Lovely Louisville

Lovely LOUISVILLE

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed

When you first think about the city of Louisville, Kentucky, baseball, bourbon and horses might be the first thoughts that come to mind. To be sure, this city is well-known for all three things but venture a bit farther and you will discover so much more.

WHEN TO GO

Honestly, any time of year is a great time to head north on I-65 where this city, founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark as a way to honor King Louis XVI, lies just five hours away. Families love all there is to do outside – baseball games, historical exploration, biking along the Ohio River – while couples or maybe a passel of guys might want to dive headlong into the bourbon scene. With the Zombie Walk in August, Porkto berfest in October, Derby Day in May, summer concert series and art shows year round, there is great food and culture here for days so, pack a bag and hit the road.

WHAT TO DO

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Sluggermuseum.com

Whether or not you’re a fan of the baseball diamond, you need to visit this downtown landmark. After capturing an Instagram-wor thy photo with the giant bat out front, head inside for a tour of the factory where this legendary company has been churning out Louisville Slugger bats for peewees to pros since 1884. Book your tour time in advance and plan to fall in love with the art of woodworking.

Where to stay

Bernheim Forest Bernheim.org

Before you even get into the city of Louisville, plan to stop at Bernheim Forest, just 20 minutes south of town. Situated on 16,000 acres in Bullitt County, this arboretum and research forest feels like you’ve stepped sideways into another world, one with a slower pace, that is lush and begging to be explored. Not to be missed: Forest Giants in the Giant Forest.

Frazier History Museum Fraziermuseum.org

The Grady Hotel thegradyhotel.com

The Brown brownhotel.com/ Home of the original Hot Brown sandwich

Located just across the street from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is the Frazier History Muse um, an airy renovated factory space with a well-curated and well-edited collection of historically significant artifacts and art, aimed at introduc ing visitors to all things Kentucky. It also marks the official start of the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Churchill Downs Churchilldowns.com

At the top of most visitors’ lists is a trip to horse-racing mecca, Churchill Downs. Sure, tout le monde wishes to be here in early May, donning a fancy hat and sipping a signature Mint Julep, but there is great history and culture here year ‘round, that merits exploration. Tours include a stunning video in the round, as well as glimpses into the paddocks and the vaunted Winner’s Circle. But don’t even think about stepping foot onto the famed track, unless you want to go to jail. Seriously.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery Stitzelwellerdistillery.com

If you have to pick just one distillery to tour in your time in Louisville, let it be Stitzel-Weller. Period. The grounds are gorgeous, the tour is inspirational and informative, and this is where bourbon’s past meets its future. Be sure to save time to pop in to the Garden & Gun Club upstairs, where the skilled bartenders will help you while away the afternoon in a beautiful amber-hue.

Neighborhood Tours

Like most Southern cities, Louisville is divided into neighborhoods (more than 200!), each with a culture and a vibe all their own.

Cave Hill Cemetery Cavehillcemetery.com

Outside of New Orleans, when was the last time a cemetery visit was on your itinerary? Possible never but this one is very much worth seeing. Lush rolling hills, dotted with marble landmarks, Cave Hill is as serene as you might imagine, and an integral part of Louisville history. What makes it notable are two famous residents: Colonel Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, and Muhammad Ali.

Olmsted Parks

Olmstedparks.org

Famous for his vision in creating New York City’s Central Park and Asheville’s Biltmore Estate landscape, Frederick Law Olmsted was commis sioned to design an entire park sys tem for the city of Louisville in 1891. There are more than a dozen parks here that carry the Olmsted vision of providing engaging community spaces for all to enjoy. We’ll leave it to you to determine which one has the better space for picnics or frisbee golf.

WHERE TO EAT

Prepare to be wowed by the food here. Yes, we are spoiled in Birmingham, with our James Beard Award winning chefs a plenty, but Louisville has its fair share of culinary hot spots, to be sure.

Taco Luchador el-taco-luchador.com

A little kitchy but a lot of yummy at this casual eatery with four area locations.

Redhog Artisan Market redhogartisanmeat.com

Lunch, dinner, custom charcuterie boards – rooted in the simplest of ingredients but elevated with deft chef hands.

La Bodeguita de Mima Cuban Restaurant & Bar Labodeguitademima.com

Come hungry and adventurous, and if you arrive in bad mood, you’re guaran teed to leave happier. It is just impossi ble not to, such is the vibe.

Logan Street Market loganstmarket.com

Literally something for everyone here in this bright and airy space that is onepart food hall, one-part community hub, one-part maker space. A total locals-only kind of spot where you feel cool just being there.

NULU

The East Market District of downtown is affectionately referred to as New Louisville or NULU for short. Fantastic food, eclectic shopping and gal lery-hopping are the big draws here. A specific highlight would be the leather-goods purveyor Clayton & Crume flagship store, in Muhammad Ali’s former gym.

Butchertown

One of Louisville’s oldest neigh borhoods and a former meat packing district, Butchertown is home to Bourbon Barrel Foods where owner Matt Jamie retails culinary wares including his epic Kentucky soy sauce aged in reclaimed bourbon barrels. Definitely do not miss.

Locust Grove

Locustgrove.org

This site is the former home of William Clark’s sister, Lucy and her husband William Croghan. The famed explorers Lewis and Clark stopped here on their return to Washington City in 1806.

Bourbon Barrel Foods Marketplace

Eatyourbourbonmarketplace.com

Every Friday night, Chef-in-Resi dence Michael Hargrove of River City Supper Club, crafts a unique menu while bartender Lauren Dupre creates cocktails or beer pairings for each dish.

River House Restaurant riverhouselouisville.com

Just outside of town, on the banks of the Ohio River. Only the food rivals the view.

Pizza Lupo pizzalupo.com

A favorite with locals, with the awards to prove it, their wood-fired pizza is fantastic.

Justin’s House of Bourbon

thehouseofbourbon.com

More than a mere liquor store, Justin’s House of Bourbon is an EXPERIENCE. This tasting shop that doubles as re tailer of vintage and rare bourbons and whiskeys even boasts a Whiskey Histo rian. After graduating college in 2014, Caroline Paulus moved to Kentucky to pursue a career in archeology. While her days were spent with prehistoric artifacts her nights and weekends in volved a complete and total explora tion into the beverage of choice in her new hometown. Now, as senior editor of The Bourbon Review, Caroline also shares her knowledge with customers at Justin’s House of Bourbon, ensuring everyone leaves feeling more confi dent in their preferences and with a bottle or two of something they’ll love.