Itinerary
- Day 1
Louisville
You'll arrive in Louisville and check into your downtown hotel for two nights. The rest of the day is open for you to explore at your own pace. Main Street, also called Whisky Row and Museum Row, has museums, bourbon distilleries, and tasting rooms if you want to wander around and get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Stroll historic Main Street (Whisky Row and Museum Row)
- Visit bourbon distilleries and tasting rooms
- Explore local museums
Landmarks/POIs Main Street - Day 2
Louisville to Bardstown
Start the morning at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. You'll meet a retired jockey and walk through the Kentucky Derby Museum. After that, you're heading to Bardstown to tour My Old Kentucky Home estate and its plantation grounds. Then it's on to Jim Beam Distillery for a behind-the-scenes tour and bourbon tasting. This evening, join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Meet with retired jockey at Churchill Downs
- Tour Kentucky Derby Museum
- Tour My Old Kentucky Home estate and plantation grounds
- Behind-the-scenes tour at Jim Beam Distillery with bourbon tasting
Landmarks/POIs Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Museum My Old Kentucky Home Jim Beam Distillery - Day 3
Bardstown to Lexington
Begin with a tour of the Seelbach's historic features, including its haunted history and secret passageways. Later, head to Museum Row where you can choose between the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory or the Frazier Kentucky History Museum. Then you'll travel toward Lexington, passing through the historic town of Midway. Once you arrive, a local guide takes you to private horse farms where you'll hear stories about Kentucky's equestrian heritage. You'll stay two nights in Lexington.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Seelbach's haunted history, secret passageways, and Great Gatsby scenes
- Choose one: Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory tour OR Frazier Kentucky History Museum with 'Spirit of Kentucky' exhibit
- Visit private horse farms in Lexington with local guide
Landmarks/POIs The Seelbach Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Frazier Kentucky History Museum Midway - Day 4
Lexington to Berea
You're traveling to Berea, Kentucky's Folk Arts and Crafts Capital. Meet local artisans and watch them demonstrate their crafts. Then check out the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, which has exhibits of instruments, memorabilia, and stories from Kentucky's bluegrass, country, and music traditions. For dinner, you'll have local Kentucky cuisine at a restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local Kentucky cuisine at a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Meet local artisans and watch craft demonstrations in Berea
- Explore Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
Landmarks/POIs Kentucky Music Hall of Fame - Day 5
Berea to Gatlinburg
Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest and visit a living history village with Appalachian culture. You'll have a hearty Southern-style lunch with live bluegrass music, then walk through the museum's historic cabins, barns, and artifacts with local guides. After that, head to Gatlinburg for a two-night stay. Your evening is free to explore downtown or you can take provided transportation to Dollywood.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty Southern-style lunch with live bluegrass music at living history village)
Included Activities
- Travel through Daniel Boone National Forest
- Visit living history village in Appalachia
- Hearty Southern-style lunch with live bluegrass music
Optional Activities
- Stroll through downtown Gatlinburg
- Visit Dollywood (reservations and admission on your own)
Landmarks/POIs Daniel Boone National Forest Dollywood - Day 6
Gatlinburg to Cherokee and back
A local guide takes you through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stopping at several lookouts on the way to Newfound Gap where you'll see views of Tennessee and North Carolina. You'll have a picnic lunch in the park, then continue to Cherokee to browse Native American art and shops or visit the Museum of the Cherokee. Back in Gatlinburg, stop by Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery for a moonshine tasting. The rest of the evening is yours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Stop at lookouts en route to Newfound Gap
- Picnic lunch in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Visit Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery with moonshine tasting
Optional Activities
- Browse Native American art and souvenir shops in Cherokee
- Visit Museum of the Cherokee
Landmarks/POIs Great Smoky Mountains National Park Newfound Gap Cherokee Museum of the Cherokee Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery - Day 7
Gatlinburg to Asheville
Leave the Smoky Mountains and head to Asheville, North Carolina, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The afternoon and evening are open for exploring. The city has a reputation for craft breweries, chocolate shops, and farm-to-table restaurants. There's an optional tasting tour available if you want to try Asheville's local food scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Join optional tasting tour of Asheville's local food scene
Landmarks/POIs Asheville - Day 8
Asheville
Tour the Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt II's 1895 mountain home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You'll explore the mansion and its manicured grounds. This evening, the group gathers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant to wrap up the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Tour Biltmore Estate mansion and grounds
Landmarks/POIs Biltmore Estate - Day 9
Asheville to Charlotte
Your tour ends in Asheville. You'll travel about two hours by coach to Charlotte for your flight home.
