Kentucky quiet life in Shelby
In a world filled with noise, Shelby, KY is inviting travelers to experience a quieter side of Kentucky life.
Located just east of Louisville in the heart of Kentucky horse and bourbon country, the community is embracing a quieter kind of travel with ‘Sounds Like ShelbyKY.’
This is an invitation to unwind through the gentle sounds of the countryside, distilleries, trails, and historic towns.
From the clop of Saddlebred horses to the wind drifting through the bourbon barns, ShelbyKY offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature and savor small-town charm:
Horse Country — Known as the American Saddlebred Capital of the World, Shelby County is home to more than 90 horse farms. Visitors can book a farm tour and hear the distinct sounds of horse-country: soft neighs, hooves plodding, and trainers calling gently to their horses.
Where to have an equine experience: Showcase Stables, Kismet Saddlebred Farm, West Meadow Farm, and other local equine experiences.
Bourbon being made and poured — ShelbyKY is Your Bourbon Destination, with two iconic distilleries where visitors can learn bourbon’s journey from ground to glass.
Where to sip: Jeptha Creed Distillery (a mother-daughter, ground-to-glass operation) and Bulleit Distilling Co.
Historic Downtowns — ShelbyKY’s small towns roll at a gentler pace. Spend an afternoon exploring local shops and hear coffee roasters hum and the murmur of neighbors chatting on Main Street.
Don’t miss: boutiques, galleries, and cafés in Shelbyville and Simpsonville including The Polkadotted Pineapple and Little Mount Lavender.
Classic Kentucky Dining — Local restaurants offer a comforting soundtrack of their own with skillets sizzling and conversations unfolding slowly over generous, home-style meals.
Where to dine: Claudia Sanders Dinner House, The Bell House, The Farm Kitchen, B&N Food Market, and a wide selection of locally owned eateries.
A front-porch evening — Whether rocking on a porch at a countryside bed-and-breakfast or enjoying the quiet at a lakeside campsite, evenings in ShelbyKY have their own charm. Expect cicadas buzzing, firewood crackling, and the soft creak of rocking chairs.
Where to stay: Charming inns, boutique lodging, and cabin rentals throughout the county including The Harbison House and Saddlebred Suites.
Scenic nature trails — ShelbyKY’s parks and nature preserves offer peaceful spaces to unplug. Miles of wooded trails deliver the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot and the quiet of forest canopies.
Where to trek: Red Orchard Park, Shelby Trails Park, and Clear Creek Park Greenway Trails.
“ShelbyKY is a place where travelers can take a deep breath,” says Janette Marson, President & CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism.
“Visitors tell us time and time again that a visit to ShelbyKY makes them feel grounded, due in no small part to the charm and slow pace of life.”
‘Sounds Like ShelbyKY’ is an invitation to visit and rediscover those small, meaningful moments that make a vacation memorable.”
To discover experiences, itineraries, and lodging options visit www.VisitShelbyKY.com.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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