Kentucky’s Oldest Restaurant Has Welcomed Legends and Reportedly Ghosts

Have you ever driven at least an hour for a good restaurant? I have, and then I plan other activities around it. And when that restaurant is in historic Bardstown, Kentucky, those plans unfold easily.

Bardstown's Old Talbott Tavern

It is old. It is picturesque. And it is chock-full of points of interest. You can spend an entire day there. I mean, the distillery tours, alone, are a great way to spend time. And so is having dinner at the Old Talbott Tavern, which also accompanies the Talbott Inn.

Is Talbott Tavern in Bardstown Haunted?

It's long been believed that Talbott Tavern is haunted. However, when we were there, the spirits were not making their presence felt; we just enjoyed a wonderful dinner.

The History of the Old Talbott Tavern

Kentucky became a state in 1792, but the Old Talbott Tavern was established in 1779. I'd say 243 years is plenty of time to develop a "ghostly" profile. And these folks would agree:

As one of the oldest western stagecoach stops in America, the Old Talbott Tavern has seen plenty of history's "celebrities" walk through its front door.

Abraham Lincoln, Jesse James, and Washington Irving are among those who have been in the Old Talbott Tavern and the Talbott Inn, which stays pretty booked up. If you're thinking about planning a getaway, you'll be able to brag about staying where some of the most famous--and I guess infamous--figures in American history visited.

In the meantime, enjoy your own virtual tour via the gallery below.