Shakertown Trustees’office Inn
3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg, KY, 40330
Shakertown Trustees’office Inn Menu
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Address :
3501 Lexington Rd
Harrodsburg, KY, 40330 - Phone (859) 734-5411
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
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Michael V.
My family and I actually went here on Thanksgiving Day, as my family had to have Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday due to other's schedules. I was completely impressed after hearing all the stories about how the place had "gone downhill". The service and the food were excellent. I'd actually love to go back on a non-special menu night.
(4)Jim B.
Everything about the Shaker Village was a great experience. We began our tour by eating at the Trustee's restaurant. An earlier reviewer noted that the "food was overpriced." That may be if you are expecting a quick bite to eat, but if you go knowing you are in store for a great dining experience, I'm sure you will not be disappointed by either the price or the quality of the food. Our lunch was simply phenomenal and the best dining experience of our vacation in KY! The village itself is a restored "Shaker" community. Being a Presbyterian minister, I very much enjoyed learning about the faith and beliefs of this particular uniquely American religious community and how those beliefs informed their life together. Each portion of our tour was informative and well done.
(5)Jay D.
My wife and I attended a wedding at the Shaker Village... wow. I used to think of three stars as an almost negative review until I saw the description of 'a-ok' and thought to myself... that's fitting for some of the place i've been to... such as the Shaker Village. I'm writing and basing my judgements about the grounds, lodgings and special events. The grounds are in the midst of the beautiful Kentucky countryside. Rolling green hills and historic, well maintained stone fences and gating make for a pleasant environment. The buildings are well maintained and restored to what they should have/probably looked like during the time of the Shakers. The lodgings are quaint and simple. Although they look almost too quaint, they are comfortable, clean and acceptable by this spooled city guy. Although wi-fi is offered, it was spotty at best throughout the buildings no matter where you go. If you're on T-Mobile or some other carriers (i.e. Sprint), you'll depend on the sporadic wi-fi and feel a burst of excitement when you do finally catch some of it. Part of me thinks that it's a ploy by the Shaker Village staff for you to really experience the true, historic value of the grounds. The special events and catering staff a did a good job meeting the needs of our American and Indian cultural wedding. Our friends who got married appeared pleased with the level of service and we were really impressed by the quality of food and materials and offerings that Shaker Village staff provided. So why the three stars? The facilities, lodgings and surrounding areas were great, nothing super special. I can't say anything bad and although I pointed out the positives in my review, nothing truly stuck out as above and beyond. If you love visiting places of historic value, this is likely the place for you.
(3)Amy E.
I ate here for lunch and dinner, and preferred lunch. Not only was it more affordable, it tasted better as well. I was glad we got reservations for dinner because it was really busy. They grow the vegetables on site. At lunch, they provided nice piping hot bread and coleslaw along with the meal. I got a vegetable tart, which was okay. For dinner, I got the beef stew and my husband got the shrimp. Dinner came with green beans, corn pudding (DELICIOUS), pickled veggies, and bread. Our entrees were just okay-- I would have expected more for the price. I got the famous Shaker lemon pie for dessert, and just did not like it that much. Service for lunch was a lot better than dinner. Overall, I'm glad we ate here, but I don't think I'd go out of my way to eat here.
(3)Scott W.
Enjoyed the place. Buildings were remodeled to perfection. Went when it was a little chilly but still managed to enjoy the village.
(5)David M.
Average and nothing more. We were expecting Shaker people and recipes, but it is nothing more than a country cooking restaurant and a gift store in the country.
(3)D. S.
Amazing historical village and beautiful land and scenery. We stayed in the West Family Dwelling. We shopped in the craft store and dined in the restaurant.
(5)James B.
Classic American comfort food. Fresh, delicious, like mother used to make. The setting makes this place really special. It's in a restored early American Shaker Village, the buildings ~200 years old. Charming, scenic, romantic, set in the beautiful Kentucky thoroughbred country. Rooms are available for overnight guests.
