Guidebook for Louisville

Rachel
Guidebook for Louisville

Food Scene

This is our favorite coffee shop in town that also has delicious omnivore and vegan food.. and beer! Get the macadamia nut latte and the biscuits and gravy.
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Full Stop Station
1132 E St Catherine St
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is our favorite coffee shop in town that also has delicious omnivore and vegan food.. and beer! Get the macadamia nut latte and the biscuits and gravy.
Great bar with great (elevated) bar food. Get the Chicken and waffle sandwich, it is SO good.
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Four Pegs
1053 Goss Ave
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great bar with great (elevated) bar food. Get the Chicken and waffle sandwich, it is SO good.
(kinda sorta NY style floppy) Pizza by the slice or the pie, and local beer and full bar. They have a monthly pie special that never disappoints. Also tasty toasty sandwiches that are huge.
155 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Post
1045 Goss Ave
155 (рекомендации местных жителей)
(kinda sorta NY style floppy) Pizza by the slice or the pie, and local beer and full bar. They have a monthly pie special that never disappoints. Also tasty toasty sandwiches that are huge.
Fish fry by weekday, brunch spot by weekend. Inexpensive and tasty for either menu.
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Fish House
1310 Winter Ave
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fish fry by weekday, brunch spot by weekend. Inexpensive and tasty for either menu.
my favorite soy latte in the city.
163 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sunergos Coffee
2122 S Preston St
163 (рекомендации местных жителей)
my favorite soy latte in the city.
in Nulu, and unlike the other Quills locations, also has tasty food and beer and wine.
47 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Quills Coffee Firehouse
802 E Main St
47 (рекомендации местных жителей)
in Nulu, and unlike the other Quills locations, also has tasty food and beer and wine.
in Germantown, so closer than Sunergos but not closer than Full Stop. I am not a fan of how they roast their beans or prep their shots. That said, I must also recognize that I am a coffee snob, so if you aren’t into tasting notes and such, you will probably like them (no judgement).
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bean
1138 Goss Ave
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
in Germantown, so closer than Sunergos but not closer than Full Stop. I am not a fan of how they roast their beans or prep their shots. That said, I must also recognize that I am a coffee snob, so if you aren’t into tasting notes and such, you will probably like them (no judgement).
Make reservations. Very elevated American fare. Get the warm brie salad and then regret all your salad choices prior to this moment.
199 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Jack Fry's
1007 Bardstown Rd
199 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Make reservations. Very elevated American fare. Get the warm brie salad and then regret all your salad choices prior to this moment.
Really good homemade pizza, more like real Italian than Italian-American. They don’t allow tipping so prices are little higher on the menu. Get the tomato soup and text me a picture to make me weep with jealousy.
44 (рекомендации местных жителей)
bar Vetti
727 East Market Street
44 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Really good homemade pizza, more like real Italian than Italian-American. They don’t allow tipping so prices are little higher on the menu. Get the tomato soup and text me a picture to make me weep with jealousy.
They have smoked tofu if you don’t dig on swine. Our fave BBQ in town. Also very quick if you don't go during peak time.
165 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Feast BBQ
909 E Market St
165 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have smoked tofu if you don’t dig on swine. Our fave BBQ in town. Also very quick if you don't go during peak time.
They ALSO have a tofu option. Best hot chicken in town.
80 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Royals Hot Chicken
736 E Market St
80 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They ALSO have a tofu option. Best hot chicken in town.
in Paristown Point, and just as close as Come Back Inn, but if you go during peak dinner hours (6-8pm) you will wait. Forever. But it’s worth it.
158 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hammerheads
921 Swan St
158 (рекомендации местных жителей)
in Paristown Point, and just as close as Come Back Inn, but if you go during peak dinner hours (6-8pm) you will wait. Forever. But it’s worth it.
you can go here if the wait at Migo is too long. also delicious.
78 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Havana Rumba Bardstown Rd
2210 Bardstown Rd
78 (рекомендации местных жителей)
you can go here if the wait at Migo is too long. also delicious.
for fusion sushi and tacos. The Highlands location has a great happy hour, but smaller menu than the location in New Albany, which is WORTH THE TRIP OVER THE BRIDGE. Trust me.
109 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Dragon King's Daughter
129 W Market St
109 (рекомендации местных жителей)
for fusion sushi and tacos. The Highlands location has a great happy hour, but smaller menu than the location in New Albany, which is WORTH THE TRIP OVER THE BRIDGE. Trust me.
for brunch. It’s a chain, but a chain that started in Louisville, so it isn’t terrible. There are a bunch of them, and they all get busy because Louisvillians brunch HARD. This is the location closest to us.
140 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wild Eggs
121 S Floyd St
140 (рекомендации местных жителей)
for brunch. It’s a chain, but a chain that started in Louisville, so it isn’t terrible. There are a bunch of them, and they all get busy because Louisvillians brunch HARD. This is the location closest to us.
is also close by and has baked goods that will get you closer to god. Not cheap, but everything is delicious. Everything.
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wiltshire Pantry Bakery and Cafe
901 Barret Ave
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
is also close by and has baked goods that will get you closer to god. Not cheap, but everything is delicious. Everything.
and makes small batch ice cream and fancy treats, and they also make vegan options. Love this place. Like, maybe more than our dogs.
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Louisville Cream
632 E Market St
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
and makes small batch ice cream and fancy treats, and they also make vegan options. Love this place. Like, maybe more than our dogs.
Chef Ed Lee's first (and probably best) restaurant in town. Make reservations.
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
610 Magnolia
610 W Magnolia Ave
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chef Ed Lee's first (and probably best) restaurant in town. Make reservations.
Old school fancy pants steakhouse.
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Buck's Restaurant
425 W Ormsby Ave
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Old school fancy pants steakhouse.

