Guidebook for Louisville
Food Scene
The Green Building Gallery
732 E Market StGreat Food and Fun atmosphere in walking distance
Jack Fry's
1007 Bardstown RdProof On Main
702 W Main StVaranese Restaurant
2106 Frankfort AveSeviche A Latin Restaurant
1538 Bardstown RdLilly's
1147 Bardstown RdFeast BBQ
909 E Market StPancakes, French toast, omelets and other breakfast fare (available all day), along with "Free Wifi & Plenty o' Smiles!" Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
77 locals recommend
Toast On Market
620 E Market StPancakes, French toast, omelets and other breakfast fare (available all day), along with "Free Wifi & Plenty o' Smiles!" Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All-day breakfast options include omelets, pancakes, smoked trout hash, breakfast tacos and more. As the sun gains altitude, North End also offers lunch and dinner dishes. Open every day at 8 a.m.
74 locals recommend
North End Cafe
1722 Frankfort AveAll-day breakfast options include omelets, pancakes, smoked trout hash, breakfast tacos and more. As the sun gains altitude, North End also offers lunch and dinner dishes. Open every day at 8 a.m.
Bob Hancock not only bakes the best bread in Louisville, but raises his own pigs and makes his own charcuterie. Don't miss the bacon, or the baguettes. Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
120 locals recommend
Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe
2868 Frankfort AveBob Hancock not only bakes the best bread in Louisville, but raises his own pigs and makes his own charcuterie. Don't miss the bacon, or the baguettes. Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Shopping
This place is AMAZING! One of my all time favorite stores! Great for men and women! Collection of unique and trendy retailers under one roof! You will find modern furniture, clothing, accessories, leather goods, Bourbon gifts and much more!
32 locals recommend
Work the Metal
1201 Story AveThis place is AMAZING! One of my all time favorite stores! Great for men and women! Collection of unique and trendy retailers under one roof! You will find modern furniture, clothing, accessories, leather goods, Bourbon gifts and much more!
Arts & Culture
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
800 W Main StLouisville Glassworks
815 W Market StThe Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby day, has a commitment to engage, educate, and excite everyone about the extraordinary experience that is the Kentucky Derby! When you visit the Museum, you will find yourself immersed in the next best thing to actually being at the Derby! As the exclusive tour provider for Churchill Downs Racetrack, various tours are offered throughout the year even when the track isn’t in session with live racing. General admission includes two levels of family-friendly interactive permanent & temporary exhibits, "The Greatest Race," a 360-degree immersive sound and visual experience that'll get your heart racing and emotions soaring, Historic Walking Tour
180 locals recommend
Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central AvenueThe Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby day, has a commitment to engage, educate, and excite everyone about the extraordinary experience that is the Kentucky Derby! When you visit the Museum, you will find yourself immersed in the next best thing to actually being at the Derby! As the exclusive tour provider for Churchill Downs Racetrack, various tours are offered throughout the year even when the track isn’t in session with live racing. General admission includes two levels of family-friendly interactive permanent & temporary exhibits, "The Greatest Race," a 360-degree immersive sound and visual experience that'll get your heart racing and emotions soaring, Historic Walking Tour
Entertainment & Activities
Built in the heart of Louisville, the Angel’s Envy Distillery is downtown’s first fully operational whiskey production facility. Angel’s Envy puts you in the center of our distilling process for a unique tour experience. TOURS ARE BY ONLINE RESERVATION ONLY.
171 locals recommend
Angel's Envy Distillery
500 E Main StBuilt in the heart of Louisville, the Angel’s Envy Distillery is downtown’s first fully operational whiskey production facility. Angel’s Envy puts you in the center of our distilling process for a unique tour experience. TOURS ARE BY ONLINE RESERVATION ONLY.
One of a kind experience, perfect for a romantic evening, a family outing, solo exercise, or Segway site-seers. It’s probably about a mile round-trip. There’s parking at a park in downtown Louisville. Great skyline views of Louisville. Many restaurants are nearby as you reach the Indiana side. At night, the bridge is lit up and has classical music playing. No pets. Totally different experience at night than daytime. You can rent a bicycle and Segway tours are available.
214 locals recommend
Big Four Bridge
1101 River RdOne of a kind experience, perfect for a romantic evening, a family outing, solo exercise, or Segway site-seers. It’s probably about a mile round-trip. There’s parking at a park in downtown Louisville. Great skyline views of Louisville. Many restaurants are nearby as you reach the Indiana side. At night, the bridge is lit up and has classical music playing. No pets. Totally different experience at night than daytime. You can rent a bicycle and Segway tours are available.