(4)Camille G.
The Village: will you ever find a historical reenactment site whose actors work with more smiles, more talent, and more passion? If you do, let me know. The Village itself on the paid tour during the summer season (about $14 per adult from Apr.-Oct.) is just fascinating. Our favorite part, by far, are the talented singers in the restored meeting house. Their singing of old Shaker hymns sent chills up my spine - soaring, gorgeous, passionate: it was more than a reenactment, it was a pristine moment, enacted over and over for each group of guests - each time the same (you can hear the singer across the fields and inside other houses). The restaurant: our dinner visit with a group of 7 people was quiet, elegant, simple and delicious. I enjoyed the sliced ham with delicately spiced applesauce. Our next visit was for lunch - the sun shone in through the open windows and it felt like we were sitting on a shaded porch. The Cole slaw was crisp and flavorful and the slivered ham on Johnny-cakes were perfectly salty but crisp. The sandwiches my husband and in-laws ordered were a perfect size and were simple, delicious variations on modern sandwiches. Nothing about the menu seemed gimmicky or touristy - and it was all genuinely delicious and worth the trip.
(4)Laura R.
My husband and I came here for a day visit and ate dinner here as well. The food was so so good. We had the tomato celery soup. Very delicious and I liked that it was a vegetable tomato soup not a cream based soup. The rolls were utterly scrumptious. They were so warm and yeasty. Ugh. My husband almost fell out of his chair. After that they brought a bowl of vegetables which was different but neat. There were pickles, veggies and olives in it. After that I ordered the salmon and my husband ordered fried chicken. I was confused on if it was going to have sides with it but oh boy, were there sides. You don't chose them but they bring them to the table and scoop them on your plate. There was corn pudding which was TO DIE FOR, some of the best garlic mashed potatoes I've ever had and perfectly cooked asparagus. My salmon was bourbon glazed and it was a very generous portion. The salmon was very very good but the sides were really what we're out of this world. My husbands fried chicken was also very generous and he thought it was the best he's ever had. I had a small taste and the breast was very moist. We ordered dessert to go. The chess pie and the bourbon cake were both enjoyable. We are from louisville and we love trying new places to eat and we were really pleasantly surprised by this wonderful place. The food is not edgy or funky like a lot of high end restaurants try to stand out, this place stands out purely because every little thing we are in it of itself was very enjoyable.
(5)Denny K.
Take a step back in time to a simpler life-style, a (relatively) high-tech-free community, and a fascinating world of a Shaker community. Shaker Village - Pleasant Hill, KY is a private collection of more than 30 original 19th century buildings. It's the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky and claims to be the "largest historic community of its kind in America." In contrast to the Amish with whom they are often mistaken, Shakers embraced new tools and techniques and established a farming system that was the forerunner of today's "sustainable agriculture" practices many of which can be seen during a tour of the grounds and buildings. Our staying one of the restored rooms was comfortable, albeit a bit warm and humid (no A/C). But, surprisingly to us, there was a TV hidden in one of the cabinets across from the bed. The rooms are modestly-sparsely furnished and the walls between rooms are "thin" so if you happen to choose a night when there are noisy neighbors next-door...yeah, well deal with it. There are lots of activities to occupy your (or your children's time) - from demonstrations, to arts, to singing, to a guided tour through the farm and barn with its live animals. No, it's not a petting zoo, but you can get up close and personal. And...be advised this is a working farm, so no holds-barred. One sheep gave birth while we were touring the barn. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available at the "Trustees' Table" with farm-to-table (their own) fare. The restaurant is located inside the Trustee's Office Building, one of only 2 places on site where WiFi is available. The food (dinner and breakfast the following morning for us) was just ok. Convenience of having it on site and not having to drive, was a plus. Dinner: Ham & Bean Soup - hearty and flavorful...but messy presentation (see photo). Salmon with Baked Corn, Red Potatoes, and Asparagus was fine, but not worth writing home about. BBQ ribs...again, just ok. Pork Chop was done medium-well, tender and flavorful with Dill sauce. Lemon Pie - I've had better. Breakfast: really very run-of-the-mill small portions. Service: mixed. Dinner saw us sitting with sirens repeatedly blaring outside and our smart phone Apps' alerts indicating threatening storms...but the wait staff seemed non-plussed and said, it was "nothing to worry about." ??? We survived, albeit a bit puzzled. So...go for the show. It's well worth the visit. But food might better be found in other towns nearby.
(4)Missy H.
The easiest way for me to write this review is to make a list of things I DON'T like about Shaker Village: 1) Nothing. The setting: PERFECT. The food: OMG good. The activities: Interesting and fun. The lodging: Comfortable and quaint. The people: Friendly and informed. The animals: McDuffy (Highland cattle) is woolly and adorable The gift shops: Full of great little treasures. Shaker Village makes me warm and fuzzy inside. You just have to come experience for yourself to understand why. This is one of those places that before I had ever been, people told me I would love. When i finally went for the first time, I was kicking myself in the pants for not going sooner. When I'm here, I feel like I must have been a part of the Shaker movement somehow...maybe it was a past life, maybe these are some of my ancestors...Whatever it is, it keeps me coming back. Sign up for their email alerts and quarterly newsletter (mail) to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and activities. There is so much to do and see, and each season brings unique opportunities. An ideal place for lovers of nature, history, southern charm, outdoor activities, traditional cuisine, and all things Kentucky.
(5)Heather P.
My husband brought me here for our 6 month marriage celebration. Walking in, I immediately loved how quiet and intimate the dinning area was. It was a rainy night, so we chose to sit at a small, candle lit table by the window. It was cozy and romantic. There were only 3 other tables occupied, and we all had the same server. She was polite and well informed not just about the menu, but the entire Shaker Village establishment. Very good service. The place we also very clean for an older restaurant. We were presented with a complimentary relish bowl full of fresh garden vegetables, olives, and homemade pickles. It was a generous portion. We also had complimentary corn bread and dinner rolls with churned butter. It was all fresh; not stale at all. My husband got the chicken pie. He loved it. I got the pot roast. Super tender. Not too salty (yay)! Both were perfect portion sizes. And we were served with helpings of roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and something we had never tried before--salsify! I just want talk about this salsify stuff for a moment. It's a type of turnip. The dish is a casserole bake, mixed with cheese, with bread crumbs on top. It's good. Like, really good. It was the buzz of the night in the dinning room--everyone was talking about how tasty it was! We were stuffed (we ate every single bite of our food!), but since we were celebrating a special moment, and it was a special restaurant, we decided to get dessert! Our server came around with a large plate of their dessert options. We chose the bourbon pound cake. It wasn't as moist as we had liked it to be, and a bit crystalized. There was hardly any bourbon flavor; just a hint of an alcohol flavor. But the whipped cream was fresh! We still ate it all up nonetheless! We then proceeded to visit the gift shop to browse all of their cute Christmas decorations. It was such a quaint little shop, and the perfect ending to our evening! This place is great. It's charming, intimate, and such an experience! We definitely will be returning for other special occasions.
(5)Jen I.
Such a amazing atmosphere! And the staff were right up there too! I got the pork loin w apples and the sides were cabbage casserole, broccoli and potatoes - everything was excellent! Oh and they give you fresh baked bread w corn sticks along w a basket of goodies (carrots, peppers, mini corn, sweet pickles, olives) that made for a great lil appetizer! For dessert I had the Lemon Pie - very delicious (and very lemony!) but the only thing that would've made it better was a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it!
(5)JB H.
**FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT**. HW 68 is CLOSED right past the Kentucky River, so take another route if you are travelling from Lexington. Enjoyable dinner. Food is slightly above average and the bourbon prices are too high, so I just had water. Beautiful grounds and interesting history. We didn't eat outside, but it looked like a nice set up with live music on Saturday night. I wouldn't go here for great food, but it is a great experience.
