Planning your first trip to Buffalo Trace Distillery? Good news: tours, tastings, and parking are complimentary!
Reservations are recommended, especially if you have a particular tour or date in mind. Limited walk-up spots may also be available. Here’s what to know before you go, including how to choose a tour, when reservations open, where to eat, and how to make the most of your day.
Which Buffalo Trace tour should you choose?
Buffalo Trace offers three guided tours. Each one includes a complimentary tasting, but the route, subject, and length vary.
| Tour | Length | Ages | Accessibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trace Tour | 75 minutes | All ages | ADA accessible | First-time visitors |
| Old Taylor Tour | 75 minutes | 12 and older | Not ADA accessible | Distillery history |
| Hard Hat Tour | 105 minutes | 12 and older | Not ADA accessible | Bourbon production |
Trace Tour
The Trace Tour is the best place to begin. This 75-minute experience introduces guests to the history and science of bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery and concludes with a tasting.
It is open to visitors of all ages and is the only ADA-accessible tour.
Old Taylor Tour
The Old Taylor Tour explores the legacy of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. and several of the landmarks connected to his work at the Distillery.
Over 75 minutes, guests visit sites including the Old Taylor House, the O.F.C. Building, O.F.C. Fermenter No. 7, nicknamed “Old Taylor,” and Warehouse C. Tour includes a tasting. Guests must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by an adult.
Hard Hat Tour
For a closer look at how bourbon is made, choose the Hard Hat Tour.
This 105-minute production tour passes the Distillery’s 20,000-gallon mash cookers and the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Microstill. It finishes in the Dryhouse, located inside the repurposed Warehouse B, before concluding with a tasting.
Guests must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by an adult.
How to reserve a tour
Tour reservations are available up to eight weeks in advance. Each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Eastern, an additional week of reservations is released.
Popular dates can fill quickly. If your visit depends on a particular day or tour, plan to check the reservation calendar when new dates open. Availability is updated in real time, so it is also worth checking again if your preferred time is initially unavailable.
Reservations are recommended, but they are not required to visit the Distillery. A limited number of walk-up tour spaces may be available each day.
Groups of 13 or more should email reservations@buffalotrace.com instead of booking online. Space for large groups is limited.
Hours, parking, and arrival
Buffalo Trace Distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
Distillery and Gift Shop hours are:
- Monday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern
The Visitor Parking Lot opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.
The Distillery is closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Enter through the main entrance at 113 Great Buffalo Trace and follow the signs to the Visitor Parking Lot. Do not use the Truck Entrance at the traffic lights near Fair Oaks Lane.
Parking for RVs, campers, and other oversized vehicles is very limited. Email reservations@buffalotrace.com before your visit for instructions.
All guests check in at the Freehouse Welcome Center for an ID check and wristband. Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled tour. If you would like to shop beforehand, arrive 45 to 60 minutes early.
For general visitor questions, call 800-654-8471.
Where to eat at Buffalo Trace Distillery
The John G. Carlisle Cafe is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the historic Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse. Opened in May 2026, it is the Distillery’s first permanent dining destination.
The cafe offers quick service on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations and advance orders are not available. Only service animals are permitted inside.
If you plan to eat before a scheduled tour, allow at least 90 minutes.
Visiting with children or pets
Buffalo Trace Distillery welcomes families. The Trace Tour is open to all ages, while the Old Taylor and Hard Hat tours are open to guests 12 and older when accompanied by an adult.
The playground is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check-in is required to access the playground during business hours.
Pets are welcome inside the Visitor Center and Gift Shop, but they cannot join Distillery tours. Service animals are permitted where required.
Photography is welcome on the grounds during regular business hours and may be permitted during tours with some limitations. Drones are not allowed.
Complimentary tastings
You do not need to take a tour to enjoy a tasting. Complimentary guided tastings are offered daily without a reservation until 30 minutes before closing.
The Distillery’s liquor license allows up to 1¾ ounces of spirits per visitor, per day. This total includes samples served during both tours and stand-alone tastings.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon is always included. Other featured samples rotate and may include Sazerac Rye, Wheatley Vodka, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream, Freddie’s Root Beer, and Rebecca Ruth bourbon balls.
Guests should bring a valid ID and check in at the Freehouse Welcome Center before visiting the tasting area or Gift Shop.
Visiting the Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is located inside Warehouse A, a former aging warehouse built in 1881.
No reservation is required to shop, but check-in is required to enter property. Bottle offerings rotate regularly, including a special bottle of the day when available. Quantities are limited, and some products may sell out before the Gift Shop closes.
Check the Distillery’s Product Availability page each morning for the latest information. Bottles cannot be reserved in advance.
The Distillery does not ship spirits. Purchases from the Distillery Gift Shop must be made on site.
Some Buffalo Trace whiskeys remain on allocation because the aged supply laid down years ago is not enough to meet current demand. Production has expanded, but properly aging bourbon takes time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Buffalo Trace Distillery tour cost?
Tours, tastings, and visitor parking are complimentary.
How long is a Buffalo Trace tour?
The Trace Tour and Old Taylor Tour each last 75 minutes. The Hard Hat Tour lasts 105 minutes.
How far in advance can I reserve a tour?
Reservations are available up to eight weeks in advance. An additional week opens every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Eastern.
What time does Buffalo Trace Distillery open?
The Distillery opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. It closes at 5 p.m. Eastern. The Visitor Parking Lot opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.
Do I need a reservation to visit Buffalo Trace Distillery?
No. You can visit the grounds, Gift Shop, and tasting area without a tour reservation. Tour reservations are recommended because walk-up availability is limited.
Can I eat at Buffalo Trace Distillery?
Yes. The John G. Carlisle Cafe is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse. Seating is first come, first served.
Can I buy bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery?
Yes. Bottle offerings vary by day and may sell out. Check the Product Availability page on the morning of your visit for the latest selection. Bottle reservations and shipping are not available.
Is Buffalo Trace Distillery wheelchair accessible?
The Visitor Center, Gift Shop, and Trace Tour are ADA accessible. The Old Taylor Tour and Hard Hat Tour are not ADA accessible.
Plan your visit
Choose the tour that interests you, check current availability, and give yourself enough time to explore the grounds before or after your reservation.
Complimentary tours and tastings are offered seven days a week during regular operating hours.