Visit ShelbyKY

Visit ShelbyKY: Tourism Promotion for Shelby County, Kentucky

Visit ShelbyKY is the destination marketing organization for Shelbyville, Simpsonville, and Shelby County, Kentucky. It operates under the names Your Bourbon Destination® and Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World™, and its mission is to promote the county as a year-round tourist destination.

The entity functions as an advertising and promotion agency at the county level, showcasing the area's attractions, restaurants, accommodations, and activities to potential visitors. It also manages and rents the Shelbyville Conference Center on behalf of the City of Shelbyville.

Tourism Profile of the Region It Promotes

Shelby County is located in the heart of Kentucky's horse and bourbon region. The offerings Visit ShelbyKY promotes include distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, horse farm tours, hiking trails, outdoor activities, golf, outlet shopping, and a diverse dining scene. Among the attractions and businesses featured in its catalog are Bulleit Distilling Company, Jeptha Creed Distillery, Clear Creek Park, Gallrein Farms, Guist Creek Lake & Marina, Lake Shelby, Lettleiki Icelandics, Mulberry Orchard, Redfern Riding Center, Red Orchard Park, Shelbyville Historic Main Street, The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, Village Center, and Weissinger Hills Golf Course.

The organization also groups offerings into categories such as horses, bourbon, beer and wine, outdoor activities, and shopping, and offers themed itineraries that combine historic walks, distillery tours, rural activities, and farm tours.

Economic Impact and Promotion Efforts

According to data published by the entity itself, the economic impact of tourism in ShelbyKY reached just over $98.9 million in 2023. That visitor spending would have saved each household in the county approximately $350 in property taxes. The organization also notes that tourism generates spending, hospitality and tourism jobs, and local tax revenue.

Visit ShelbyKY defines itself as a public agency subject to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884) and, within that framework, may request information to verify that a person seeking access to its records qualifies as a Kentucky resident under state law.

Publications and Programs

The entity maintains a blog with destination content and publishes the "Spirits of ShelbyKY" newsletter, sent on the first Thursday of each month. It also produces the Kentucky Hidden Wonders podcast, dedicated to the people and businesses contributing to Shelby County's development. Additionally, it awards an annual scholarship to a county student and publishes requests for proposals related to its activities.

Its visitor services include sending a free printed guide and allowing users to design their own itinerary based on the organization's offerings.

Location and Contact

219 7th Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065 · Phone: (502) 633-6388