(4)Amber O.
Very beautiful place to visit. The restaurant wasn't the best food but was perfect for what we needed. Our family enjoyed this place.
(4)Terri Lee S.
Loved the unique accommodations. Dinner left a little to be desired. I think only a few items are farm to table. Wasn't thrilled about the $9 dollar split charge. Breakfast was basic and good. The property is beautiful and well maintained. I was a little disappointed with the fragmented information about shakers and specifically the shakers of pleasant hill. I've been to other shaker properties and learned a lot more. I suggest you do some reading and research before visiting the property to give you a frame of reference. If you are spending the night either show up early to tour the buildings since everything closes at 5 or plan on staying later the next day. It really would have been nice to receive some chronological history at check in. Gift shop items, not too authentic, very few made on property or in the shaker style. Worth the trip and I will be back. Great place to take pictures.
(4)Kati W.
Shaker Village staff is out of thier way friendly and kind. The grounds are beautiful and were lovely to explore with my partner. The evening fireflies were beautiful! We arrived mid afternoon on a Friday for a woodworking demo and a really wonderful music history experience. We ended the day with a wonderful dinner at the Inn. Saturday morning we went our separate ways while I went to watch a textiles demo and he went to the farm. We met up again for a tour and he shops. Again, I can't say enough about the friendly staff! We stayed in the Inn in a room directly above the dining area. I would not recommend this. We awoke to the sound of dishes banging around a little before 7am shortly followed by the phone and then many voices. The hallways echo the voices making it even louder. If I stayed again, I'd ask for a room on the top floor or a room in another building. The room itself was charming and comfortable, besides the noise.
(4)Douglas G.
My husband and I had an outstanding dinner at Shaker Village. The food was delicious , and the service was excellent. We had a bowl of raw vegetables, olives, and pickles and yeast rolls for starters. We each ordered a salad, entree, and we were surprised when we were, also, served new potatoes, corn pudding, and green beans. All of the food was wonderful. We were too full for dessert. On Friday and Saturday night live entertainment is available along with dining outside You don't even have to order food. You can enjoy the music outside without ordering dinner.. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in the barn was new to us, and we plan to attend again in the future. Top musicians played to a sold out crowd. The event was filmed and recorded and will be shown on TV in the future.
(5)Zach A.
A wonderful time was had by the whole family! The hands on demos kept the kids engaged, the full working farm was a hit. The historical aspect was fascinating and the old buildings helped give a real sense of Americana. Well worth it!
(5)Eduardo C.
Tomato soup was a good start to the meal. I do not however, recommend their turkey sandwich. Despite all the goodies it came with, the turkey was dry, which gives the sandwich no chance for success. Their pork however, was the complete opposite, exceedingly juicy and tender and alone worth the visit. One can also notice the food is definitely made from local ingredients. The atmosphere is also very nice, as the restaurant lies on a scenic historic landmark, with great looking houses that channel an old-time, warm feeling.
(4)Andy D.
Sometimes in life simple is more. Dining at the trustees inn epitomizes this Shaker belief and we walked away with happy bellies for it. First off, reservations are highly recommended as they get busy for dinner. Once seated, a bowl of fresh and pickled vegetables is brought out along with a bread basket containing cornbread sticks and rolls. The pickled vegetables were the most intriguing as included with the black olives and pickled baby dills were pickled okra and pickled baby corn, both of which i had never eaten pickled before and both of which tasted wonderful to me, especially the pickled baby corn. I bought a jar of the pickled baby corn from their gift shop as a result! The entrees themselves are made from fresh local ingredients and are exactly what comfort food is meant to be--warm and hearty. I had the pot roast on a bed of mashed potatoes which was great. They have unlimited side dishes that includes red potatoes, steamed veggies, and salsify--a root vegetable that is prepared like a vegetarian Mac and cheese which was very good. Our waitress was also quite pleasant and eager to answer questions and provide some small talk. Overall a pleasant experience and a recommended place for dining when visiting the Shaker village!
