Written by: Tyler Himes, Senior Brand Manager – James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Key Takeaways for Planning Your Beam Country Visit
- Kentucky’s 2025 tourism boom shows families now favor authentic, hands-on experiences over crowded attractions.
- Clermont’s James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus offers free grounds, historic rackhouses and barns, and family-friendly dining at The Kitchen Table.
- Bernheim Arboretum’s Playcosystem playground and troll sculptures sit five minutes from Beam and work well for ages 3–12.
- Three ready-made itineraries connect Clermont with eight additional low-crowd stops within an hour’s drive, with 2026 pricing and age guidance.
- Reserve your Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting in advance so adults can enjoy the full grain-to-glass story while kids explore the campus.
10 Hidden Gems Within 60 Miles of Clermont
The table below shows drive times, 2026 admission details, and age guidance for ten family-friendly stops within about an hour of Clermont. Use it to sketch your own route or pair it with the three itineraries that follow.
| Attraction | Drive from Clermont | 2026 Entry Fee (Adult / Child) | Best Ages / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| James B. Beam Distilling Co. Grounds — Clermont, KY | 0 min | Free (grounds), tour $30 for adults 21+ with tasting | All ages on grounds, 21+ for tastings |
| Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest — Clermont, KY | 5 min | recommends a $15 per car admission fee (members receive free daily admission except for ticketed programs and events) | All ages, Playcosystem & troll sculptures ideal for ages 3–12 |
| My Old Kentucky Home State Park — Bardstown, KY | 24 min | $15–$18 for adult mansion tours | Ages 6+, guided mansion tours available |
| Civil War Museum of the Western Theater — Bardstown, KY | 24 min | Check locally for 2026 rates | Ages 8+, interactive exhibits |
| Bardstown Historic Downtown — Bardstown, KY | 24 min | Free, ample free street parking | All ages, walkable, ice cream stops |
| Lincoln’s Birthplace National Historical Park — Hodgenville, KY | 35 min | Free (National Park Service) | Ages 5+, 56 steps to the memorial cabin |
| Kincaid Lake State Park — Falmouth, KY | ~55 min | $5 per vehicle per day for the day-use area, with additional varying fees for camping, fishing, and boat rentals | All ages, fishing, hiking, picnic areas |
| Diamond Caverns — Park City, KY | ~55 min | Check site, tours first-come, first-served | Ages 5+, 60-min guided tour, 20-person cap |
| Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum — Horse Cave, KY | ~60 min | Museum free, cave tour fee applies | Ages 5+, pet-friendly, underground swinging bridge |
| Louisville Waterfront Park — Louisville, KY | ~30 min | Free | All ages, open green space, Ohio River views |
Itinerary 1: Easy Clermont Family Day Close to Beam
This relaxed itinerary keeps you within five miles of Clermont, so the day feels full without a lot of driving.
- 9:00 a.m. — Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest (2499 Clermont Rd., Clermont, KY 40110). Arrive early. A $15 per car admission is recommended (members receive free daily admission except for ticketed programs and events). Head straight for the Playcosystem nature playground and the giant troll sculptures. Thomas Dambo’s creations sit tucked into the forest and delight kids of every age. Plan for at least 90 minutes. Parking is free in the main lot off KY-245.
- 11:00 a.m. — James B. Beam Distilling Co. Grounds (568 Happy Hollow Rd., Clermont, KY 40110). Drive five minutes from Bernheim. Walk the historic campus, photograph the iconic Jim Beam barn and rackhouses, and let the kids stretch on the picnic lawns. Adults 21 and older with valid ID can book the Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting in advance. The 75-minute grain-to-glass experience includes five bourbons, a real barrel filled and dumped, and the chance to bottle your own Knob Creek on the T-Line. Parking is free on site.
- 12:30 p.m. — The Kitchen Table (on the Beam campus). Sit down to lunch with the whole family. The menu features Kentucky classics such as burgers, sandwiches, barbecue, and fried chicken. The signature sourdough pizza uses the same yeast strain as the bourbon. Porch and outdoor seating work well for families with young children.
- 2:00 p.m. — American Outpost Gift Shop (on the Beam campus). Wrap up with a slow browse through distillery-exclusive bottles and Beam-branded gifts. Kids enjoy watching the bottle engraving station, and there is no purchase required to look around.
Reserve your Beam Made Bourbon Tour slot online to lock in this easygoing Clermont day before you arrive.
Itinerary 2: Louisville to Clermont Day Trip Loop
This loop works well for families based in Louisville who want a full day of parks, bourbon history, and forest time.
- 9:00 a.m. — Louisville Waterfront Park (129 River Rd., Louisville, KY 40202). Start with free, open green space along the Ohio River. The large playground and walking paths help kids burn off early energy before the drive. Street and garage parking sit nearby.
