Matt’s Louisville Area Guidebook
Food scene
This is my favorite local Old World Pub (as they like to say). Great beer, old fashioneds, food, and service.
16 locals recommend
Pints & Union
114 E Market StThis is my favorite local Old World Pub (as they like to say). Great beer, old fashioneds, food, and service.
This is microbrewery with good beer and even better food. They also have the Enchanted Forest and Grain Haus just behind it where they have a huge number of beer taps and an outdoor event space where they often host mini-festivals. Very worth a visit.
31 locals recommend
Floyd County Brewing Company
129 W Main StThis is microbrewery with good beer and even better food. They also have the Enchanted Forest and Grain Haus just behind it where they have a huge number of beer taps and an outdoor event space where they often host mini-festivals. Very worth a visit.
If you're looking for a nice steak dinner, this is your spot, only a five minute drive from the house.
35 locals recommend
Brooklyn and The Butcher
148 E Market StIf you're looking for a nice steak dinner, this is your spot, only a five minute drive from the house.
Do you love classic pinball, arcade games, beer, and pub food, well, this is your spot. This is a fun place for kids and adults, and it's only a mile from the house.
10 locals recommend
Recbar 812
336 Pearl StDo you love classic pinball, arcade games, beer, and pub food, well, this is your spot. This is a fun place for kids and adults, and it's only a mile from the house.
Come here if you want some unique tacos and tantalizing margaritas and other tasty cocktails.
42 locals recommend
Agave & Rye
426 Baxter AveCome here if you want some unique tacos and tantalizing margaritas and other tasty cocktails.
La Catrina is a zesty, colorful spot with food and drinks that match the upbeat decor!
15 locals recommend
La Catrina Mexican Kitchen
202 E Elm StLa Catrina is a zesty, colorful spot with food and drinks that match the upbeat decor!
This is a late night bar spot. The atmosphere is hip and the music is loud.
11 locals recommend
The Earl
109 E Market StThis is a late night bar spot. The atmosphere is hip and the music is loud.
Neighborhoods
This is the coolest neighborhood in Louisville. (NULU is a close second.) There are great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, parks, boutiques, murals, etc. You can spend a few hours walking up and down the streets eating, drinking, and taking it all in. I've been here nearly a decade and I still love doing just that.
134 locals recommend
Highlands
This is the coolest neighborhood in Louisville. (NULU is a close second.) There are great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, parks, boutiques, murals, etc. You can spend a few hours walking up and down the streets eating, drinking, and taking it all in. I've been here nearly a decade and I still love doing just that.
A very fun, trendy neighborhood filled with cute boutiques, innovative restaurants, funky bars, and cozy coffee shops.
213 locals recommend
East Market District
A very fun, trendy neighborhood filled with cute boutiques, innovative restaurants, funky bars, and cozy coffee shops.
Sightseeing
This is a converted railroad bridge that gives you one of the best free views of the Louisville skyline. On the Louisville side you can also explore Waterfront Park and on the Jeffersonville side you can get explore the restaurants, coffee shops, and bars to satiate whatever cravings you may have.
214 locals recommend
Big Four Bridge
1101 River RdThis is a converted railroad bridge that gives you one of the best free views of the Louisville skyline. On the Louisville side you can also explore Waterfront Park and on the Jeffersonville side you can get explore the restaurants, coffee shops, and bars to satiate whatever cravings you may have.
If there's a meet at Churchill Downs, you should see the ponies run, but if not, you can still tour the historic track. You should also make sure to visit the Derby museum, which is connected.
544 locals recommend
Churchill Downs
700 Central AveIf there's a meet at Churchill Downs, you should see the ponies run, but if not, you can still tour the historic track. You should also make sure to visit the Derby museum, which is connected.
Stop at the slugger museum to see the world's largest bat as well as how some of the MLB's most coveted bats are made.
441 locals recommend
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
800 W Main StStop at the slugger museum to see the world's largest bat as well as how some of the MLB's most coveted bats are made.
Go see either of Louisville's great soccer teams, Racing Louisville and LouCity
29 locals recommend
Lynn Family Stadium
350 Adams StGo see either of Louisville's great soccer teams, Racing Louisville and LouCity
This is a great spot to take the kids to do some hands on science learning.
122 locals recommend
Kentucky Science Center
727 W Main StThis is a great spot to take the kids to do some hands on science learning.
The Frasier History Museum showcases a lot of local history as well as state and national history.
158 locals recommend
Frazier History Museum
829 W Main StThe Frasier History Museum showcases a lot of local history as well as state and national history.
When you come into town, check and see if any fun events, such as Waterfront Wednesday, Forecastle, or Thunder over Louisville are happening. This a great place to enjoy local events or take a a quiet stroll and watch the Ohio roll along.
183 locals recommend
Waterfront Park
129 River RdWhen you come into town, check and see if any fun events, such as Waterfront Wednesday, Forecastle, or Thunder over Louisville are happening. This a great place to enjoy local events or take a a quiet stroll and watch the Ohio roll along.
This is personally my favorite park in the whole city. You can walk, hike, run, mountain bike on the 2.4 loop or through the trails. There are also multiple pavilions for cookouts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a 9-hole golf course.
383 locals recommend
Cherokee Park
745 Cochran Hill RdThis is personally my favorite park in the whole city. You can walk, hike, run, mountain bike on the 2.4 loop or through the trails. There are also multiple pavilions for cookouts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a 9-hole golf course.
Visit this iconic distillery in a historic 19th century complex across from the Louisville Slugger Stadium in downtown Louisville. Don't forget to make reservations!
171 locals recommend
Angel's Envy Distillery
500 E Main StVisit this iconic distillery in a historic 19th century complex across from the Louisville Slugger Stadium in downtown Louisville. Don't forget to make reservations!
Learn about the history of this bourbon that dates back to 1783 on the banks of the Ohio. It's only a 10 minute drive from the house!
168 locals recommend
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
528 W Main StLearn about the history of this bourbon that dates back to 1783 on the banks of the Ohio. It's only a 10 minute drive from the house!
First known as Cassius Clay here in his hometown before changing his name to how he is known the world over, Muhammad Ali. Check out this modern museum dedicated to the a great fighter and humanitarian. This is only 10 minutes away from the house in downtown Louisville.
279 locals recommend
Muhammad Ali Center
144 N 6th StFirst known as Cassius Clay here in his hometown before changing his name to how he is known the world over, Muhammad Ali. Check out this modern museum dedicated to the a great fighter and humanitarian. This is only 10 minutes away from the house in downtown Louisville.
A short 40 minute drive from the house and you can get out into a beautifully kept arboretum where groups, couples, and family can all enjoy. The most interesting recent inhabitants of the forest are the giants...
88 locals recommend
Bernheim Forest
Arboretum WayA short 40 minute drive from the house and you can get out into a beautifully kept arboretum where groups, couples, and family can all enjoy. The most interesting recent inhabitants of the forest are the giants...
City advice
Book before you go
Bourbon Trail
If you are planning to do ANY Bourbon Trail visits, book at least THREE MONTHS in advance, otherwise, you may not be doing any tours. It's not as cool to tour the distilleries from the outside. :/