(5)Alicia S.
We came here and by the time we got there everything was closed. All the after 5pm events were on other days. The river boat was not running (not told this when we booked) & we had to pay more on top of the rooms for the tour (was not told this when booked as well). Food was very overpriced for what it was worth and not good along with small portions. There was abs. nothing to do but a "tour" which was nothing but us walking in the middle of the road way which we could do ourselves and read the exhibits. Not worth the money at all. Rooms were clean but no black out curtains and you can hear everything in the building. Country side scenic. Animals get loose on the premises. I would save the money and go visit somewhere else.
(2)Dirk C.
The food at the Inn at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky is quite good and the servings are large. The meals are simple, fresh, basic, and very good though not outstanding. But isn't that what Shakers are all about? The Inn is more than a restaurant. It's part of a Shaker Village preservation effort. If it was only a restaurant and I compared it to other restaurants in the same price range, I'd find it unimaginative and a bit pricey. I ordered salmon on Mother's Day and received a large serving, but it had little texture (it was baked), little taste, and it was covered with a little too much mustard sauce that was also pretty bland. Good, but not great, simply prepared. Others at our table ordered country ham. They were served enormous portions. I tasted it and found it good, but it's salty and not the sugar-cured Kentucky ham I grew up with and prefer. We were served an enormous bowl of crudités including olives and okra pickles, all fresh and wonderful. Several types of rolls and cornbread were also served and they were very good, as well. My brown sugar chess pie was outstanding and I consider myself a chess pie aficionado -- my grandmother made the best in the galaxy. The chocolate tarts two of us ordered, on the other hand, tasted like instant pudding. Another ordered strawberry meringue and loved it. Much to my surprise (and I'm guessing to the surprise of Shakers everywhere), The Inn at Shaker Village has added alcohol to the menu. Three of us ordered wine but found it expensive and the servings stingy. My glass of California chardonnay cost $9 and was slightly less than half full. The others complained about the size of the pour, as well. In comparison, I had a meal a few days later at Panzanella here in Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC. My wife and I consider Panzanella to be just below the top tier of restaurants in the area, like Lantern, Elaines and Acme. I ordered salmon that was served grilled over orzo and it was far better than what I got at Pleasant Hill. As I mentioned, though, The Inn is not an isolated restaurant, but part of a restored Shaker Village that shows off Shaker architecture, large dining rooms with Shaker designs and spiral staircases, oxen, Shaker barns, horses and carriages and a host of other delightful things to see and do. On a previous trip, I enjoyed their riverboat tour in the Kentucky River down the hill. It's a beautiful place to visit on a nice day with a lovely, simple dining room and very good, basic, farm fresh cooking. Just like the Shakers would want it.
(4)Bev S.
I received a bit of history and discovered I was unaware of the surprising Shaker Village Story. It goes beyond the making of superior furniture and speaks of a group of folks who were wiser and way ahead of their time. I was fortunate enough to catch an actual performance of Shaker music , walk the country side and tour the historic buildings sites. I really enjoyed a trip down the Kentucky river on a very rustic riverboat and ended the evening with a Shaker dinner at the Shaker inn . The dinner was good and I tasted an unusual delicious vegetable that I can not pronounce or spell but it begins with the letter S .
(5)Evan L.
I have been here to eat twice and stayed overnight once. If you want excellent food served in historical dress this is the place. The only way I can describe the atmosphere is if George Washington or Ben Franklin walked in from their carriage for dinner it would seem appropriate. Like going back in time a couple of centuries.
(5)Mary P.
