can tackle the Skullbuster Trails or cast a line along Elkhorn Creek, where fishing and kayaking make for the perfect unplugged day. However you explore, you’ll find that bourbon may be the headline here, but Kentucky culture is the soul.