Danielle & Wesley
Things To Do
Bourbon Distillery Tours
Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville is actually named as the start of the official Bourbon Trail! There are lots of distilleries to choose from but some of our favorites include Michter's, Old Forester, Evan Williams, and Angel's Envy. If you're looking to do a bourbon tour, keep in mind that they do book up a good bit in advance at some of the distilleries so make sure to reserve early! If you're just looking to take a peak at some of the distilleries, a lot of them have bars you can swing by anytime!
Churchill Downs / Derby Museum
It's always hard to pass up an opportunity to visit Churchill Downs while in Louisville! September is a great time to stop by the track and experience some horse racing if you're hoping to place some bets and get lucky in Kentucky. If you're not quite up for the track, the Derby Museum located at Churchill Downs is another great way to immerse yourself in the history of Louisville and learn more about the Kentucky Derby!
The Parklands
If you're looking to get active while in Louisville, the Parklands holds our favorite hiking trails! The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a stunning, nearly 4,000-acre public park system that stretches across eastern and southeastern Louisville, offering a peaceful escape into nature just a short drive from downtown. There are four parks to explore -- Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Park, Turkey Run Park, and Broad Run Park -- all connected by scenic trails, waterways, and the Louisville Loop, a paved walking and biking path that runs nearly 19 miles through the system.
Museum Tours
Downtown Louisville is home to a number of great museums that are always worth a visit! Whether you're interested in making your own personalized baseball bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum, diving into the life of Muhammad Ali at the Muhammad Ali Center, learning more about Kentucky's history and the history of bourbon at the Frazier History Museum, experiencing horse racing at it's finest at the Kentucky Derby Museum, or checking out our local art scene at the Speed Art Museum (which is free on Sunday's), there's something for everyone!
Big Four Bridge
If you're looking to cross another state off your list while you're here, feel free to head on over to the Big Four Walking bridge located right outside of downtown Louisville and walk over to Indiana! While we think our side of the river is better, if you're making the trek across the bridge there's a great old-fashioned candy store called Schimpff's Confectionery that's always worth a visit!
Louisville Neighborhoods
There are lots of little pockets to explore around Louisville, here are some of our favorite neighborhoods and recommendations: Nulu (East Market District): Short for New Louisville, this trendy neighborhood is known for galleries, specialty shops, local boutiques, and award‑winning restaurants. It’s a great place for brunch, coffee, art walks, and unique souvenirs. Some stand-out places for us include Royal's, The Seltzery, Garage Bar, and Bar Vetti. Old Louisville: Boasting the largest collection of Victorian‑era homes in the U.S., tree‑lined streets, and charming architecture, it's a great place for a scenic drive. Frankfort Avenue: A beautiful neighborhood filled with tons of local shops and restaurants as well as the water reservoir which is a stunning place for a stroll! Some of our favorites include Blue Dog Bakery, Volare, Bourbons Bistro, Red Hog, Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot, Peacock Boutique (where Danielle used to work!), and Carmichaels bookstore.
Louisville Neighborhoods cont.
Highlands / Bardstown Road: One of Louisville’s most iconic neighborhoods filled with eclectic shops, eateries, bars, and cafés, and the area spills into Cherokee Park with beautiful trails and green space. Some favorites include Dragon Kings Daughter, Holy Grale, Jack Fry's, Gralehouse, and strolling through the many unique and vintage shops! Germantown & Butchertown: Two of Louisville's oldest and most historic neighborhoods located just east of downtown Louisville. What was originally dominated by meat-packing now revived by local restaurants and bars, boutiques, craft breweries, and distilleries. Our favorites include Logan Street Market, Butchertown Grocery, Copper & Kings, Ten20, and The Whirling Tiger.