Whether you have a couple of hours, a day or a dedicated trip to Louisville, it’s well worth a pit-stop. There’s plenty to entertain every type of traveller. Here’s our guide to Louisville…
As a destination Louisville has international acclaim hosting the Muhammad Ali centre, the world’s largest baseball bat at the sluggers museum as well as the renowned Kentucky Derby! I would of course be remiss not to mention being home to many, many finely produced bourbons that Kentucky is renowned for. Of course all of these attractions are worth a visit and well due their acclaim whether or not you’re a diehard fan of horses, baseball, Bourbon or boxing! However if you scratch a little deeper you can plumb some of the lesser known, but no less captivating experiences Louisville has to offer.
What to do in Louisville
Visit the Rabbit Hole Distillery
The Rabbit Hole Bourbon distillery is set in just outside the Nulu district, a hub for local distilleries and Rabbit Hole is a relatively new kid on the block as it were. Although they may not be able to claim quite as much history to the brick and mortar as some of the other local distilleries can, what sets them apart is their well thought-out design showcasing each step in the whole process, making the distillery tour entirely captivating! Again brought to life through the enthusiastic and informative tour guide on the day.
The back story to The Rabbit Hole is an interesting one, you may well notice the nod to Alice in Wonderland, going down the rabbit hole and this is because the wife of the founder said ‘if you’re going to do this Robert, you’re going to take the whole family down the rabbit hole too.’ With no previous experience and coming from the field of clinical psychology the founder dove fully into that rabbit hole on a long and winding road to produce the prestigious collection of Bourbons the Rabbit Hole has on offer today.
Bourbon being under strict regulation as what makes it classified as Bourbon makes this liquor special but by no means boring. Like any well crafted alcohol, flavour notes and ageing process play a part. Of course, the proof is in the pudding and the tasting at the end of the tour did not disappoint.
Do a Food Tour
Experiencing treasured local dishes is what a food tour is all about, showcasing the best spots around town to tickle the tastebuds and Louisville definitely isn’t shy of tasty morsels. From heavenly biscuits (I’m not talking Mcvities here but the buttery, light, soft, scone like biscuits that are a firm favourite in the US, though not all are made equal!) to crisp, golden chicken tenders that won’t leave you feeling greasy and finish up with a cookie that got voted America’s best! Biscuit Belly is a must, the whole menu sounds delicious and I’d liked to have ticked off more of their menu but ‘the gravy train’ featuring 3 signature gravies; sausage, mushroom and a smoked Gouda Mornay with melt in the mouth miniature biscuits is definitely worth stopping in for!
There’s a lot of contention around Kentucky fried chicken and whose is best, especially as this is it’s birthplace! Without treading on any toes I can safely say the Fried chicken tenders served at Royals were everything I would expect, with the perfect spice (there are different levels, 2/5 was the highest I was willing to go and that was already a heating up nicely!) crispy yet light batter and a no feeling like a single bite had clogged all of my arteries! Now for the sweet treats, cookies and candy, there’s always room for a sweet, right!? Well the chewy yet crisp and buttery chocolate chip cookie was heavenly and all thoughts of just having one bite went right out of the window after that first taste, I scoffed the lot.
Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum & Churchill Downs tour
I don’t think anyone is immune to the transcendent energy that sweeps across Louisville in the lead up to the Derby. Everybody wants to be a part of it. The race takes place on the 1st Saturday in May each year but if you can’t make that specific day the atmosphere in the lead up it just as enjoyable.
What you can expect on Derby day:
To understand a little more why there is so much love for the Kentucky Derby and why it’s the Louisville event of the year, the Kentucky Derby museum and tour is a fantastic place to start. Located at the Iconic Churchill downs racetrack the museum showcases not only how the race has built up over the years to what it is today, how the founders wanted to bring the Epsom races to Kentucky, but illustrates how entrenched horses are in the Kentucky people and how it’s now an integral part of their culture. The museum works to bring the history of the event to life, utilising a 360 degree film to showcase the significance of the event over the past 150 years from points of view of the trainers, jockeys, local businesses and those of course who come to watch.
Now if you choose to come on Derby day, get your glad rags on, take the most magnificent hat or fascinator you can find and join in with the ultimate buzz, whether you choose to place a bet or just soak up the electric atmosphere it will be a more than memorable experience.
Head to Bourbon Barrel Foods
Now we know there’s a whole host of Bourbon Distilleries rockin’ around Kentucky but in addition to the distilleries, Bourbon is now being put to use to lend that distinctive flavour to all kinds of snacks and sauces. This isn’t just a gimmick, the flavour is imparted through reuse of the barrels the Bourbon has aged in, either by utilising the ageing process again or by using the barrels for wood to burn, to gently smoke herbs and spices. Bourbon Barrel foods has a fascinating backstory, Matt Jamie the founder started the company with a vision to make artisanal soy sauce, this was the first spark that ignited the whole Bourbon Barrel range.
The motivation to make the first small batch Soy sauce made outside of Japan is what really drove Matt’s passion to grow the brand, so his dream could come to fruition. Now there’s over 150 different products to the name! Having had a tour and Soy sauce tasting I can vouch for the distinct flavour profiles of each of the Soy sauces in the range, each would lend themselves to certain dishes and can be used to substitute seasoning, safe to say my suitcase was overweight when flying home. Whether you pop your head in to take a look at their offering or book in for a tour to see how their facility runs, it’s a gem of Louisville and so worth a look in.
Visit the Muhammad Ali Center
Louisville is forever linked to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, and a visit to the Muhammad Ali Center is a must for any visitor. Located in the heart of downtown, this museum celebrates his life and legacy. Highlighting his accomplishments both inside the ring and in the fight for social justice, with exhibits that chronicle his rise to fame, his championship fights, and his activism. The museum provides an emotional insight into the man who became an icon with interactive displays and inspiring quotes ensure that visitors not only learn about Ali’s career but also reflect on his message of perseverance, dignity, and peace which he strove for throughout his life.
See the Sluggers Giant Baseball bat
Towering 120 feet tall and weighing in at a staggering 68,000 pounds, the giant baseball bat outside the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is impossible to miss—and absolutely worth the trip. This enormous steel replica of Babe Ruth’s legendary Louisville Slugger is more than just a photo op, it’s an opportunity to experience firsthand the fascinating journey through baseball history. Inside the museum, you’ll find hands-on exhibits, historic bat models in the Bat Vault, and an up-close look at how these iconic bats are made. Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, it’s worth dipping your toes into the world of baseball and its history!
Where to stay
The Omni Hotel
The Omni Hotel is centrally located and is an ideal base to easily reach the aforementioned attractions. With a modern design, everything from the rooms to the restaurant, bars and common ways reflect an elegance that is a pleasure to stay in, with artistic touches throughout. The hotel features a rooftop pool and hot tub so you can admire the cityscape from above, as well as enjoy a relaxing treatment from the in-house spa.
Book your stay at the Omni Hotel here
Conclusion
Louisville has something to offer for every traveller, its vivacious and lively vibe will have you wanting to come back time and time again. Whether indulging in bourbon tastings, chancing your luck at the races, immersing yourself in the legacy of Muhammad Ali, exploring the city’s historic landmarks or mooching around all the best eateries in town. One thing’s for sure, it’s a destination you’ll never forget.
