Guidebook for Louisville

Jodie
Guidebook for Louisville

Essentials

Great selection. Under expansion, so improving everyday.
232 locals recommend
Kroger
1265 Goss Ave
232 locals recommend
Great selection. Under expansion, so improving everyday.
Not as stocked or spiffy as Kroger, but easy walking distance for any last minute essentials .
Taylor Boulevard Pic-Pac
3110 Taylor Blvd
Not as stocked or spiffy as Kroger, but easy walking distance for any last minute essentials .
Gas Station with small market - 24-7
9 locals recommend
Speedway
1101 Bardstown Rd
9 locals recommend
Gas Station with small market - 24-7

Food Scene

A classic establishment serving the race track and equine community since 1922. Straightforward diner food, served with a lot of local character. Small gift shop in the back, where you pay after dining.
28 locals recommend
Wagner's Pharmacy
3113 S 4th St
28 locals recommend
A classic establishment serving the race track and equine community since 1922. Straightforward diner food, served with a lot of local character. Small gift shop in the back, where you pay after dining.
Locally owned Mexican joint, accommodating and friendly service.
18 locals recommend
El Molcajete
2932 S 4th St
18 locals recommend
Locally owned Mexican joint, accommodating and friendly service.
Huge menu, busy lunch and weekend dinner crowd. Inexpensive and filling.
76 locals recommend
Vietnam Kitchen
5339 Mitscher Ave
76 locals recommend
Huge menu, busy lunch and weekend dinner crowd. Inexpensive and filling.
New German inspired bistro food. A Louisville original. Tasty and intimate.
79 locals recommend
EiDERDOWN
983 Goss Ave
79 locals recommend
New German inspired bistro food. A Louisville original. Tasty and intimate.
Locally owned and operated. Friendly low key neighborhood spot, with nice simple design.
52 locals recommend
Bean
1138 Goss Ave
52 locals recommend
Locally owned and operated. Friendly low key neighborhood spot, with nice simple design.
Hidden in the basement, this local favorite never disappoints.
158 locals recommend
Hammerheads
921 Swan St
158 locals recommend
Hidden in the basement, this local favorite never disappoints.
Some of the best local beer is made here. The food is spot on, and the decor totally lovely and comfortable. The upstairs is a small live music venue as well.
117 locals recommend
Monnik Beer Company
1036 E Burnett Ave
117 locals recommend
Some of the best local beer is made here. The food is spot on, and the decor totally lovely and comfortable. The upstairs is a small live music venue as well.
Totally delicious, always fresh with complex and exciting flavors + friendly service. a personal favorite for lunch or dinner.
125 locals recommend
Mayan Cafe
813 E Market St
125 locals recommend
Totally delicious, always fresh with complex and exciting flavors + friendly service. a personal favorite for lunch or dinner.
More of a full service cafe - I come here for the healthy bites, but am ALWAYS tempted by the gorgeous pastries. *Hint call ahead to reserve one of the ridiculously delicious egg biscuits on Saturday, they always sell out fast.
70 locals recommend
Wiltshire Pantry Bakery and Cafe
901 Barret Ave
70 locals recommend
More of a full service cafe - I come here for the healthy bites, but am ALWAYS tempted by the gorgeous pastries. *Hint call ahead to reserve one of the ridiculously delicious egg biscuits on Saturday, they always sell out fast.
Coffee and pastries, limited food menu. Call ahead. Close early, but its a friendly place, well meaning focus, in a burgeoning neighborhood...
18 locals recommend
Scarlet's Bakery
106 Fairfax Ave
18 locals recommend
Coffee and pastries, limited food menu. Call ahead. Close early, but its a friendly place, well meaning focus, in a burgeoning neighborhood...
Close and dependable local chain, good coffee. Lots of student activity, stays busy but quiet. productive work vibe.
110 locals recommend
Quills Coffee
930 Baxter Ave
110 locals recommend
Close and dependable local chain, good coffee. Lots of student activity, stays busy but quiet. productive work vibe.
Not a shining star in the food scene, but close, locally owned and kept above average diner open and serving breakfast to dinner at all times. 24-7. Can't beat that.
20 locals recommend
Burger Boy
1450 S Brook St
20 locals recommend
Not a shining star in the food scene, but close, locally owned and kept above average diner open and serving breakfast to dinner at all times. 24-7. Can't beat that.
My go to for top extra special occasion dining.
12 locals recommend
Bistro Le Relais
2817 Taylorsville Rd
12 locals recommend
My go to for top extra special occasion dining.

Drinks & Nightlife

With a full menu and lovingly kept pinball machines and arcade games, this one of a kind bar has expanded to house a top music venue in the rear. Founded and run by two brothers who are great guys, "Z bar" can satisfy whatever itch you may have for local nightlife flavor.
90 locals recommend
Zanzabar
2100 S Preston St
90 locals recommend
With a full menu and lovingly kept pinball machines and arcade games, this one of a kind bar has expanded to house a top music venue in the rear. Founded and run by two brothers who are great guys, "Z bar" can satisfy whatever itch you may have for local nightlife flavor.
Upscale cocktail joint, speakeasy style. Pricey, but worth it for an easy night out.
56 locals recommend
North of Bourbon
935 Goss Ave
56 locals recommend
Upscale cocktail joint, speakeasy style. Pricey, but worth it for an easy night out.
Great Bloody Mary's, even better fried mushrooms. You're welcome, and I apologize.
20 locals recommend
Old Louisville Tavern
1532 S 4th St
20 locals recommend
Great Bloody Mary's, even better fried mushrooms. You're welcome, and I apologize.

