Buffalo Bus: A Lexington Launch to Buffalo Trace and Keeneland

LEXINGTON GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Buffalo Bus: A Lexington Launch to Buffalo Trace and Keeneland

A guided, round-trip shuttle from downtown Lexington that pairs a warehouse tour and Blanton’s vertical tasting at Buffalo Trace with shopping credit and admission to Keeneland.

Buffalo Bus: A Lexington Launch to Buffalo Trace and Keeneland.

Duration
Departs at 9:00 a.m. • Returns at 6:00 p.m.
Location
Lexington
Operator
Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville
Category
Guided Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Ride from the heart of Lexington to one of bourbon’s most storied distilleries: the Buffalo Bus is a curated, guided excursion that bundles complimentary transportation, a warehouse tour and tasting at Buffalo Trace Distillery, shopping time with a voucher, and an afternoon at Keeneland racetrack on select dates.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE TASTING

Blanton’s Vertical Tasting

The itinerary centers on a Blanton’s Vertical Tasting that features pours such as Original Single Barrel, Gold, and Straight From the Barrel — a focused opportunity to compare bottlings at Buffalo Trace.

THE JOURNEY

Complimentary Downtown Shuttle

The experience includes round-trip transportation from downtown departure points so you can leave the driving to the operator and settle in for a day of distillery access and racing.

THE RACETRACK

Keeneland Afternoon

After Buffalo Trace, the group moves on to the Keeneland Spring Meet for an afternoon at the races — the program combines bourbon and horse racing into a single curated day.

What the day feels like

What the day feels like

The Buffalo Bus strings together a morning departure from downtown, a guided warehouse tour and structured tasting at Buffalo Trace — complete with a souvenir cocktail — a window for shopping with a provided voucher, and then an afternoon spent at Keeneland, returning in the evening.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this day out suits — and who should think twice.

1
Bourbon EnthusiastsIdeal for travelers focused on tasting and distillery access: the program’s guided warehouse tour and Blanton’s Vertical Tasting put Buffalo Trace’s offerings front and center.
2
Horse-racing FansA strong match for those who want to combine bourbon culture with live racing — Keeneland admission is part of the curated experience.
3
Day-trippers from LexingtonSuited to travelers seeking a single-day, all-included outing from downtown Lexington thanks to the complimentary round-trip transportation.
4
Planners & Calendar-Minded TravelersBest for those who can travel on the specific dates offered: the experience runs only on select dates noted in the provided materials, so booking in advance is recommended.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Season

The program notes specific operating dates in the provided materials (examples include Fridays in October and select Fridays and Saturdays in April); departures occur in the morning with a full-day return.

What to Bring

The supplied information does not specify gear or packing requirements; standard daytime attire and whatever you’d normally take to a distillery and racetrack are implied.

Logistics & Inclusions

The curated package includes round-trip transportation, distillery admission, the tasting, a cocktail with a souvenir glass, a gift shop voucher, and Keeneland admission; confirm voucher amount and exact inclusions at booking due to differing mentions in materials.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

When does the Buffalo Bus depart and return?

The program departs at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 6:00 p.m. on the listed dates.

Where does pickup occur?

Pickup is from downtown Lexington; some materials also reference departures from Louisville—confirm your pickup city when booking.

What tastings are included?

The itinerary features a Blanton’s Vertical Tasting that includes pours such as Original Single Barrel, Gold, and Straight From the Barrel.

Is a gift shop credit included?

Yes; the provided materials list a gift shop voucher as part of the package, though one summary references a $25 credit while another references a $20 voucher—confirm the voucher amount at booking.

Does the trip include Keeneland admission?

Yes; admission to Keeneland for an afternoon at the races is included in the curated experience.

Which operator runs the Buffalo Bus?

The experience is operated by Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville.