Louisville

From Halal Explorer

Air travel in the United States Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (IATA Flight Code: SDF) is served by all the major American airlines though it is only a spoke for most. A single terminal holds two concourses. Concourse A serves Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, while Concourse B serves Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. The terminal is small and easy to navigate.

With all of the airlines listed above, direct connecting flights are available to most of their hubs, including Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Philadelphia, and popular tourist destinations such as Orlando and Las Vegas. The airport is "International" in name only — there are no longer any non-stop passenger Flights to any location outside the U.S. Too bad you can't fly with UPS whose huge all-points international "Worldport" cargo hub is in Louisville just south of the passenger terminal.

By car

Several Interstates pass through Louisville: I-65, I-64 and I-71.

  • I-71 (North-South) begins in Louisville and heads Northeast to Cincinnati and Cleveland (Ohio) | Cleveland.
  • I-65 (North-South) will carry you from just outside Chicago, through Indianapolis North of Louisville and to the south through Nashville, Birmingham (Alabama) | Birmingham, Montgomery|Montgomery, Alabama, all the way to the coast at Mobile. The Ohio River crossings in both directions are tolled; see [[#Get around|§ Get around
  • I-64 (East-West) travels east through Lexington (Kentucky) | Lexington, West Virginia, on into Richmond (Virginia) | Richmond, and ends near the Atlantic Ocean in Chesapeake (Virginia) | Chesapeake, Virginia. To the west you'll find its beginning/end in St. Louis and the "Gateway to the West"

Travel on a Bus in Louisville

see also: bus travel in North America

  • Greyhound, +1-800-231-2222, services Louisville. Their depot is at 720 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. near the center of town. Service is frequent, but it is inadvisable to arrive at the bus station late at night unless someone is coming to pick you up or you are taking a taxi. There are many pickpockets and scammers here and nearby.
  • Megabus. Service from Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. The bus stop is on the north side of Jefferson Street in between Roy Wilkins Ave and South 8th St.

Get Around

Travel on a Bus in Louisville

TARC (Transit Authority of River City) operates bus lines in all parts of Louisville Metro (Jefferson County). Cash Fares are $1.75 for adults (80 cents for children between 6 and 17), with the MyTARC Card fares are 1.50 and include a transfer good for two hours from initial boarding. Buses generally run from about 6AM Monday - 10PM, some later on weekends, but it is a good idea to check the schedule for each specific route. Timetables are only posted at major stops.

By car

Car rental services are available at the airport. Louisville is encircled by two beltways, I-264 (officially the Henry Watterson Expressway and locally known as "the Watterson") and I-265 (the Gene Snyder Freeway, or unofficially "the Snyder"). Traffic is generally moderate except at peak hours on I-264, downtown, I-64 between the Snyder and Watterson, and the Snyder for about 2 miles in either direction from I-64. In particular, try to avoid "Spaghetti Junction" and the downtown freeway interchange, between 7AM and 9AM and 4:30PM and 6:30PM on weekdays.

Three of the five bridges that cross the Ohio in Louisville are now tolled. The Abraham Lincoln Bridge, which opened in 2016, carries I-65 northbound into Indiana, while the older John F. Kennedy Bridge is now southbound only. The new Lewis and Clark Bridge, plus associated freeway segments, also opened in 2016 to connect I-265 between the two states. The I-65 and I-265 crossings are tolled in both directions. Rates depend on whether the vehicle carries a transponder issued by the / local tolling authority (or the multi-state E-ZPass consortium), or if the vehicle's license plate has been registered with said authority. For cars, passenger trucks, and motorcycles, current rates per crossing are:

  • $2.05 for vehicles with transponders.
  • $3.08 for vehicles without transponders, but with plates registered with the tolling authority.
  • $4.10 for vehicles that have neither transponders nor plates registered with the tolling authority.

Rates are higher for larger vehicles. Tolling is all-electronic; vehicles without transponders will have pictures of their license plates taken, with a bill sent to the registered owner. The downtown Clark Memorial Bridge (commonly called the "Second Street Bridge") and the Sherman Minton Bridge that carries I-64 across the river remain toll-free for now.

The city streets are laid out in a grid pattern in downtown and a wheel-and-spoke system farther out. Frequently and the streets are named after outlying towns they eventually reach (Shelbyville Road, Bardstown Road, Taylorsville Road, etc.) Some of the urban neighborhoods, notably Germantown, Portland, and the neighborhoods surrounding Cherokee Park, can be confusing for non-local residents. Fortunately most neighborhoods are very safe and passers-by will be more than happy to give you directions.

By bike

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly effective way to get around Louisville.Although Louisville's bike program is in its infancy (born at the 2005 Louisville Bike Summit), developments are occurring rapidly, and there are significant improvements on the immediate horizon. In fact, former long-time mayor and Kentucky lieutenant governor Jerry Abramson is an active cyclist. Bike lanes are being added on city streets, especially in and around Downtown which is already the most bike-friendly area of the city.

Every TARC bus in the city is equipped with bike racks, making bicycling a viable option for long-distance trips and trips along major arterial corridors. If you plan your transit route in advance, it is easy to get anywhere in the city using just your bicycle and public transit. Metro Government is also installing more bike racks every day, making it easy to park your bike at your destination.

What to see in Louisville

Outside

Louisville's park system was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and the "Father of American Landscape Architecture." Many consider it to be his greatest achievement. Cherokee Park, Iroquois Park, and Shawnee Park are the Flagship Parks, while more than a dozen smaller parks make up Louisville's own "Emerald Necklace." Cherokee Park GPS 38.2418,-85.6979 features a 2.3 mi (3.7 kilometers) "Scenic Loop" with one lane of traffic reserved entirely for cyclists, pedestrians, and other recreational activities. Iroquois Park GPS 38.1696,-85.7814 contains what was the tallest hill in Louisville before the city merged with surrounding Jefferson County in 2003; the hill's location gives it a commanding view of downtown, especially on clear days. In addition to the major parks, dozens of smaller ones are spread throughout the city, such as Tyler Park in the Highlands, a favorite of local residents, or George Rogers Clark Park in Germantown.

A newer addition, Waterfront Park GPS 38.2600,-85.7446, is arguably one of the greatest things the city has done to improve its image in a decade. Stretching along over a mile of the Ohio River, Waterfront Park offers playgrounds, artistic landscaping, fountains, and open lawns, all with spectacular views of the city skyline and the river. It frequently plays host to concerts and other festivals. The Big Four Bridge GPS 38.2630,-85.7373 is an old railroad bridge, now pedestrianized, that lets you walk between Waterfront Park and Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Enjoy the view (day or night) of downtown Louisville from Ashland Park, on the Ohio River in neighboring Clarksville, Indiana. Park the vehicle and walk across the street to Widow's Walk, an ice-cream parlor/garden statue shop constructed to look like an old Victorian mansion. Nearby is also the Falls of the Ohio, a state park containing a fossil bed that spans quite a bit of area when the river is low.

  • McAlpine Locks and Dam - 805 N. 27th St. 38.2781, -85.7922 - McAlpine Locks and Dam McAlpine Locks and Dam The Falls of the Ohio were once a major barrier to navigation on the Ohio River, and Louisville catered to steamboat passengers who spent the night before changing boats. The construction of the locks changed all of that. The current structure (not the original) dates to 1961. There's usually a lot of barge traffic on the Ohio (though it slows down in winter once the upper reaches of the river in Pennsylvania begin to freeze), so you normally won't have to wait long at the visitor center to see the locks in action.
  • Jefferson Memorial Forest | 11311 Mitchell Hill Road 38.0642, -85.8064 There are several entrances and parking areas, see the website - Jefferson Memorial Forest Sprawling, hilly woodland area that includes numerous hiking trails, lakes and streams, camping areas, and other attractions. It was initially created as a World War II memorial and has been gradually expanded on a somewhat ad-hoc basis ever since, as a result there are parcels of private property seemingly fairly deep into the forest. They are mostly well marked so don't cross fences or clearly marked boundary lines.
  • Zachary Taylor National Cemetery | 4701 Brownsboro Road 38.278056, -85.643056 ☎ +1 502 893-3852 Zachary Taylor National Cemetery Zachary Taylor Grave

Architecture

Old Louisville is an architectural treasure trove. Just south of downtown, it is the third largest National Preservation District in the nation and the largest Victorian neighborhood in the United States. A particularly beautiful area is St. James Court and Belgravia Court, which plays host each fall to the St. James Court Art Show. Faced with feasible demolition in the 1970s and the area is now considered to be one of Louisville's best-kept secrets. A good way to see the neighborhood is to follow a walking tour. It also has a number of locally-beloved restaurants, and a heterogeneous population that gives the neighborhood a particularly eclectic feel.