Drinks & Nightlife

close by and a smidge divey in a hipster way. Local scene is strong here.
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kaiju
1004 E Oak St
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
close by and a smidge divey in a hipster way. Local scene is strong here.
Divey and hyper-local. Nice back patio for summer drinks.
85 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nachbar
969 Charles St
85 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Divey and hyper-local. Nice back patio for summer drinks.
Also a tasty restaurant with a venue upstairs.
117 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Monnik Beer Company
1036 E Burnett Ave
117 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Also a tasty restaurant with a venue upstairs.
Check's is a conundrum. Mostly a restaurant but also a bar. Old school food options and lots of interesting old timers hanging around and shooting the shit.
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Check's Cafe
1101 E Burnett Ave
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Check's is a conundrum. Mostly a restaurant but also a bar. Old school food options and lots of interesting old timers hanging around and shooting the shit.
Known locally as the Mag. A true Louisville experience but don't expect fancy.
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Magnolia Bar
1398 S 2nd St
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Known locally as the Mag. A true Louisville experience but don't expect fancy.
Also has food. Can get a little college-y due to its proximity to UofL.
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Old Louisville Tavern
1532 S 4th St
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Also has food. Can get a little college-y due to its proximity to UofL.
Good food. Good booze. Gets packed.
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hilltop Tavern
1800 Frankfort Ave
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Good food. Good booze. Gets packed.
Great for indoor or outdoor drinking. No food, so don't go hungry, but the beer is good.
24 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Falls City Brewing Company - Taproom and Beer Garden
901 E Liberty St
24 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great for indoor or outdoor drinking. No food, so don't go hungry, but the beer is good.
Great beer, good burgers from lil toastys, best deck (so many levels!) in town.
107 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Винодельня Gershon Bachus Vintners
514 Baxter Ave
107 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great beer, good burgers from lil toastys, best deck (so many levels!) in town.
My favorite beer in town. No food and in a weird spot, but totes worth finding it. Play a board game and get tipsy. An excellent plan, I think!
32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mile Wide Beer Co.
636 Barret Ave
32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
My favorite beer in town. No food and in a weird spot, but totes worth finding it. Play a board game and get tipsy. An excellent plan, I think!
Good beer and decent pizza next door if you get peckish.
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great Flood Brewing Company
2120 Bardstown Rd
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Good beer and decent pizza next door if you get peckish.
Some of the tastiest drinks in town. They also earned a certain notoriety for making Pappy Van Winkle jello shots. I feel like that should really tell you all you need to know.
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Meta
425 W Chestnut St
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Some of the tastiest drinks in town. They also earned a certain notoriety for making Pappy Van Winkle jello shots. I feel like that should really tell you all you need to know.

Entertainment & Activities

I mean - who are we kidding - most people visiting Louisville are here for some horse-related reason, but it’s actually a little more fun on days that are not the first Saturday in May. Opening night (the Saturday prior to Derby) is Dress to Impress night – you must wear orange to support the arts; there are live bands, night racing, and the wilder you can dress the better. Thursday prior to Derby is local’s day a.k.a. Thurby, and Oaks Day (Derby Eve) is awash in pink for breast cancer awareness. The infield is the place for debauchery, tickets are around $60-80 and can be bought the day-of. Derby opens the Spring Meet, but there is also Summer Meet (June-Aug., and $1 beer nights!) and Fall
544 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave
544 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I mean - who are we kidding - most people visiting Louisville are here for some horse-related reason, but it’s actually a little more fun on days that are not the first Saturday in May. Opening night (the Saturday prior to Derby) is Dress to Impress night – you must wear orange to support the arts; there are live bands, night racing, and the wilder you can dress the better. Thursday prior to Derby is local’s day a.k.a. Thurby, and Oaks Day (Derby Eve) is awash in pink for breast cancer awareness. The infield is the place for debauchery, tickets are around $60-80 and can be bought the day-of. Derby opens the Spring Meet, but there is also Summer Meet (June-Aug., and $1 beer nights!) and Fall
Part of the Urban Bourbon trail... good location for taking a tour and then grabbing food at Garage Bar or Harvest or Wiltshire on Market.
77 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rabbit Hole Distillery
711 E Jefferson St
77 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Part of the Urban Bourbon trail... good location for taking a tour and then grabbing food at Garage Bar or Harvest or Wiltshire on Market.
88 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Old Forester Distilling
119 W Main St
88 (рекомендации местных жителей)
171 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Дистиллерия Angel's Envy
500 E Main St
171 (рекомендации местных жителей)
168 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Опыт Evan Williams Bourbon
528 W Main St
168 (рекомендации местных жителей)

