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A Weekend in Elizabethtown, Kentucky: Bourbon’s backyard

October 3, 2024Chelsea Gilson

This post is sponsored by Elizabethtown, KY TourismElizabethtown, Kentucky is a charming town nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass State, it offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Touted as Bourbon’s backyard, Elizabethtown is a short drive from some popular spots of the Bourbon Trail, and is the perfect spot to spend the day or weekend in their beautiful parks, shopping downtown or enjoying some of their great restaurants or social activities. We spent a weekend in Elizabethtown and I am sharing our itinerary with you!Food & DrinkIf you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I can appreciate a good meal. Whether fancy, down home cooking or just a great slice of pizza, I love trying new places. Elizabethtown had some great spots to check out during your weekend stay:Breakfast:Vibe Coffee: Vibe Coffee is the cutest little coffee shop with some AMAZING breakfast pastries. It is right off the square and the perfect place to post up to do some work, or just spend the morning. It’s actually quite a big place. I had the coffee cake with my iced caramel latte, but they had so many amazing options, I wish I could have tried it all!

The Toasted Yolk Cafe: The Toasted Yolk Cafe is a delicious breakfast spot that serves all the favorites, traditional breakfast items like eggs, bacon, toast, waffles, pancakes, but also some really yummy breakfast tacos, burritos and a number of different kinds of eggs Benedict options.

Lunch:Impellizzeris: Impellizzeris is a pretty popular pizza place across Central Kentucky, even earning the title of “Kentucky’s Best Pie” from Readers’s Digest. The Elizabethtown location was the original and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. From their yummy Burrata Bruschetta to their Pizza’s and Pasta, it’s a must-stop on your trip!

Dinner:JR Neighbors: Serving gourmet burgers, craft beer and a bourbon bar, JR Neighbors is the perfect ending to any day!

Drinks & Dessert:Social on Main: If you are heading to Elizabethtown after work on a Friday, the perfect first stop to make in Elizabethtown is Social on Main located within the Assembly. The Assembly is a mix-used location in downtown Elizabethtown made for entertainment, leisure, and discovering delicious bites. The 110 South Main St. building is right off the downtown square and the perfect place for community and connection. Social on Main is just one of many businesses within the Assembly, that is a social hall with three different food options inside, a tap wall with over 40 self-serve beer and wine taps, and duck pin bowling. Baylor loved the duck pin bowling!

Kuddy’s Sip & Sweets: Serving up Gourmet sodas, Buddy’s Sip & Sweets has a ton of options you’d never think about, as well as baked goods, candy and Ice Cream. It’s perfect for a mid-afternoon snack!

The Dreamery Gelato: Cookie butter gelato…need I say more?

Along with the great food options in Elizabethtown, there are plenty of great activities to check out as well!Culture & NatureHistoric Downtown Elizabethtown: Take a stroll through Elizabeths historic downtown district, lined with charming shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Hardin County Historical Society Museum to learn more about the area’s rich history.

Freeman Lake: Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful day at Freeman Lake. This picturesque lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. With options to take a paddle boat on the lake, take a stroll around the lake spanning 5 miles, or letting the kiddos play at the new Oasis park, it’s the perfect spot to spend the day.

Parks and Recreation: Elizabethtown is home to several beautiful parks, including Wilson Park, and Central Park. These parks provide ample green space for picnics, outdoor activities, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Part of the Elizabethtown Nature Park includes a beautiful tribute to the of Hardin County and Kentucky Veterans. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall tribute is a monument to show Hardin County citizens’ respect and gratitude to each and every veteran, living or deceased, who has served his or her country with honor and dignity, commitment, courage, and sacrifice so that each of us can live safe and free. The Tribute design is 90′ in diameter and is dominated by a star polygon walkway. Visitors can stroll along the concrete pathway to closely view the five life-size bronze sculptures – one for each branch of the military.

Fun and GamesSocial on Main: Deserves a second mention in this post because it truly is a great time, for dinner, drinks or just being social its a really cool spot. The duck bowling is perfect for kids and adults alike!

Heartland Golf Mini Golf: Way more than mini golf, Heartland Mini Golf is a really cool spot. You walk into a shipping container park where they have tons of yard games to play including jumbo peer pong, corn hole, ping pong and more. Grab a drink from one of the bars and enjoy. Or if you are up for it, grab a round of mini golf for the family and enjoy a little friendly competition.

Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. With its charming downtown, beautiful parks, and delicious dining options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So switch up your next weekend getaway or day trip and embark on a delightful adventure to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Let me know your favorite Elizabethtown spots to visit in the comments and check out the Elizabethtown Tourism website for the latest events and hottest spots!

Franklin, Kentucky: A Hidden Gem in the Bluegrass State

September 4, 2024Chelsea Gilson

Nestled in the heart of Kentucky, Franklin offers a delightful blend of history, natural beauty, and Southern hospitality. From exploring sunflower fields to sipping on handcrafted spirits, this charming town has something to offer everyone. Just 2 hours from Louisville and less than 30 minutes from Bowling Green, it’s perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. This post is Sponsored by Franklin KY Tourism.Family Fun ActivitiesRuby Branch Farms: A Sunflower Maze AdventureIf you’re looking for a family-friendly outdoor experience, head to Ruby Branch Farms. Home to the largest sunflower maze in Kentucky! With blooms timed perfectly from August to the the first week of September, the 15-acre field is perfect place to get lost in the towering sunflowers, take stunning photos, and enjoy the peaceful countryside atmosphere. Ruby Branch Farms also is a great agri-tourism destination all year round, in the fall doing a pumpkin patch and in the spring doing tulips!