- 10:30 a.m. — James B. Beam Distilling Co. (568 Happy Hollow Rd., Clermont, KY 40110). Head south on I-65 for about 30 minutes. Adults with valid ID can join the Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting for $30, while families explore the grounds, barns, and picnic areas. Book the tour in advance because weekend slots fill quickly.
- 12:30 p.m. — The Kitchen Table (on the Beam campus). Pause for lunch before the afternoon leg. The seasonal menu and cocktail bar give adults something to anticipate while kids focus on the sourdough pizza and fries.
- 2:30 p.m. — Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest (2499 Clermont Rd., Clermont, KY 40110). Drive five minutes from Beam. Afternoon light in the forest feels soft, and the troll trail gives children a second wind. Plan for 60 to 90 minutes before heading back to the city.
- 4:30 p.m. — Return to Louisville via I-65 North, about a 30-minute drive.
Itinerary 3: Bardstown Backroads Triangle
Clermont to Bardstown is 15 miles by car via KY 245 and takes 24 minutes nonstop, and Bardstown back to Louisville takes roughly 50 minutes. The result is a compact triangle that works as a full-day loop from either city.
- 9:00 a.m. — James B. Beam Distilling Co. (568 Happy Hollow Rd., Clermont, KY 40110). Start your day at the anchor stop. Book a morning Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting slot for adults, and let the rest of the group walk the campus and visit the American Outpost. Parking is free on site.
- 11:00 a.m. — My Old Kentucky Home State Park (501 E. Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown, KY 40004). Drive about 24 minutes south on US-31E. Adult mansion tours run $15–$18. The rolling lawn works well for a picnic, and the Federal Hill mansion offers a tangible piece of American history. Children ages 6 and up usually stay engaged during the guided tour.
- 12:30 p.m. — Bardstown Historic Downtown (Court Square, Bardstown, KY 40004). Free street parking lines the historic square. Choose a family-friendly restaurant on Court Square for lunch, then wander through the shops. Plan time for an ice cream stop before you move on.
- 2:30 p.m. — Lincoln’s Birthplace National Historical Park (2995 Lincoln Farm Rd., Hodgenville, KY 42748). Drive about 35 minutes from Bardstown. Admission is free as a National Park Service site. The 56 steps to the memorial cabin give elementary-age kids a satisfying physical challenge, and the sinking spring and farm trail feel calm and unhurried.
- 4:30 p.m. — Return to Louisville or Clermont via US-31E and I-65, about 50 minutes from Bardstown to Louisville.
Ready to center your Bardstown backroads loop on a grain-to-glass experience? Book your morning tour slot at Jim Beam before you plan the rest of the day.
Age-Specific Tips for Toddlers, Elementary Kids, and Tweens
Toddlers (ages 3–5):
- Bernheim’s Playcosystem is purpose-built for this age group, with natural materials, climbing structures, and open space to run.
- The Beam campus picnic lawns and barn exteriors are stroller-friendly and require no tickets.
- For this age group, skip the cave attractions listed in the table above. Diamond Caverns and Hidden River Cave involve enclosed spaces and long walks that can overwhelm very young children, so save them for later years.
- Pack snacks and a change of clothes. Outdoor Kentucky in summer often feels warm and muddy in the best way.
Elementary kids (ages 6–10):
- The troll hunt at Bernheim turns a forest walk into a scavenger game. Download the map before you go.
- My Old Kentucky Home’s guided mansion tour holds attention well for this age. Costumed interpreters answer questions enthusiastically.
- Lincoln’s Birthplace fits kids who have started American history in school. The 56-step climb to the memorial gives them a clear goal.
- The Kitchen Table’s sourdough pizza, made with bourbon yeast, often sparks questions from curious kids.
Tweens (ages 11–12):
- Tweens often connect with the “how things are made” angle. The Beam campus barns, rackhouses, and the story of Jim Beam’s yeast-carrying Cadillac feel genuinely interesting even without tastings.
- Hidden River Cave’s underground swinging bridge and off-trail adventure options appeal to tweens who want a physical challenge.
- Bardstown’s Civil War Museum keeps detail-oriented tweens engaged. Pair it with a walk through the historic square for context.
Budget and Accessibility Planning for Your Beam Trip
Free or low-cost anchors:
- James B. Beam Distilling Co. grounds, gift shop, and American Outpost are free to visit, while the main tour costs $30 for adults 21 and older.
- Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, about $15 per car, with free daily admission for members.
- Louisville Waterfront Park is free.
- Lincoln’s Birthplace National Historical Park is free.
- American Cave Museum at Hidden River Cave offers a free self-guided museum, with a separate fee for cave tours.
- Kentucky State Park properties charge day-use fees, and tour fees vary by site.