The suitor and I stayed here for one night in November. We were originally given a room in the West Family Dwelling. The room was clean and pleasant, but stifling hot considering that it was a mild day in November. I called the front desk, but was told that the room had been switched to boiler heat for the winter and there was nothing that they could really do about it. Prior to leaving for dinner I noticed that a large group was arriving. They were from a local law or accounting firm and they were holding a group seminar/retreat in the West Family Dwelling. Shaker Village is not like a hotel and that's good and bad. Sound really travels, the floors are creaky, and the walls are thin. It was already apparent to me that this large group was going to be noisy and on the way back from dinner I stopped by the front desk and was told by the clerk that this was indeed a large group and that our room and one other were the only ones that were not part of the corporate retreat. (Why didn't they just give them the whole house? They had vacancies that weekend.) The front desk clerk was extremely nice and offered us the Shaker Washing House at the same price. There is one other room in the washing house, but she said that it was not booked for the evening. We gladly accepted the upgrade and our new room was fine, though it did have a large number of flies, which I'm completely baffled by. This must be a common thing at Shaker Village though because both this room and our previous one had fly swatters hanging on the wall lest we needed to go on a murderous rampage. Also, while nearly asleep I heard the downstairs entrance open and heard someone coming up the steps. We heard them retreat, but it was kind of creepy since we were alone in the house. The lack of security is something that really unsettled me about Shaker Village. Anyone can walk into the various houses at any time so be sure to keep your door locked. I don't think that they have a security guard on duty either. We did have a fantastic dinner in the dining room. They bring freshly baked breads and a variety of raw and pickled vegetables, which were absolutely wonderful. I had a flank steak stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese, which was served with bacon jam on the side and the suitor had fried chicken. The meal really was fantastic, as was the service. We really enjoyed walking the grounds and seeing all of the farm animals. I definitely want to return to do some hiking and to spend some time there during their busier seasons. In November there isn't much going on. However, I think that next time I go I may choose to stay at The Beaumont Inn in nearby Harrodsburg. It's essentially the same price as Shaker Village, but it's likely quieter.
(4)Joseph O.
Outstanding, best of the best. The drive there is scenic and picturesque, and the village itself is an almost perfectly preserved early 19th century religious community. It's like stepping back in time almost 200 years to walk around the Shaker Village. Not in a cheesy amusement-park sort of way, but in a more authentic, rustic sense. Take the tour, listen to a live performance of some historic music, and enjoy. If it's in season, you can take a ride on the riverboat they operate that goes along the Kentucky River. It's a nice, relaxing ride through some beautiful countryside. The lodging is nice and comfortable, not luxurious (the Shakers were a modest and practical group), and for a quiet night it's good. The dining room is the real star of the place. Truly outstanding food, it's not cheap, but the quality is amazing, and the service is always quite good. My personal suggestion is to get the relish bowl appetizer. This is where I take guests if I want them to have a memorable meal. This is a place to go to get away from the 21st century and have a relaxing, quite enjoyable few hours or weekend.
(5)Kate F.
The 3-star rating comes from visiting the grounds (great), staying at the inn (pretty good), and eating at the restaurant (meh). We'd been to a Shaker village in the northeast, so this wasn't completely new to us, but it was really great to get the opportunity to sleep overnight in the original buildings. Our room in the main building was huge, with extremely high ceilings. The furniture wasn't actually comfortable, but I guess that was a low-priority for the Shakers. The bathroom was clean and up-to-date. The one downside was the inconvenience of having to park a few blocks away and drag our bags in the rain. If you were staying in one of the other buildings, you'd have quite a hike. Our experience at the restaurant was so-so. We had made a reservation at 8, which meant that we were just about the only people in the restaurant for most of the meal. The servers were busily setting up for breakfast while we ate, which I understand, but it doesn't exactly make for a relaxing atmosphere. The cocktails we had were super sweet, like punch without alcohol. The food was pretty good though. I had the chicken, which could have fed four people. My mom had the ham, which was the surprise of the meal. Neither of us really like ham, but we both really enjoyed the dish. We decided to skip the breakfast buffet, based on the reviews on TripAdvisor.
(3)Helene J.