Arts & Culture

They also have an excellent cinema in addition to a fabulous permanent collection and top notch touring exhibitions. And every third Friday they have "Speed After Hours" which is always fun and fresh.
289 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей искусства Скорости
2035 S 3rd St
289 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They also have an excellent cinema in addition to a fabulous permanent collection and top notch touring exhibitions. And every third Friday they have "Speed After Hours" which is always fun and fresh.
Free admission and worth a perusal. In museum row, so a nice addition to a walk along west Main Street.
43 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Planetario de Santiago - Universidad de Santiago de Chile - Usach
715 W Main St
43 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Free admission and worth a perusal. In museum row, so a nice addition to a walk along west Main Street.
The head of the Urban Bourbon Trail. There are 44 bars and restaurants on the trail and you can learn about all of the different distilleries in Louisville and surrounding areas. A good place to if you can't decide which distillery tour is right for you. https://www.bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bourbon-trail/
158 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей истории Фрейзера
829 W Main St
158 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The head of the Urban Bourbon Trail. There are 44 bars and restaurants on the trail and you can learn about all of the different distilleries in Louisville and surrounding areas. A good place to if you can't decide which distillery tour is right for you. https://www.bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bourbon-trail/
122 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Кентуккийский научный центр
727 W Main St
122 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I know, weird that an Airbnb host would suggest you go to a hotel. But it’s a hotel chain that STARTED in Louisville, and is actually more of an art gallery + upscale dining/bar (Proof) that had one too many bourbons on a random Tuesday and decided to add hotel rooms. And then woke up Wednesday morning and followed through. Go for the art, food, but just don’t stay the night.
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
21c Museum Hotels
700 W Main St
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I know, weird that an Airbnb host would suggest you go to a hotel. But it’s a hotel chain that STARTED in Louisville, and is actually more of an art gallery + upscale dining/bar (Proof) that had one too many bourbons on a random Tuesday and decided to add hotel rooms. And then woke up Wednesday morning and followed through. Go for the art, food, but just don’t stay the night.

Parks & Nature

Small but mighty. Good for a brisk post-meal walk.
Shelby Park
Small but mighty. Good for a brisk post-meal walk.
Use the scenic loop to ride or walk without the worry of motorists. Just don't get lost. (Kidding... but seriously, even people who have lived here there entire lives sometimes exit the park in a very different location than they planned)
383 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Парк Чероки
745 Cochran Hill Rd
383 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Use the scenic loop to ride or walk without the worry of motorists. Just don't get lost. (Kidding... but seriously, even people who have lived here there entire lives sometimes exit the park in a very different location than they planned)
Great for families. The Seneca Loop is about twice the size of the Shelby loop.
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Seneca Park Playground & Restrooms
3101 Rock Creek Dr
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great for families. The Seneca Loop is about twice the size of the Shelby loop.
Iroquois Park is the city’s largest park and highest point. Up top is a great lookout to see the entire city surrounded by virgin forest and landscaping by Frederick Law Olmstead – designer of Central Park. (most of our parks are part of a grand park system he designed)
92 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Iroquois Park
92 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Iroquois Park is the city’s largest park and highest point. Up top is a great lookout to see the entire city surrounded by virgin forest and landscaping by Frederick Law Olmstead – designer of Central Park. (most of our parks are part of a grand park system he designed)
The most popular place to hop on the Lousiville Loop (a huge biking and walking trail that circles the entirety of Louisville). Walk to Indiana on the Big Four Bridge, or just enjoy the park the way Louisvillians do - picnics, playgrounds and spraygrounds for everyone. They also have bike rentals available, and on the last Wednesday of every month from April to September you can catch WFPK's Waterfront Wednesday - a huge FREE concert.
183 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Вотерфронт Парк
129 River Rd
183 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The most popular place to hop on the Lousiville Loop (a huge biking and walking trail that circles the entirety of Louisville). Walk to Indiana on the Big Four Bridge, or just enjoy the park the way Louisvillians do - picnics, playgrounds and spraygrounds for everyone. They also have bike rentals available, and on the last Wednesday of every month from April to September you can catch WFPK's Waterfront Wednesday - a huge FREE concert.

Sightseeing

Everyone needs at least ONE picture with a giant baseball, right?
441 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей и Фабрика Луисвилль Слаггер
800 W Main St
441 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Everyone needs at least ONE picture with a giant baseball, right?
Did you know Louisville has the largest inland locks & dam system in the US? And more tonnage passes through Louisville than any other place except the Panama Canal? There is an observation deck to watch the barges as they pass through.
McAlpine Locks and Dam
Did you know Louisville has the largest inland locks & dam system in the US? And more tonnage passes through Louisville than any other place except the Panama Canal? There is an observation deck to watch the barges as they pass through.