ADA accessibility notes:
- James B. Beam Distilling Co.: many public areas, the restaurant, retail spaces, and portions of the tour are ADA accessible. Contact the distillery in advance for specific accommodation needs.
- Bernheim Arboretum: paved main paths are accessible, while forest trails vary in difficulty.
- Hidden River Cave: elevated trails sit above the cave floor. Check with the site for current accessibility details.
- Diamond Caverns: the tour follows a half-mile loop. Contact the site for mobility accommodation details.
Responsible enjoyment reminder: All bourbon tastings at James B. Beam Distilling Co. are for guests 21 and older with a valid ID, consistent with Drink Smart® responsible-drinking standards. Families are warmly welcome on the grounds and at The Kitchen Table, while tasting experiences remain adult-only. Please enjoy responsibly.
Military discount: Active military visit the Beam Made Bourbon Tour free with valid ID, and veterans receive a discount. Select the appropriate category when booking online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can families with young children visit James B. Beam Distilling Co.?
Families are welcome on the Clermont campus. The grounds, historic barns and rackhouses, picnic lawns, The Kitchen Table restaurant, and the American Outpost gift shop are open to all ages. The bourbon tasting experiences, including the Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting, are restricted to guests 21 and older with a valid ID, in keeping with responsible-drinking standards. Children may accompany adults on select tours, but the tastings themselves are adults-only. Many families spend a full day on the campus without any tasting component and still describe it as a memorable visit.
How close is Bernheim Arboretum to the Beam distillery, and what can kids do there?
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest sits approximately five minutes from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus, and the two properties share a border in Clermont. For families with children, the main draws are the Playcosystem nature playground, designed for ages 3–12 with natural climbing structures and open play areas, and the giant troll sculptures created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. These sculptures are scattered through the forest on a self-guided trail. Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest recommends a $15 per car admission fee (members receive free daily admission except for ticketed programs and events). Pairing Bernheim in the morning with the Beam campus in the afternoon creates a natural, unhurried full-day itinerary without leaving Clermont.
What is the best day-trip route for families driving from Louisville to Bardstown?
The most efficient route follows I-65 South from Louisville to Clermont, which takes about 30 minutes, then stops at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus. From there, the drive continues south on US-31E to Bardstown, matching the 24-minute connection described in Itinerary 3. In Bardstown, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the historic downtown square, and the Civil War Museum all sit within a short walk or drive of each other. The return to Louisville via the Bluegrass Parkway or US-31E takes roughly 50 minutes. The full loop, including Beam, Bardstown historic sites, and the drive back to Louisville, fits comfortably into a single day without early starts or rushed stops.
Are there cave attractions near Clermont that are suitable for young children?
Two cave options sit within about an hour of Clermont. Diamond Caverns, near Park City at Exit 48 off I-65, offers 60-minute guided tours on a first-come, first-served basis with a 20-person cap. This experience suits children ages 5 and up who can manage a half-mile walking loop. Hidden River Cave in Horse Cave, about 60 minutes from Clermont, includes a free self-guided American Cave Museum with interactive exhibits on cave geology and wildlife, plus guided cave tours that cross the world’s longest underground swinging bridge. Both caves work better for elementary-age children and tweens than for toddlers, given the walking distances and enclosed environments.
How much does a family day at the Beam campus typically cost?
Walking the grounds, photographing the historic barns and rackhouses, visiting the American Outpost gift shop, and eating at The Kitchen Table all require no tour ticket. The flagship Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting costs $30 per adult, plus tax and fees, and is restricted to guests 21 and older. Active military attend free with valid ID, and veterans receive a discount. Optional add-ons include bottling your own Knob Creek on the T-Line for $59.99, which matches the shelf price, and bottle engraving for $10. A family of two adults and two children can spend a full day on the campus, including grounds, lunch at The Kitchen Table, and the gift shop, for the cost of two tour tickets plus meals, with no hidden entry fees for the non-tasting portions of the visit.
Plan Your Visit Around Clermont, Louisville, and Bardstown
The stretch of Kentucky between Louisville and Bardstown packs in more genuine family experiences per mile than many larger regions, and the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus in Clermont serves as a natural anchor. Kentucky tourism generated $10.4 billion in visitor spending in 2025, and many of those families now seek exactly what this region offers: authentic, hands-on heritage travel without heavy crowds.
The Beam campus is free to explore, The Kitchen Table welcomes the whole family, and Bernheim’s trolls sit five minutes away. Adults who want the full grain-to-glass story, with five bourbons tasted along the way, a barrel filled and dumped, and a bottle sealed with a thumbprint, can add the Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting to the day.
Book your Beam Made Bourbon Tour & Tasting and build your own Kentucky day around The Home of the World’s #1 Bourbon: Jim Beam.
This article is promotional content of James B. Beam Distilling Co. Please practice responsible drinking.