Main and Market streets downtown contain the second largest collection of 1800s-era iron facade buildings in the United States. Some have been torn down or otherwise destroyed, but also many new developments leave the old facades intact.

Other notable areas include the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood in the Highlands and Butchertown, which is just east of Downtown.

Inside

Louisville slugger museum.JPEG|The world's largest bat!

Market Street has a number of art galleries. If you are in Louisville on the first Friday of the month and there is a free gallery hop around the downtown galleries, including a couple of glass studios. In March 2016 and the Speed Art Museum, a more traditional art museum on the campus of the University of Louisville, reopened following a complete rebuilding. Museum Hotel has several art installations open to the public and is, like all hotels, open to the public 24 hours a day. There are also a variety of art galleries within walking distance of each other in the Highlands/Bardstown Road area.

For performing arts and there is Actors Theatre, The Louisville Orchestra, The Louisville Ballet, The Kentucky Opera, and The Kentucky Center (in full and the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts).

If you plan on visiting more than one downtown museum, consider buying The Main Ticket, a pass that provides one admission to the Frazier Museum, Art and Craft Museum, Kentucky Science Center, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Slugger Museum, and Ali Center. $31.99 ages 13 and up, $24.99 children 6–12; pass valid for one year after purchase. Pass holders must purchase a separate admission to the Science Center for any children 2–5; ages 5 and under are admitted free at all other attractions.

If you have a car, definitely take River Road out of downtown, past Zorn Avenue into the River Road Historic District. Beautiful country estates on the bluffs overlooking the Ohio River are amazing to see, along with all the fields that stretch along the river and great vistas of all the boats going by. The neighborhood stops when River Road ends at US Highway 42.

  • Louisville Slugger Museum - 800 W. Main St. 38.257139, -85.763583 +1-877-775-8443 Opening from Monday to Saturday 9AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 5PM; summer (Jul and early Aug) Monday - West 9AM Monday - 6PM, Thursday - Saturday 9AM Monday - 8PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM. Last factory tour departs 30 minutes before closing; museum recommends 2 hours for a full visit $12 adults, $11 seniors (60+), $7 children 6–12, under 6 free Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory LouisvilleSluggerMusem Home of the legendary Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Full / tours include a visit to the factory where wooden bats are made (or a bat-making demonstration if production is not scheduled). The museum is easily recognizable by the six-story-tall steel baseball bat at the front entrance.
  • Kentucky Science Center | 727 West Main Street 38.2576, -85.7627 ☎ +1 502 561-6100 +1 800-591-2203 Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 9:30AM Monday - 5PM, F-Sa 9:30AM Monday - 9PM Exhibits only: $13 adults, $11 ages 2–12; $5 for all ages after 5 pm Friday and Saturday. Movie only: $10 for Hollywood releases, $8 for documentaries. Combo ticket (exhibits + one movie): $20 adults, $15 ages 2–12. See website for group discounts (10+) Kentucky Science Center Louisville science center Hands on science museum. Great for kids. Also includes a theater that usually shows documentaries but occasionally screens Hollywood releases.
  • Frazier History Museum - 829 W. Main St. 38.2578, -85.7645 ☎ +1 502 753-5663 Opening from Monday to Saturday 9AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday noon-5PM $12 adults, $10 seniors (60+) and active/retired military, $8 children 5–17 and college students with school ID, under 5 free Frazier History Museum FIHM
  • The Frazier Museum now houses the official visitor center for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a tourism initiative of the state's distilling industry. Unlike the museum proper and the visitor center is free.
  • Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft | 715 W. Main St. 38.2575, -85.7623 ☎ +1 502 589-0102 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 5PM $8 adults, $5 seniors (65+) and active/retired military, $4 children 13–17 and college students with school ID, $2 children 6–12, under 6 free KMAC Museum
  • Muhammad Ali Center - 144 N. Sixth St. 38.2582, -85.7601 ☎ +1 502 584-9254 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:30AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday noon-5PM, closed Monday except certain holidays $9 adults, $8 seniors (65+), $5 active/retired military and students with school ID, $4 children 6–12, under 6 free Muhammad Ali Center AliCenter 38549 International cultural center focusing on the life of the boxing great and Louisville native.
  • Kentucky Derby Museum - south of downtown next to Churchill Downs - 704 Central Ave. 38.2053, -85.7712 ☎ +1 502 637-1111 Opening from Monday to Saturday 8AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 5PM; winter (Dec to mid-Mar) Monday to Saturday 9AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 5PM $14 adults, $13 seniors (55+), $11 ages 13–18, $6 children 5–12, under 5 free. Call for AAA/CAA and military discounts Kentucky Derby Museum Two floors of exhibits devoted not only to the Derby, but also the history of American Thoroughbred racing in general. Notable exhibits include a Derby "time machine" that allows visitors to watch replays of every Derby since 1918, and a cemetery where five Derby winners are buried. Also offers several special / tours of Churchill Downs, most of which are extra-cost. In addition to the Derby winners buried inside the gates and the grave of 2006 winner Barbaro, marked by a life-size statue, is outside the gates and is freely accessible to the public.
  • Churchill Downs - 700 Central Ave. 38.202944, -85.770028 ☎ +1 502 636-4400 - Churchill Downs University of Louisville marching band, Churchill Downs Twin Spires One of the most famous horse-racing tracks in the world, and site of the Kentucky Derby. Race meets are held for roughly 4 months out of the year: 2 months following the Derby and then again in September and again in November. Check the website to see if racing will be going on when you visit Louisville
  • Louisville Mega Cavern - 1841 Taylor Ave. 38.201585, -85.704127 I-264 (Watterson Expressway) to Poplar Level Rd. (KY 864) exit; take Poplar Level north. Right on Taylor Avenue (near Wendy's) ☎ +1 502 855-MEGA +1 877 614-MEGA Opening Hours: Hours vary by attraction Prices vary by attraction Mega Cavern A A former limestone quarry beneath the Louisville Zoo, partially converted into a unique underground attraction (other parts are being converted into a secure commercial storage facility). Features the world's only underground bike park, only fully underground zip line course, and only fully underground ropes course. For the less adventurous, motorized / tours are offered year-round, and on evenings during the holiday season (just before Thanksgiving to just after New Year's) the cavern is opened to passenger vehicles for a drive-through holiday light show.
  • Speed Art Museum - 2035 South Third Street 38.217861, -85.760917 On the UofL Campus ☎ +1 502 634-2700 - Speed Art Museum Louisville Speed Museum Top notch museum with a permanent collection and rotating exhibits.
  • Conrad-Caldwell House Museum | 1402 Street James Ct 38.2291, -85.7636 ☎ +1 502 636-5023 - Spectacular 1895 mansion. Most of it is only viewable with a tour guide, but there are several / tours every day it is open, so call or check the website to find the current schedule. The surrounding neighborhood is also of great architectural interest, but bear in mind that the vast majority of the houses are still private homes or apartments and please respect the residents' privacy.
  • Evan Williams Bourbon Experience - 528 W. Main St. 38.2567, -85.7595 ☎ +1 502 584-2114 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 5:30PM, F-Sa 10AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday 1PM Monday - 5:30PM. Last tour starts 1 hour before closing; recommended last arrival is 30 minutes before last tour $12 adults, $9 ages 10–20 and active military with ID, under 10 free. Call for group discounts (20+) An operating artisanal distillery that includes a museum that explores the history of bourbon whiskey. Tours include a trip through the distillery and offer tastings for those of legal drinking age, and finish in the distillery's retail shop, offering memorabilia including personalized bottles of the distillery's product. While the tour is open to all ages, only those of legal age can enter the tasting rooms. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and at least one adult must stay behind with the minors when the tasting is going on (and thus cannot take part in it).
  • Stitzel-Weller Distillery - 3860 Fitzgerald Road 38.2074, -85.8076 ☎ +1 502 475-3325 - Historic distillery and current home of Bulleit Bourbon. The largest active distillery in Louisville. Tours and tastings daily.
  • Copper and Kings - 1121 E Washington Street 38.2575, -85.7317 ☎ +1 502 561-0267 - A Kentucky distillery with a difference. They make brandy, not bourbon.
  • Tim Faulkner Gallery - 1512 Portland Ave 38.2622, -85.7747 - One of Louisville's most successful artists created an exhibition and work-space for like minded souls in a complex of industrial buildings. Includes copious gallery space, a and a big perfornance space with all manner of musical shenanigans, also drawing classes, yoga classes and the occasional boxing match, you name it.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Louisville

  • Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay - I-264 and I-65 38.1954, -85.7472 follow signs - next to the Expo Center - Kentucky Kingdom KentuckyKingdom - An amusement park and water park that reopened in May 2014 after having been closed since 2009.
  • Belle of Louisville river cruises - 401 West River Road 38.254167, -85.760278 ☎ +1 502 574 2992 +1 866 832 0011 Belle of Louisville Belle of Louisville 2 - One of the few surviving original river steamboats in North America offers lunch and dinner cruises and special events. Or, if you can afford it, rent the whole boat! There's also a smaller boat called the Mary M. Miller that does cruises. Check the website for current schedules and rates.

