Georgetown: Your home-base for exploring the Bluegrass
Written by Kathy Witt
Whether planning a staycation, workcation or midway stop as part of a longer vacation, Georgetown, Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters, is an appealing and convenient homebase for day-tripping to regional attractions.
Georgetown’s beautifully preserved Victorian-era downtown bustles with locally owned restaurants and boutiques, galleries and historic sites, each an invitation to dip in, grab a bite, shop a sale, find an artwork or step into the past.
A variety of hotels and unique stay options accommodate all budgets, interests and inclinations: brand name hotels, Airbnbs, bed and breakfast inns, horse farms, intown suites and golf course lodging. And its choice location at the crossroads of I-75 and I-64 puts visitors within a scenic country drive of major Kentucky attractions, from legendary bourbon distilleries to mega must-see sights to historical and hands-on experiences.
BOURBON IMMERSION
Hop onto the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a uniquely Kentucky experience that meanders 
from one world-famous maker of American’s Official Native Spirit to another. Call in on Lexington’s Town Branch to learn about a distilling tradition that dates back to 1794 and Woodford Reserve in Versailles, Kentucky’s oldest and smallest distillery and a National Historic Landmark.
These are two of the 18 distilleries on the Trail – but there are many more distilleries located throughout the state, each offering a unique peek into the world of bourbon, including one in downtown Georgetown that offers a one-of-a-kind experience. At Bourbon 30, guests can step into the role of Master Distiller and create their own bourbon blend, choosing from 100-plus barrels and selecting the bottle shape, wax color and label name
Georgetown’s Buffalo Springs Distillery, the former main office and gatehouse of the distillery that operated on this site beginning in 1868, gives bourbon aficionados the opportunity for an immersive bourbon experience. The stone structure is now a historic and private queen-size retreat with gleaming wood and exposed stone and accented with vintage-, bourbon- and buffalo-themed art.
SUPERSIZED GOOD TIMES
A quick 30-minute drive on I-75
orth takes visitors to Ark Encounter in Williamstown, the story of Noah come to life. The ark is massive, built to Biblical specifications right down to the last cubit and recounts the life and times of the Old Testament’s most well-known shipbuilder through three decks of exhibits.
There’s also Ararat Ridge Zoo, a family playground built for kids of all abilities, daily programs, concerts and presentations, zip lines that reach up to 50 mph and 17 stories high and a virtual reality journey through time – plenty to fill the morning.For the afternoon? Back in Georgetown, Kentucky Horse Park also offers epic-size fun with its Big Barn and stall-side chats;
Parade of Breeds Show and chance to see horses
getting bathed, groomed and trained at the Breeds Barn; and four museums dedicated to the history of the horse 
going back to ancient times; specific horse breeds; interactive equine experiences and more.
Afterward, Queenslake is a king-sized bed and breakfast in a magnificent white-columned manse and sitting on a 140-acres of classic Kentucky horse farm. Here, guests unwind to an experience that is nothing short of the royal treatment. Blending country charm and resort elegance, it is a calming oasis afte a full day of play.
MUSEUM TREASURES
Kentucky’s capital city of Frankfort is also 30 minutes away and has 
much to see: the murals and marble, floral clock and rose
garden at the Kentucky State Capitol; the treasures of City Museum, like the Kentucky Fishing Reel collection of hand-tooled, elaborately designed and bejeweled reels; and Josephine Sculpture Park, a 20-acre outdoor “art museum,” where visitors are free to touch, pat, climb on and lounge in the dozens of works of art.
Georgetown’s own outdoor art museum is found at Yuko-en on the Elkhorn, a Japanese-style strolling garden given a Kentucky twist and the only one of its kind. Step through the garden’s Tokugawa gate and enter a world of color, fragrance, graceful sculptural elements and
serenity, with waterfalls and chirping birds adding a soothing soundtrack and the creek, ponds and Japanese-style stone garden
inspiring quiet reflection.
The Georgetown & Scott County Museum has its own gems, from the Georgetown Post Office display to the precision model of the “DeWitt Clinton” locomotive, tender and three stagecoach-style passenger cars constructed of cast aluminum, brass, hammered steel sheets and wood, to Pete the Famous Talking Crow – and he is famous, just ask him . . . for his three-year reign of trackside terror squawking at confused racehorses.
