Discover Marion County

Marion County combines bourbon tradition, historic sites, and nature-based experiences with special insights into Kentucky’s culture. You can plan your stay around tours and tastings, include a hike or wildlife-watching excursion, or explore historic buildings and museums. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, the key consideration is therefore which combination of scenery, culture, culinary experiences, and excursions best suits your trip.

Nature Experiences and Trails Through the Landscape

The Marion County Wildlife Management Area and State Forest covers 1,293 acres east of Lebanon. The area is open for regulated public hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation. An information kiosk with maps is located at the parking area. This provides a practical starting point for anyone wishing to complement their stay with nature experiences.

One option is the Cecil L. Gorley Nature Trail at Fagan Branch Reservoir. The trail is 3.1 miles long and includes 40 wooden footbridges. Those who like to include a defined route in their daily schedule can incorporate these details directly into their planning. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie are caught at Sportsman’s Lake. The landscape can also be experienced along various routes: the Marion County Trail is an 11-mile section of KY 49 connecting Loretto and Lebanon.

Historic Marion County

In Lebanon, the Historic Homes & Landmarks Tour leads to historic homes and landmarks and can be taken independently. The Lebanon Historic Commercial District encompasses the city’s historic commercial and administrative center. It includes commercial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries featuring Italianate, Classical Revival, and Art Deco architecture. A particularly defining feature is the significant, rarely preserved Court Square dating from the mid-19th century.

The Loretto Heritage Center also has its own special focus. Its museum presents Loretto’s history through maps, an audiovisual theater, and photographs. This includes the more than 200-year history of the Sisters of Loretto and the more than 50-year history of the Loretto Community. The Marion County Historical Society preserves and presents local history through changing exhibitions, educational programs, and community events. It also hosts traveling exhibitions by the Kentucky Historical Society and welcomes speakers through Kentucky Humanities.

Holy Cross represents the area’s religious history. The church was founded in 1785 by Catholic families from Maryland and was the first Catholic church west of the Allegheny Mountains. Lebanon National Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975; parking is available there.

Bourbon, Barrel-Making, and Regional Cuisine

Marion County is also well suited to a trip focused on the production and history of bourbon. Maker’s Mark’s Star Hill Farm campus in Loretto offers a bookable tour covering the history of Maker’s Mark and bourbon production. The distillery also offers tastings. A shuttle runs from the Homeplace to the center of its own campus, and the Maker’s Mark campus is accessible. At the distillery, Star Hill Provisions is part of the dining options.

The Kentucky Cooperage Tour offers a guided look behind the scenes of barrel-making. The Life of a Barrel Tour takes visitors through production at Kentucky Cooperage and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel South—from individual oak staves and new charred barrels to used, ready-to-fill barrels. A tour of Limestone Branch Distillery covers the history of the Beam and Dant families as well as several generations of distillers from both families. The distillery offers special events throughout the year.

Routes, Art, and Regional Traditions

The Marion County Trail is also where the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour intersect. An approximately 12-mile-long, winding and hilly route leads from Maker’s Mark in Loretto to Lebanon. For a different way to explore the area, the Marion County Quilt Trail leads to the communities of Gravel Switch, Bradfordsville, Raywick, and Loretto, as well as other locations.

Cultural offerings complement the excursions. Kentucky Classic Arts at Centre Square presents touring productions and local talent in various genres. It also offers classes and vacation camps, including group theater classes and private guitar lessons. The Loretto Motherhouse Community regularly hosts free concerts featuring professional musicians from the region.

A notable event during the year is Marion County Country Ham Days, held on the last full weekend in September. The program includes a Country Ham Breakfast, at which more than 4,000 pounds of country ham are served. Those choosing their accommodation based on a specific travel date can take this event into account when planning. For further orientation in the area, you can also view Lebanon.

Find more destinations at the same level under Mercer County, McCracken County, Hart County, Floyd County, Perry County, Simpson County, and Jefferson.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kentucky.