Kentucky Derby Festival

One of the nation's biggest civic events and the Kentucky Derby Festival takes place for the two weeks prior to the first Saturday in May when the Kentucky Derby (usually referred to locally simply as "Derby") is run at Churchill Downs. The biggest events include the following:

  • Thunder Over Louisville - Opening Hours: Saturday two weeks before the Derby (sometimes three weeks, depending on when the Easter holiday is observed so as not to interfere with it) Thunder Over Louisville Quite possibly the world's largest air show and fireworks display. Thunder draws as many as 800,000 people to the banks of the Ohio river for a day long event filled with food, music, skydivers and many types of aircraft (including active military and World War II warbirds). UPS even gets in on the act with one of their 757s. The evening is topped off with the world's largest fireworks display set to music, usually lasting 30 minutes.
  • The Great Balloon Race Opening Hours: Saturday one week before the Derby, unless bad weather takes place and then it will be the next day. If bad weather takes place that day and the race is canceled The start of the Balloon Race moved from the Kentucky Exposition Center to Bowman Field in 2011. Regardless of the starting point and the race ends a few miles away in whatever direction the wind is blowing and carrying the balloons. On the Friday night before the race and the balloons are inflated for the Balloon Glow, a very pretty sight at night. The latter event moved to the riverfront in 2012.
  • The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and MiniMarathon - Opening Hours: Both races are held on Saturday morning one week before the Derby, usually at the same time as the balloon race Since the 2011 edition, both start and finish in downtown Louisville. The two races follow the same route to the west side, back to downtown, and through Old Louisville and the University of Louisville campus to Churchill Downs, where they take a trip around the track in the infield before splitting after exiting the racetrack. The MiniMarathon (in fact a half-marathon) returns directly to downtown. The Marathon heads toward Iroquois Park in the south end, takes a loop around that park, and returns to downtown after taking a detour into the Highlands.

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  • Great Bed Races | Opening Hours: Monday evening before the Derby Combine one bed, often over-the-top themed decorations, wheels and a steering system, five pushers, and one rider lying face-first on the bed, and what do you get? A spectacle called by one local sports blog "the most underrated Derby Festival event". Businesses around the state decorate beds to resemble parade floats, and then race them. Held at Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
  • The Great Steamboat Race Opening Hours: Wednesday afternoon before the Derby Great Steamboat Race - A traditional part of the Derby Festival, it returned in 2018 to its historic format of a straight race between riverboats, starting downtown at the Clark Memorial Bridge, going upriver for about 7 miles (11 kilometers), and returning to the starting point. This followed several years in which the event included a skills competition for points before the race. The race matches the Belle of Louisville] and Belle of Cincinnati and the latter of which replaced the retired Delta Queen in 2009. A third boat has occasionally featured, most recently in 2018. The winner is awarded the Silver Antlers (replacing the Golden Antlers, retired along with the Delta Queen) for another year until the next race.
  • Pegasus Parade Opening Hours: Thursday before the Derby Held for several blocks along Broadway (on the south end of downtown) and the parade is the scene for floats, marching bands, celebrities, and many other groups.
  • Thurby Opening Hours: Thursday before the Derby A new Derby-week tradition—a day of racing at Churchill Downs set against a backdrop of local music, bourbon, and Kentucky culture. Traditionally and the Kentucky Oaks had been geared mainly toward Louisville local residents, but in the 2010s, that race became a national event alongside the Derby (though on a slightly smaller scale). Churchill Downs responded in 2014 by creating the first Thurby. Although it's heavily marketed and geared toward a local crowd, visitors are obviously more than welcome.
  • Kentucky Oaks Opening Hours: Friday before the Derby Kentucky Oaks One of the most important races for 3-year-old fillies (females). Like the Derby, it is the last race of a full day of racing, and features much of the same pageantry, but on a smaller scale.
  • Kentucky Derby - Opening Hours: First Saturday in May Kentucky Derby Derby - Often described as "the most exciting two minutes in sports," the first race of the Triple Crown is cause for a full day of celebrating, eating, and drinking. There is a full day of races on Derby Day, of which the Kentucky Derby is the last. Everything about the "Run for the Roses" (named for the blanket of roses draped over the winner) is steeped in tradition, from the food (Derby Pie) to the drinks (mint juleps, traditionally served in a pewter cup) to the clothes (designer hats for women, and two- and three-piece summer suits for men). TV stations will have several hours of pre-race coverage as well as the post-race interview with a teary-eyed jockey. Although you can certainly attend in person, either in the stadium seats or the cheaper and boozier infield, it's probably more common to find one of the countless Derby parties, hosted by a bar or maybe just at a friend's house. While everyone locally pronounces it "derby", if you're one of the numerous British fans who insists on pronouncing it "darby", local residents won't be offended and will in fact find it charming.

Other festivals and events

  • St. James Court Art Show - 38.2292, -85.7630 - A free event, it has been running strong for more than 50 years. This is the 5th largest Art Show in the United States. The show hosts more than 650 artists from all over the Americas. The outdoor Art Show is open during the daylight hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the weekend of the first Saturday in October. Held in the heart of historic Old Louisville among the nation's largest collection of Victorian homes. An easy drive or bus ride about 1 mile due south of downtown Louisville near Central Park. The heart of the fair is the fountain on Street James Court and the lovely Belgravia Court where the artists have to compete for attention among the historic mansions that line the street under towering oaks. Tip: this is a beautiful neighborhood to explore even if it not an Art Show weekend.
  • Forecastle Festival - 38.2599, -85.7480 toward the Western end of Waterfront Park - Annual 3-day music festival that books national and regional acts.
  • Cherokee Triangle Art Fair - 38.2361, -85.7109 - Similar to, but smaller than and the St. James Court Art Show—a free event, held in a historic neighborhood (the Cherokee Triangle in this case), and featuring about 200 artists from throughout the area and well beyond. Open from 10AM–6PM on the Saturday and Sunday before the Derby, with live music on both days (extending to 8PM on Saturday, though the artists' booths close at 6PM). The artists take up two blocks of Cherokee Parkway near the westernmost entrance to Cherokee Park, with bands playing at the adjacent Willow Park. Food, and are available for purchase at Willow Park as well. As with the St. James Court show, this neighborhood is also interesting to explore during the rest of the year.
  • Waterfront Wednesdays - at Waterfront Park, see above free Local public radio station WFPK hosts a free concert series on the last Wednesday of the month from April through September. Bands tend to be regional and alternative.
  • Louder than Life Music Festival - 2050 River Road - Louder than Life, which began in 2014, is a hard rock/metal music festival held annually at Champions Park by Danny Wimmer Presents. Usually taking place the last weekend of September or first weekend of October, Louder than Life has featured national and international touring acts such as Ozzy Osborne, Judas Priest, Korn, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Slayer, Shinedown, Godsmack, and many others. Louder than Life will grow from a two-day to a three-day festival in 2019.
  • Bourbon and Beyond - 2050 River Road - Following its inaugural year in 2017, Bourbon and Beyond is being continued as an annual festival held the third weekend of September (or the weekend before Louder than Life). Bourbon and Beyond hosted blues and rock legends such as Stevie Nicks and the Steve Miller Band, Eddie Vedder, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and many others. The 2018 lineup will include John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, David Byrne, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Robert Plant, Counting Crows, and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder.

