Plan My Trip: Louisville

Posted by Janelle Nanos on October 7, 2010
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Photo: Belle of Louisville

I’m heading to Kentucky for the first time this coming weekend, and will be exploring the lovely city of Louisville. I’m already looking forward to checking out NuLu, Butchertown, and Frankfort Avenue, and will most likely find myself wandering along the Urban Bourbon Trail. The new KFC Yum! Foods athletic center will be opening downtown this weekend as well. But I’m eager to hear your suggestions: Where should I visit? What should I eat? And where can I find best Louisville souvenir? Help plan my trip and I’ll report back on how well your suggestions worked out.

[Kentucky Travel Guide]
[Plan My Trip]
[I Heart My City: Louisville]

Photo: The Belle of Louisville is a Historic Landmark, by Christopher Drake/My Shot

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Comments

  1. Andre Van Severen
    October 7, 2010, 1:51 pm

    We visited Louisville three weeks ago on an overseas trip from Europe.
    Great city! You have one foot in the South, the other in the Midwest, a hand reaching the Far West, the other holding a Bourbon shot.
    Pronounce the city’s name correctly as “Lou-a—vull”.
    Dip a hand in the Ohio river as a tribute to the 19th century pioneers.
    Go bowling and sit with the guys at the Sports and Social Club bar in 4th street.
    See Alice Cooper’s guitar at the Hard Rock Café.
    Just enjoy and relax!

  2. Courtney
    October 7, 2010, 2:01 pm

    Louisville has great restaurants – check out Market Street and eat at Mayan Cafe, 732 Social (great cocktails) and Wiltshire Pantry.
    Definitely go to the Highlands/Bardstown Rd – lots of shops and a good bar scene. Check out nearby Cherokee Park and Cave Hill Cemetary both beautiful.
    Best souvenir is a Louisville Slugger mini bat from the Slugger museum on Main.
    Check out Churchill Downs as well – they just redid the museum

  3. Ron
    October 7, 2010, 2:40 pm

    Definitely go to the Highlands/Bardstown Road, for sure. If you can pick up some pizza there, so much the better. I’m a Wick’s/Bearno’s/Papalinos fan, but they’re all really good. Get a French press or Americano at Quills. Flanagan’s has the best fish and chips of the many I’ve tasted, thanks to their made-in-house tartar sauce. Molly Malone’s across the street is also really good, and I’m a frequent browser at Celtic Corner as well. There are a lot of funky local clothing stores and just general fun things on Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue, like UltraPop, WHY Louisville, and the only video store you’ll ever need, Wild & Woolly Video (check out their autographs on the wall).
    While on Frankfort Ave, check out sushi/sake bar food at Maido or get a beer at Sergio’s (the best beer selection anywhere I’ve ever been). If you’re there on the last Friday of the month, there’s also the FAT trolley hop.
    If you get downtown, go to Proof on Main for some gelato and check out the world-class 21c Hotel and Museum. Go for a walk down at the Belvedere/Waterfront Park. You’re not far from Fourth Street Live (though it’s a touristy thing to do, there’s some cool stuff there like the Makers Mark Lounge), so walk a little more down Fourth Street and cash in some favors to get to wander around inside the Palace Theater. It’s incredible.
    And if you STILL have time after all that, if you get out near Preston Highway (on your way back from The Ville), try to get to Thai Smile 5; it’s cheap but great Thai food with the friendliest owner ever.
    I know, I sound like the freaking tourist bureau, but I’m really just a Louisville lifer.

  4. Deborah
    October 7, 2010, 5:20 pm

    A cool & unique spot to visit is the American Printing House for the Blind on Frankfort Ave.

  5. Theresa
    October 8, 2010, 12:47 pm

    Souvenir: Check out WHY Louisville on Bardstown Road to get an authentic t-shirt, grab a piece of pottery at Louisville Stoneware or Hadley Pottery, get a bat at the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, pick up some artwork at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft or Glassworks, or buy a Mint Julep Glass at Taste of Kentucky
    Eat: Ramsi’s and Seviche on Bardstown Road, Mayan Cafe downtown, Varanase and Basa on Frankfort Ave., breakfast at Wagner’s Pharmacy by Churchill Downs, bbq and a beer at the Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot, dessert at Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen on Bardstown Road
    Drink: Try a local microbrew at Cumberland Brewery, BBC, or Brownings
    Do: tour the Muhammad Ali Center, watch one of the performances at the Frazier Museum, see bats being made at the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, check out 21C if you don’t stay there, admire the homes in Old Louisville, go trick or treating at the Louisville Zoo…