Second time here. I love this place. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, especially at the farm, and it's quite fascinating to tour. This time we didn't stay there overnight, and for a meal, had lunch instead of dinner. The lunch was very good, especially their special tomato celery soup. The desserts looked great, but we just couldn't do it after our filling lunch. We again wish we had arranged to spend more time here. Plan on a whole day, really, especially if you're having lunch and going on the boat (which we missed doing once again because of time).
(4)Kristan H.
Our company recently held an off-site retreat here, and it was fabulous. - Working with the group services staff was a breeze. We booked about 5 months out, and then followed up about a month before. They were very on top of things, responded quickly, sent us contracts and maps, and had everything ready to go when we arrived. Our meeting area worked great and didn't feel too formal, since it had the Shaker's pegs and adjustable lamps. But we still had all the modern amenities we needed (projection screen, table and chairs, snack break!). The whole day was smooth -- and affordable! - Shaker Village itself is beautiful, well-kept, and enchanting. I'm not going to run out and become a Shaker, but I definitely want to go back to visit and learn more. We did a 1-hour guided tour, which was very informative but definitely needed to be longer! (That was our fault, though, we needed time for the company meeting portion of our day.) My favorite of the buildings we went into was the sister's workshop. - The food was delicious! I had a Triple Pork sandwich (which I turned into Double Pork by omitting bacon) and then our table shared several desserts. Supposedly the restaurant is known for its lemon pie, but I thought the peanut butter cookie w/ chocolate ice cream was the best. No one had a bad thing to say about their meals, and I really want to go back and try the croquettes. All in all a wonderful, refreshing day. Everyone at our company really enjoyed themselves and the village.
(5)Steve M.
It's been a LONG time since I've been here! I mostly remembered this wonderful location when I was doing my Ride 'N' Roll contest and passing an area near the Ohio Renaissance Festival. One of the two things that I remember the most is the ice cream: Perfect orange sherbet and that in the houses, they insisted/suggested living like the Shakers....men on one side of the house, and women on the other...kinda weird! What I liked was that it seemed to be stepping back in time, seeing how our ancestors might have lived! There were tours of the buildings. This is a nonprofit corporation, who's goal is the preservation of the Shaker community as it once existed in Kentucky. Its amazing of how detailed everything is! Def. a must-see place/family destination to go to
(5)Bailey K.
This is a great place to tour and have lunch or dinner. I had the opportunity to visit the day after the Highland Cow had her baby - too cute, but don't get too close she will take the fence down to protect her baby. There is great history here, informative demonstrations, singing and more. This is a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the sites. Their restaurant is a don't miss. This menu changes as to what is available so the food is always fresh and in season. The service is excellent. This is a great way to spend the day in Kentucky!
(4)Sarah G.
The drive out here alone is almost worth the trip! Not being from Kentucky and being in Lexington for the first time we wanted to do some cultural things in the area, and everyone told us about the Shaker Village! For those of you that don't know, the Shakers were an old religious group from the area that colonized and lived their lives simply, but during their religious ceremonies when they worshiped their bodies shook during the services, hence the name "shakers." Now that you have your history lesson, you drive here passing beautiful country side, rolling hills, horses, trees and grass, and it definitely gives you some time to escape to this preserved village outside of lexington. They even have their own horses and some yaks and goats! You pay your fee and then can explore at your free will and there are lots of volunteers that can lead you on a tour, and tell you all about the main house which has two halves to it, complete with two stairways because girls and boys never were on the same side of the house ever--genders were always separate.... So we wondering well how do they procreate? i guess it didn't happen that often and instead they actually took in orphans a lot into their community. But being here in person and seeing this whole village was really thought provoking but also kind of made me think of that movie "The Village" so I was kind of freaked out too at the same time!! So don't go here alone! And go here with some extra time available because there are a lot of hiking trails connected to this park and we didn't have time, but it is supposed to be amazing! And the food at the restaurant on site at the inn is WAY overpriced, so come with food or be prepared to stop somewhere randomly in the middle of nowhere to eat! The vending machines at the shaker village ate our money, so Willmore was our next closest bet!