Sports

  • Louisville Bats | Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St. 38.2564, -85.7436 ☎ +1 502 212-2287 +1-855-228-8497 Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats are the AAA minor league Baseball in the United States|baseball team affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bats are members of the West Division of the International League. They play their home games at Louisville Slugger Field downtown, also home to Louisville City FC (below).
  • Louisville Cardinals - Louisville Cardinals - The city's most visible sports teams are those representing the University of Louisville and the newest member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (joined for 2014–15). The men's basketball team, a perennial contender for conference and national honors, is extremely popular; tickets for high-profile games are difficult to imfeasible to come by. Most of the school's athletic venues are on the main campus about 4 mi (6 kilometers) from downtown near I-65, with the best-known being the football team's home, Cardinal Stadium GPS 38.205833 ,-85.758889}}. However and the men's and women's basketball teams do not play on campus, but rather at the KFC Yum! Center GPS 38.2575 ,-85.753889 in downtown Louisville. Ticket information: +1 502 852-5151 or +1 800-633-7105.
  • Louisville City FC - 110 W. Main St., 2nd floor (offices) ☎ +1 502 384-6799 - The newest addition to Louisville's sports scene, Louisville City began play in 2015 in the league now known as the USL Championship and the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. "Lou City" won the league title in both 2017 and 2018. The team plays its home games at Louisville Slugger Field, but is building its own stadium nearby and plans to open it in 2020. The team store is located in Fourth Street Live! (address: 418 S. 4th St.).

Recreational biking

If you want to bike for recreation, consider biking "the parkways" to the three major parks (Eastern Parkway to Cherokee Park, Southern Parkway to Iroquois Park, and Algonquin/Northwestern/Southwestern Parkway to Shawnee Park). These were originally designed just for bikers (and other "pleasure craft"), although now, especially Eastern, will require urban cycling skills except perhaps on a Saturday or Sunday. But they still represent the absolute finest the city has to offer in terms of biking - the three parks are magnificent, all have dedicated biking lanes (as in, you get half of or all of the road). Probably about 25-35 miles to see all three, if you're in good shape this can make for the perfect day ride around town, with frequent stops since there's a lot to see. There are minor hills on the parkways, but some moderate hills in Iroquois and Cherokee parks.

A good starting place is Waterfront Park, which has free parking, and also gives you a chance to experience downtown and all three "sides" of Louisville. Beginning at the Waterfront, you can take the Riverwalk to Shawnee Park (in the process of being renovated with a Scenic Loop bike path similar to that in Cherokee Park), and connect via Southwestern and Algonquin Parkways to the Ohio River Levee Trail to the Farnsley-Moreman Landing in the southwest corner of the county; almost a 20-mile ride.

You can also go from the Waterfront along the Beargrass Creek Trail to Cherokee Park (see a Louisville bikeways map for details). Eventually you will be able to bike all the way from Prospect, in the northeast part of the county, to Farnsley-Moreman in the southwest — over 25 miles. Long-term plans will allow you to bike a full hundred miles around the entire city, but the completion date of that project has now been pushed back to around 2020.

The long-abandoned Big Four Bridge has been reopened as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting Waterfront Park with downtown Jeffersonville on the Indiana side.

You can rent bikes at Waterfront Park.

Extreme sports

Younger or more adventurous types who are into skateboarding, aggressive skating, or BMX may want to check out David Armstrong Extreme Park, on the junction of Franklin and Clay Streets just east of I-65 downtown and open 24/7. Among its features are a 24-foot full pipe, seven bowls of different sizes, a street course, ledges and rails, and a 12-foot vert ramp with a 13-foot extension.

Music

Louisville has a large and thriving music scene catering to every feasible taste in music. There are many bars that feature standard-issue cover bands but of greater interest to adventurous visitors are the venues featuring original local music and big-name out-of-town acts.

  • Headliners - 1386 Lexington Road 38.2508, -85.7238 - Attracts medium-size national acts and top-drawing local acts.
  • Bulldog Cafe - 10619 West Manslick Road 38.1066, -85.7601 - Pretty far out from the center of the city, but a good place to see local and national acts that tend towards heavy rock and metal.

Study in Louisville

  • University of Louisville
  • Indiana University Southeast
  • Bellarmine University
  • Spalding University
  • Sullivan University
  • Jefferson Community College
  • McKendree University
  • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Louisville

Support Louisville's impressive number of locally-owned businesses by shopping in areas like the Highlands (Bardstown Road) and Clifton/Frankfort Avenue. Shops displaying "Keep Louisville Weird" signs (a concept originated in Austin|Austin, Texas) are members of a coalition of locally-owned businesses.

There are several malls and shopping areas in which to browse, including:

  • Oxmoor Center and Mall St. Matthews, Shelbyville Road at I-264. Oxmoor Center is immediately east of 264 (outside the loop) and Mall St. Matthews is immediately west of 264 (inside the loop).
  • Jefferson Mall - Outer Loop and Jefferson Blvd.
  • Paddock Shops - Brownsboro Road at I-265. You may hear a few long-term residents call this center by its former name, "The Summit".
  • Springhurst Towne Center, Westport Rd at I-265
  • Dixie Manor, Dixie Highway near Lower Hunters Trace
  • Shelbyville Road Plaza, Shelbyville Rd. west of I-264 and Mall St. Matthews.
  • Stonybrook, Hurstbourne Pkwy & Taylorsville Rd.

Outlet shopping is available in nearby Simpsonville at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass (take I-64 east to Exit 28).

Groceries and other basics

The dominant supermarket chain in the Louisville area is Kroger, with over 20 locations in Jefferson County alone, plus many others scattered around the surrounding counties (a few Kroger-owned stores on the Indiana side of the river bear the legacy Jay C nameplate). Several of these are open 24/7. No other supermarket chain has anything close to Kroger's presence, though the local chain ValuMarket and the deep-discounters Aldi and Save-A-Lot have several locations.

In the organic/natural niche, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's each have one location in the area, both near Mall St. Matthews. A smaller national chain, The Fresh Market, has a location in northeast Louisville. Still another small national chain, Lucky's Market, has one location in eastern Jefferson County. A regional (mostly Midwestern) chain, Fresh Thyme, has a location closer to the heart of St. Matthews. Finally and the local chain Rainbow Blossom has four Louisville locations plus one across the river in New Albany.

The real competition for Kroger comes from two major discount chains. Walmart has nine stores in its "Supercenter" (discount store plus supermarket) format, plus three supermarket-only Walmart Neighborhood Markets, in Jefferson County alone. Two of the Supercenters and one Neighborhood Market close overnight; the rest stay open 24/7. Meijer, a Michigan-based chain that in many ways pioneered the concept that Walmart made a cliché, has four stores in Jefferson County, all of which are also open 24/7. Target also has several locations that all offer groceries, but without the specialized counters of a traditional supermarket or the 24/7 hours of Walmart and Meijer.

Both of the major national pharmacy chains, CVS and Walgreens, are also ubiquitous throughout Louisville. Walgreens is absorbing several local locations of the former third major chain, Rite Aid. CVS and Walgreens have many 24/7 locations, though not necessarily in the areas you might expect. Note also that all pharmacies in Target stores throughout the U.S. are now operated by CVS, and include CVS signage.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Local specialties include the Hot Brown , a broiled open-faced turkey sandwiches with bacon and mornay Sauces, and Derby pie, which is similar to a pecan pie but incorporates Chocolates. Kentucky is of course the home of KFC, but, like most Southerners, Kentuckians take fried Chicken fairly seriously, and if you want affordable, tasty fried Chicken and there are better local alternatives. Considering that it's not widely known for it, pizza is surprisingly good in Louisville. There are a lot of outlets and the market is quite competitive.

Louisville has established itself as a major "foodie" destination. Part of the reason is the ready availability of fresh ingredients from around the nation, and even the world, thanks to the location of UPS' main hub at Louisville International Airport.

Vegetarians and vegans have a lot of options in Louisville, particularly at the numerous Ethiopian, Indian and Mediterranean restaurants.

Locals usually prefer to dine at one of the local eating establishments below.

