Ultimate Louisville Travel Guide: Bourbon, Culture & Where to Stay

Distillery tours

Louisville is the gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT), and there is no shortage of good bourbon to be tried and distilleries to tour, many of which are located near each other on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. My top picks:

• Michter’s Distillery: If you’re new to bourbon, or at least bourbon production, this tour serves as a fantastic entry point into your KBT journey and first tasting experience.

• Old Forester Distilling Co.: Old Forester’s tour is unique in that it is both historic (home of America’s first bottled bourbon!) and the only distillery that has its own cooperage on-site, so you get to see the process of barrel making as well. Enjoy a tasting at the conclusion of the tour paired with chocolate.

• Rabbit Hole: Take a step into the future by visiting Rabbit Hole distillery, seeing one of the newer and more innovative distilleries on the KBT. Enjoy a welcome cocktail at the beginning of your tour, and end with a tasting in a gorgeous bar area with incredible views of the city.

Churchill Downs

Whether you’re a fan of horse racing or not, visiting the home of the Kentucky Derby is a must while you’re in town. Experience the excitement of a race if you’re there for one of their meets, or take a tour of the facility led by the Kentucky Derby Museum next door.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Whether you love baseball or just need a break from bourbon, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory takes you through their process of crafting the world’s most iconic baseball bats—and you get a souvenir mini-bat at the conclusion of your tour. The museum is located on Main Street, and you’ll know you’re heading to the right place when you catch a glimpse of the world’s largest baseball bat out front.

Muhammad Ali Center

While it is located on Museum Row, the Muhammad Ali Center is so much more than a museum celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary boxer. A believer in social change, the Center for Humanity and Justice continues Ali’s work, leading community programming to create a more just world.

Frazier Kentucky History Museum

Step inside the Frazier Kentucky History museum to learn about all things Kentucky, but especially its storied history of distilling bourbon. Stop here before you head out on your first tour to get your bourbon trail field guide—if you’re planning a larger trip through the entire KBT, you’ll want to collect passport stamps from each distillery you visit for a fun memento to commemorate the experience.

The Brown Hotel

This iconic hotel’s kitchen is home of the original Hot Brown. This dish is one of those things that anyone visiting Kentucky has to try, and there is no better place. Save room for dessert and order a slice of the Derby Pie—it’s delicious.

Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen

Known as one of the best bourbon bars in the world, Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen has something for everyone. Their bar is a living piece of history, built in the 1920s, and you’ll feel like you’re stepping into the past when you enter the restaurant. Come for their delicious Southern and soul food, stay for the live music and vibes.

Against the Grain Brewery & Public House

Louisville’s first brewer-owned brewery has a variety of beers on tap, a great selection of bourbon, and an excellent cocktail menu. You’ll find the menu has all the typical bar food, and if you’re a baseball fan, you’ll love that it is located in the corner of Louisville Slugger Field.

Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse

If you’re looking for a nice dinner while in town, look no further than Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse. It's Louisville’s only oak-fired steakhouse—come prepared for an excellent steak and/or seafood dinner with elevated sides, and a collection of over 200 spirits and cocktails to pair it with.

Jack Fry's

A historic restaurant in Louisville, opened in 1933 by Jack Fry himself, who was known to bookkeep and bootleg in the back room of the establishment. Over the years, it has become lovingly renovated and reestablished as a fine dining restaurant, but has stayed true to its historic roots.