Uniquely Woodford – the Horse Country Guide to Woodford County

Looking for a truly authentic Kentucky experience? Look no further than Woodford County! 

The Woodford County landscape is dotted with the rolling hills and classic three board fencing that have become synonymous with Kentucky. Six Horse Country members call Woodford County home, along with a number of distilleries and other horse farms. Versailles and Midway are rich with history and the culture of rural Kentucky, with downtown shops and restaurants that feature locally sourced products and food. 

We’ve put together some of our favorite things to do and see in Woodford County, thanks to our friends at Reserve Woodford! Click here for their Woodford County Passport, an inclusive list of the all things to eat, play and stay in Woodford County.

Click here for a two day suggested itinerary by Horse Country.

Visit a Horse Farm 

  • Airdrie Stud – stallion and nursery farm owned by former Governor of Kentucky Brereton Jones. 
  • Coolmore at Ashford Stud – Home to the Coolmore America stallions, including Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify. 
  • Gainsborough Farm – nursery division of leading Thoroughbred owner Godolphin, and home to some of their best broodmares and their foals. 
  • Lane’s End Farm – stallion and nursery farm known for their success in the Thoroughbred sales ring. 
  • Three Chimneys Farm – historic stallion farm home to prominent stallions Gun Runner, Palice Malice and others. 
  • WinStar Farm – stallion and nursery farm for some of the industry’s biggest players, as well as a state-of-the-art training center. 

Where to Eat

Versailles and the surrounding county was doing farm-to-table before it was cool. Check out some of our favorite spots for an authentic taste of Central Kentucky!

  • Wallace Station, between Midway and Versailles –  A cornerstone of the Ouita Michel family of restaurants, Wallace Station serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner to locals and visitors alike year-round. A cozy local deli that was even featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives! 
  • Right in downtown Versailles, the newly re-developed Main Street block anchored by the Amsden building provides several opportunities for fun & refreshments  – hit up the Amsden Coffee Club for a morning or midday pick-me-up, or check out the Amsden Bourbon Bar just a few doors down. Rolling Oven Pizza, Mrs. Rogers’ Popcorn & Sweet Shop, Spark Community Cafe and Spotz Gelato round out the casual and tasty culinary options in downtown. 
  • Downtown Midway has a number of restaurants ranging from the casual Brown Barrel or Goose and Gander to the more upscale Mezzo or Holly Hill Inn.
  • Just a few miles from Woodford Reserve down McCracken Pike is modern southern restaurant The Stave.  A hidden gem along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this casual eatery has views of Glenn’s Creek, ample outdoor seating, and an extensive bourbon list. Best of all – we’ve never been able to get cell service on the property!

Visit a Distillery 

We can’t send you to Woodford County and not recommend experiencing Kentucky’s natice spirit where it begins! Some of the most prominent distilleries in the country are located in Woodford County, and others are within a 30-60 minute drive. 

  • Woodford Reserve – one of the most popular stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Woodford Reserve produces ten of the most well known whiskeys in the world right here in Versailles. The distillery offers tours and tasting by reservation, and has a gift shop and bar that are both open seven days a week (outside of certain holidays). 
  • Castle & Key – a uniquely historic distillery, Castle & Key is particularly popular because of the architecture and location of the distillery and of course, their beverages! They offer tours of the distillery, gardens, springhouse and more every week, Thursday through Sunday on the Woodford and Franklin County line. 
  • Check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for information on bourbon and distillery tours across the Bluegrass. Woodford County is just 20 minutes from Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, and around a 45 minute drive to Heaven Hill, Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon Company and other locations in Bardstown, Kentucky. 

Where to Shop and Explore 

The downtowns of both Midway and Versailles feature boutiques, markets, bakeries and more places to shop while you are in Woodford County. Take a walk in downtown Midway and stop by the Midway Maker’s Market, Damselfly Gallery, Blacktype Coffee Co. and more. Visit Downtown Versailles to shop and sip at the Amsden Coffee Club and Gathered Living, Green Street Gifts or pick up Horse Country merchandise at Bluegrass Traditions. While you’re there, be sure to snap a photo of the Horse Country mural shown here!

Check out the many activities going on at the Kentucky Castle! Everything from a farm-to-table restaurant to Spa services to princess parties -and so much more. The Castle has long been a landmark in the Bluegrass and is thriving as a regional destination under its newest ownership. 

While horses and bourbon are year-round staples of experiences, Woodford County has a variety of great seasonal events as well. The annual Midway Fall Festival, held each September, is fun for guests of all ages. Pick apples, pumpkins, peaches and strawberries seasonally at Eckert’s Farm – and be sure to get one of the yummiest apple cider donuts you can imagine while you’re there! 

Where to Stay

Woodford County recently opened the doors to its first hotel – the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Versailles. If you’re more of a bed & breakfast type, check out one of the several outstanding accommodations in the area: The Ruin; Charred Oaks Inn; The Woodford Inn; A Storybook Inn; or the Montgomery Inn. For more information on all lodging options in Woodford County, click here. 

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