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, technically known as Old Mill Road but usually called "Highway 44". 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 44/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.

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.