Mount Washington (Kentucky)
Mount Washington is a small town in the Kentucky Derby region of Kentucky, which used to be a popular resting place in the 1800s. It is in the northern part of the state near Louisville and the population is rising quickly. There is not much to do in Mt. Washington, however there are a few things you can stop and look at as you pass through.
Understand
Mt. Washington was previously known as "The Crossroads" in the 1800s as it connected Bardstown to Louisville, and Shepherdsville to Shelbyville. The name of the town was named Mt. Vernon once the town started growing, however that name was found to be taken by a town already. This caused the name "Mt. Washington" to be chosen and stick throughout the years.
Get in
The only way to get in and out of Mt. Washington is by car.
By car
Two primary roads go into Mount Washington.
The main north/south route is US 31E/150, locally known as Bardstown Road on either side of the city. From Louisville, the road is four lanes all the way to Mount Washington, but it narrows to two lanes just to the south of the city. The 31E/150 signage and Bardstown Road designation are not used in the old downtown area; the main through road (four lanes) is designated as the Mount Washington Bypass, locally called just "the Bypass". Within the heart of the city, the two-lane Bardstown Road follows the former route of 31E/150, now designated as US 31EX.
The main east/west route through the city is KY 44, locally known as Old Mill Road. Traffic from I-65 will exit at Shepherdsville to follow this road. Eastbound, 44 winds through countryside past Taylorsville toward Lawrenceburg. Note that this is a two-lane road throughout the city, and at drive times, it can take multiple traffic light cycles to clear the Old Mill/Bardstown Road intersection. If you need to turn left at peak hours anywhere along 44 in town, other than at one of the three traffic lights... good luck.
Get around
Mt. Washington has various sidewalks you can walk or bike on (many people choose to bike on them), however the primary form of transportation is by car.
Do
- Mt. Washington Public Pool, 269 Water Street, ☏ +1(502)538-2940. The public pool has lifeguards and is located next to Mt. Washington Middle School. Free.
- Mt. Washington Spring Festival. 2nd weekend in May Mt. Washington Middle School.
Eat
- China Café, 686 N. Bardstown Rd., ☏ +1 502 538-0338. Closed Mondays. American Chinese.
- Country Diner, 1123 N. Bardstown Rd, ☏ +1 502 538-9996.
- Derby City Pizza Co., 587 N. Bardstown Rd, ☏ +1 502 904-0529. Local pizza chain, also offering subs, pasta, wings, and salads.
- El Nopal, 240 Eastbrook Pkwy, ☏ +1 502 538-0397. The older of two local outposts of a large Louisville-area chain of Mexican restaurants. Next to the local Kroger, off the Bypass just north of the 44 intersection.
- El Nopal, 9180 Highway 44 East, ☏ +1 502 251-5194. A second location of the above chain, occupying a space that previously housed a number of different restaurants. This one is a couple of miles west of downtown, not far from a branch campus of Louisville megachurch Southeast Christian Church.
- Fiesta Mexicana, 10731 Highway 44 East, Suite E, ☏ +1 502 538-2651. Another Louisville-based Mexican chain, but with far fewer locations (four instead of over 20).
- Gallant Fox Brewing Company, 115 N. Bardstown Rd, ☏ +1 502 305-6355. A Louisville-based brewpub that recently added a Mount Washington location; the two locations have different beer lists, and also offer bourbons and other cocktails. Both offer typical pub food (burgers, sandwiches, salads).
- Hometown Pizza, 11155 East Highway 44, ☏ +1(502)538-6633. Hometown Pizza is a pizza chain in Kentucky with fresh, out of the oven pizza.
- Milano Italian Restaurant, 435 N. Bardstown Rd, ☏ +1 (502) 904-9021.
- New China Buffet, 205 Oakbrooke Dr, Suite B, ☏ +1 502 538-4168. Americanized Chinese food; primarily buffet-style. Next to the ValuMarket supermarket, off the Bypass just north of the 44 intersection.
Drink
- MillaNova Winery, 744 Gentry Ln., ☏ +1(502)664-8304, donna@millanovawinery.com.
Sleep
Despite having grown to nearly 20,000, Mount Washington does not have a single motel or hotel. It's mainly a bedroom community that travelers pass through on their way to somewhere else. For lodging, look to Shepherdsville, Brooks (the next exit on I-65 north from Shepherdsville; included in Shepherdsville listings), Louisville, or Bardstown.
Connect
Mt. Washington has very good cell phone connection, and a few places including the McDonalds in town have free Wi-Fi. The local library, also with free Wi-Fi, is at 214 N. Bardstown Road in downtown. You shouldn't have too much trouble connecting to the internet on your phone.
Go next
Shepherdsville is located near Mt. Washington.
| Routes through Mount Washington |
| Indianapolis/Vincennes ← Louisville ← | N/W S/E | → Bardstown → Glasgow/Danville |
| Jct S/W N/E ← Shepherdsville ← | W E | → Jct N S → Lawrenceburg |