Overnighting at the Alexander Bradford House in Stamping Ground is like sleeping in a museum, but a really comfy and cozy one where you’re allowed
to touch everything. Built in three different time periods – 1810, 1830 and 1900 – the oldest wing is well over 200 years old. (If only these walls could talk!) It is filled with antiques appropriate to thedifferent periods and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
NOW ABOUT THOSE HORSES. . .
As Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters, Georgetown is home to numerous horse-centric attractions, including Kentucky Horse Park and Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, home to former champions of the turf, including Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup winners.
Two art galleries devote themselves to equestrian art: The Hockensmith Fine Art Editions and Gallery & Press features photography, paintings, printmaking and sculptures of artists, including premier photographer John Stephen Hockensmith, and the Robert Clark Artist Gallery shows off Clark’s renowned equine paintings and artwork. Additionally, at the Georgetown & Scott County Museum, visitors can see the work of
Edward Troye, the most noted painter of horses during the height of American horseracing in the mid-1800s.
Horseback riding is offered at both Whispering Woods Riding Stables and Kentucky Horse Park and horsey experiences are 
found at luxury farm stay and wedding venue Saxony Thoroughbred Farm and with Three Hill Farm’s Horsemanship Training Experience. Georgetown’s annual horse events include the Kentucky Three Day Event, Horsey Hundred, Festival of the Horse and the National Horse Show.
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
BACK TO ALL BLOGS | BACK TO TRAVEL TIPS BLOGS
Georgetown Tourism Sponsored Booth A Favorite Among State Fair-Goers!
Written by Kathy Witt
Thirty-six thousand cups of freshly popped popcorn from Western Kentucky farms. One thousand, seven hundred cans of veggies and boxes of cereal donated to a Georgetown organization. Thousands of visitors munching popcorn and learning about the state’s farm and field heritage. Dozens of co-workers and volunteers helping to make an agriculture exhibit a 
smashing success.
Each year, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) builds one of the largest exhibits at the Kentucky State Fair. Sponsored by the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission (GSCTC), it is located in AgLAND in the south wing of the fairgrounds, which features and highlights the commodity groups and the KDA and programs provided by the department.
The exhibit is known far and wide for the themed structure the KDA team builds each year from canned goods. A salad bowl filled with veggies. A giant ear of corn. An apple tree and an apple with a bite missing to demonstrate the Kentucky Hunger Initiative Exhibit’s goal to “take a bite out of hunger.” A towering silo – a favorite structure that has appeared frequently over the years and at various places.
“We have fair attendees who look for the canned goods structures every year and that makes me really happy,” said Alisha Morris, KDA program coordinator. “I have one couple who says they come just to see the can structure displays and what we
have done new each year.
“We also have some who come every year just to see our same employees in the booth.”
Part of the draw might have something to do with the irresistible aroma of Kentucky-grown popcorn wafting through the building. Team KDA has an area within AgLAND where they pop the popcorn that has direct Kentucky farm impact.
Said booth volunteer Bailey Gilkerson, marketing director at GSCTC: “We get to sponsor an amazing canned food display and pass out the freshly popped Kentucky Proud popcorn.”
Once the fair is over, the food including the canned goods is packed up and donated to the AMEN House.
Located on Main Street in Georgetown, AMEN House has one mission: to end hunger in Scott County. The organization is entrusted with the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a
federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. USDA provides 100 percent American-grown USDA foods and administrative funds to states to operate TEFAP.
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
BACK TO ALL BLOGS | BACK TO TRAVEL TIPS BLOGS
This Or That In Georgetown, KY
Written by Kathy Witt
Georgetown is all about choices, whether you’re visiting for the day or vacationing over a long weekend. Bourbon or brews? History or contemporary? Dinner or dessert? In town or out in the country? Will it be this, that or all of the above?
Plan a little or a lot. But no matter what you choose to do, you’ll probably run into a horse or two along the way – this is Kentucky Horse Headquarters, after all.
Horses and/or Horsepower
- Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm: Meet a hundred or so of the friskiest retirees you’ll ever encounter. Pet them. Feed them carrots. Stars of the turf, including Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup champs, live their best life here. Guided tours available.
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing: The numbers are overwhelming: Up to 550,000 vehicles made each year (12.5 million+ since 1988!) in the plant’s 9 million square feet situated on 1,300 Scott County acres.
