How to See the Best of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky can be a beautiful city. It can also be a little overwhelming, so I've highlighted the major points. I've searched out the best food, lodging, shopping, and activities. See Louisville from the viewpoint of the people who live there, and don't miss out on a thing!

Step One: Getting there

Louisville has a major airport, and this can be a quick and easy way to get to the beautiful city by the Ohio River. Buses are also an option, and with several major interstates passing through the city, you can find a route from almost anywhere. A less frequented but beautiful method of arriving in Louisville is by water.

Step Two: A Place for your Head

There are several amazing hotels in downtown Louisville. The most prominent is the Galt House, recognizable from a distance by its two lighthouse towers with searchlights. This is an upscale hotel almost directly on the river and in the heart of downtown. Another downtown hotel worth mentioning is the smaller Camberly Brown, which has plush furnishings and a luxurious wooden interior. Both have excellent resturants and proximity to many downtown sights. If your budget is slightly smaller, a short drive from downtown takes you to chain hotels with rooms for under fifty dollars a night. Most of these hotels cluster near the interstates, and it is a good idea to stay closer to the interstate, as travel will be easier if you stick to major roads. Another major cluster is near the Airport and Fairgrounds, and this is a good option close to downtown.

Step Three: Explore Downtown

There's a lot to see and do in downtown Louisville. First is Waterfront Park and the River walk, which provides beautiful views of the River on sunny days. You can see the upper end of the Falls of the Ohio, though you have to go to the Indiana side to see the Falls clearly. There is also a free waterpark for the kid in all of us. If you're not too wet, check out the museums. There are three major ones in downtown: The Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum, and the Louisville Science Center. Also housed downtown is the RiverBats stadium, an indoor ice skating rink, and 4th Street Live, a newly built venue for free concerts, with plenty of shopping and food nearby.

Step Four: Shopping

There are several important areas to for shopping in Louisville. First make your way to Shelbyville Road, to St Matthews. There are two large malls almost within sight of each other, Mall St Matthews and Oxmoor Center. There are hundreds of smaller shops and chain resturants in this area as well, so you can literally shop until you drop. If this isn't enough, proceed to Jefferson Mall on outer loop, or cross the bridge into Indiana and explore The River Falls Mall. Although there is some shopping downtown, particularly in the 4th Street Live area, there really isn't enough to warrant a shopping expedition. However, if you're looking for small, unique shops, the Highlands on Bardstown Road is the place for you. The Highlands is a beautiful neighborhood not far from downtown, with eccentric little shops, amazing food, and the friendliest people you'll see anywhere in Louisville.

Step FIve: Food

You can find virtually anything you want to eat in Louisville. Downtown, in St Matthews, and along the interstates you can find chain resturants and high end resturants of every type and price range, including Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Spaghetti Factory, and P.F. Changs. On Bardstown Road in the Highlands you'll find more Vegetarian and World Foods. Some good choices here are Ditto's and Fat Jimmy's Pizza, although the best by far is an amazing place called Ramsi's Cafe on the World.

Step Six: Nightlife

The major location for nightlife, other than the bars and clubs you'll find downtown, is the Highlands. Along Bardstown Road on weekend evenings, especially in the summer, you can see literally hundreds of people out walking dogs, eating, and chatting. As the evening progresses, they move further along Bardstown Road toward downtown, to places like O'Malley's Corner and BAR Louisville.

Step Seven: Events, Festivals, and Day Trips

The major event season in Louisville is during the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby. In March, April, and early May, there is a balloon race, airshow, fireworks display, and several elegant balls. And then there is the event itself! There is nothing in the world like standing at Churchill downs for the Kentucky Derby. If you miss the Derby, check out the State Fair at the Fairgrounds, or head to Six Flags Over Kentucky, Louisville's very own theme park. If you still haven't satisfied your urge to see Kentucky, you can visit the Patton Museum at Fort Knox Army Base, see the historic and brewery-filled Bardstown, or travel an hour to Lexington, the horse capital of the world.

Louisville has something for everyone, and it is possible to find something new around every corner. Enjoy this city, no matter how you pronounce the name!