Historic Georgetown, 10 miles north of Lexington off I-75, is where Kentucky bourbon whiskey was first produced. Royal Spring, still visible today at Royal Spring Park on West Main Street, provided the water for Baptist minister Rev. Elijah Craig's new mixture in 1789. It is Kentucky's largest spring-based public water system, serving some 7,000 customers. Also at the park is an authentic 1874 log cabin built by former slave Milton Leach. It is a mini-museum for local history (free, mid May-mid September, Tue-Sun 10-4, Water Street & West Main, 502-863-6201, cabin is not handicapped accessible).

A walking tour of downtown Georgetown offers a look at some of the city's outstanding residential and commercial architecture that includes over 300 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour also includes Georgetown College, Est. in 1787 and the oldest Baptist college west of the Alleghenies. Georgetown is recognized for its rich traditions, high ideals, superb faculty and challenging curriculum. At the college's Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts building you can see major art exhibits at one of Central Kentucky's largest galleries. Underground Railroad Research Institute, initially funded by Georgetown College, the U.S. Department of Education, the Kentucky Heritage Council, and the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission, the Underground Railroad Research Institute has formed important national partnerships with organizations and communities. For more information, 502-863-2203 or visit our website. The Scott County Courthouse, the fourth to be constructed, was built in 1877 in the second empire or "General Grant" style. It was designed by Pittsburgh architect Thomas Boyd and was most recently renovated in 1995. The courthouse interior is open to the public. The Georgetown City Hall building was constructed in 1899 on the east end of the site of the famous old Mahoney-Pratt Hotel. It was designed by B.C. DeCamp and built by G.B. Glass. How a seat of government which was to be a brick Romanesque-style structure came to have a stone facade is a tale to be recovered from reading the newspapers of 1899. By October after the letting of the contract in June 1899, bricks were being laid. An uproar ensued, the brick had an "ugly, dingy look." Work was suspended in November so that the dilemma could be settled. It was finally decided to relay the east wall with red mortar and to face the entire front as well as the side of the tower with stone. While the decorativeness of the brick articulation could not be repeated with stone, a certain stylishness is evident in the effect. Restoration of City Hall began late 1980. While in the downtown area, explore the wonderful antique and specialty shops. A tour brochure and map are available, but keep in mind that all residential home interiors are closed to the public. The length of the tour is between two and three hours.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. at Exit 126,has a visitor center with displays, M - F , 9:00 am-4 pm. A free motorized tram provides tours of the huge facility where more than 500,000 Camrys, Camry Hybrids, Venzas, Solaras, and Avalons are built each year (M, T, W, & F 10 am & 12 pm & 2 pm; Th 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm & 6 pm. Children must be at least 1st graders and accompanied by an adult. Cameras allowed in visitor center only. Allow one hour minimum for video and tour, with additional time to view the exhibits and vehicles in the lobby. Reservations required. 800-TMM-4485 or 502-868-3027. (Wheelchair guests may need assistance into tram)

Ward Hall, located US460 west, 1 mile from downtown Georgetown. Ward Hall, 1853, is said to be the largest Greek Revival Architecture in Kentucky, and referred to as the finest example of Greek Revival Architecture in the south. Prior to 1884 the Kentucky Legislature considered using this great house for its State Capitol. For information or for Tours go to www.wardhall.info

Cardome Centre, the former monastery building designed for the Sisters of the Visitation in 1898 on land acquired from the family of Kentucky Governor James F. Robinson. Cardome has been preserved today for use to a variety of events, festivals and meetings. Permanent exhibit on Georgetown's Sister City, Tahara-Shi, Japan. 800 Cincinnati Pike/US-25N, 502-863-1575, handicapped accessible.

Tahara City, With the coming of Toyota to Georgetown in the late 1980's, local leaders thought a sister city partnership might offer a more intimate glimpse of Japanese culture and an opportunity for greater mutual understanding. Since 1990, Georgetown and Tahara have been sister cities and frequent exchanges have created many lasting friendships. Located on Pacific Ocean in Aichi Prefecture, Tahara City has a rich history of 500 years as a castle town and fame for its connection with the pioneer Kazan Watanabe who lived in the later years of the Tokugawa era. Tahara is favorably situated in beautiful natural surroundings and has flourished as the center of cultural and economic activities of the Atsumi Peninsula. Surrounded with the beautiful Mikawa Bay, the mighty Pacific Ocean, the deep green Mt.Zao and Mt.Oyama, Tahara has one of the largest seaside industrial zones in Japan as well as a thriving agricultural and stockbreeding industry. These strong and diverse industries have contributed greatly to Tahara's development. Its positive challenge to ecological and energy preservation in recent years shows that the people of Tahara City keep their eyes on the future as worthy successors to Kazan Watanabe.
How to build a Tahara Battle Kite. The Tahara Blue Team #6 is Mr. Mitsunobu Fujishiro, he is in the kite building pictures.

