Louisville
Home to the Official Bat of Major League Baseball- the Louisville Slugger, Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky. Located on the Ohio River, this prosperous city is historically known as the “Gateway to the South” or the “River City.” Try to get the right pronunciation down (”Looeyvul”) before taking a trip, to prevent looking like an out-of-towner. Louisville is definitely a place where you’ll find true southern hospitality, a relaxed atmosphere, vibrant arts, and a variety of cuisines–all of which will lure you in and make you want to stay forever.
- Pictures |
- Things to do |
- Nightlife |
- Dining |
- Shopping |
- Travel tips
Louisville Pictures
Things to do in Louisville
Aside from the very popular Kentucky Derby that takes place on the first Saturday every May, there are a ton of things do and see in Louisville. The four major areas of the city are Downtown, Old Louisville, Highlands, and Franfort Avenue, all easily accessible by bus or foot. Home to the “Emerald Necklace”, a unique and gorgeous system of parks, these are definitely worth strolling or cycling when the weather’s nice. Preserved Victorian architecture is everywhere in Louisville, so a walking tour through the downtown area is highly recommended. Many events take place in or have taken place in Louisville, including the Ryder Cup 2008 (golf tournament) and the St. James Court Art Show, one of the largest art shows in the United States. Thunder Over Louisville is one of the world’s largest air show and fireworks displays, and if possible, is a must-see while visiting.
Nightlife in Louisville
When in Louisville, you need to try the famous local drink- a mint julep, traditionally consumed during the Kentucky Derby. A great place to get one of these is Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge. To connect with the locals, head down to some of the more hole-in-the-wall bars and experience the local nightlife. One of the best places to go is The Highlands, where many pubs are located, including Cahoots, Highlands Taproom, and Molly Malone’s. Various microbreweries are scattered through Louisville, from the Bluegrass Brewing Company and Brownings. If you are looking for a hot club, the Red Cheetah is the place for you to go all out.
Dining in Louisville
Finding a great place to eat is not hard at all in Louisville, with its wide variety of local places and as well as more well-known restaurant chains. Two Louisville specialty dishes are the Hot Brown, which is a broiled turkey sandwich with bacon and mornay sauce, and the Derby pie, which is essentially a chocolate pecan pie. J. Gumbo’s is a great place to go for delicious, traditional cajun food, from jambalaya to creole and drunk chicken. If you are looking for a classy place to take your date, check out the more upscale restaurants such as Avalon, Le Relais (French), and Asiatique.
Shopping in Louisville
The most popular shopping district is likely the Highlands, where there is something for everyone. With art galleries, bars, coffeehouses, restaurants, and shops, this area of the city is seen as the bohemian center. Clifton/Frankfort Avenue is also a great area to shop. Many local shops display signs that read “Keep Louisville Weird”, which speaks towards the uniqueness of the city. Other shopping areas include Oxmoor Mall, The Summit, and Springhurst.
Louisville travel tips
- Check out the horse races at Churchill Downs, particularly the Kentucky Derby- a huge tourist attraction.
- Take a trip to Thomas Edison’s house for a look into important local history that has impacted the world!
- Be sure to check out Old Louisville–the nation’s third largest historic preservation district.
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