Horse Tails & Bourbon Trails

Day One, Friday August 4, 2023

7:00AM – Depart New Philadelphia, OH for Georgetown, KY

11:30AM – Arrive at Turfy Park Racing & Gaming for an hour lunch on own. You will have the option of Churchill’s Bourbon & Brew featuring starters, fresh salads, sandwiches, entrees, and dessert or delicious pizza from Serena’s Pizzeria.

1:30PM – Arrive at Ward Hall in Georgetown, KY for a tour of this grandest Greek Revival residence in Kentucky. This mid 19th century mansion is one of the finest classical buildings in the United States. It was completed circa 1857 at a cost of $50,000 in gold and represents one of the most intact houses in the country. You are sure to enjoy the tour and bourbon tasting.

4:00PM – Arrive at Equus Run Vineyards in Midway, KY.  Amidst picturesque thoroughbred farms, historic stone fences and the quaint charm of Midway, Equus Run is nestled on 38 acres in the heart of central Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region and was voted by CNN Travel as a Must-See Hidden Treasure of the U.S.  This private tasting and tour package allows a more in-depth look at the winemaking and vineyard process.

5:30PM – Included dinner at Wilshire’s Restaurant located in the historic home of General John Payne. Erected in approximately 1790, this 11-room colonial residence is an excelled example of Kentucky’s “Stone Age” architecture. You will choose a plated meal from a limited menu.

7:00PM – Check into your host hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton centrally located in Georgetown, Kentucky.  Enjoy the rest of your evening as you choose.  This hotel does offer an indoor heated pool, outdoor patio with fire pit and fitness room.

Day Two, Saturday August 5th, 2023

8:30AM – After breakfast at the hotel, arrive at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky for a guided walking tour of this National Historic Landmark. Keeneland features beautifully landscaped grounds that you will explore while learning all about the history and activities of this race track.

10:30AM – Arrive at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY for a tour and tasting.  You will take a journey through time to discover how they found the Key to the Castle after decades of disarray and abandonment.  You will view the 20^th century distillation equipment with modern updates along with the blooming florals of the Sunken Garden.  Finish your visit with a tasting and learning of unique ways to enjoy your favorite Spirits. 

12:00PM – An included lunch at The Brown Barrel and Blind Harry’s in historic Midway – the heart of Kentucky’s Horse Country!  Enjoy a lunch buffet and if you choose, there will be plenty of bourbons to purchase also.  After, spend some time exploring the unique shops and boutiques that Midway has to offer.

2:00PM – Arrive at Sun Valley Farm for a tour of this picturesque thoroughbred breeding in Woodford County.  The tour is a rich blend of the unique histories of Bourbon and thoroughbred racing.  Experience the landscape of endless field of green, spring fed streams, and fences as far as the eye can see.  Be prepared to discover up close the majesty of the Thoroughbred and the attention to detail involved in their development from day one.  

4:00PM – Refresher break at hotel for approximately an hour

5:30PM – Dinner and tour at Country Boy Brewing in Georgetown, KY Country Boy Brewing was founded in 2012 by four native Kentuckians with a passion for great craft beer. Country Boy prides itself on making minimally processed beers with high quality, real ingredients. Their passion for great beer shines through their core brands which we  will be able to taste along with a brewery tour.

Day Three, Sunday August 6th, 2023

10:00AM – Breakfast will be included at the hotel. Arrive at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, KY. 

In a little more than a decade Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, has put a new face on the concept of equine aftercare.  Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, the organization has grown from a leased paddock and one horse to a 136-acre farm, with a herd of over 175 rescued and retired horses. Blowen had long believed that horses past their prime could still be valuable – money-earning, even—if the venue was right. And so Old Friends tested the concept by opening its doors to the public, inviting fans to revisit their turf heroes.  Now a “living-history museum of horse racing”, the farm attracts nearly 30,000 visitors annually who come to swoon over some Kentucky Derby and Preakness champions such as Silver Charm and War Emblem, each repatriated from stud duties overseas.

11:30AM – Arrive at Evan Orchards in Georgetown, KY. 

Evans Orchard was started as a farm, raising tobacco and cattle. These were our primary products until the early 1990s, when Evans Orchard began growing vegetables and apple trees as alternative crops.

Today, the farm covers over 300 acres, with 20 acres of apple, peach, and pear orchards and more than 20 acres of vegetables that are fresh-picked and sold at the Farm Market and Gift Store. Adjoining the Farm Market, the original sale shed has now been converted to the Sweet Apple Café where we will enjoy lunch today before our journey home begins.  You will be given the chance to purchase fried apple pies, apple cider donuts, homemade fudge, and much more!

1:30PM – Depart for home but first we will make a stop at Buffalo Trace Distillery for a visit to their gift shop.  Buffalo Trace has been described as having the best gift shop with bourbon creams, bourbon infused coffees, bourbon barbecue sauces and other great gifts.  This makes for the perfect stop to end our Horse Tails and Bourbon Trails tour.

3:00PM – Depart for home. 5 hours plus dinner on own stop.