Parks & Nature

Gorgeous area, lots of hiking trails. Helpful visitors center. Zipline - limited time I have free admission tickets - inquire if interested! Great for exercise and seeing nature.
58 locals recommend
Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
58 locals recommend
Gorgeous area, lots of hiking trails. Helpful visitors center. Zipline - limited time I have free admission tickets - inquire if interested! Great for exercise and seeing nature.
Privately run local treasure. Amazing wilderness and guided educational programing.
44 locals recommend
Bernheim Arboretum and Research
2075 Clermont Rd
44 locals recommend
Privately run local treasure. Amazing wilderness and guided educational programing.
The caves are amazing. The grounds stunning. For kids, and grown-up children alike. Go.
274 locals recommend
Mammoth Cave
274 locals recommend
The caves are amazing. The grounds stunning. For kids, and grown-up children alike. Go.
gorgeous wilderness and hiking
18 locals recommend
Hoosier National Forest
811 Constitution Ave
18 locals recommend
gorgeous wilderness and hiking
18 locals recommend
Scenic Loop, Cherokee Park
Scenic Loop
18 locals recommend
Lookout. also fantastic ampitheater
92 locals recommend
Iroquois Park
92 locals recommend
Lookout. also fantastic ampitheater
Nice tennis courts and swing set. Easy access and parking. Also amphitheater and summer stage programming. Have a walk round St James Court and Old Louisville if you go and see the iconic homes of yesteryear.
41 locals recommend
Central Park
1340 S 4th St
41 locals recommend
Nice tennis courts and swing set. Easy access and parking. Also amphitheater and summer stage programming. Have a walk round St James Court and Old Louisville if you go and see the iconic homes of yesteryear.
go for the walk, check out the view. Great historic panels along the way. Make a day of it. Walk the waterfront, take a ride on the Belle of Louisville. Explore downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville In.
78 locals recommend
Big Four Bridge Entrance
1101 River Rd
78 locals recommend
go for the walk, check out the view. Great historic panels along the way. Make a day of it. Walk the waterfront, take a ride on the Belle of Louisville. Explore downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville In.

Arts & Culture

Be sure to look into the film series and cafe here too!
289 locals recommend
The Speed Art Museum
2035 S 3rd St
289 locals recommend
Be sure to look into the film series and cafe here too!
A hotel, yes. A restaurant and bar, yes. Also a free contemporary art gallery, worth a visit on its own. Go through the museum and feel free to wander the galleries, anytime.
122 locals recommend
21 US-31E
21 US-31E
122 locals recommend
A hotel, yes. A restaurant and bar, yes. Also a free contemporary art gallery, worth a visit on its own. Go through the museum and feel free to wander the galleries, anytime.

Entertainment & Activities

Art House and big run flicks in a newly rennovated intimiate space. Seriously the seats are better than the best Laz-y-boy recliner you could imagine. Purchase tickets online for first few screenings of any big runs or on the weekend. Tip: Tuesday matinees are $5.75 and any flick before 6 is $7.00.
73 locals recommend
Baxter Avenue Theatres
1250 Bardstown Rd
73 locals recommend
Art House and big run flicks in a newly rennovated intimiate space. Seriously the seats are better than the best Laz-y-boy recliner you could imagine. Purchase tickets online for first few screenings of any big runs or on the weekend. Tip: Tuesday matinees are $5.75 and any flick before 6 is $7.00.
Mostly a music venue, but the building is worth taking a tour of as well. stunning architecture, a top pick to experience the iconic history of the movie palace.
53 locals recommend
Louisville Palace
625 S 4th St
53 locals recommend
Mostly a music venue, but the building is worth taking a tour of as well. stunning architecture, a top pick to experience the iconic history of the movie palace.
great museum for kids downtown. also has imax theater
122 locals recommend
Kentucky Science Center
727 W Main St
122 locals recommend
great museum for kids downtown. also has imax theater
Our esteemed neighbor
544 locals recommend
Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave
544 locals recommend
Our esteemed neighbor
A singular and astounding resource for history and understanding
279 locals recommend
Muhammad Ali Center
144 N 6th St
279 locals recommend
A singular and astounding resource for history and understanding
Great option for kids and adults alike. Take a tour, get a souvenir.
441 locals recommend
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
800 W Main St
441 locals recommend
Great option for kids and adults alike. Take a tour, get a souvenir.
University of Louisville's pride and joy - in walking distance!
15 locals recommend
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
2800 S Floyd St
15 locals recommend
University of Louisville's pride and joy - in walking distance!
I haven't been since I was a kid. But it's close and full of rides...
127 locals recommend
Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane Bay
937 Phillips Ln
127 locals recommend
I haven't been since I was a kid. But it's close and full of rides...

Shopping

thirfting at its best - and cheapest. Everything but clothes.
6 locals recommend
Tickled Pink Memorabilia Mall
3269 Taylor Blvd
6 locals recommend
thirfting at its best - and cheapest. Everything but clothes.
THE BEST CHOCOLATE. And I am picky. I love chocolate. This stuff is dangerous, and totally worth it. Find around town or go directly to the source in Butchertown Mall, with some other sweet little shops.
Cellar Door Chocolates
1201 Story Ave
THE BEST CHOCOLATE. And I am picky. I love chocolate. This stuff is dangerous, and totally worth it. Find around town or go directly to the source in Butchertown Mall, with some other sweet little shops.
Great little wine shop.
6 locals recommend
Wine Market
1200 Bardstown Road
6 locals recommend
Great little wine shop.