Copper & Kings American Brandy, located in Butchertown, Louisville, Kentucky produces exquisite American Spirits including Brandy, Apple Brandies and a variety of Vapor Distilled Absinthes. A distillery tour includes a walk through the modern, eco friendly facility including the Courtyard, with fire pit and reflecting pool, the Distillery floor, Maturation Cellar, Art Gallery and finishes with an exclusive tasting on the SkyDeck with stunning views of the city. An attraction like any other! Tours operate on the hour Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The final tour of each day runs one hour prior to close.
125 locals recommend
Copper & Kings American Brandy Company
1121 E Washington StCopper & Kings American Brandy, located in Butchertown, Louisville, Kentucky produces exquisite American Spirits including Brandy, Apple Brandies and a variety of Vapor Distilled Absinthes. A distillery tour includes a walk through the modern, eco friendly facility including the Courtyard, with fire pit and reflecting pool, the Distillery floor, Maturation Cellar, Art Gallery and finishes with an exclusive tasting on the SkyDeck with stunning views of the city. An attraction like any other! Tours operate on the hour Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The final tour of each day runs one hour prior to close.
While visiting Louisville, Kentucky, you won't want to miss MEGA ZIPS, the world's ONLY underground zipline adventure tour! Featuring 6 ziplines nearly 100 feet off the cavern floor and two challenge bridges, MEGA ZIPS is 2.5 hours of adrenaline-fueled adventure! Though fun for the whole family, the kids will especially love MEGA QUEST, the only underground ropes challenge course in the world! MEGA QUEST features two levels and 76 challenge elements including mini-ziplines and rope walls. Explore at your own pace in this 2-hour adventure! Heights aren't your thing? No problem! Enjoy the jumps in our 320,000 square foot BMX & MTB MEGA BIKE PARK, explore the furthest parts of the cavern on our
136 locals recommend
Louisville Mega Cavern
1841 Taylor AveWhile visiting Louisville, Kentucky, you won't want to miss MEGA ZIPS, the world's ONLY underground zipline adventure tour! Featuring 6 ziplines nearly 100 feet off the cavern floor and two challenge bridges, MEGA ZIPS is 2.5 hours of adrenaline-fueled adventure! Though fun for the whole family, the kids will especially love MEGA QUEST, the only underground ropes challenge course in the world! MEGA QUEST features two levels and 76 challenge elements including mini-ziplines and rope walls. Explore at your own pace in this 2-hour adventure! Heights aren't your thing? No problem! Enjoy the jumps in our 320,000 square foot BMX & MTB MEGA BIKE PARK, explore the furthest parts of the cavern on our
Parks & Nature
Excellent place for a dog walk, run, family picnic, yoga, you name it. If you're in the area and don't visit, you're missing out on this beautiful historic park.
383 locals recommend
Cherokee Park
745 Cochran Hill RdExcellent place for a dog walk, run, family picnic, yoga, you name it. If you're in the area and don't visit, you're missing out on this beautiful historic park.
Drinks & Nightlife
For some of the most inventive cocktails in Louisville, head to the upstairs bar at Butchertown Grocery. Located in an old market inside one of the city’s most recently revitalized neighborhoods, this restaurant was founded by chef Bobby Benjamin, My Morning Jacket drummer Patrick Hallahan, and high-stakes lawyer Jon Salomon. The drinks are as unique as the ownership team, with sophisticated, yet off-kilter, picks like the Heart Attack and Vine, made from Beefeater gin, bacon-washed Campari, and mulled wine.
106 locals recommend
Butchertown Grocery
743 E Washington StFor some of the most inventive cocktails in Louisville, head to the upstairs bar at Butchertown Grocery. Located in an old market inside one of the city’s most recently revitalized neighborhoods, this restaurant was founded by chef Bobby Benjamin, My Morning Jacket drummer Patrick Hallahan, and high-stakes lawyer Jon Salomon. The drinks are as unique as the ownership team, with sophisticated, yet off-kilter, picks like the Heart Attack and Vine, made from Beefeater gin, bacon-washed Campari, and mulled wine.
LouVino is a bar that serves up small plates and big wines. Their impeccable menu takes the intimidation out of ordering bottles by describing juice with helpful, if a little tongue-in-cheek, designations like “fruit-forward and frisky,” “rich, bold and ‘intellectually satisfying,’” and “interesting and potentially funky.”
78 locals recommend
LouVino Restaurant & Wine Bar
1606 Bardstown RdLouVino is a bar that serves up small plates and big wines. Their impeccable menu takes the intimidation out of ordering bottles by describing juice with helpful, if a little tongue-in-cheek, designations like “fruit-forward and frisky,” “rich, bold and ‘intellectually satisfying,’” and “interesting and potentially funky.”
While not technically a bar, Old 502 Winery—the city’s first and only urban winery—deserves a visit. Onsite tastings are only $10 and include six wines; you can play it safe with choices like the Kentucky Lady, a refreshing and sweet white made from all Kentucky fruit, or go a little funky with the Bourbon Barrel Red, a semi-dry red wine with a hint of that other famous Kentucky beverage.
