I was fortunate to have a 30th surprise party thrown for me at Mint on Mellwood and it was the…read morePERFECT venue. The staff was incredibly accommodating and worked with my family on logistics, catering, bar options, parking and keeping the entire thing a surprise up until the moment I walked through the door. The venue itself was very clean, spacious and flexible. My favorite part about it was all the Kentucky derby memorabilia that fills the walls - it's like walking through a museum! I highly recommend using this venue for parties, receptions, showers or anything else you can think of.

Mint on Mellwood is a great space to have any kind of function or gathering. It is very fitting…read morethat it is "Mint on Mellwood" because it is owned by Mint Julep Tours! The area is located in the Butchertown area where you are surrounded by other great restaurants, breweries/distilleries, boutiques, the arts, etc. The space is open & has the potential to be any kind of set up you want. We had hot & cold hors d'oeuvres, so I assume there were ways they were kept warm & cold between replenishments. The bathroom facilities were very neat & clean. The onsite staff were very inviting, social & professional.

Located about a half an hour drive from downtown Louisville is Hermitage Farm. We do not drive,…read morebut fortunately Hermitage Farm offers a package that includes admission to the Kentucky Derby Museum, a tour of the farm, and a shuttle between the museum and farm. The tour of Hermitage Farm, an operational thoroughbred nursery, included a ride through the beautiful grounds, a visit to the barn (where we saw eight horses and a baby), lunch made of ingredients grown on the farm, and a bourbon tasting (Old Forester, Maker's Mark, Russell's Reserve). A great way to spend a sunny afternoon! [Yelp collections: Louisville/Indianapolis 2023; Louisville, KY 2023]

Visited here for a spectacular tour prior to a dinner reservation at the nearby Barn8 restaurant in…read morelate spring 2024 a few weeks prior to Derby 150. Timing was excellent leading up to the race. We arrived for the last tour of the day at 3 PM on a Sunday and were directed to a covered wagon being pulled by a tractor. We used a small set of steps to access the wagon and then took our spot on one of the long bench seats on either side. Bales of hay lined the center of the wagon and were covered with soft horse blankets. Our tour guide was fantastic and entertaining with his presentation. He welcomed our questions and was very approachable during the entire tour, which was approximately an hour, and we did not feel rushed. We toured one of the horse barns where we were able to meet and greet at least 4 horses, including thoroughbred and Lippizaner breeds. We also were able to view a video presentation, trophy room, and memorabilia, which were all very informative and interesting. We resumed the wagon tour and accessed various fields along the route out and back, which contained foals, colts, and adult horses. Gorgeous picturesque property with rolling green fields surrounded by neat black board fences and very well maintained. This was an amazing experience for me even though I have lived in this area for many decades and I learned quite a bit of history while on the tour. I look forward to returning to share the experience with family and friends and knowing the tour will continue to evolve as the seasons change and the life cycle of the horses continues. I would also rate this as one of the top 5 things someone should see if they are visiting the area for the first time and want to better understand the importance of the horse in this region.

We hosted our Parade of Homes Kickoff Party at Smith's Crossing in October 2024 and it was the…read moreperfect space for our event. The location was very accessible, and the owners were super accommodating to our requests. The building was recently remodeled, so it had a fresh vibe that was so easy to decorate. Anyone looking for a venue, I highly recommend you check out this space. Lincoln Trail Home Builders Association

From the owner: We are a venue for all your celebrations! We have two different size party rooms and we would love…read moreto host your next event. We can host birthdays, showers, parties with up 100 guest. Call us to schedule a tour.

My wife and I went and checked out this event space and think it will be a great fit for our…read moreupcoming parties in 2015 and 2016+. We booked it for both a corporate event for our California business and also a personal party in 2015 to entertain friends within a one hour flight from Chicago. I was referred to it by a guy in New York who was looking for a place to entertain two sets of clients, one in in Lexington and one in Louisville, at a central location around the Oaks and to do the Bourbon trail one day. It is a midpoint location part way between. They have a unique high ceiling apartment rental next door that I think you can rent in conjunction with the event space. The unit is huge. I stayed one day while I was siting my party weekend. That makes for a great place for the wedding party say or to entertain the most important clients at your event. Both the space and the loft are very unique and have a much younger/modern vibe compared to the traditional decor and architecture for this town. There is a good Mexican restaurant next door. I really liked the open layout, you could decorate it however you liked if you wanted to do a theme, but it also looks great with the minimalist shop lights and functional sliding warehouse-style door. I don't want to quote prices because it probably depends but I was surprised how reasonable it was, talk to them yourself... The primary drawbacks as I see it is there is nothing else to rent like this within 20 miles, so I probably will have to rent it several years in advance and I tend to have a hard time planning work events too far in advance so it may be booked before my 16 and 17 event is planned. I talked to Kevin, who was very informative and down to earth. I met with an owner there also who happened to be dropping by to weigh in on some details. He is a broker in this town and said he did this as a creative outlet (enjoys rehabbing historic properties) and to increase the demand for permanent housing nearby as he is an investor, so that is how he can justify to rent it out at what I calc'd to be below-market rates for this type of space. If you like modern style, high ceilings and flexible space with a nod to the past and walkability to nearby goods and services(huge factor for us) is a big consideration for you, this is your thing. Check it out for yourself ... I think you will agree with what I am saying though- the place is sharp and this town had needed something like it for a long time. Look forward to many events here.

