Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Kentucky Bardstown Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast

Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast

Kentucky's longest operating jail is now a spooky spot to spend the night.

Bardstown, Kentucky

Added By
Courtney Giraldo
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The inn.   courtneygiraldo / Atlas Obscura User
The inn.   courtneygiraldo / Atlas Obscura User
A look down the hallway from the jail cell room.   courtneygiraldo / Atlas Obscura User
The Jail Cell room.   courtneygiraldo / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Old Nelson County Jail was once Kentucky’s oldest operational jail. Though the current buildings weren't erected until the 19th century, a jail operated on this property from 1797 to 1987.

The old jail is now an inn, making it a historically rich place for weary travelers to rest their heads. Those looking to really soak in the historic environment can choose to stay in one of the uniquely titled and themed rooms, including one called “the jail cell.”

The current hotel is a vast improvement from the conditions the prisoners who stayed here faced. The building was constructed of thick, limestone walls. There was no heating or air conditioning during times of extreme weather, and as you can imagine, the harsh condition resulted in numerous inmate deaths over the decades.

This, coupled with the fact that executions were carried out on the property (sometimes to the wrong inmate!) and that they buried the dead in the backyard in unmarked graves, has led many to report that the grounds are haunted. The jail is also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. 

Related Tags

Jails Jail Hotels Places To Stay Hotels

Know Before You Go

Unsure if you want to spend the night? Don’t worry! You can still visit and take an official guided tour of the grounds. Tours are offered daily and are $5 per person.

Community Contributors

Added By

courtneygiraldo

Published

May 16, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast
111 West Stephen Foster
Bardstown, Kentucky, 40004
United States
37.808924, -85.467893
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History

Bardstown, Kentucky

miles away

Thomas Merton's Hermitage

New Haven, Kentucky

miles away

Bernheim Forest Giants

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bardstown

Bardstown

Kentucky

Places 2

Nearby Places

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History

Bardstown, Kentucky

miles away

Thomas Merton's Hermitage

New Haven, Kentucky

miles away

Bernheim Forest Giants

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bardstown

Bardstown

Kentucky

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

22 Roadside Lodgings Worth an Overnight Stay

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • The basement jail cell, with its rare yellow bricks.

    Frostburg, Maryland

    The Jail in the Gunter Hotel

    The antique hotel still has a jail in the basement, though the cockfighting ring is long gone.

  • Erlebnishotel Jailhotel

    Lucerne, Switzerland

    Barabas Hotel Luzern

    Lucerne's central prison was converted into a tourist hotel with a bare minimum of changes.

  • The Liberty Hotel

    Boston, Massachusetts

    The Liberty Hotel

    A luxury hotel constructed out of a former jail.

  • The pool of the Trixie Motel.

    Palm Springs, California

    Trixie Motel

    This bright and bubbly Palm Springs hotel was the brainchild of an iconic drag queen.

  • Ilidža, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Hotel Austria & Bosna

    In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand spent his final night alive at this luxurious hotel.

  • Belleair, Florida’s historic Belleview Inn dates back to 1897.

    Belleair, Florida

    Belleview Inn

    This historic hotel has hosted the likes of Babe Ruth, Jimmy Carter, and the Vanderbilts.

  • Inside the dining room at Libušín

    Pustevny, Czechia

    Libušín a Maměnka

    A folk-art cottage and hotel straight from a Slavic fairy tale.

  • Lido, Italy

    Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria

    An intricate ceramic tile facade adorns this five-star hotel.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.