OT: Louisville, KY

[TimberBeast]

Going to be in Louisville with my family for the next 5 or 6 days. I wanted to check to see if you guys can help on good local food recommendations or fun stuff to do with the kids. We’re here mainly for golf but will have some free time too I hope. We’ll mainly be around Valhalla Golf Club and I guess the Louisville East area, around Whittington parkway, not sure what the area is known as. Any help would be appreciated, this board always has the best info. Mussel and Burger Bar sounds kind of interesting.

 

[ZombieKissinger]

Haven’t been, but my friend Rick likes Porcini’s

 

[57stratdawg]

Love Louisville. Ed Lee is from there. He has several really good places to eat around town. I’d grab a drink at the Seelbach bar too (if not stay there). Their downtown area is okay (‘4th Street’), but it’s pretty much a tourist trap.

The new Market street area is cool. I think they call it ‘Nu Lou’. There’s a place called ‘Taste on Market’ that’ll let you try some high end bourbons. They sell by the bottle too. I usually spend time there when I’m in town. Down from it is Garage Bar which is a cool pizza place. Decca is on the next block and it’s a great high end meal.

Beyond all that is Bardstown Road. It’s pretty much 5 miles of dive bars, breweries, vintage clothing / music shops and hed shops. Plenty to do out that way.

It’s a cool town.

 

[aTotal360]

What a dump.

 

[msudogsrule]

Bourbon Trail has a bunch spots not too far from Louisville. The Zoo is small, but well maintained. Go when it first opens and the animals are typically out (especially if you go left when you start, instead of right). You can get it done by lunchtime. If you have a baseball/softball kid, the L Slugger factory is there and isn’t a bad tour.

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

Used to live outside of Louisville for a while and really enjoyed my time there. Reports from friends that live up there say downtown had been a hot bed for protest in the past year and can be hit or miss because of it. Check with your hotel to ask what the current state of downtown before you go. As stated above 4th st live is a huge tourist trap. If you are staying on the east side and want to get away from the city checkout Shelbyville. If you have time the Buffalo Trace Distillery is in Frankfort (+-45 min out) and see if they are doing the hardhat tour.

Things to do.
Louisville Slugger Museum is a must.
Frazier History Museum you can kill a full day there
Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs and take one of the behind the scene tours they are worth it.
On Wednesday during the summer they do a free concerts on the river front. https://wfpk.org/2021/waterfrontwednesday/
The Zoo is wonderful also

Unique kid friendly places to eat
Havana Rumba - Great Cuban food
Mike Linnig's - Give it a google quite a unique place on the river and worth the trip for the experience
Claudia Sanders Dinner House - Go there for the Sunday lunch buffet
Guaca Mole - Fancy Mexican


Adult places
Jack Fry's
Seviche
Jeff Ruby's
Ruth's Chris - Go for the view at sunset.
Brown Hotel and get a Hot Brown (the best is at the Bell House in Shelbyville)

 

[bbqbully]

We were there 2 weeks ago. If you have kids, Louisville Slugger is a must. Really cool tour. Check out the player signature wall. They have bat blanks for one player from each MLB team. Hunter Renfroe’s and Adam Frazier’s were there. Plus everyone gets a mini bat at the end of the tour. As was said, Buffalo Trace is less than an hour away as is Four Roses. Both very cool tours and tastings. We stayed in Bardstown for a central location for the bourbon trail. Really beautiful small town with lots of cool shops, restaurants, and bars. Great trip and beautiful country.

 

[TimberBeast]

Used to live outside of Louisville for a while and really enjoyed my time there. Reports from friends that live up there say downtown had been a hot bed for protest in the past year and can be hit or miss because of it. Check with your hotel to ask what the current state of downtown before you go. As stated above 4th st live is a huge tourist trap. If you are staying on the east side and want to get away from the city checkout Shelbyville. If you have time the Buffalo Trace Distillery is in Frankfort (+-45 min out) and see if they are doing the hardhat tour.

Things to do.
Louisville Slugger Museum is a must.
Frazier History Museum you can kill a full day there
Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs and take one of the behind the scene tours they are worth it.
On Wednesday during the summer they do a free concerts on the river front. https://wfpk.org/2021/waterfrontwednesday/
The Zoo is wonderful also

Unique kid friendly places to eat
Havana Rumba - Great Cuban food
Mike Linnig's - Give it a google quite a unique place on the river and worth the trip for the experience
Claudia Sanders Dinner House - Go there for the Sunday lunch buffet
Guaca Mole - Fancy Mexican


Adult places
Jack Fry's
Seviche
Jeff Ruby's
Ruth's Chris - Go for the view at sunset.
Brown Hotel and get a Hot Brown (the best is at the Bell House in Shelbyville)

We haven’t had a lot of time to do much, it’s mostly a big golf tournament for my daughter so we’re out at the course most of the time. We did go to Havana Rumba last night for dinner and we all loved it, great food and cool atmosphere. It’s only a few minutes from our hotel also so turned out perfect. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[TimberBeast]

As I mentioned before, Havana Rumba was awesome. I feel compelled to say, I wanted to try bbq in Kentucky so we went to Marks Feed Store which consistently came up as one of the best bbq places in the area. They had a big deal about baby back ribs on their menu, I don’t eat that crap. I asked the waitress if they have spare ribs or not, she had to go ask and they said no. That’s a couple big red flags and I’m fuming on the inside. We should have left but I’m trying to chill for the family. It was absolute garbage all the way around, that’s the second time I’ve been hit by a bbq place that only has baby backs. Never again.