A virtual tours is currently available.
- Water and/or Walking Trails
- Elkhorn Creek: The place to get your paddle on. Seventeen miles of splashy canoeing and kayaking fun plus one of the best places for fishing for smallmouth bass.
- Yuko-en on the Elkhorn: Where you can ZEN out, on pathways weaving through more than five acres of a four-season Japanese-style strolling garden.
Bourbon and/or Brews
- Bourbon 30: A private barrel sampling, an artisan craft discussion, a chance to blend and bottle your own bourbon. Need we say more?
- Country Boy Brewing: A seriously laidback atmosphere means everyone feels at home at one of Kentucky’s favorite craft beer breweries. The taproom, the patio, the brews, the chews – this is where weekends happen.
- Boutique Browsing and/or Scavenger Hunting
- Downtown shopping: So. Many. Shops. All independently owned and all filled with irresistible treasures. Trust us – you won’t mind at all when your credit card starts smoking. Really.
- Geocaching Trails: A treasure hunt of a different sort – one that requires a passport and patience and a hankering for history – and Scott County has two, in Georgetownand in Sadieville.
- Study the Horse and/or Ride a Horse
- Kentucky Horse Park: Four museums, stall-side chats, Parade of Breeds Show, camping, kids activities including pony rides – it’s all here at this premier working horse farm, educational theme park and equine competition facility.
- Whispering Woods Riding Stables: Where cowboy and cowgirl dreams come to life on more than 250 acres of wooded countryside
- Kentucky Horse Park: Four museums, stall-side chats, Parade of Breeds Show, camping, kids activities including pony rides – it’s all here at this premier working horse farm, educational theme park and equine competition facility.
- Dinner and/or Dessert
- More places to satisfy a sweet tooth than you can count on one hand. More than a dozen eateries in a six-block area of downtown Georgetown alone – fine dining to casual, coffeehouses to pubs. More places of deliciousness in the surrounding county. Georgetown dining seems to have a theme, and it’s “more.” So, will it be savory or sweet?
- History and/or Contemporary
- Ward Hall: Who dropped her drawers in front of Boston’s upper crust? That would be Georgetown’s own cheeky Sallie Ward (pun intended). Hear her scandalous story on a tour of Kentucky’s grandest Greek Revival manse.
Tours available.
- Art Galleries: Two equestrian-themed galleries equal unexpected downtown delight for horse lovers: The Hockensmith Fine Art Editions and Gallery & Press features photography, paintings, printmaking and sculptures and the Robert Clark Artist Galleryshows off Clark’s equine and artwork.
Workshops available.
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
BACK TO ALL BLOGS | BACK TO TRAVEL TIPS BLOGS
Georgetown Welcomes New Extended Stay Mariott Brand Hotel In Early 2023
Written by Kathy Witt
When the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Georgetown opens in the spring of 2023, not only will it be the newest hotel in the area, but it will also be Marriott’s only extended-stay hotel in Georgetown. And it will be bringing a lot of amenities with it.
Fresh, modern and comfortably sophisticated, the hotel is designed to cater to both long-term travelers in Georgetown on business or other reasons and leisure travelers here explore attractions not only in the immediate area, such as Historic Downtown Georgetown, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm and the Kentucky Horse Park, but in the surrounding area as well. With Williamstown’s Ark Encounter and a variety bourbon distilleries within a 30-minute drive, the hotel and Georgetown are an ideally situated homebase.
Each room at TownePlace Suites bring guests all the comforts of home while traveling: a fully equipped kitchenette, complete with cookware, glassware and utensils; open work area with an ergonomic chair and plenty of room to spread out; comfortable seating area, HDTV and complimentary Wi-Fi. Color palettes are soft neutrals punctuated with small art groupings.
Guests will also enjoy amenities such as a hot breakfast served daily, a state-of-the-art fitness center and heated indoor pool. Adding more convenience are a fully equipped business center and guest laundry.
“You’ll find touches of Kentucky throughout the hotel that are unique to the TownePlace Suites Georgetown,” said Allison Miller, director of sales at RainMaker Hospitality.
