48 Hours in Elizabethtown
Day 1
Morning: Start your day by dining local at one of Elizabethtown’s cafés or restaurants. The menu at Bub’s Café is filled with comfort food — think biscuits and gravy, pancakes, omelets and all the fixin’s — and it’s conveniently located near downtown. Or get your day off to a sweet start at Amazin Glazin Donuts and Vibe Coffee.
After breakfast, it’s time to explore the wilds surrounding Elizabethtown, a city designated an official “Kentucky Trail Town” for its proximity to outdoor fun. Elizabethtown Nature Park and the network of Greenspace Trails are a couple good places to start. Kayakers and anglers can get on the water quickly and easily at Freeman Lake Park, located near the heart of town.
Midday: After working up an appetite, head back towards downtown for lunch at Back Home, a beloved local restaurant and boutique that has been serving Elizabethtown for nearly four decades. Family-style cooking comes together with local crafts and antiques here, showcasing the city’s unique culture. If you’re in the market for other local souvenirs, you’ll find plenty of options throughout the city.
Known as Bourbon’s Backyard, Elizabethtown is situated near some of Kentucky’s most famous distilleries. Boundary Oak Distillery is located just outside city limits, with Jim Beam, Four Roses, Maker’s Mark and Barton 1792 not too far away. All are open for tours and are among the highlights of any traveler’s itinerary to this part of the state.
Evening: In Etown, however, your bourbon education doesn’t have to end with distillery tours. You can taste some of the more than 400 varieties in stock at Bourbon Barrel Tavern, a neighborhood spot with an equally impressive selection of beers, plus live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Speaking of whiskey and beer, you’ll want to put Wicked-Eyed Woman Public House and Flywheel Brewing on your radar for after-hours fun. Wicked-Eyed Woman has more than two dozen bourbons, plus a phenomenal food selection. Flywheel Brewing is an easygoing, chill brewpub for those who love good beer and local flavor, with 16 taps featuring in-house and guest brews, and food trucks and pop-up vendors serving good eats.
When it’s time to wind down for the night, you’ll be able to rest easy in one of many Elizabethtown accommodations. Hotels ranging from the name-brand to the one-of-a-kind are within a short drive of downtown.
Day 2
Morning: Spend the early hours of your second day getting acquainted with Elizabethtown’s history. Pick up a coffee and pastry downtown and take a walk through the past. The Brown-Pusey House’s museum and gardens offer relaxation and education in equal measure. Within a short distance, you’ll also find the Hardin County History Museum and “The Cannonball,” a Civil War-era artifact that is lodged in the outside wall of the Depp Building on Public Square.
Midday: Elizabethtown’s first winery, Waters Edge Winery & Bistro, offers flavors from around the globe. Chardonnay from California, Sangiovese from Italy, Meritage from Australia … and that’s just the wines. Its lunch selection is just as eclectic, with a menu featuring everything from Cuban sandwiches to tacos to charcuterie.
After lunch, treat yourself to sweet treats at The Dreamery, a gelato café that uses milk from a local dairy, organic cane juice crystals and fresh fruits.
If you’re up for some afternoon adventure, check out Unlock: Kentucky Escape Rooms. Here, guests are tasked with solving a series of puzzles in a live-action game experience that is particularly popular with young families.
Evening: After your two-day sprint through Elizabethtown, you’re bound to be hungry. Luckily, you have plenty of options for drinking and dining. Impellizzeri’s Pizza is a must-stop, thanks to its unique architecture and history (it’s located in the 1907 Stewart Opera House), its selection of 80-plus bourbons and, of course, its tasty pizza-pies.
Finish out your Elizabethtown stay at Axe Play, an unforgettable gaming experience where guests — yes, even families! — participate in axe-throwing competitions that will stick in your memory long after your Etown travels end.
Ready to plan an unforgettable vacation? Start exploring now at www.touretown.com!