Gorgeous event space!!! Super cute apartment on top and fun modern- rustic style! I had a bride…read moreget married here and it was stunning! Perfect new wedding venue for smaller weddings! Quaint and in the heart of sweet Shelbyville! Don't know much about price range of renting the venue but it's worth checking into for any private party or quaint wedding!!! Down side to the location is finding it! But- once you do- it so neat and special!!! To the owners- you may want to paint the back door a funky bright color for parkers that park behind the venue to find the right entrance!! And painting the front door the same! We were a bit confused of where to get in... But that seems to be an easy fix!

We stayed here multiple times. It is a beautiful place to get away. We enjoy the owners'…read morehospitality, as well as mingling with other guests. Great food, drinks, and coffee! There are several restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance.

Chateau Bourbon bed and breakfast was truly one of the most memorable travel experiences I've had…read more From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth that immediately made us feel at home. The property itself is beautifully maintained, with thoughtful details in every corner that reflect both comfort and charm. The room was spotless, cozy, and tastefully decorated. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and every amenity you could need was provided. Mornings were a highlight, with DELICIOUS homemade breakfasts that were not only beautifully presented but also full of flavor and care. What truly sets this place apart, though, are the innkeepers Missy & John. Their hospitality goes above and beyond anything you might expect. They are attentive without being intrusive, always ready with helpful recommendations, engaging conversation, or simply a friendly smile. It's clear they take immense pride in what they do, and it shows in every interaction. This is more than just a place to stay--it's an experience that leaves you feeling refreshed, cared for, and eager to return. I would highly recommend this bed and breakfast to anyone looking for a peaceful, welcoming getaway.

Beautiful space, helpful waitstaff. The bar no longer makes cocktails of any kind. It is now a…read moretasting bar where you can get a flight of bourbon or a pour. As a lover of cocktails, I was pretty sad to discover those were eliminated. I also understand that it likely shortens the guest visit time since people are more apt to be tempted by an additional cocktail... which allows for more turnover in this smallish space. You arrive to this area after a tour. Alternately, you can request to be put on a list to visit this area from the gift shop. The list doesn't involve texting you when you're up, so you need to be hanging around or risk losing your place. The gift shop bar was pouring samples of one spirit during our wait (not of your choosing, more of a "this is what we're pouring today" situation) which was appreciated. The gift shop itself is really lovely, so that can help burn a little time as well. Last call was at 4pm if I remember correctly, which is fairly standard for distilleries in KY.

Hidden gem at Rabbit Hole. You can't make a reservation here, but you can ask to go up from…read moredownstairs where the gift shop is. There is an amazing balcony with comfy chairs that are perfect for a beautiful day. The relaxing balcony is half the reason to go, and it was extra nice that they ensure it isn't packed.

The Greenhouse hosted a City Champs networking event and it was a pleasant surprise. They offer a…read morelarge outdoor area with patio seating and umbrellas in addition to an indoor clubhouse. Our event was indoors and offered a few table games as well (jenga, pool, connect 4). They had plenty of space for small groups to catch up, from open floor to seating areas. The only con during my visit was the strong smell associated with being at a lawn care/landscaping business. Private parking lot with plenty of spaces. The Greenhouse is located in an industrial setting, with a concrete business across the street.

What a great place!! I was planning a surprise birthday party for my wife but every venue I looked…read moreat required we use their caterers. We looked at a lot of nice places but we wanted to use Shack-in-the-Back for the food (another great place). I happened to come across the Greenhouse by accident on a Google search for venues. What a find. We met Marti to look at the space - downstairs is a fairly large, relaxed m, open-air space replete with lots of picnic tables, fire pits and games (putt-putt, large Jenna, Connect 4, etc). There was a covered area that sports a bar set-up and plenty of space for the catering. Two bathrooms and a space for prep work. A sound system you can Blue-tooth into and tv's to show videos. There is an upstairs area, very similar but inside. The two spaces are separate but, for a small fee, the Greenhouse will hold the upstairs in case of inclement weather - we did this. Marti was great. She help us thru the entire process, kept us informed and worked with us on getting everything ready for the party. We had a great time. Everything came together and everyone had great time. We received many compliments on the venue. And, another great thing, it's in the East End but only 20-25 minutes from anywhere. I highly recommend The Greenhouse at Zeppa for your next outing. Perfect for Birthdays, Family get together, Graduation and the like.

A beautifully restored site! We took the house tour today and loved seeing everything inside and…read morehearing about the history. Our 20 year old guide seemed very nervous, maybe it was his first week there? He's obviously studying history and knew a fair amount, but could honestly use some more practice with public speaking. However, the home was incredible and we enjoyed ourselves. Hoping to come back in a few weeks and walk the grounds. They have a very cool "self guided" QR code tour around the outbuildings and gardens that you can do for free! And the gift shop is probably one of the nicest I've been to at a site of this size. Handmade and local items when possible, and a very chatty and kind store manager.

It's been 10+ years since I last visited Locust Grove, so I was excited to recently, when I stopped…read moreby for their annual book sale fundraiser. First, what a beautiful spot! I only got to see a sliver of its many acres, but my blood pressure dropped just from driving up to its main building. And if you are a bibliophile, don't miss this annual book sale! The proceeds benefit Locust Grove, and it boasts an awesome, overflowing selection of used books. I got there right when it opened at 10 a.m., and by 10:15, everyone was shoulder to shoulder. I came away, though, with a box of books for my and my family, costing just $30. The volunteers were great too, taking everyone's stacks of books to set aside while they shopped for more. I would love to come back for a proper tour and to bring my kids. Can't believe this site is just 10 minutes from my house and that I haven't properly enjoyed it yet. I'm excited to learn more about it!

Great service and can help with any gathering you need. Also has a bar inside. Really nice place.read more

From the owner: Back Home Cateringread more