Headquartered in Lexington, RainMaker Hospitality is known for the enhanced service and exceptional hospitality at the 17 hotels properties in central Kentucky in its management portfolio, including such brands as Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Choice, and Best Western in addition to Marriott. In fact, one of its sister properties located in Georgetown is the Holiday Inn Express at 140 Osborne Way.
The hotel is conveniently located directly off of I-75 and is surrounded by many restaurants and retail stores, all within walking distance. For those traveling on business, it is within a few minutes’ drive of Toyota Motor Manufacturing as well as several other manufacturing plants. Georgetown College is only two and a half miles away and the shops, restaurants, art galleries and museum of downtown are nearby as well.
The hotel will offer complimentary onsite parking and will also have a grab-and-go market with food, beverage and sundry items available for guests 24 hours a day.
“Additionally, guests will be free to bring in food or order any food options to the hotel,” said Allison. “And we hope to have an opportunity to partner with local restaurants when welcoming travelers to the Georgetown community.”
Georgetown Tourism is excited to welcome TownePlace Suites by Marriott Georgetown. Watch for the announcement of the hotel’s official opening date in this newsletter and on our G-town Unwound blog and Facebook page and for a link to the hotel for more pictures and details.
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
BACK TO ALL BLOGS | BACK TO TRAVEL TIPS BLOGS
Georgetown Is Kentucky Proud
Written by Kathy Witt
Beth Richardson and Philip Enlow know the importance of knowing where your food comes from and offering financial support to local farmers.
The owners of Georgetown-based Spotz Gelato, a certified Kentucky Proud business, have firsthand insight and experience as hobby farmers who opened a business committed to sourcing ingredients, including fruit, from local farmers. Additionally, the two made the decision to produce all their award-winning gelatos on their Scott County farm.
“We also think local items just taste better and make our gelato even more fabulous!” said Beth, noting that Spotz Gelato has been a Kentucky Proud member since the business opened nearly 10 years ago in 2013.
Eggs, beef cattle, baked goods, beverages, Christmas trees, herbs, wines, sauces, snacks, honey, sheep – anything grown, raised or processed in Kentucky qualifies to be Kentucky Proud.
According to the Kentucky Proud website: Kentucky Proud stands for foods, nursery items, crafts, agritourism sites, farmers’ markets, state parks, and many other products and destinations with roots in Kentucky soil. Kentucky Proud foods are raised, grown, or processed in Kentucky by Kentuckians. You can serve Kentucky Proud foods to your family with the confidence that they came from your friends and neighbors just down the road – not from thousands of miles away.
Across the state, there are 11,212 Kentucky Proud members. One hundred ninety-two of these members are located in Scott County, including Spotz Gelato, Lavender in Bloom and the Scott County Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is open Seasonally on Saturdays in downtown Georgetown at the City Parking Lot (behind the Courthouse and City Hall) and offers a one-stop shop to numerous Kentucky Proud items, including produce, breads, flowers, sauces, doggy treats, jewelry, soaps and other crafts and so much more – all in a fun food truck festival atmosphere.
There are many benefits of being a Kentucky Proud member and buying from a Kentucky Proud member.
“The Kentucky Proud logo symbolizes an agricultural product that was grown, raised or produced in Kentucky; and/or a product incorporating an agricultural product that is processed or manufactured in Kentucky,” said Kentucky Proud Marketing Director Chad Smith. “That in turn benefits the local economy as we support our neighbors, farmers and value added producers.
“These Kentucky Proud members offer items that are less traveled, fresher and locally produced,” he added.
“We love being able to provide a Kentucky Proud product that is 100 percent grown, distilled and bottled here in Georgetown,” said Tessa Habash, owner of Lavender in Bloom. “Buying local and supporting your hometown community wherever you call home is more important now than ever!
“We have gotten to know so many like-minded people in our community because of our farm and can truly say it has enriched our lives to know these people.”
A whole chain of positivity is unleashed when you buy a product with the Kentucky Proud label:
- You are buying the freshest, most nutritious food possible.
- You are keeping your dollars close to home.
- You are helping a Kentucky farm family earn a living.
- You are reducing the miles that the food has to travel from the farm to your plate.
- Look for the Kentucky Proud logo at your favorite grocery, restaurant or farmers market.
Learn more about Kentucky Proud at its website. Find members in Scott County and across the state here.
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
BACK TO ALL BLOGS | BACK TO TRAVEL TIPS BLOGS