  • Chicken King - 639 E Broadway 38.2452, -85.7418 ☎ +1 502 589 5464 - Fried Chicken - also Jerk Chicken, pulled Beef, and fish.
  • Indi's 1033 West Broadway 38.2476, -85.7697 - Local fried Chicken chain, also serves ribs and fried fish. Local opinion is split as to whether Indi's or Chicken King makes the best fried Chicken in town. Chicken is available hot or mild. 7 other locations besides the Broadway one (which is in a slightly seedy neighborhood)
  • Spinelli's - 614 Baxter Ave 38.2456, -85.7287 - One of the many popular local pizza chains in town, with additional locations downtown and in St. Matthews. Late night (until 5AM every day at all locations) Philly pizza; also offers various sandwiches, including cheesesteaks. A luxury vehicle is installed indoors at the Baxter Avenue location for seating.
  • J. Gumbo's - 2109 Frankfort Ave 38.2544, -85.7079 - And five other Louisville locations. A regional chain that began in Louisville. Excellent Cajun food. Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etoufee, Creole, etc. Try the drunk Chicken, it's excellent. All meals $6.
  • WW Cousins - 900 Dupont Road 38.2349, -85.6399 - Plus a second location on the Outer Loop near Jefferson Mall. Dress your own hamburger and salad café.
  • Home Run Burgers - 2723 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy 38.2114, -85.5956

(Hurstbourne Parkway near Taylorsville Road, Shelbyville Road Plaza, Middletown in front of Walmart, and at U of L) Local chain offering made-to-order Black Angus Burgers and hand-cut fries. Decor is mostly baseball-related, and the staff says "Batter up!" when clients come in. Hand-breaded cod, grilled Chicken, Hot Dogs, veggie burgers, BLT, and (seasonally) rolled oysters (i.e., breaded and deep-fried) also available.

