Buffalo Trace Distillery Day Trip: The Ultimate Bourbon Trail Experience

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not really a bourbon person, but everyone keeps talking about Buffalo Trace…”—this post is for you.

A Buffalo Trace day trip is one of those rare travel experiences that somehow works for almost everyone: bourbon lovers, casual sippers, history buffs, road trippers, and even people who want a pretty place to wander for a few hours. It’s low-pressure, surprisingly scenic, and doesn’t require a whole weekend—or a tasting passport—to enjoy. Did I mention it is one of the few bourbon distilleries where you can enjoy free tastings and a free tour?!

We recently visited Buffalo Trace Distillery as a day trip, and I’m breaking down exactly how to plan it, what it’s really like once you’re there, and how to turn it into a relaxed, memorable bourbon trail experience—without overthinking it.

Why Buffalo Trace Is the Perfect Bourbon Trail Day Trip

Buffalo Trace Distillery is often the first stop people make on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and honestly? That reputation is earned. While Buffalo Trace is not officially on the Bourbon Trail, it is a distillery that warrants a visit and, in my personal opinion, one of the best stops you will make while exploring Kentucky’s Bourbon heritage.

Unlike some distilleries that feel very polished and touristy, Buffalo Trace still feels authentic. It’s historic without being stuffy, educational without being boring, and welcoming even if you don’t know the difference between mash bill and barrel proof.

Why Buffalo Trace works so well as a day trip:

• Easy to reach from Louisville, Lexington, or Cincinnati.
• Tours are free (yes, really).
• The campus is beautiful and walkable.
• You don’t need a reservation to visit the grounds or for tastings.
• They offer fun community events such as Spirited Nights

If you’re short on time but want an authentic taste of Kentucky bourbon culture, this is the stop to prioritize.

Where Is Buffalo Trace Distillery?

Buffalo Trace Distillery is located in Frankfort, Kentucky—about an hour from Louisville and less than an hour from Lexington. That makes it an ideal add-on to a road trip or an easy standalone day trip.

Rough Estimate of Drive Times:

• Louisville: ~1 hour
• Lexington: ~45 minutes
• Cincinnati: ~1.5 hours
• Nashville: ~4 hours

Parking is free, and the lot opens at 8:00 am. Guests should enter via our main entrance at 113 Great Buffalo Trace and follow signs to the Visitor Parking Lot.

Address: 113 Great Buffalo Trce, Frankfort, KY 40601

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

They are closed: Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Do You Need Reservations at Buffalo Trace?

Here’s the good news: you do NOT need a reservation to visit Buffalo Trace Distillery.

You do need reservations if you want to take a guided tour—and you absolutely should if you can. Better yet, all the tours are complimentary, making this a great budget-friendly day trip!

Tours book up quickly, especially on weekends and during peak travel seasons. Reservations open in advance and fill up fast, so if Buffalo Trace is a must-do for your bourbon trail experience, plan accordingly.

Tour options include:

• Trace Tour (great for first-timers) – 75 minutes long – any age is allowed
• Old Taylor Tour – 75 minutes long – 12 years old is the minimum age and must be accompanied by an adult.
• Hard Hat Tour (more in-depth)- 105 minutes long -12 years old is the minimum age and must be accompanied by an adult.

Tip: Make a reservation for the tour of your choice. Depending on when you visit, walk-in tours might be available, but the chances are slim. During our recent visit on a random November Monday afternoon, they did have tour availability later in the day before closing.

Planning Tip: The Tour Reservation Calendar opens up to 8 weeks ahead, with upcoming release dates listed on the site.

What To Expect After I Arrive at Buffalo Trace

Depending on when you arrive at Buffalo Trace, you may encounter long lines. Bourbon collectors and enthusiasts will start lining up before the distillery’s opening in hopes of snagging a rare bottle at the gift shop. With limited supplies, these bottles often sell out quickly, which is why there’s a morning rush.

Per Buffalo Trace’s website: ” If vehicular traffic backs up before the parking lot opens, we ask that guests keep intersections clear for delivery trucks and safety vehicles. If traffic backs up all the way to Wilkinson Boulevard, we encourage guests to come back closer to 8:00 a.m. (10:30 a.m. Sunday).”

So yeah, things can get a little crazy.

After your arrival, if there is a queue, you will need to join it. If not, you will enter the Freehouse Welcome Center to check in for tours, tastings, and to visit the gift shop. They will check your ID, so have it ready!

You will receive a wristband with a QR code that they will scan when you get your bourbon samples.

Grab or download the map and start exploring the property.

Tip: Dogs are allowed on leashes but not allowed on tours or in the gift shop.

What the Buffalo Trace Tour Is Really Like

Even if you’ve never toured a distillery before, Buffalo Trace does a great job of making the experience feel relaxed and accessible. There are three different tours offered: The Trace Tour, The Old Taylor Tour, and The Hard Hat Tour. We have to attend all three distillery tours, and my favorite is the Hard Hat Tour because you get to see so much behind the scenes.