The Fork in the Road: A Local LandmarkA visit to Franklin wouldn’t be complete without exploring the iconic Fork in the Road. This historic intersection is a popular spot for photos and offers a glimpse into the town’s past. Admire the beautiful artwork created by students from the local high school, showcasing the community’s talent and creativity.Exploring Franklin’s DowntownFranklin has a beautiful historic district and square perfect for a fall stroll or a fun day of shopping. with boutiques selling women’s apparel, gifts and children’s clothing, it’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon!Bourbon & GamingDueling Grounds DistilleryStep back in time at Dueling Grounds Distillery. Learn about the distillery’s fascinating history and enjoy a guided tour of the facilities. Their craft distillery is a local hot spot and they serve up amazing cocktails and pizza, of course in addition to their bourbon, Liquors, and moonshine.The Mint GamingExperience the excitement and win big with Vegas style gaming, simulcast racing, restaurants, hotel, event venue Live horse racing in September.Franklin’s Rich HistoryThe Johnny Cash and June Carter ConnectionFranklin holds a special place in the hearts of country music fans. It was here that Johnny Cash and June Carter exchanged vows in a secret ceremony. The church off the square was the location Cash and Carter decided to exchange vows because they could get married the same day they got their marriage license, with locals in attendance, it’s a historic event still remembered!

Add a stop in Franklin to your next roadtrip and see all that this charming small town has to offer!

Lake Cumberland and Beyond in Somerset-Pulaski County

August 9, 2024Chelsea Gilson

Many people across Kentucky and other areas spend their summer on the waters of Lake Cumberland. The beautiful lake is known for its cleanliness, the great marina’s, beautiful views and of course we can’t forget the houseboating capital of the world. There are many towns and counties that surround the lake, one of them being Somerset-Pulaski County with some amazing towns that have a lot to offer on and off the water. 

Recently, my family and I were able to spend a weekend in Somerset-Pulaski County where we spent the majority of our time in the towns of Burnside and Somerset. We loved our time there and can not wait to go back, with so much to do and see, it is definitely a great spot year-round whether you are spending time at the lake or not! Here are some of the activities and places we went.This post is Sponsored my Lake Cumberland TourismFoodOf course, we have to start with the food. We had so many great places recommended to us, so we have a long list to go back and try, but here are the spots we went to as well as those on the list for next time.Charred Oak Grill: American style food with great cocktails and whiskey selection. The Pretzel and beer cheese appetizer were great as well as the onion rings!

Guthrie’s Grill: Steak, Seafood and Pasta! Guthrie’s offers a warm atmosphere and generous portions. They also have outside seating on their deck with a beautiful view of the lake that takes patio season to another level.

Somerset Makers Mill: A one-of-a-kind artisan market, beautifully curated around a full bar and grill. They serve different beers, cocktails, mocktails and gourmet sandwiches. A perfect spot for lunch or happy hour!

On our list for next time:Urban Still House :

Serendipity at The Orange Door :

Birdies & Barrels :

The Mole Hole:

The Tipsy Toad:

Tangerine Moose, which has gifts and an ice cream bar! Market & Downtown Somerset: We opened our Saturday morning at the Somerset downtown farmers market. They have a really neat spot that all the vendors are located and it’s held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m from May to October. We checked out the local goodies then took a stroll in Downtown Somerset. They were getting ready for their Somernites Cruise, the monthly car show held the fourth Saturday April through October. The downtown area is beautiful with a ton of shops and restaurants. It’s truly very charming.SomerSplash Water Park: We beat the heat and it was actually Baylors first time visiting a true Waterpark at SomerSplash. We made some great memories floating on the Lazy River and playing in the multiple swim areas. One thing I really appreciated about the park, were the different age-appropriate pools. It made it much more enjoyable as a mom to an under 2 year old that we could play in a pool with kids his own age. Sometimes it’s harder when all ages are in one pool and it can get kind of rough if the “big kids” are playing too hard. For the big kids though, there were multiple water slides and a wave pool. When Baylor is a bit older, we will definitely be back to check those out! They are going to have an event in December for the holidays, so stay tuned as I post more about that coming soon.Parks and Playgrounds: We also went to probably one of the coolest parks I’ve ever been too. Fishers Fun Park 2. We walked along the reading trail which was nice and shaded since it was such a hot day, and Baylor got to play on the playground. The playground was huge with so many slides, climbing walls and more. Lake Cumberland: As the crown jewel of the region, we could not visit the area without going to Lake Cumberland. There are so many spots to rent boats, do watersports, fish and more. We specifically went over to Pulaski county state park and went into the water off the bank. In previous trips we’ve taken the boat out and cruised the lake, swam and visited the many marinas. Lake Cumberland is known for their clean water and beautiful scenery.History and CultureThe Master Musician Festival: The Master Musicians Festival is also coming up so make sure to grab your tickets for July 18-20. The Wallflowers are headlining but there are going to be many amazing artists there. The renowned event celebrates bluegrass, folk, and traditional music, showcasing a diverse range of talented musicians. Kids 12 and under can get in free and there is a Free kids camp. At the festival, they have arts and crafts for sale and so much to keep you entertained! We truly enjoyed every second of our trip to Somerset-Pulaski County. I had been to the area numerouse times to go out on Lake Cumberland, but never realized what a gem of a city Somerset and the surrounding areas were. They have so much to offer, of course during the summer by the lake, but year round. So add Somerset-Pulaski County to your list of trips across Kentucky. And if you need a place to stay, we really enjoyed our stay at The Villager Resort. Check them out and send the host the code MyKyBucketList10 for 10% off your stay.