Louisville is more than just the Kentucky Derby. This cool town can also be paradise for any bourbon lover or foodie. For anyone doing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, we recommend taking a couple days to explore everything Louisville has to offer. You’ll leave very full and maybe a little hungover.
Where to Eat
After spending over a year in Louisville for work, I’ve had the privilege of trying a ton of restaurants in the city. There are truly great options everywhere you look, but below are some personal favorites.
Wild Eggs: This is an absolutely delicious brunch spot. You can’t go wrong on the menu, but we really enjoyed Mexico City Maria’s Chilaquiles, Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict, and the actually freshest squeezed orange juice. Look no further for the perfect hangover cure. You can expect a 15-20 minute wait on weekends.
Hammerheads: This is easily my favorite bar food in Louisville. The duck fat sweet potato fries are to die for, and make sure you get the sun-dried tomato aioli for dipping. It is always packed, but don’t let that turn you away. You’ll absolutely love the divey atmosphere, brisket tacos, ribs, and pork belly sliders.
Proof on Main: If you’re looking for an upscale spot to eat downtown, Proof is the place to go. Here you can order a great steak, some of the best charred octopus you’ll ever eat, delicious whipped ricotta cheese, and some high class bourbon to wash it all down. Reservations are recommended. As weird as it sounds, it is also recommended to use the restroom here. The restaurant shares a common area with an artsy hotel, and you’ll get a kick out of the one-way mirrors and electronic art exhibits on your way to the toilets.
LouVino: This tapas restaurant in the Bardstown Road area is fantastic. The menu has a ton of great options, but we especially loved the bacon wrapped dates, duck fat frites with truffle aioli, and grilled skirt steak.
Momma’s Mustard, Pickles, & BBQ: Momma’s has probably the best beef ribs ever. They are so big that a half rack consists of only two bones, and even that is hard to finish. The meat somehow still falls off the bone at that size. Considering Momma’s wings have also been called the best in America by BBQ author Johnny Fugitt, you really can’t miss a visit here.
Stitzel-Weller Distillery
What to Do
Distilleries: We love bourbon, so Louisville was the perfect spot for us to visit distilleries. Our favorite had to be Stitzel-Weller, which distills Bulleit bourbon. We signed up for the tour of the distillery as well as the tasting, which it turns out are very similar. Luckily, the staff there were understanding and switched out our bourbons for the tasting so we could try some new options. The tour also included some cool historical information, so we definitely recommend it. All in all we left very happy and very tipsy. Other distillery options in or close to Louisville include Angel’s Envy, Evan Williams, and the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in Fourth Street Live. We only stopped by Jim Beam, but the old fashion they offer with Baker’s aged 7 years is perfect.
Outside the Louisville Slugger Museum
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: We were expecting this stop to be more of a museum with minimal production occurring, but they are actually churning out a ton of bats right in downtown Louisville. It was really cool learning about the production process and seeing it in action. We definitely recommend the tour for any baseball fan or operations nerd.
Kentucky Derby: Of course, we can’t write a post about Louisville without mentioning the Kentucky derby. While we’ve never been to the derby personally, we’ve spent time in the city before and after. Hotel prices SPIKE for that week, so if you have plans to attend, make sure to book your accommodations well in advance. The city of Louisville also has events the entire week leading up to the derby, such as Taste of Derby, so it may be worth coming into town a few days early.
College Basketball: Watching a live college basketball game in Louisville is also an incredible experience. The fans go nuts, and the KFC Yum! Center does a great job of trapping in the crowd noise to really give the space an energized feel. The arena is right downtown, so consider getting a ticket if the dates happen to align for you.
Other Tips & Tricks
Where to Stay: Our preferred neighborhood in Louisville is The Highlands right next to Bardstown Road. If you stay here you’ll have easy access to a ton of great restaurants and nightlife. Hotels in that area are scarce, though, so your best bet is an Airbnb. If you choose to stay downtown, we’d recommend looking at the Hyatt or Marriott. Both are in good locations close to Fourth Street Live, and they’ll have all the amenities you need. The Aloft also isn’t bad, but it’s a step lower than the other two hotels.
Bourbon tree at Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse
Bourbon: While visiting Kentucky, you’ll have access to bourbon that is hard to come by anywhere else in the world. We recommend stocking up and taking a few bottles home for yourself and loved ones. Don’t be afraid to try something new.