“Aside from visiting friends and family, our farm tours remain the number one reason travelers choose Oldham County throughout the year — and our marketing results clearly show that,” says Executive Director of Oldham County Tourism Kim Hydes.
Photo courtesy of Oldham County Tourism
Tourism continues to be a major driver for Oldham County’s economy, often from behind the curtain. Over the last couple of years, Oldham County’s tourism has increasingly been in the spotlight more, getting some well-deserved attention.
“Oldham’s tourism supports local jobs, strengthens its tax base, and brings energy and excitement into our shops, restaurants, attractions, and its communities,” said Kim Hydes, Executive Director of Oldham County Tourism. “Our annual results show just how important tourism is to our county’s growth and reflects the hard work of our many businesses and accommodations who welcome visitors every day. As awareness of Oldham County as a place to visit continues to grow, we are excited to welcome even more people to experience what makes each of our communities so special in their own unique way.”
According to an annual statewide report commissioned by the Kentucky Department of Tourism, in 2024, 80 million visitors spent $10.1 billion in the state last year. Visitor spending generated a total economic impact of $14.3 billion. This figure supported 97,394 jobs and contributed $1 billion in state and local taxes which aided in benefiting the community. Tourism has become one of the state’s most important and valuable industries.
So, what does that look like in Oldham County? In 2024, Oldham County’s tourism industry generated $83.6 million in economic impact — more than double the $37.9 million recorded in pre-COVID numbers.
The Oldham County tourism industry also supports 449 local jobs, underscoring its role as a meaningful contributor to the county’s workforce. The return on investment is remarkable: for every $1 Oldham County Tourism spends marketing to visitors, the county sees $990 in direct economic impact. All of this is achieved on a budget funded entirely by an accommodations tax paid by visitors, not residents.
When people discover Oldham County said Hydes, they quickly notice what sets it apart from neighboring communities. “Aside from visiting friends and family, our farm tours remain the number one reason travelers choose Oldham County throughout the year — and our marketing results clearly show that.”
The county has seen remarkable tourism growth, with momentum that continues to build each year, as reflected in the latest economic impact numbers. And in a state celebrated for bourbon and horses, Hydes says having a true alternative to Lexington is a meaningful advantage for Oldham County.
“We are the Farm Tour Capital of Kentucky — and that recognition has grown because our hands-on, working farms truly stand out,” she added. “But the story has expanded well beyond the tours. The farm tours were the spark that first drew attention to Oldham County for people who knew nothing about our schools, and that early curiosity has grown into something much larger. Today, visitors come for our farm tours, our event venues, our farm stays, and the high-quality experiences offered across our agricultural community. We’re the only place in Kentucky where you can follow the full life of a racehorse, for example.”
Hydes said “it’s not just our horse farms — our dairy farm is now producing cheese and yogurt, and our bison farm has expanded far beyond bison alone. Both are truly unique assets, not only for Oldham County but for Kentucky as a whole.”
She’s thrilled to bring Ashbourne Farms into this year’s farm tour program — broadening the experience to highlight the farm’s deep agricultural roots in Oldham County, its expanding presence in ag retail through their Haymarket Farm Store on River Road and its new 2025 Nulu location, and its growing reputation as a premier setting for world-class events and performances.
“Ashbourne Farms has brought an exciting new level of attention to Oldham County’s farm experiences, from the recent Louisville Orchestra’s Symphonic Blues Experience with Morgan Freeman to a wide range of concerts across many genres,” she said.
Visitors — and even our own residents — want to participate in something when they’re here, said Hydes. “They’re looking for experiences they can feel, not just things they can look up online. They want to pet animals they don’t have at home, feel the rumble of a train, sip bourbon directly from the barrel, step into a moment from the past, and truly engage with a place.”
One of our ongoing challenges in tourism is creating more tactile, hands-on experiences that invite people to connect in a meaningful way, she said. “Our drive-in — another rarity in Kentucky — has done a fabulous job at creating moments and memories before the movie begins.”
A powerful example of “stepping into” history rather than simply reading about it is Oldham County’s augmented reality initiative, Kentucky Black Trailblazers — a collaboration with six neighboring counties, each highlighting their own three influential black figures.
In Oldham County, Tourism partnered with Nancy Theiss, Executive Director of the Oldham County History Center, to showcase its black trailblazers: Henry Bibb on the Commons in Westport, Eliza Brooks at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Goshen and Alex Beaumont on the History Center campus in La Grange.
The project is a compelling demonstration of how technology can bring our history to life for younger generations who might not otherwise encounter these stories in such an immersive, memorable way. Since its inception, the Kentucky Black Trailblazers project has won numerous awards including an international technology award in 2024.
For adults, the new Kentucky Artisan Distillery Bourbon Clubhouse offers something truly special. “It’s one of the few places in Kentucky where you can sample bourbon straight from the barrel and fill your own bottle to take home,” Hydes said. “That kind of access is rare. Simply having a distillery isn’t enough anymore — nearly every county has one. The difference comes from offering an experience that few others can match.”
Judith M Millinery in La Grange is frequently included on the Oldham County group tours created by Hydes. Co-owner Bart Pfanenstiel said, “Oldham County is the perfect blend of charm and adventure. From bourbon tours that celebrate our heritage to the train that rolls through downtown La Grange, every corner invites exploration.”
He said, “We partner with Kim to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for tour groups looking to visit our county. We aim to create an experience that complements the rich traditions of Kentucky and Oldham County.”
