Interstate 65 — Louisville to the Tennessee State Line
Rather than stop at fast food and chain facilities, go a little further and discover the many delightful gems of Kentucky. “It’s the journey, not the destination!”
EXIT 116
Shepherdsville: Cedar Grove Coffee House (0.3 miles)—Why send your money to Seattle when a mighty fine locally owned shop is roadside? Choose among a wide range of drinks as well as sandwiches, paninis, smoothies and more.
EXIT 112
Clermont: Fred’s Smokehouse at Jim Beam (2.4 miles)—Take a Jim Beam distillery tour and grab lunch. You can even sip a cocktail on the patio. (temporarily closed at press time)
jimbeam.com/en/ visit-us/american-stillhouse
Clermont: Isaac’s Café at Bernheim (1.4 miles)— Take a hike to see the Giants and grab lunch. Vegetables, herbs and edible flowers come fresh seasonally from the Edible Garden, which is literally only 200 steps away. (temporarily closed at press time)
EXIT 102
Radcliff: Boundary Oak Distillery (9.2 miles)— A spring adjacent to a 100-year-old oak tree originally served a school in the 1800s. Today this natural limestone spring feeds the first Hardin County distillery since Prohibition.
EXIT 94
Elizabethtown: Flywheel Brewery (2.3 miles)— The momentum of a spinning wheel powered by man. They honor that simple flywheel machine and that simpler time by bringing brewing back to the heartland. Opens 4pm.
EXIT 94
Elizabethtown: FireFly Nutrition (3.8 miles)— FireFly Nutrition is a hidden gem worthy of a short off-Interstate drive to find healthy meal replacement shakes, protein coffees and energizing teas—nutritious options for all ages and taste buds. Closes 2pm.
Elizabethtown: Waters Edge Winery (2.2 miles)—The Watkins family sources grapes from California, Germany, Italy and France while the wine is produced and bottled on location. The bistro offers a variety of food selections for lunch and dinner.
EXIT 91c
Elizabethtown: Deez Butts (0.1 mile)—BBQ pork, beef, ribs and chicken that is fresh, never frozen. Fresh means the meat retains more of its natural moisture.
Elizabethtown: The Dreamery (1.0 mile)— Craft gelato made from scratch on site with high-quality organic ingredients, including locally sourced milk from Legacy Dairy Farm.
EXIT 86
Glendale: The Whistle Stop (2.0 miles)—Located on historic Main Street for more than 30 years, the restaurant has been in Southern Living Magazine, won Best Desserts in Kentucky and been voted Best Non-Franchise Restaurant in Kentucky.
whistlestoprestaurant.net (Reopening soon under new ownership after a retirement transition.)
Glendale: Tony York’s on Main (2.0 miles)—A beacon of fine dining for lunch and dinner among the small historic town’s numerous antique shops.
facebook.com/Tony-Yorks-on-Main-76121307360
EXIT 65
Horse Cave: R & S Amish Grocery and Bakery (5.7 miles)—Go here for a grocery experience unlike any other! You will likely be pleased with this short detour.
facebook.com/RandSGroceryandBakery
EXIT 48
Park City: Esters Farm Café (5.7 miles)—After selling out weekly at the local farmers’ market, Susan and Gabe Esters opened a café in 2017, specializing in comfort food always made in-house… often sourced from fellow farmers within the community and sometimes even straight from their own little farm.
EXIT 38
Smiths Grove: Bluegrass Vineyard (1.3 miles)— A veteran-owned winery sitting atop Mammoth Cave has been making small batches since 2005. The 30-acre winery and their bed & breakfast are powered by solar panels with indoor and outdoor tasting options overlooking the surrounding hills.
EXIT 28
Bowling Green: Gerard’s 1907 Tavern (4.6 miles)— Set in a turn-of-the-century building adjacent to Fountain Square Park, produce is sourced locally and burger blends are developed in collaboration with Rian’s Fatted Calf Meat Shoppe.
EXIT 20B
Bowling Green: Chaney’s Dairy Barn (8.6 miles)— A working dairy farm started in the 1940s where today you can order a sandwich or a salad to go with truly homemade ice cream. Take a tour and bring a cooler—this is the only place in Kentucky making an ice cream that comes from their own
milk. chaneysdairybarn.com/dairy-deep-roots
EXIT 6
Franklin: Brickyard Café (3.5 miles)—An antique carriage factory turned modern eatery adjacent to the town square, the owners serve a lunch and dinner menu of fresh salads, pizzas, pastas and much more, all made from scratch daily using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Franklin: Dueling Grounds Distillery (3.2 miles)—At this member of the KY Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, batches of Linkumpinch Bourbon are double-pot distilled, aged for four years in charred oak barrels and embody grains of the region. Bottlings are limited to less than 500 each for 2020.
Franklin: WildFire BBQ (3.3 miles)—In 2003, the owner took his passion for backyard barbecue to the next level and opened WildFire BBQ.
Reminder: check websites for open hours and any seasonal closings.
All photos from business’ website or Facebook pages.
