Claudia Sanders Dinner House
Shelbyville's historic Bell House and a long-time favorite for Southern fried chicken, family-style dining and brunch. Part museum, part restaurant. Call ahead for large groups.
Explore Kentucky
Bourbon country starts at the end of the driveway.
Shelbyville sits between Louisville, Frankfort and Bardstown, so the Bourbon Trail, Southern fried chicken and horse country are all a short drive away.
Where we are
Tucked into Shelby County horse country.
East of downtown Shelbyville. The dashed circle shows the general area; your exact address is sent with your booking confirmation.
Approximate area. Your exact address and gate details arrive in your Airbnb trip messages once you are booked.
Drive times
From the lodge
Approximate drive times from Shelbyville. The exact address is shared with confirmed guests, and your own GPS time is the one to trust.
Downtown Shelbyville
About 10 to 15 min
Shops, murals, restaurants and the courthouse square.
Louisville
About 40 min
Bourbon Row, Mega Cavern, Churchill Downs.
Frankfort and Lawrenceburg
About 45 min
Buffalo Trace, Castle & Key, Wild Turkey, Four Roses.
Bardstown
About 55 to 60 min
Bourbon Capital of the World; Heaven Hill and Barton 1792.
Lexington
About 1 hr
Horse farms, Keeneland and the Kentucky Horse Park.
Close by
Eat, taste, wander
Jeptha Creed Distillery
A Shelby County distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. A great first stop that doesn't require a long drive.
Historic downtown Shelbyville
A walkable Main Street with shops, public art, cafes and Kentucky character. Good for a Saturday morning.
Louisville Mega Cavern
An underground adventure park and cavern tours, within about an hour for a day trip.
Squire Boone Caverns
Cave tours and a village setting in southern Indiana, an easy day trip.
The Bourbon Trail
Pick a cluster, plan a day
Distilleries cluster by region, so one day in one area beats zig-zagging across the state. Book tours ahead, and name a designated driver.
Frankfort and Lawrenceburg
- Buffalo Trace
- Castle & Key
- Wild Turkey
- Four Roses
Louisville
- Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
- Michter's
- Angel's Envy
- Old Forester
Bardstown and Loretto
- Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center
- Barton 1792
- Maker's Mark
- Jim Beam
Versailles
- Woodford Reserve
Always confirm hours, reservations and tour availability on each distillery’s own website before you drive.
Suggested rhythm
A weekend that works for a group of 20
Friday
Arrive after 3:00 PM. Walk the lodge, claim your rooms, fire up the kitchen. Dinner on the covered patio, then the fire pit until quiet hours.
Saturday morning
Coffee on the wraparound deck at sunrise. Look for deer and wild turkey along the tree line, then walk the private trail.
Saturday day
Bourbon Trail day trip with a designated driver, or stay in. Several guests wrote that they almost didn't want to leave.
Saturday night
Hot tub under the stars, then a tasting in the Speakeasy with the engraved glasses.
Sunday
Slow breakfast, last walk to the meadow, bags in cars by 9:30 AM, check-out before 10:00 AM.