Pfanenstiel said that “While thoroughbreds and distilleries are cornerstones of Kentucky culture, the iconic Derby hat holds a special place in our local lore. That’s where we come in. Through supply house tours and hands-on hat-making experiences, we invite guests to explore the artistry, history, and nostalgia behind this cherished tradition.”
He continued, “Our story is stitched together by Jenny, a six-time featured Milliner of the Kentucky Derby. Her expertise and legacy bring authenticity and prestige to every experience we offer making it not just memorable, but truly meaningful.”
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve have attracted new visitors since the introduction of the Kentucky Garden Trail, a 12-garden botanical garden and arboreta trail developed by Oldham County Tourism in collaboration with eight other tourism offices. It takes visitors on a passport-guided excursion through nine communities to see the best gardens in Kentucky. It’s the “the first statewide garden trail in Kentucky,” Hydes said.
As a result of inclusion on the Kentucky Garden Trail, “We have welcomed many first-time visitors, who have been curious and interested in our special site,” said Tavia Cathcart Brown, Executive Director of Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve. “They’ve also expressed interest in continuing to see the other gardens on the tour. The Kentucky Garden Trail has provided a formal invitation to many residents and visitors to the Commonwealth. We are thrilled to be selected as one of the 12 gardens on the official Trail.”
Food and beverage purchases in Oldham County accounted for $15.35 million of all visitor spending. A couple of Oldham County restaurants have gained notoriety online in the last year, Hydes said, adding to the economic impact.
Cravings Byanca in Crestwood was touted by Yelp as having the Best Tacos in Kentucky and Taste of Thai in Crestwood is touted as the best Thai food by visiting media. Yew Dell Botanical Gardens opened a new outdoor café marking it extremely unique along the Kentucky Garden Trail, and 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, the state’s largest beer garden, opened three new restaurants to add to their already well-known offerings.
Haley Pfeiffer, Sales Event Manager for 3rd Turn, said the restaurants have been a huge boost for the local economy. “Since opening our three new restaurant partners, we’ve seen visitors coming from all over — Louisville, Cincinnati, Madison, Ind., and beyond. Our daily attendance has increased noticeably, and that additional foot traffic also benefits other nearby businesses as visitors explore more of the area.”
Oldham County offers standout dining across the county — from farm-to-table meals and cocktails to local favorites like Barn8 at Hermitage Farm, One Nineteen West Main, Martha Lee’s Kitchen at Yew Dell, the Kentucky Artisan Distillery Clubhouse and Knock on Wood Café & Mercantile.
Visitors can stay at three award-winning bed and breakfasts, several hotels or a variety of short-term rentals. Outdoor activities, including the annual Old Kentucky Home Bike Tour, give guests a chance to explore the beauty of horse country.
3rd Turn Oldham Gardens participates in the bike tour each year, and Pfeiffer says it “always brings in a great crowd and a lot of first-time visitors,” many of whom return later with friends or family. She added that visitors love the atmosphere: “We’re home to the second-largest beer garden in the country, with entertainment most nights of the week. Whether it’s live music, themed events or a casual evening outside, people leave with great memories — and usually plans to come back.”
Hydes highlighted how ARPA funding allowed Oldham County Tourism to partner with surrounding counties and create a broader impact than any could have achieved alone. “Some projects were designed with a very specific purpose,” she said, pointing to the Getaway to Bourbon Country collaboration with Garden & Gun magazine.
As part of that effort, Oldham County Tourism hosted a Women in Whiskey garden lunch and bourbon tasting at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, bringing together Kentucky’s leading female master distillers and well-known female chefs. “That event sparked a new relationship between Oldham County Tourism, Yew Dell and Garden & Gun that continues today.”
That same partnership proved especially valuable when the Kentucky Garden Trail launched later in the year. Garden & Gun promoted the trail for four months, giving major visibility to Oldham County, Yew Dell and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.
Several ARPA-funded projects continue to thrive, including Kentucky Black Trailblazers and the Kentucky Garden Trail. “We intentionally selected ARPA projects that required us to build new tourism assets from the ground up,” Hydes said, “assets that would continue benefitting Oldham County long after the ARPA funds were gone.”
One of the key drivers of our success has been the big collaborations with larger communities who have a larger budget and presence than Oldham County Tourism, she said. “The Kentucky Garden Trail not only showcases Yew Dell and Creasey Mahan in Oldham County, it highlights four universities. It showcases Waterfront Botanical and Cave Hill in Louisville and Bernheim in Bullitt County, to name a few.”
The new Kentucky After Dark program showcases Main Street La Grange and Duncan Memorial Chapel in Floydsburg Cemetery in Oldham County, and includes regional attractions as well, such as Waverly in Louisville.
The Bluegrass Train Experience was a longtime coming in Hydes’ mind. This project showcases La Grange and Pewee Valley in Oldham County, but also showcases the dinner train in Bardstown. Six communities with major train attractions are brought together for one incredible program for train lovers.
She said the entire Kentucky Black Trailblazers project is in our region in Shelby, Louisville, Bullitt, Bardstown, Elizabethtown and Oldham County, unlike some of the others that are more spread out. “Our region has worked together to promote each other a lot in the last three years, including Oldham County Tourism representing the region at travel shows that would have otherwise been out of the budget.”
Oldham County Tourism never sleeps. “Kim is such a great advocate for us,” said Pfeiffer. “She consistently promotes our offerings and events through her channels and always encourages groups visiting the area to check us out. Her community calendar is also a huge asset—it helps keep both locals and tourists informed about what’s happening here, which brings new faces through our doors all the time.”
For more information about Oldham County Tourism, visit TourOldham.com.