Coach Tours at Shaker Village
Explore the Heart of Bluegrass Country
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill provides the perfect setting as a destination or stayover location for your tour group. Conveniently located in the geographic center of Kentucky, the Village is within two hours of nearly every major attraction in the state. The Inn at Shaker Village offers the charm of a bed and breakfast, with the capacity of a full scale hotel. Select from a broad variety of year-round tour options and seasonal dining menus to create the "quintessential Bluegrass experience" for your guests!
Coach Tour Packages
Package options can be tailored from 1/2 day to 3 day experiences.
Buildings & Beliefs
Year-Round
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is home to the largest collection of 19th century buildings in the United States.
The 34 Shaker buildings and structures remaining at this site are not only a testament to the architectural acumen of their colony, but embody many of the Society's beliefs and values.
Join our team of professional interpreters as we explore the relationship between Shaker architecture and Shaker theology. Connect past to present as we tour ongoing preservation projects, and relate modern architecture to modern values.
Bounty of the Earth
April - October
Pleasant Hill was an agricultural community. Producing, preserving and preparing food was a major part of everyday life for the Shakers.
Today, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill manages an organic vegetable garden, orchard, herb garden and apiary, along with acres of pastures where cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock roam and graze.
Join us to learn how Shaker Village's Farm practices diversified agriculture, while providing for the seed-to-table culinary experience at The Trustees' Table. We promise you'll have to taste it to believe it!
Christmas at the Village
December
The holiday season is a magical time at Shaker Village, as the entire property comes alive with the Christmas spirit.
Festive greenery adorns the lanterns and doorways along the pedestrian turnpike. The bakery produces delights to enjoy with hot tea at your table. The restaurant serves home-style, holiday meals. Guides lead tours through the historic halls, sharing stories of Shaker Christmas traditions.
Whether you are looking for a sense of holiday nostalgia, to learn a new craft, or to take home a special gift, Christmas at the Village is the tour package for you.
Additional Tour Experiences
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
May - October
Private Charters:
Available any day with 30 days notice.
Journey through the historic Village on our 12-passenger horse drawn wagon. Along the way, enjoy the sights while learning about Shaker history and culture.
Narrated programs include: Travel Tales: Shakers & Their Horses; Beyond the Historic Centre; and Last Rides: Shaker Funeral Practices.
Hay Wagon Rides
Year-Round
Private charters require 2 wks. notice
There's no better way to maximize your views of Shaker Village's 3,000 acres than to take a hay wagon ride! An interpreter will join up to 25 passengers as you traverse the rolling hills of Central Kentucky in style.
One-hour narrated programs will provide an overview of the natural and cultural landscape that is Pleasant Hill, including a history of land use, stone fences and agricultural practices at the site.
Eat, Shop & Stay at Shaker Village
Dining Options
Great food makes a great trip, and Shaker Village is able to meet your group's dining needs in a variety of ways.
Our onsite restaurant, The Trustees' Table, is a seed-to-table dining experience in partnership with The Farm. From this historic restaurant, meal options for your visit include:
- Private dining room reservations
- Catered onsite meals
- Grab & Go options for breakfast and lunch
Regardless of the dining option you select, you can be assured that the food will be fresh and delicious! View the Catering Menu here.
Our team is accustomed to meeting a variety of dietary requests. Please relay any dietary needs to the Event Sales Team during the booking process.
Lodging
The Inn at Shaker Village features 72 guest rooms, suites and private cottages spread throughout 13 historic buildings.
The Inn is much more than a traditional hotel. Each room, and building, offers a distinct character and charm.
Rooms are comfortably appointed with Shaker-inspired and reproduction furniture, original hardwood floors and spectacular countryside views.
Groups may book overnight lodging through the Event Sales Team.
Email [email protected] for more information.
Luggage handling is included with all overnight room bookings for coach tours.
The Shops
Discover the perfect gift!
Shop for signature Shaker oval boxes, logo merchandise and seasonally-inspired gifts, as well as unique children’s gifts, books, soaps and lotions, jams and jellies, Shaker reproductions and more!
Visit our onsite Shops located in The Welcome Center, Post Office and Trustees' Office, each of which offers a unique selection of products and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Want to peruse our selection before your visit? Many items found in our onsite Shops are also available online!
Planning to shop during your group's visit? Be sure to build time into your schedule when establishing your itinerary!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide motor coach parking?
There are four major parking areas at Shaker Village to accommodate both daily and overnight parking for motor coaches. These lots are strategically located near the Trustees' Table restaurant, Welcome Center and overnight lodging.
What if members of our tour have dietary needs?
The dining and catering teams at Shaker Village are well equipped to manage a broad variety of dietary needs. Please provide notice of any dietary needs to the Event Sales Team at least two weeks prior to your visit to ensure proper preparation.
What is your process for group payments?
All group payments will be handled by Shaker Village's Event Sales Team. Deposits for motor coach tours are not due until 60 days prior to the experience. An invoice will be issued for the balance, with payment due within 30 days of the completion of your experience. A 25% service charge is applied to dining experiences and private room rentals.
Shaker Village provides complimentary lunch for one driver and one tour guide for every 30 paid guests.
What is your room cancellation policy?
Cancellation of overnight guest room reservations occurring 30 days or more prior to the event will not be charged a cancellation fee. Any room cancellations occurring between 14 and 29 days prior to the event will be charged a cancellation fee equal to 50 percent of the first night accommodations. Any room cancellations occurring less than 14 days before scheduled arrival will be charged 100 percent of the first night accommodations.
Is the Village accessible to guests with limited mobility?
Shaker Village is a historic property that encompasses 3,000 acres and 34 historic buildings. In order to provide the best possible experience for all visitors, we offer alternative experiences for those with limited mobility. These includes a variety tour programs, demonstrations and exhibits that are designed to be accessible to everyone. Shaker Village provides complimentary luggage handling service for motor coach tours staying overnight, and offers first floor rooms to guests with limited mobility. With advance notice, we will make every effort to respond to special needs.