13 locals recommend
Old 502 Winery
915 East Liberty StreetWhile not technically a bar, Old 502 Winery—the city’s first and only urban winery—deserves a visit. Onsite tastings are only $10 and include six wines; you can play it safe with choices like the Kentucky Lady, a refreshing and sweet white made from all Kentucky fruit, or go a little funky with the Bourbon Barrel Red, a semi-dry red wine with a hint of that other famous Kentucky beverage.
8up, as Louisville’s only rooftop bar, offers an unbeatable view of the city. Expect a sleek and modern aesthetic, with updated cocktail classics like a blackberry julep, and bar snacks that include mushroom wraps and salmon poke made fresh at the designated open lounge kitchen.
98 locals recommend
8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen
350 W Chestnut St8up, as Louisville’s only rooftop bar, offers an unbeatable view of the city. Expect a sleek and modern aesthetic, with updated cocktail classics like a blackberry julep, and bar snacks that include mushroom wraps and salmon poke made fresh at the designated open lounge kitchen.
Having a beer at Holy Grale is a religious experience, as the offbeat gastropub with a long, rotating list of local and craft brews is housed in an early 20th century Unitarian church. Explore the choir loft or biergarten with a pint in hand. Beware, however—if you are looking for bourbon or wine, there is none to be found here (however with 26 taps and killer chicken gravy poutine, you won’t miss it).
128 locals recommend
Holy Grale
1034 Bardstown RdHaving a beer at Holy Grale is a religious experience, as the offbeat gastropub with a long, rotating list of local and craft brews is housed in an early 20th century Unitarian church. Explore the choir loft or biergarten with a pint in hand. Beware, however—if you are looking for bourbon or wine, there is none to be found here (however with 26 taps and killer chicken gravy poutine, you won’t miss it).
For something with a little less saintly backstory, head to Meta, a downtown bar that used to be the Show-n-Tell strip club; though it is looking decidedly more posh now. According to co-owner Jeremy Johnson, the drink menu is inspired by the meta elements of historic cocktails—how different drinks were reimagined over the course of decades by individual bartenders— and their bartenders have continued the tradition by serving up fresh craft cocktails that playfully reference the classics. Part-speakeasy, part-hipster hangout, this is the place to be past 1 a.m.
23 locals recommend
Meta
425 W Chestnut StFor something with a little less saintly backstory, head to Meta, a downtown bar that used to be the Show-n-Tell strip club; though it is looking decidedly more posh now. According to co-owner Jeremy Johnson, the drink menu is inspired by the meta elements of historic cocktails—how different drinks were reimagined over the course of decades by individual bartenders— and their bartenders have continued the tradition by serving up fresh craft cocktails that playfully reference the classics. Part-speakeasy, part-hipster hangout, this is the place to be past 1 a.m.
Head down to The Cellar at Decca for cocktails with a focus on fresh and house-made ingredients, which pair well with the upscale bar bites. Think farmstead cheese board and shoestring frites. Decca is locally known for its music: live jazz, vinyl, or sounds from the vintage jukebox set the mood; though perhaps the bar is even more infamously known for its $5 Holla—Shot of Bourbon and a can of beer deal.
61 locals recommend
Decca Restaurant
812 E Market StHead down to The Cellar at Decca for cocktails with a focus on fresh and house-made ingredients, which pair well with the upscale bar bites. Think farmstead cheese board and shoestring frites. Decca is locally known for its music: live jazz, vinyl, or sounds from the vintage jukebox set the mood; though perhaps the bar is even more infamously known for its $5 Holla—Shot of Bourbon and a can of beer deal.
You can’t come to Louisville without going to a bourbon bar, and Down One is the ultimate. Located on historic Whiskey Row, right in the heart of downtown, this bar stocks over 160 bourbons. Enjoy on the magnolia tree-lined patio (or see if you can find the secret Prohibition-style phone booth room stocked with some of the rarest bourbons available).
16 locals recommend
Down One Bourbon Bar
321 W Main StYou can’t come to Louisville without going to a bourbon bar, and Down One is the ultimate. Located on historic Whiskey Row, right in the heart of downtown, this bar stocks over 160 bourbons. Enjoy on the magnolia tree-lined patio (or see if you can find the secret Prohibition-style phone booth room stocked with some of the rarest bourbons available).
Sightseeing
The Muhammad Ali Center is a multicultural center with an award-winning museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. The Center's museum captures the inspiration derived from the story of Muhammad Ali’s incredible life and the six core principles that have fueled his journey.
279 locals recommend
Muhammad Ali Center
144 N 6th StThe Muhammad Ali Center is a multicultural center with an award-winning museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. The Center's museum captures the inspiration derived from the story of Muhammad Ali’s incredible life and the six core principles that have fueled his journey.