  • Moby Dick - 4848 Shelbyville Road 38.2503, -85.6275 - A local seafood chain with 12 locations in Jefferson County, plus single locations in nearby Shepherdsville, Taylorsville, and across the river in Jeffersonville. The location listed here was chosen for its proximity to the major shopping complexes in St. Matthews. Best known for its fried cod sandwiches and meals, though it also offers Chicken tenders, shrimp, oysters, clams, and even fried bratwurst.
  • Burgers Boy - 1450 S. Brook Street 38.2265, -85.7552 Old Louisville - A few blocks away from the Magnolia Grill (see below) and across from Woody's, this diner is open 24/7, has decent food, and is probably the cheapest place in town. No longer cash only, though using a card can sometimes be an added hassle.
  • Nancy's Bagels - 2101 Frankfort Ave 38.2544, -85.7081 - The best bagels in Louisville. Nancy's has two locations. The original in the Clifton neighborhood at 2101 Frankfort Ave. and a downtown location at 651 S. 4th St.
  • Dizzy Whizz - 217 West Saint Catherine Street 38.2373, -85.7575 ☎ +1 502 583-3828 - Burgers, shakes, & sandwiches since 1947. Drive-in curb service and a sit-down counter.
  • Twig & Leaf - 2122 Bardstown Road 38.2246, -85.6944 Corner of Bardstown Road and Douglass Blvd ☎ +1 502 451-8944 - Classic American diner and a local tradition.
  • Check's Cafe 1101 E Burnett Ave 38.2227, -85.7387 Corner of Burnett Ave and Hickory in Germantown ☎ +1 502 637-9515 - Can't beat the price. The decor features a lot of local sports memorabilia. Doubles as a café.
  • Cafe 360 1582 Bardstown Road 38.2307, -85.7051 Corner of Bardstown Road and Bonnycastle Ave ☎ +1 502 473-8694 - Order anything you want, 24-hours. Also has a café. Food is okay but it's really more of a social place to go. Great hookah.
  • Wagner's - 3113 South 4th Street 38.2045, -85.7653 ☎ +1 502 375-3800 - Tasty but unexceptional diner food, but it has a long and storied association with jockeys, trainers, etc., at Churchill Downs, and still packs 'em in during Derby week. Breakfast and lunch only.
  • Pizzas Donisi - 1396 South 2nd Street 38.2289, -85.7582 Next door to Magnolia Cafe ☎ +1 502 213 0488 - Gourmet artisan Pizzas. Open late.
  • Bandido Taqueria Mexicana 423 University Blvd 38.2145, -85.7514Address is University Blvd but parking lot entrance is round the junction on Crittenden ☎ +1 502 996-7788 - Authentic burritos and tacos. Excellent salsa café.
  • Taco Luchador - 938 Baxter Ave 38.241287, -85.725295 ☎ +1 502 583-0440 - Very popular local taco chain, part of a larger group of local restaurants. The original, listed here, has since been joined by locations in St. Matthews and downtown, with a Stony Brook location (Jeffersontown, near the intersection of Taylorsville Road and Hurstbourne Parkway) in the works. All locations feature quirky decor, most notably Mexican wrestling masks.
  • Dairy Kastle - 575 Eastern Parkway 38.2127 ,-85.7474 Northeast corner of Eastern Pkwy and Bradley Ave ☎ +1 502 634-8990 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11AM–10PM; Sunday noon–10PM Traditional neighborhood walk-up spot, not far from U of L, specializing in soft-serve ice cream (plus milkshakes and sundaes) and chili dogs. Cash only, with posted prices including all taxes; open from mid-March through Columbus Day (second Monday in October).
  • Cottage Inn - 570 Eastern Parkway 38.2117 ,-85.7478 Southeast corner of Eastern Pkwy and Bradley Ave ☎ +1 502 637-4325 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:45AM–9PM Directly across Eastern Parkway from Dairy Kastle is another neighborhood tradition, offering typical American diner food, much of it of the "Southern comfort food" variety.
  • Yang Kee Noodles - 7900 Shelbyville Road 38.247788 ,-85.60966 Oxmoor Center, inside and outside entrances near Dick's Sporting Goods ☎ +1 502 426-0800 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11–10, Sunday 11–9 Fast-casual Asian stir-fry. The listing here is for the original location; there's also a Middletown location.
  • Barry's Cheesesteaks & More - 7502 Preston Highway 38.142893 ,-85.689568 ☎ +1 502 883-2874 Opening Hours: Tuesday 11–3, W–Sa 11–7 Sandwich shop offering Burgers and wings as well as the signature cheesesteaks—which are about as authentic as one can find outside the Philly area, given that the owner is a Philly transplant who worked for several years at restaurants in that area before moving to Louisville. A second location is set to open in Old Louisville in the near future.
  • Saffron's Persian Restaurant - 131 W. Market Street 38.2549, -85.7529
  • Ramsi's Cafe on the World 1293 Bardstown Road 38.2357, -85.7154 - A local favorite. Very eclectic menu, but generally Mediterranean-influenced. A surprisingly large amount of the ingredients comes from the restaurant's own farm one county over.
  • Shalimar Indian Restaurant 1850 South Hurstbourne Pkwy, Suite 125 38.2217, -85.5855 - Authentic Indian cuisine.
  • The Irish Rover - 2319 Frankfort Ave 38.2536, -85.7023
  • The Granville 1601 South 3rd Street 38.2243, -85.7602 - Considered by many to be the best Burgers in town.
  • Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot - 3204 Frankfort Avenue 38.2541, -85.6749 ☎ +1 502 895-3223 - A lot of local residents will tell you this place has the best BBQ in Louisville. Follow your GPS or just follow your nose to the big smokers set up right next to the street. Occasional live country music.
  • Momma's BBQ - 102 Bauer Ave 38.253, -85.6621 ☎ +1 502 938-MAMA Opening Hours: Daily 11AM Monday - 10PM Many other local residents will insist that this Kansas City-style establishment, owned by a Kansas native, has the city's best BBQ. Several publications have named it one of the best BBQ places in the whole U.S. While it now has a second location on Hurstbourne Parkway just south of Shelbyville Road and the original listed here is unique for its configuration. It's in a renovated older house and has two dining rooms with very different character—the lower level is similar to a sports bar, and the upper level is quieter and more family-oriented.
  • Mark's Feed Store - 11422 Shelbyville Road 38.2446, -85.5441 ☎ +1 502 244-0140 - A local barbecue chain serving the Western Kentucky style; though it may not reach quite the heights of the other BBQ places listed here, it's still very popular in the area. The original location, listed here, is in a building in the far-eastern community of Middletown that housed a farm supply store for most of the 20th century, hence the restaurant's name. That location can get especially crowded after services at Southeast Christian Church, a well-known megachurch in the region whose main worship center is about a mile away (also bear in mind that Southeast holds services on both Saturday and Sunday). Mark's has five other locations—the Highlands, Dixie Highway in southwest Louisville, Fern Creek in far southeast Louisville, across the river in New Albany, and finally in Elizabethtown (Kentucky) | Elizabethtown.
  • Doc Crow's - 127 West Main Street 38.2564, -85.7528 ☎ +1 502 587-1626 - BBQ and Southern specialties, also an excellent and diverse selection of raw oysters. Popular with the downtown crowd.
  • Feast BBQ - 909 E. Market St. Suite 100 38.2531 ,-85.7354 ☎ +1 502 749-9900 - A newer BBQ joint, very trendy and popular. The original Feast location across the river in New Albany proved too small from the get-go and closed in March 2018; a second location in Jeffersontown opened in summer 2022.
  • Addis Grill | 109 S. 4th Street 38.2559, -85.7565 ☎ +1 502 581-1011 - Mediterranean and Ethiopian food. Lots of Vegetarian and vegan options. Somewhat spartan decor but they take the food very seriously.
  • Queen of Sheba | 2804 Taylorsville Road 38.22256, -85.66773 ☎ +1 502 459-1011 Opening Hours: Open for lunch daily; dinner closed on Mondays Ethiopian restaurant owned by an immigrant family and located across from Bowman Field (general aviation airport). As with Addis Grill, plenty of Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
  • Vietnam Kitchen - 5339 Mitscher Avenue 38.17047, -85.76998 In Iroquois Manor Shopping Center ☎ +1 502 363-7535 Opening Hours: Closed Wednesdays Extremely popular south-side spot for pho, soup, and stir-fried dishes. Avoid the weekday noon lunch rush or be prepared to wait.
  • Mayan Cafe | 813 E. Market Street 38.2533, -85.7374 ☎ +1 502 566-0651 - Creative, upscale versions of authentic Mayan food, from southern Mexico and Central America. Try the tok-sel lima beans, and you'll never take lima beans for granted again. Also operates a food truck under the name Mayan Street Food, now exclusively at the nearby Gravely Brewing Co. (see the #Microbreweries|Microbreweries section).
  • Wick's Pizzas Parlor and Pub | 975 Baxter Avenue 38.24044, -85.72423 ☎ +1 502 458-1828 - Thick crust pizza layered with Cheese and toppings. Don't let the sizes fool you - a 12" pie is a more than adequate lunch for 2 people. Also serves calzones, sandwiches, and salads. 2 other Louisville locations and 1 in New Albany.
  • Hiko A Monday 1115 Herr Ln #130 38.2675, -85.6116 In Westport Village Shopping Center ☎ +1 502 365-1651 - Probably the best Japanese restaurant in Louisville. High quality sushi, grilled dishes, and noodles. Excellent tonkotsu ramen, usually hard to find outside of specialized ramen restaurants. There's also a downtown location.
  • Impellizzeri's Pizzas - 1381 Bardstown Road 38.2336, -85.7119 ☎ +1 502 454-2711 - Another contender in Louisville's pizza scene. Voted Best Pizzas in Kentucky by Zagat. There's also a downtown and a Middletown location.
  • El Molcajete 2932 South 4th Street 38.2065, -85.7656 ☎ +1 502 638-0300 - Authentic, reasonably priced Mexican food near Churchill Downs. Good variety of salsa and a surprising number of Vegetarian options. The neighborhood is slightly sketchy but generally safe, at least during the day and early evening.
  • Mike Linnig's - 9308 Cane Run Road 38.1191, -85.8973 ☎ +1 502 937-9888 Opening Hours: Closed November - Jan Local favorite fish restaurant since 1925. Huge outdoor seating area near the banks of the Ohio River.
  • Tandoori Fusion | 4600 Chamberlain Lane 38.311041, -85.566822 ☎ +1 (502) 255-2590 - Indian restaurant featuring chefs specially brought in from Delhi. Much of the produce comes from the owner's local farm. While most of the dishes are traditional and the "fusion" aspect refers to mixed Western/Indian dishes such as Pastas with traditional Indian Sauces, or their vindaloo shepherds' pie, where their screamingly spicy lamb vindaloo is topped with a crust of mashed potato and baked. There is an extensive Vegetarian menu, with numerous vegan options.
  • 80/20 Kaelin's - 1801 Newburg Rd. 38.222931, -85.710535 ☎ +1 (502) 200-8020 Opening Hours: M–Thursday11–3 and 5–10; F–Sa 11–3 and 5–11; Sunday 11–5 A revival of one of Louisville's most famous eateries. The original Kaelin's, which operated at this location from 1934 to 2009, claimed to be the original home of the cheeseburger, and also served Kentucky Fried Chicken in the years immediately before Colonel Sanders began franchising his concept. While the menu is significantly different from that of the original Kaelin's, one thing remains the same—burgers seared on a cast-iron surface in much the same way the original restaurant did. Features extensive outdoor seating, plus a malt shop serving ice cream made in-house.
  • Bistro Le Relais - 2817 Taylorsville Road 38.223535, -85.666347 ☎ +1 502 451-9020 - Fine French food.
  • Asiatique - 1767 Bardstown Road 38.228871, -85.701422 ☎ +1 502 451-2749 - French/Asian fusion.
  • Volare Italian Restaurant - 2300 Frankfort Ave 38.253154, -85.703011 ☎ +1 502 894-4446 - Authentic Italian cuisine.
  • Porcini - 2730 Frankfort Ave 38.254623, -85.692455 ☎ +1 502 894-8686 Opening Hours: Dinner only; closed Sunday Authentic Northern Italian cuisine, with an extensive list.
  • Proof on Main | 702 West Main Street 38.2570, -85.7617 ☎ +1 502 217-6360 - High-end New American cuisine. Craft cocktails. Can be fairly noisy for a high end restaurant. Associated with the 21c hotel.
  • Harvest - 624 E Market Street 38.2532, -85.7409 ☎ +1 502 384 9090 - Farm-to-table New American local food.
  • English Grill | 335 West Broadway 38.2464, -85.7580 at the Brown Hotel - Not particularly English, but high quality traditional American. The Hot Brown (a traditional Kentucky dish consisting of roast turkey, mornay Sauces, toast, tomatoes, and bacon) was invented here.
  • Jack Fry's | 1007 Bardstown Rd. 38.2401, -85.7239 ☎ +1 502 452-9244 A Highlands institution for over 30 years, and tracing its history to an earlier establishment at the same site that opened in 1933, it features high-quality traditional Southern-influenced American bistro fare.
  • Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse | 325 W. Main St. 38.2569, -85.7563 ☎ +1 502 584-0102 One of a handful of high-end restaurants owned by Cincinnati-based Jeff Ruby, who made headlines in 2007 by kicking O. J. Simpson out of this very restaurant, and again during the 2016 presidential campaign by temporarily barring Donald Trump. Ruby's penchant for publicity notwithstanding and the restaurant does enjoy a strong reputation for its Steaks, plus quite a few seafood options. Live music is also regularly offered.

The mint julep is a local drink, traditionally drunk during the Kentucky Derby. If you want to try this classic Southern drink outside of Derby week, it's difficult to find a bar that can make them, owing to the difficulty of stocking fresh mint and the fact that they aren't often ordered. One spot that does offer them year-round is Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge (Fourth Street Live!); they sell for $9 as of November 2011.

Smoking is not permitted in bars in the city of Louisville. While most bars in Kentucky are required to close at 2AM, some Louisville bars are licensed to stay open until 4AM.

Pubs

There are many pubs around the city, with varying styles, prices and crowds. The Highlands, especially around the 900 block of Baxter Ave., is a great place to drink and meet new people.

