Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County is located in central Kentucky, right in the heart of bourbon country. With distilleries around nearly every corner, it’s a must-visit for alcoholics (just kidding).
Bardstown serves as the county seat and calls itself the Bourbon Capital of the World—they might be right. The county has more distilleries than you can shake a shot glass at.
There’s also a cool Civil War museum if you need a break from all the bourbon. And don’t miss the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September. It’s like Mardi Gras, but with whiskey instead of beads. Just don’t try to sample every bourbon in one day. Your liver will thank you.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Nelson County |
| County Seat | Bardstown |
| Etymology | Named after Thomas Nelson Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Bardstown, Bloomfield, Fairfield, New Haven, Coxs Creek |
| Interstates and Highways | US-31E, US-150, KY-245 |
| FIPS Code | 21-179 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 424 sq mi (Land: 418 sq mi; Water: 6 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Spencer County (North), Anderson County (Northeast), Washington County (East), Marion County (Southeast), LaRue County (South), Hardin County (West), Bullitt County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| Population | Approximately 47,000 |
| State | Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37.8223° N, 85.4632° W |
| Major Landmarks | My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Old Talbott Tavern |
