Stop HERE: an easy weekend trip from Nashville
** Many attractions are closed or operating on limited hours due to COVID-19. Please research the destinations below before planning a visit. **
Here’s your Friday getaway:
Shaker Village, KY
Drive time from Nashville: 3 hours 20 minutes
This trip is perfect for travelers:
who like getting off the main road and discovering rare, historical landmarks.
What is there to do at Shaker Village?
You can tour the historical buildings and grounds, even take a wagon ride or take a trip on a 115-passenger paddlewheeler to explore the Kentucky River Palisades. Demonstrations from Shaker history, touring gardens and petting farm animals, even bringing your horse and riding the equestrian trails are an option. You can hike or bike along the 36-mile trail system or shop and dine at the farm’s seed-to-table dining: The Trustee’s Table.
Here is a map of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
What is Shaker Village in Kentucky?
Shaker Village is a complete experience: historic center, farm, preserve, river and stables celebrating the history of the Shakers, one of America’s oldest religious sects. About 1.5 hours from Louisville, KY, and 25 minutes from Lexington, KY, near the Bourbon Trail, this attraction draws visitors for a variety of reasons.
What happened to the Shakers?
Shakers have a history dating back beyond America.
“It was created by a group of English Quakers and exiled Camisard Protestants who had unsuccessfully fought for their religious freedoms in France before fleeing to England. The sect became known for their ecstatic worship—ceremonies that included trembling, shaking, and what one historian calls “frenzied screeching and whirling.” The name Shaker grew out of the group’s reputation as “Shaking Quakers” known for that physical worship, and Shakers shook up the religious establishment by including things like spiritualism and frenetic dances in their worship.” -Smithsonian Magazine
They dwindled in number due to their vow of celibacy and the fact that they stopped accepting members in the 1960s. Currently, there are only 2 Shakers left in the world today.
Where to stay when visiting Shaker Village?
There are many options for where to stay when visiting Shaker Village:
1) Shaker Village Inn: on-site option
2) Storybook Inn: award winning bed and breakfast about 30 minutes away
3) Kentucky Castle: a legit castle where you can spend the night
How far is the Bourbon Trail from Shaker Village?
Ahem…very close. In fact, we recommend you spend a day touring these nearby bourbon distilleries after your visit to the Shaker Village. We’ve listed them in order for you. Follow this bourbon trail map from Shaker Village:
After your visit to Shaker Village, check out the Bourbon Trail map we created for you (in this order)!
Not a fan of Bourbon? Try THESE spots on the way home instead.
Check out Mammoth Cave and Bowling Green. Kids will love the Historic Rail Park and Lost River Cave. We love expanding our weekend trips with interesting stops along the way. It really helps to break up the long, monotonous drive.
Feeling hangry on the drive home? These restaurants in Bowling Green will satisfy the foodie in your group.
Pin this to check out later:
Add this Kentucky Bourbon Trail map to your weekend travel list! #weekendtripsfromnashville
Here’s a suggestion from a weekend traveler in our Facebook group who has gone to Shaker Village over 10 times:
“Go the first weekend in August for the Art Festival and stay in the Tannery. Also go on the River boat cruise that is down the road.” -Catherine Shelton
Shaker Village offers a variety of getaway packages for visitors:
Father’s Day package
Couple’s package
Girls’ Retreat
Experience Horse Country
Kentucky Bourbon Tour
Pin this trip for later!
#RoadTripUSA, #BestWeekendRoadTrips: Shaker Village, KY, a must-stop along the Whiskey Trail
Read more: Want other trips from Nashville?
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