Weekend Guide: Louisville
9 years ago by
If you ever find yourself venturing into the beautiful Southern state of Kentucky, be sure to swing by the picturesque and history-filled city of Louisville. I was strapped in and taken there for a long weekend to meet my boyfriend’s family (a whole other story!), and I can pretty much summarize the place with one word: whisky charming! Here’s what I would recommend, if you make it:
Stay: Your boyfriend’s parents’ placeThe 21c Museum Hotel. I didn’t actually stay there, but I still loved it! It’s downtown, which is not super alive on weekends, but this is a beautiful place to stay. The lobby extends into an art gallery with rotating exhibitions that fill four (or so) rooms. It’s also a nice spot for a cocktail or dinner. A generally elegant, art vibe throughout.
Eat: Market on Wiltshire. Oh wow. The food here is so good. I think I could eat there every day. It’s all local produce, and they change the menu every week to reflect the changing season and to ensure it’s always the freshest ingredients. Louisville is known for its incredible culinary scene, and I would put it up there with New York. Seriously.
Drink: Garage Bar. This is really a pizza joint, but it’s a great spot to stop for a gin gimlet in the afternoon. It’s kind of a converted gas station, which they’ve cleared out, and the outdoor space now has bales of hay to sit on. Perfect for a refreshing afternoon cocktail, and maybe a slice or two.
Do: Woodford Distillery. You’re in the land of bourbon whisky, baby. It’s worth the trip about an hour outside of the city to stop by here. (It’s a beautiful, scenic drive anyway.) Do the full tour, which takes you through the oldest distillery in the US which is housed by these beautiful stone buildings – and you get a little tasting at the end. It’s similar to a tour of a winery, really.
What a wonderful surprise to see my own stomping grounds! Shelbyville is a half-hour drive away; go for the sterling julep cups and English antiques at Wakefield Scearce Galleries: http://www.wakefieldscearce.com/ or take a tour to see the Saddlebred horses: http://www.visitshelbyky.com/
Thanks for sharing–
Sara
one of my favorite cities! it’s quite the food-centric town.
My town! I agree with all of your picks!
Sounds like a completely lovely trip! Thanks for the guide :)
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
Thank you for this!! My husband and I were brainstorming for a weekend getaway and Nashville was on the list. This is perfect!
Anddd I meant Louisville. Haha, too much coffee this morning :-)
sounds like such a great trip
http://hashtagliz.com
I live only a couple of hours from Louisville, but love to visit! Great restaurant town!