(4)Heather P.
We made reservation for 6pm which was perfect because after we finished eating and talking the sun was going down and it was beautiful around the village. There isn't very much to choose from on the menu. Each dish is about $15, they come with bottomless family portions of sides. I tried salsify (which they make in a creamy casserole) for the first time and loved it. Our waiter was excellent and very informative, telling us how many things related to the Shakers. He brought us out a bowl of raw vegetables...tomatoes, olives, okra, celery, cauliflower, etc. and a bowl of cornbread sticks and yeast rolls. We ordered the recommended celery/tomato soup which they have served since the restaurant opened in the 60's. I would have given 5 stars but we did have a slight issue with our fried fish...not completely cooked. But we were pleasantly surprised when they gave us our meals for free which they didn't have to do...we didn't complain. Needless to say, our waiter received quite a big tip. I think that even if you're a picky eater, you should still give it a try. It's an experience as well as a meal.
(4)Asbury C.
Having worked here, I can say that it is a truly wonderful place. You can rest assured that your food is in good hands behind the scenes. The wait staff is friendly, helpful, and fast. The food is wonderful and fresh with many local ingredients. You won't find another dining experience quite like it.
(5)Mary Katherine B.
We drove here from New Orleans for a wedding this past Labor Day weekend. It was well worth the drive but, I think I'll fly next time. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend. The weather was more than amazing but the Village stands on it's own. There is so much to describe! It's kind of like a college campus. Medium sized old buildings with shops and also sleeping quarters. Grass conservation areas, an apple orchard, trails, horse stables, gardens...and that is just what I could see. We took a paddle boat ride on a river close to the Village that was put together by the wedding party. I recommend doing this, seems like there are several rides daily. One complaint I do have is the Restaurant. We ate breakfast here several times and they require that you make reservations. No biggie, but when we got there a table was never ready and they were out food. Not pleasant when you are slightly hung over. I can't wait to go back though. Great place for a family vacation.
(5)Rhea B.
My first trip to Kentucky and I stayed at this inn and ate there, too. Wonderful food and service. I say, go out of your way to experience the village!
(5)Hai D.
When my parents were visiting me at Lexington, we went to this beautiful historical site. It was a special experience. I especially liked the solos performed at the music hall. It was touching, even there is no microphone and music. The lunch was also good, especially the traditional tomato soup.
(5)John F.
A must see in Kentucky. This place is a beautifully restored Shaker Village combining a museum of Shaker life with active demonstrations, a hotel/conference center where you can stay in authentically furnished Shaker dwellings, and a restaurant with excellent Shaker food. A bit expensive but worth every penny. The Shakers are fascinating and this is the best place to find out about them.
(5)Maria S.
Make sure you have plenty of time to spend when you come here. First, there is the historical and cultural side of the place. Not only can you visit a variety of buildings, but there are people working in each building who will tell you in detail about anything that was or is done there. Do you want to know how the Shaker's made their famous furniture? Or why they planted certain crops? Or why their buildings look the way they do? You can ask someone who'll explain it all to you. But wait, there's more! The caretakers also know the entire grounds. So we were advised to drive to a hiking area where we could sit in a comfortable little cabin with a single wall of windows and watch an amazing assortment of birds flitting through the woods. And we were steps away from a lovely nature trail and horse paths. The roads leading to these areas have also recently been lined with a variety of native wildflowers, so they are spectacular in spring and summer. If there are small children with you, they'll enjoy seeing the farm animals (very patient goats and even an elderly lamb who'll let you pet them, as well as geese, chickens, and picturesque cows) and romping in the grass. And yes, you can be very un-Shaker-like and buy all sorts of beautiful things in the gift shop. Don't feel too bad. It's the Shakers' fault for making the rest of us greedy for their stuff.
(5)