Kentucky is much more than Bourbon and horses—a fact we were delighted to discover during a recent trip to Louisville. With more tasty restaurants than you can possibly fit into a weekend (though we tried!) and cute shops featuring locally made items, this town offers a unique taste of southern hospitality.
Shop for American-Made Products
NuLu is an area of Louisiville with a lot of great shops and restaurants. We found several different shops that featured Kentucky-made items and items Made in America. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Muth’s Candies | 630 East Market Street
For almost 100 years, Muth’s has been making and selling candies. Between the bourbon balls and a wide assortment of chocolate-covered items, you’re sure to find something you’ll like. - Scout | 720 East Market Street
Our favorite home goods store we came across, Scout offers a great selection of chic items for every part of your home. From area rugs made in Kentucky to locally made ceramics to national furniture brands, this is a great place to find a functional and stylish souvenir. - Revelry Boutique | 742 East Market Street
A whole store of locally made items, many with a Kentucky theme. This is a great spot to get a dishtowel or piece of art to remind you of your trip.
Eat Well
While we knew that we could expect Hot Browns and Bourbon in Louisville, we were pleasantly surprised with the variety and tastiness of the other food we found.
- Garage Bar | 700 East Market Street
Inside a converted gas station, Garage Bar serves pizza with unique toppings (we loved the corn pizza) and samplers of local ham (when in Kentucky!). With a focus on in-season and local ingredients, this pizza place doesn’t stray far from their southern roots. - Holy Grale | 1034 Bardstown Road
Sticking with the “restaurant in a converted building” theme, this former church now serves up contemporary American food and great beer. If the weather’s nice, head straight to the great outdoor seating area in the back. - Royals Hot Chicken | 736 East Market
Also in the NuLu area, this casual spot serves up chicken tenders and sandwiches that come in varying degrees of hotness. We weren’t mad at the alcoholic slushies or the pimento cheese either. - Proof on Main | 702 West Main
The restaurant and bar, found inside the 21c Hotel, won our vote for best mint julep. The bar features a wide selection of bourbons and a menu with plates for sharing while the restaurant features unique takes on southern inspired food. - Wiltshire Bakery & Café | 901 Barret Avenue
Looking for a quick-yet-delicious breakfast led us to Wiltshire’s, and we were all beyond happy with the discovery. They offer a wide variety of pastries along with breakfast burritos and frittatas. - The Silver Dollar | 1761 Frankfort Avenue
The breakfast corn dogs are reason enough to come to this place, but we found every brunch dish we ordered fantastic. Known for their cornbread pancakes, the brunch menu offers a lot of Mexican dishes as well. - Steel City Pops | 1021 Bardstown Road
While not unique to Louisville, this popsicle stand is probably going to be new to you (unless you live near their other locations in Texas or Alabama). Perfect for a warm day, the creamy flavors were our favorites.
Things to Do
Churchill Downs – If you’re lucky enough to be in Louisville when it’s racing season, a trip to Churchill Downs is a must. For a couple of bucks, you can bet enough on a race to care about the outcome. Even if you don’t put cash down, sitting outside here is a lovely way to spend a few hours.
Louisville Slugger Factory – A quick and informative tour shows you how Louisville still makes their bats in America. Don’t be discouraged by the crowds – it’s very well organized and the lines move quickly.
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