Yuko-En on the Elkhorn, the Official Kentucky-Japan Friendship Garden:Yuko-En on theElkhorn is a six acre community garden located on US 25 North in Georgetown. It is adjacent to the historic Cardome Centre, on Elkhorn Creek, and in the heart of the Elkhorn Trail corridor. Yuko-En's paths offer visitors a walk through a Bluegrass landscape in a Japanese style-stroll garden. Enjoy arched bridges, waterfalls, Japanese Koi (bring your quarters to feed the fish), a Zen Rock garden and more. The garden is an ideal place for environmental, historic or cultural programs and events. Visitors may stroll on their own daily from dawn until dusk. Admission is free although donations are welcome. Please sign-in at the gates. For more information or to make your school or group tour reservations call 502-316-4554. (Photo Gallery)

Georgetown-Scott County Museum. Area history comes alive with a video, time line, and an eclectic collection of local artifacts and exhibits (free, M-F 9-4; Sat. 10-4; or by appointment, 229 East Main Street, 502-863-6201).

Georgetown Cemetery, the city's main burial ground since the 1850's is full of interesting Victorian monuments. Equine artist Edward Troye and several Kentucky governors are among the notables buried here (enter from Hamilton Street or South Broadway.

Arts and Cultural Center/Welcome Center
Welcome to the Scott County Arts and Cultural Center located in the renovated jailer's house, part of the historic Scott County Jail Complex at 117 North Water Street in Downtown Georgetown. Here the Scott County Arts Consortium disburses tourism information, hosts regular art exhibits, and offers fine art and unique handcrafted gift items for sale by local and regional artists and craftsmen. The historic jailer's house dates to the 1870's or earlier, and the jail building itself dates to 1892. Built on a solid limestone foundation, constructed of brick, the buildings are here to stay. The Consortium provides on going arts programs through ArtWorks, temporarily located at Cardome Centre. These programs will be located in the old jail building once renovation is complete. ArtWorks programs include a variety of classes and workshops ranging from visual arts, ceramics, drama, dance, music, photography and more. Space is available for a fee for parties, showers, card parties, off-site meetings, etc. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Call 502-863-0909 for more information. We invite you and hope that you enjoy browsing the site and getting acquainted with the Arts & Cultural Center/Welcome Center. Check our calendar and see what exciting events we have going on.

St Francis de Sales Mission. 4086 Frankfort Pike, about 7 miles west of downtown Georgetown. St Francis Catholic Church is the oldest church in the Diocese of Covington. It was originally built in 1794. Rebuilt in 1820. The historic cemetery is located across the street from the church. Tours by appointment. For information, e-mail: jlist@cdlex.org

The North Fork of Elkhorn Creek flows through Scott County,
and?has always been a focal point for its residents. Today, the Elkhorn is considered one of the best small-mouth bass fisheries in America. Both north and south creeks coming together at the forks of the Elkhorn in Franklin County on US 460, covers 99 miles and completes its trip at Strohmeier's Stillwaters campground, dumping into the Kentucky River in Franklin County.

Fishing Information: Average depth: 4 1/2 to 5 ft. (seasonal)

Average temp: Winter, 44 degrees Summer (May 15 thru Sept. ) 84 degrees.
Deepest areas: Mouth of Strohmeier's Stillwaters Campground at Kentucky River, 21 feet

Boat Info: Must be licensed (even canoes) with trolling motors or horsepower motors. No restrictions on maximum horsepower, however, not recommended anything over 25 hp. Getting the boat on plane is not recommended.

Launch Sites: Great Crossing, US 227; Oser Landing, across from Southern States; Strohmeier's Stillwaters Campground, Franklin County.

If fishing is not your interest, take a stroll along the shaded water on the Great Crossing Park Nature Trail.

If canoeing is your interest, the Elkhorn is runnable from late fall to late spring, downstream from Georgetown. Several dams in the Georgetown vicinity create pools that permit the paddling of certain two to four-mile stretches year-round. These stretches have been used for several years as a training site for a group of United States Canoe Association marathon racing contenders. Because of its mild whitewater, beautiful scenery, plentiful access, and proximity to four major urban areas, the Elkhorn is fast becoming Kentucky's most popular canoeing stream. Canoe Kentucky has rentals for the North Fork of Elkhorn Creek, Class I ($25-$45 per canoe, 800-K-CANOE-1).

Georgetown College is the home of pro football's Cincinnati Bengals Football Training Camp. Watch practices mid-July through mid-August at the Georgetown College Athletic Complex on Lemons Mill Road.

Just five miles from Georgetown is the world famous Kentucky Horse Park. The 1224 acre educational theme park, hosts some of the nation's most prestigious horse shows and events. They have around 50 breeds of horses and 80 special events and horse shows each year. Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wed.-Sun. November 1 to March 14. I-75 Exit 120, 4089 Ironworks Parkway, just south of Georgetown, 859-233-4303).

Buffalo Gals Homemakers Barn Quilt Trail
Discover pieces of history and beauty across Scott County! Select the link above and take a tour of the Buffalo Gals Barn Quilt Trail website.

Bowling

Cosmic Bowling Center, US 25 South. 502-570-2747