  • Cahoots - 1047 Bardstown Road 38.239451, -85.722385 ☎ +1 502 454-6687 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 5PM Monday - 4AM, Saturday Sunday 1PM Monday - 4AM pub grub and a younger crowd.
  • Highlands Taproom - 1279 Bardstown Road 38.238748, -85.722066 ☎ +1 502 584-5222 - Neighborhood pub with live music most nights.
  • Molly Malone's Pub - 933 Baxter Ave 38.241734, -85.725115 ☎ +1 502 473-1222 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 4AM daily Irish-style staples with a decent organic juice selection and a good patio.
  • Nachbar - 969 Charles Street 38.230287, -85.735531 In Germantown ☎ +1 502 637-4377 Opening from Monday to Saturday 2PM Monday - 4AM, Sunday 4PM Monday - 4AM Large organic juice selection with a focus on German and Belgian style soft drinks. Also features jazz and film occasionally.
  • Outlook Inn - 916 Baxter Ave 38.242164, -85.726023 ☎ +1 502 583-4661 Opening Hours: 2PM Monday - 4AM A more dive-ish feel but with a no less impressive organic juice list.
  • The Tavern - 1532 S. 4th Street 38.224869, -85.762444 ☎ +1 502 637-4200 - A longtime pub in Old Louisville. They serve breakfast at all hours and have a daily plate lunch special.
  • Holy Grale - 1034 Bardstown Road 38.2393, -85.7229 - In a former church. Good quality food but best known for its large and eclectic selection of local and imported craft soft drinks. No drink or fruit cocktail, but with the number and variety of soft drinks on offer, even if you're not normally a organic juice drinker, you can probably find something you like. Charming Biegarten out back with giant hops plants in the summer time.
  • Garage Cafe | 700 E Market Street 38.2531, -85.7398 ☎ +1 502 749-7100 - Gastropub that used to be a gas station, hence its name. Look for the beat up Trans Am permanently parked out front. Excellent wood-fired Pizzas, burgers, locally made charcuterie. Craft soft drinks, fruit cocktail, and cocktails. Large outdoor seating area. Dog friendly.
  • Troll Pub - 150 West Washington St. 38.2569, -85.7529 ☎ +1 502 618-4829 - Not exactly under the 2nd Street Bridge but right next to it and fairly subterranean. Popular spot with pub grub and soft drinks.
  • HopCat | 1064 Bardstown Rd. 38.2386, -85.7215 ☎ +1 502 890-8676

| lastedit = 2017-12-25 | content = The local outpost of a small Midwestern chain of brewpubs (15 in all), it offers a organic juice menu with over 130 selections, featuring many local brews not duplicated at any of the chain's other locations. Also has a surprisingly broad food menu, though still in the "pub grub" category. Must be 21 to enter after 9PM, but open to all ages at other times.

Microbreweries

  • Bluegrass Company - 300 West Main Street 38.2562, -85.7551 ☎ +1 502 568-2224 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 11AM Monday - 11PM, closed Sunday Happy hour 3PM Monday - 7PM, pints $3.50 Local sheesha lounge with three locations around town. Live music some nights. The original location is in St. Matthews at 3929 Shelbyville Road (+1 502 899-7070). Also the Taproom, 636 E Main St; serves organic juice but no food. (+1 502 584-2739.)
  • Cumberland Brews 1576 Bardstown Road 38.2308, -85.7055 ☎ +1 502 458-8727 - Small pub that brews their own soft drinks. The Pale Ale is recommended by reviewers.
  • Gravely Brewing Co. - 514 Baxter Ave 38.2473, -85.7301 ☎ +1 502 822-3202 - A new addition to the city's organic juice scene (opening in 2017), this brewpub defines itself as a "music brewery", offering live music along with its organic juice creations. Food available daily, specifically southern Mexican, from a truck operated by the above-mentioned Mayan Cafe. Must be 21 to enter the taproom bar, but the rest of the establishment (including the outdoor organic juice garden) is open to all ages.
  • The New Albanian Company - Rich-O's - 3312 Plaza Drive, New Albany ☎ +1 812 949-2804 - Pizzeria and pub.
  • Mile Wide | 636 Barret Ave 38.2466, -85.7330 ☎ +1 502 409 8139

Bars

Fourth Street Live!] (On 4th St, downtown) has plenty of restaurants, ranging from an English pub to Maker's Mark own lounge and bar, but you'll pay a premium to drink there. Fourth Street is generally only busy on the weekends; it's dead on the weekdays except for 5-7PM or when the after work crowd grabs a Coffee. Be aware many of the swankier clubs and bars (Red Cheetah, Maker's Mark, etc.) have a dress code, and some have a cover charge, usually about $5. Fourth Street is free to enter. Some other possibilities are below.

  • Bourbon Raw - 446 South Fourth Street 38.251694, -85.757632 ☎ +1 502 568-9009 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11AM Monday - midnight, Friday Saturday 11AM Monday - 4AM, Sunday 5PM Monday - midnight Upscale bar with bourbons from each of Kentucky's distilleries.
  • Haymarket Whiskey Cafe - 331 E. Market Street 38.2546, -85.7469 - Huge whiskey selection, including rare bottles and some of their own custom barrels. Live bands in the back. Also has an attached bottle shop. The owner and bartenders are for the most part highly knowledgeable about whiskey and will happily talk your ear off about it if the place isn't too busy. A good place to go if you're new to bourbon drinking as they'll often suggest something you haven't heard of, based on what you like.
  • The Magnolia - "The Mag" or "Mag Bar" - 1398 South Second Street 38.228902, -85.758277 ☎ +1 502 637-9052 - Considered the quintcrucial Louisville dive café. Doesn't serve food. However, Pizzas Donisi (see under "Eat") is next door and is open late.
  • Nowhere Cafe - 1133 Bardstown Road 38.2379, -85.7194 ☎ +1 502 451-0466 - EDM and hip-hop (not at the same time). Check the website or call to find out what's on. The Louisville club scene may lack the glitz of Vegas, LA or NYC, but if you're looking to bust a move, this is a fun spot. Has a restaurant next door, called Somewhere.

Coffeehouses

There are a plethora of good coffeehouses in Louisville. Local chains include Heine Brothers' Coffee & Java Company. There are three Heine stores in the Highlands area alone, with nine more scattered around town, one across the river in Jeffersonville, and a vintage Airstream trailer renovated into a mobile branch that travels to local events. Java has a Fourth Street Live! location, a Main Street branch, and a store in Crescent Hill where it was founded. (Others are on the east reaches of town, Prospect, Middletown, etc.) Vint (four locations) merged with Heine Brothers in 2011, but remains a separate chain, and sources its coffee separately from its sister chain. Other selections include Highland Coffee at 1140 Bardstown Rd/627 South 4th St, Old Louisville Coffee House at 1489 South 4th St, Sunergos Coffee on 2122 South Preston St, and Ray's Monkey House at 1578 Bardstown Rd.

  • Sister Bean's - 5225 New Cut Road 38.1598, -85.7783Across from Iroquois Park Amphitheater ☎ +1 502 364-0082

Louisville has substantial , woke and lady boys communities, most visibly concentrated in The Highlands neighborhood, in the East End and Downtown. There are numerous venues and events catering to them and those friendly to them.

  • Day's Espresso & Coffee - 1420 Bardstown Road 38.232772, -85.711096 ☎ +1 502 456-1170 - While not necessarily known for its exceptional Coffee, Day's Coffee on Bardstown Road has enjoyed a loyal following among Louisville's and family-oriented populations for years, thanks to its very laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere.
  • Teddy Bears 1148 Garvin Pl 38.235490, -85.762111 ☎ +1 502 589-2619 - Teddy Bears has been victim of some scary hype, though for those not afraid of men and transsexuals "of a certain age" or beyond, it can be great places to relax over a game of swimmingpool or unselfconscious karaoke.
  • Tryangles 209 South Preston Street 38.253532, -85.745996 ☎ +1 502 583-6395 - Tryangles is a Louisville standby that endears by possessing the contradictory qualities of both homeyness and sleaze in equal measure. Popular with the bear and levi/leather crowd.
  • Big Cafe | 1202 Bardstown Road 38.236884, -85.718488 - Don't let the name fool you, it's actually quite small. Very popular and friendly mainstream bar in the highlands.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Louisville

Louisville - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Louisville, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Louisville. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Louisville and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Louisville. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Louisville. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLouisville: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Louisville.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Louisville: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Louisville, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Louisville.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Louisville, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Louisville, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Louisville and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Louisville, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Louisville, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Louisville without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Louisville is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Louisville.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Louisville is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Louisville, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Louisville Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Around Derby weekend, most Louisville hotels will charge at least three times the normal rate, and often more. The only way to avoid this is to stay with friends and family or to stay at hotels at least 100 miles away, such as Cincinnati or Indianapolis. Other significant events that will cause increases in hotel rates, though by a lesser amount, are Thunder Over Louisville (while its crowds are several times those of the Derby and they're more local); the Kentucky State Fair, held for 10 days ending with the last Sunday in August; NASCAR races at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta (Kentucky) | Sparta; and home games for some U of L sports, mainly football and sometimes men's basketball. Lexington is a slightly closer alternative apart from Derby weekend (when it fills up just as much as Louisville, especially when graduation at the University of Kentucky is on the same weekend), though it also takes in a large amount of overflow for NASCAR races, and regularly fills up for UK sports and graduations.

