Bluegrass Parkway: Lexington to Elizabethtown – Kentucky

Take a leisurely journey through Kentucky’s rolling heartland as we follow the Bluegrass Parkway from the historic outskirts of Versailles westward to Elizabethtown. This 71-mile cruise sweeps us through some of the state’s most picturesque rural landscapes, tracing a corridor where horse country transitions into bourbon country, and where quiet farmland mingles with small-town charm.

We begin just west of Lexington, merging onto the Bluegrass Parkway from U.S. Highway 60 near the town of Versailles. Almost immediately, we’re greeted by Kentucky’s iconic post-and-rail fences, which carve neat lines along lush fields dotted with grazing thoroughbreds. This is the Bluegrass Region at its finest—home to world-famous horse farms and the rolling emerald hills that give the area its name. The Parkway moves swiftly but gently westward, with the occasional cluster of trees breaking up the open meadows as we approach the interchange with U.S. Highway 127 near Lawrenceburg, a gateway to the state’s growing bourbon scene. Nearby, distilleries like Wild Turkey and Four Roses tempt travelers with tours and tastings just a short detour away.

Continuing west, the landscape begins to subtly shift. Hills roll more broadly, and signs of agriculture take hold—rows of crops, working farms, and classic red barns tucked into the countryside. The Parkway remains largely free of urban interference, creating a peaceful, flowing drive that’s a welcome change from the bustle of larger highways. Interchanges with KY-555 and KY-55 offer access to smaller communities like Springfield and Bloomfield, each brimming with local history and small-town Kentucky charm. It’s an easy cruise with minimal traffic, allowing us to savor the rhythm of the road and the gentle contours of the land. Before long, we descend into Bardstown, often called the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” where the Parkway intersects with U.S. Highway 150 and U.S. Highway 31E. Bardstown itself is a worthy stop, with attractions like the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience offering a taste of Kentucky’s spirited heritage.

Leaving Bardstown, the road stretches out once more, offering one final glimpse of the quiet countryside. The interchange with KY-52 marks our last notable crossroad, set amid gentle ridges and woodlots that hint at the approaching western Kentucky landscapes. Traffic gradually thickens as we approach Elizabethtown, where the Bluegrass Parkway reaches its western terminus at Interstate 65. Here, the pastoral quiet transitions back to the hum of modern highways, as travelers connect northward toward Louisville or southward toward Bowling Green and Nashville. As we conclude our westbound journey, it’s hard not to reflect on how effortlessly the Bluegrass Parkway bridges the gap between Kentucky’s urban centers and its rural soul—a corridor that celebrates the commonwealth’s rich cultural tapestry.