Where to Eat
EXPLORE louisville
Louisville was one of the first cities founded west of the Appalachia, and has a rich history and tradition. The most important thing to know is how to pronounce the city's name like a local: Lou-ah-vull.
Some of you will be travelling many hours to get here and may want to see the sites! Here is a short list of things to do in the city.
Bourbon & Sightseeing Tours
old forester downtown distillery
Old Forester has reopened on Louisville's Whiskey Row and will offer tours and full tastings. You can book a tour using this link:
Mint Julep Tours
Mint Julep Tours, a local company that has recently expanded to Nashville, offers all kinds of tours of Louisville and surrounding bourbon country. They focus on sightseeing, wine, bourbon, culinary, and horse farm experiences. See below links for bourbon tours, as well as a list of all tours they offer.
The mayan cafe
Located in NuLu, the Mayan Cafe has fantastic guac, burritos, and margs. It's an intimate space, so reservations are recommended.
mussel and burger bar
Located across the street from the 21C Museum Hotel, the downtown location of the Mussel and Burger Bar is newer and would be an easy walk if you are staying downtown.
jack fry's
One of Vinita's favorite restaurants in Louisville, Jack Fry's serves up authentic Southern fare with style. The restaurant has a storied history, including some bootlegging, gambling, and amateur boxing in the backroom. Things have calmed down in recent years, but the menu still sizzles!
ramsi's cafe on the world
One of the staples of Vinita's childhood, Ramsi's has a little bit of everything (hence the restaurant name!) The ambiance and flavors of this place make it a lot of fun and slightly unpredictable, which is why she loves it.
Ramsi's Cafe on the World Website
Royal's hot chicken
Vinita and Varun haven't gotten a chance to check this place out yet, but have heard amazing buzz about the chicken. Check out their website for more information. It's relatively close to downtown (also located in NuLu) so would be easy to get to.
Must-See Sights
Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum
Located on Central Avenue in South Louisville, Churchill Downs is a must-see. The track features Thoroughbred racing, and is most famous for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned Breeders' Cup on eight occasions, most recently in 2011. It is scheduled to host the next Breeders' Cup in 2018.
frazier history museum and start of the bourbon trail
Set to open in August 2018, the Frazier History Museum's Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Exhibit will serve as the starting point of Kentucky's Bourbon Trail.
Falls City Market
A brand new and already popular stop for both locals and guests, Falls City Market at the Omni Louisville Hotel features Heine Brothers' coffee (a local favorite),a bakery, grocery items and other fun goods.
Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center is a non-profit museum and cultural center in Louisville, Kentucky. Dedicated to boxer Muhammad Ali, a native of Louisville, it is located in the city's West Main District. The cultural center features exhibitions regarding Ali's six core principles of confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality. Throughout his life, Muhammad Ali strived to be guided by these core principles in his quest to inspire people around the world, dedicating himself to helping others, being the best athlete he could be and by standing up for what he believed in.
nulu
"NuLu" is located in the East Market Street district of the city, and has some of the city's oldest architecture. There are some wonderful bars, restaurants, and boutiques in the area, along with some great spots for bourbon and wine tastings. You may also spot Spike, a 15-year-old African spur thigh tortoise, walking with his owner who lives in the area. The city's informal slogan "Keep Louisville Weird," makes more sense now, right?
Where to Shop
the kentucky derby museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum has a fantastic gift shop, full of exclusive items made for the Derby by Vineyard Vines. It's a great spot to get something to commemorate your trip to the most famous racetrack in the world!
six sisters boutique in nulu
Founded by six sisters that grew up in Louisville's historic Crescent Hill neighborhood, Six Sisters is a cute boutique with a great selection. Even if you don't "need" anything, it's a fun spot for browsing. On the whole, NuLu is a great place for window shopping.
butchertown market
A great place to shop where the locals shop! Located in trendy Butchertown (you can guess what used to happen here!) the Butchertown Market hosts local Louisville artists and vendors. It can take some time to get through all of the stalls, so plan ahead!