Nicole & Nick
Nicole & Nick
Things to Do
Kentucky Derby Museum
Unfortunately there is not usually live racing at Churchill Downs over Labor Day weekend, however, you can book a walking tour of the Racetrack and Museum through the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Visitor Center
If you love Bourbon then you have to hit up some stops on the Bourbon trail while in town! There are several shuttles and tours available that you can book to take you to several stops on the bourbon trail.
The 16 Must-visit Distilleries on Kentucky's Bourbon Trail.
If you are wanting to explore distilleries but stay within the city limits, there are plenty of options right within Louisville!
Urban Bourbon Trail Info: https://mintjuleptours.com/2023/10/07/guide-to-the-urban-bourbon-trail-in-louisville-ky/?gad_source=1
- Whiskey Row: a section of Main Street in Downtown Louisville that was historically a hub for bourbon production. Features several restaurants (Troll Pub, Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen), bourbon bars (EX: Doc Crow’s, Hell or Highwater, Number 15) and distilleries (Old Forester Distillery and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience).
- Copper and Kings Rooftop Bar and Restaurant is a Brandy distillery with a cool outdoor area. Also has a restaurant and rooftop bar!
Other distilleries in Louisville:
- Angel’s Envy
- Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse
- Old Forester
- Evan Williams
- Prohibition Craft Spirits
- Rabbit Hole
- Kentucky Artisan
- Kentucky Peerless
- Michter’s
- Stitzel-Weller Experience
Big Four Bridge
Walking bridge connecting downtown Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. Offers nice views of the Louisville Skyline and there are some good spots in downtown Jeffersonville to check out. We would recommend walking over and eating lunch at Parlour Pizza or the Red Yeti and then grabbing some ice cream from Pearl St Treats before making your way back to the Louisville side.
Belle of Louisville Riverboats
Take a cruise on the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville.
Hermitage Farm
If you are wanting to see a Thoroughbred Breeding Farm but don’t want to go all the way to Lexington, Hermitage Farm is the closest option. You can book a tour of the farm and then enjoy dinner at their on-site restaurant - Barn8. You can also do a Bourbon Tasting here!
Our Favorite Spots in Louisville
Louisville is known for being a big foodie city - be sure to check out some of our favorite spots while you are in town!
Hilltop Tavern - Nick and Nicole's all time favorite dive bar... cheap drinks and solid food, what more could you want?
Captain's Quarters and River House - Both are scenic restaurants right on the river.
Noche Mexican BBQ - Mexican BBQ restaurant in an old refurbished church.
Chik N Mi - Really good chicken and ramen (Probably Nicole’s favorite restaurant in Louisville).
The Eagle Louisville - Chicken + Southern comfort food.
Holy Grale & Gralehaus - Coffee shop + breakfast place by day, gastropub by night. Cool spot located in an old church with a nice beer garden.
Recommended Steakhouses in Louisville: Repeal, Jeff Ruby’s (has sushi/raw bar too!), and Jack Fry’s.
Recommended Brunch Locations: The Cafe in Paristown, Le Moo, LouVino, Biscuit Belly.
Other Bars and Breweries:
- Hell or Highwater (Cool speakeasy downtown- need to make a reservation online)
- Number 15 - (Multistory bar on Whiskey Row that has food and live music. Has big Nashville bar vibes.)
-Gravely Brewing
-Hi Wire Brewing
Places within walking distance from the hotel block:
Garage Bar - pizza restaurant in Louisville with a great patio area.
Nulu Marketplace - a square within the NuLu area that has a brewery, pizza restaurant, sandwich shop, dispensary and Craft Bar.
Royal’s Chicken - Nashville style hot chicken restaurant.
Quill’s Coffee - Coffee shop.
Please & Thank You - Coffee shop with incredible chocolate chip cookies.
Bars: Bar Genevieve (Rooftop Bar), TAJ, The Last Refuge (whiskey bar in a church), TEN20 Craft Brewery, Nouvelle Wine Bar, Galaxie, SEVEN Louisville, West Sixth Brewing, and Corridor Bar.
Louisville Cream - Great ice cream shop that has make your own ice cream sandwiches- enough said!
Cincinnati OH, Nashville TN and Lexington KY
If you’re looking to explore the cities near Louisville - Nashville, Cincinnati, and Lexington are all great options.
If you’re spending a day in Lexington, KY, Nicole highly recommends visiting one of the Thoroughbred horse farms in the area. Ashford Stud would be her #1 choice as that’s the company she worked for out of college and is home to the last two Triple Crown winners - American Pharoah and Justify.