You’ll walk through:

• Historic buildings
• Working production areas
• Barrel warehouses (the smell alone is worth the visit)
• The guides are engaging and full of stories—not just facts—and you’ll leave with a much better understanding of how bourbon is actually made. And no, you don’t need to be a bourbon expert to enjoy it. I promise.

The Hard Hat Tour route includes stairs, elevated grated flooring, tight corridors, continuous walking, noisy equipment, and dust. Closed-toe shoes are required, and we suggest dressing according to the weather.

The Old Taylor Tour route includes stairs, and there is a lot of walking involved. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended.

Those with limited mobility, acrophobia, and/or fear of walking across metal grates may want to do the Trace Tour.

Tip: While the tours are free, I always like to tip our guide, so bring some cash with you.

The Tastings: What to Expect (and What Not to Expect)

Tastings are included with your tour and usually feature several bourbons produced at Buffalo Trace. Head to the Gift Shop to find all the tastings available for the day.

A few things to know going in:

• Tastings are guided but not pretentious
• You’ll get helpful context—not just a pour and a shrug
• Rare bottles are not guaranteed
• Water is provided (hydration matters)

If you’re new to bourbon, this is a great introduction. If you’re already a fan, it’s still a fun, educational stop. One of our favorite tastings was the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream mixed with their root beer, which made for an epic root beer float!

Tip: There is a bar on the 2nd floor that offers bourbon cocktails for purchase. There is a complimentary tasting experience on the 2nd floor, as well as a few scattered on the 1st floor.

Don’t miss the coffee shop that is inside the gift shop; you can snag a bourbon cream coffee to take with you while you walk the grounds!

The Gift Shop

Let’s talk about the gift shop—because yes, this is where hopes run high.

Buffalo Trace typically offers a daily rotating bottle selection, which means certain bottles are available on specific days. What’s on the shelf changes daily and isn’t announced in advance.

That said, go in with flexible expectations.

You might score something exciting. You might not. Either way, the experience is part of the fun, and there are plenty of other souvenirs and bottles to browse.

Depending on what you are looking for, I would opt to make the gift shop your first or last stop during your visit to Buffalo Trace. If snagging something exciting is on your bucket list, then head there first and take your haul to the car before experiencing the rest of the distillery.

For everyone else, the gift shop is typically well-stocked with its not-so-hard-to-find staples. Make it your final stop to haul your goodies on your way home.

Tip: Grab some of their bourbon balls for a tasty treat!

Don’t Skip Walking the Grounds

One of the most underrated parts of a Buffalo Trace day trip is simply wandering the property.

The campus sits along the Kentucky River and is full of historic brick buildings, barrel warehouses, and quiet corners that feel a world away from everyday life. Recently, there was a significant flood, and the damage can still be seen and felt. While visiting Whiskey Woodcraft onsite, they showed us just how high the floodwater rose!

Here are a few highlights of the self-guided tour you don’t want to miss:

• Whiskey Woodcraft-Watch them create handcrafted barrel products.
• The Single Barrel Warehouse was built in 1952 to age the 2-millionth barrel. It is now used to age every millionth barrel.
• Clubhouse Gardens– Stroll the seasonal gardens.
• The Water Tower– It was built in 1937 to supply water to steam engines.
• Playground – If you are bringing kids, there is a playground near the gardens.

There are seasonal restaurants open throughout Buffalo Trace.

Even if you don’t take a tour, the grounds alone are worth visiting and are pet-friendly.

Visiting Buffalo Trace with Kids: Is It Worth It?

Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of the more family-friendly stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. However, expect them to get bored quickly unless there is an experience specifically for them, such as an Easter Egg Hunt or holiday lights. We have not visited with my daughter yet, as I know this is not the experience for her.

Helpful Tips If You Bring Kids:

• Kids are allowed on the Trace Tours.
• The grounds are stroller-friendly.
• There is a playground.
• Bring snacks!

Tips for Planning the Best Buffalo Trace Day Trip

• Book your tour early if possible
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Don’t build your trip around finding a specific bottle.
• Treat it as an experience, not a shopping mission.
• If visiting during the winter months, the restaurants will likely be closed—plan on visiting nearby local eats to fuel up.
• Nearby distilleries include Whiskey Thief Distilling, Glenns Creek Distilling, and Castle & Key (they have excellent gin).

Is a Buffalo Trace Day Trip Worth It?

100% yes.

A Buffalo Trace day trip is easy, budget-friendly, and genuinely enjoyable—whether you’re deep into bourbon culture or just curious about what all the hype is about.

It’s one of the best ways to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail without committing to a full itinerary, and it’s a stop I’d happily recommend again and again. Learn more about Buffalo Trace and start planning your trip today!

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