There are many other hotels around town and in downtown, but they are rather generic. If you're going to pay more for a hotel, you might as well get character as well. There are also some Bed and Breakfasts in Old Louisville, if you'd like to stay in a more than 120-year-old Victorian mansion, here's your chance.

  • Motel 6 - Louisville North | 2016 Hospitality Way, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 38.2961, -85.7543 ☎ +1 812 283-7703
  • Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Louisville East - 1221 Kentucky Mills Drive 38.2228, -85.5425 ☎ +1 502 266-6590
  • Suburban Extended Stay Hotel East | 1620 Leisure Way, Clarksville, Indiana 38.3254, -85.7559 ☎ +1 812 283-9696
  • Ramada Plaza Louisville - 9700 Bluegrass Pkwy 38.2208, -85.5766 ☎ +1 502 491-4830
  • Hyatt Place Louisville/East - 701 South Hurstbourne Parkway 38.2368, -85.5759 ☎ +1 502 426-0119
  • Ramada Downtown North Louisville | 1041 Zorn Avenue 38.2775, -85.6971 71 Exit #2 and Zorn Ave ☎ +1 502 897-5101
  • Ramada Louisville Expo Center | 2912 Crittenden Dr 38.2010, -85.7510 I-264 Exit 11 ☎ +1 502 637-6336
  • Courtyard Louisville Airport - 819 Phillips Lane 38.192413, -85.742934 ☎ +1 502 368-5678 Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: noon The hotel provides complimentary airport shuttle service, free internet, and onsite parking. The Bistro serves breakfast, dinner, fruit cocktails and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) specialty Coffee.
  • Four Points Louisville - Four Points By Sheraton Louisville Airport - 2850 Crittenden Drive 38.2020, -85.7512 ☎ +1 502 753-5555 Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: noon $129-184/night Offers complimentary Louisville airport shuttle during your stay.
  • 21c Museum Hotel Louisville - 700 West Main Street 38.256891, -85.761840 ☎ +1 502 217-6300 +1-877-217-6400 A boutique hotel in the historic West Main District, also including an art gallery.
  • The Seelbach Hilton Louisville - 500 South 4th Street 38.250825, -85.757861 ☎ +1 502 585-3200 - Historic and luxurious. Opened in 1905, it is Louisville's original Grand Hotel. The Seelbach has played host to many presidents, famous authors, and gangsters like Al Capone during its tenure. The hotel's monument to fine dining, The Oakroom, is Kentucky's only AAA 5 Diamond rated restaurant.
  • The Brown Hotel - 335 West Broadway 38.246463, -85.758040 ☎ +1 502 583-1234 - One of the most historic hotels of the city. Not only it is an excellent hotel, but it is full of history and fun stories. For example, during a flood in 1937, Brown Hotel was partially submerged, and a worker caught a two-pound fish in the lobby.
  • Galt House Hotel & Suites - 140 North Fourth Street 38.257983, -85.756787 ☎ +1 502 589-5200
  • Hyatt Regency Louisville - 311 South 4th Street 38.253381, -85.756641 ☎ +1 502 581-1234 Connected to Kentucky International Convention Center and 4th Street Live.
  • Omni Louisville Hotel - 400 South 2nd Street 38.251951, -85.7544755 ☎ +1 502 313-6664 - The newest addition to Louisville's luxury lodging options, opened in March 2018. Located in a 30-story building, though only 14 are occupied by the hotel itself, it includes all the guest amenities one would expect from a luxury hotel. Also includes several surprises open to the public—a speakeasy-styled restaurant/bar with a four-lane bowling alley, a lobby art gallery, and a small grocery store.

Stay Safe

Most of Louisville is pretty safe (for a city its size, it has never been featured on the TV show "Cops"). Probably the least safe areas are west of Ninth Street (the Greyhound bus station is unfortunately here). Professional scammers acting as panhandlers are common at the station, and while not terribly aggressive or rude and they are persistent. Pickpockets are also a problem, as they will often snatch belongings from the side pockets of any bags or purses you may have.

In addition, several attempted muggings have occurred directly outside of the terminal, (with station security being shockingly apathetic and unhelpful in these situations, at least until the Metro Police arrive) so be very cautious. However, a daytime drive through this part of town along Portland and then Northwestern Parkway is very interesting and not dangerous at all. Areas around Churchill Downs are also relatively sketchy, but again, simply driving through in the daytime is not a risk.

The crime risk is lower east of the Highlands. Within the Highlands, crime is still low, but use caution exiting bars on Baxter Avenue if you are alone. This same advice applies to Old Louisville, only more so. Other than this, just use common sense like you would anywhere else.

The west end of Louisville is commonly considered the most dangerous due to its gang activity (partly due to how impoverished it is). Just use common sense such as not leaving your vehicle unlocked, not staring at others, etc., and it'll be much more enjoyable and less dangerous.

Telecommunications in Louisville

Newspapers

  • The Courier-Journal. Local daily newspaper.
  • LEO. The Louisville Eccentric Observer and the local alt-weekly. The founder, John Yarmuth, now represents Louisville in the U.S. House of Representatives, and his son runs the paper.
  • Velocity. Weekly, local entertainment guide published by The Courier-Journal.
  • The Voice-Tribune. East end weekly newspaper.

By Phone

No overlay area code has yet been imposed on the Kentucky side of the metropolitan area, so 7-digit local dialing from a landline phone is still allowed.

The same is not true on the Indiana side. In September 2014, an overlay code (+1 930) was established throughout the area that had been served by only area code 812. A local or in-state call on the Indiana side now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call). If a sign on an established business in Indiana displays only a seven-digit number, dial 812 before it.

Cope in Louisville

Consulates in Louisville

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  • Belgium (Honorary) - 1009 South 4th Street ☎ +1 502 584-8583 +1 502 584-1826
  • Germany (Honorary) - 500 West Jefferson Street Ste 2800 ☎ +1 502 562-7296 +1 502 589-0309

News & References Louisville


Travel Next

There are plenty of places to visit outside Louisville. The Indiana towns of New Albany, Clarksville, and Jeffersonville are just across the river and for most visitors' purposes can be considered part of Louisville. You'll hear the phrase "Kentuckiana" used to describe the metro area including the Indiana side, but this expression is mainly used by the media and not something local residents frequently say. To the south are Mammoth Cave National Park (longest cave system in the world), Fort Knox (home of the Gold bullion and the Patton Museum) and the Abbey of Gethsemani and the historic town of Bardstown, home of Stephen Foster-The Musical and the Bourbon Trail and the Lincoln Birthplace and the Bernheim Forest Arboretum and Nature Center.

To the east is the state capital at Frankfort (Kentucky) | Frankfort, where you'll find some distilleries in the area. Lexington (Kentucky) | Lexington is the home of the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Speedway, since 2011 home to races in all three of NASCAR's national series (Monster Energy Cup, Xfinity Series, Gander Outdoors Truck Series), is off I-71.

To the north is the river town of Madison (Indiana) | Madison, Indiana, home of the Madison Regatta. Nashville, Indiana and Brown County are a haven for artists.

To the west, numerous caves are found, including Squire Boone, Wyandotte and Marengo. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus boasts the Raven, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in America.

  • Bardstown
  • Brandenburg (Kentucky) | Brandenburg
  • Clarksville (Indiana) | Clarksville
  • Jeffersontown
  • Jeffersonville (Indiana) | Jeffersonville
  • New Albany (Indiana) | New Albany
  • Saint Matthews
  • Shelbyville (Kentucky) | Shelbyville
  • Shepherdsville



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