Louisville Travel Guide & All the Bites

(P.S. HIIIII!! I went back like A TON lol, so under each category I have options! Some of my faves! I've been like 5 times LOL. I don't know if you'll get to all of them in one trip but check them out and curate your own personal list :))

This past week, I spent Monday - Friday in Louisville, KY. I've never been and it was honestly, SO WORTH the hour and a half drive. From delicious food to their artistic community I am dubbing Louisville as too underrated of a city. Growing up in a big city like Chicago, hearing about Kentucky was usually accompanied with negative feedback, race relation concerns, and fear of being in the middle of nowhere, but now, traveling through Kentucky myself and living so close by, here in Cincy, my opinion has totally changed. A Girls Trip to Louisville, was just what the doctored ordered. So here's where I stayed, went to eat, and oh yes, I can't wait to go back!

Where I Stayed:

The Moxy Hotel - Located Downtown Louisville, KY

The Moxy Hotel is definitely where the young, fun and hip should stay, it's right near the Ohio River, easy place to run, walk or have a picnic, just a few steps from Main Street and is a great hostile style hotel for getting all those European minimalist feels in your room, and social feels downstairs in the lobby!

Check out the hotel & room here.

Bryce's Place AirBNB - Located Downtown Louisville (Parking is in a parking Garage, make sure to lock your car like always and take out any valuables)

So I loved this location because these vibes were perfect! Loved the addition of the indoor string lights! What I disliked was the walking distance from here to NULU (My fave Louisville neighborhood) but overall great option! ( And as you can see I was OBSESSED with the large windows!)

AC Hotels Marriott - Located on East Market Street, NULU

I mean it's a hotel BUT, it's right on East Market Street next to all things NULU, which is what I loved about it! The downstairs bar also attracts a fun crowd, they close at 12AM so it's nothing too wild but a great safe place to land if you're a solo traveler. Hotels if not boutique hotels are hard for me to fan girl over but, I would give this one a solid 7/10. The room décor could use some love for me, but overall great location with a gym and pool for recreation!

Where I ate:

Breakfast & Coffee:

Toast on Market Louisville - BIG FAN! You can eat inside and yet on cobble streets

Quills Coffee - A favorite: Strawberry Mocha Latte w/ Bourbon Caramel - YUM!

HI-FIVE Doughnuts - East Main St.-Thick Donuts, Create Your Own & VEGAN OPTIONS

Please & Thank You - NULU - Kentucky's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie ( They have multiple locations! Get you a cookie on the go LOL)

Biscuit Belly - NULU For Biscuit Lovers & A Classic Omelets

Lunch & Dinner:

Shahar Café - Bardstown, Road - SCRUMTIOUS PLANT BASED AMERICAN CLASSICS

Check out the delicious bites here.

Pho Ba Luu - East Main Street - Saigon Street Food

La Bodeguita De Mima - East Market, NULU, Louisville, KY - Cuban Restaurant - So Good, Highly Recommend!

Royals Hot Chicken - East Market, NULU - For the Chickkkkyyy Loverssss

Galaxie - East Market St., NULU - Great Drinks & Light Bites - The Nachos are FIRE!

Lueberry - East Market St., NULU - Perfect for Plant Based Healthy Options & Full of Flavor

Wine, Cocktails & Charcuterie:

Cultured - East Main Street - Might be CHEESEY but they have the MEATS (LOL)

The Local Seltzery - NULU, Louisville, KY

Everything is Seltzers! Love it! With all seltzers being 100 calories or less, gluten-free, vegan and crafted with all natural ingredients.

Copper & Kings Distillery & Eatery - East Washington Street, Louisville, KY - Industrial-chic craft distillery for brandy, gin & absinthe offering tours & a tasting room.

Garage Bar - East Marker St. NULU - Great indoor outside space and great for games or a mid day sip. Bring a group of friends and enjoy a sunny day here!

Pin & Proof Speakeasy & Bowling Alley @ the Omni Hotel (Don't Forget to Check out Library Bar)

Nouvelle Wine Bar & Bottle - NULU, Dreamy Wine Backyard Wonderland

The Champagnery - Historic Neighborhood on Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY

Louisville's first and only bar dedicated to champagne and sparkling wine. I am such a fan! The bites are also pretty delicious! I suggest the Champagne Cake & Charcuterie! Crabs cakes were also DELISH!

Where I played:

Museums:

The Louisville Slugger Museum - West Main Street, Downtown Louisville, KY

Loved going on a Factory Tour of the Museum! You get a mini bat and learn so much about the bat making process, and while I am not the biggest sports fan, I was so intrigued by how the Louisville Slugger became the bat of all bats! HEYYYY BATTTA BATTAA! If you have the time, stop by! They also note historical and cultural milestones in baseball, which is SO GREAT! As a young black woman, it is so enriching to feel and learn about the impact of people who look like me, had in all areas. (Also watch out for their life like wax figurines, I scared myself multiple times lol)

Bourbon Tastings:

The Evan Williams Experience - Downtown Louisville, KY - I did the Speakeasy Tasting and while I enjoyed myself I think the traditional tasting/tour would have been better. The theatrics were a little wasted on me but I did like the tasting as a whole. There are obviously tons of bourbon tasting options in the area. Just choose wisely, lol.

Shopping:

WOW - Woman Owned Wallet - NULU (trendy, bright and for creators of all kinds)

Mahonia - NULU (for the boho girls & plant lovers)

They have plants for purchase as well as a dried flower bar and home goods! Plants also come with care instructions which I love! BIG FAN!

Sporting & Events:

Louisville Bats Stadium/Game - Downtown Louisville, KY - Loved attending this minor league game, the stadium is great and they from time to time have $5 margs, but check the schedule! I was also happy to find this African owned cookie company there, Kizito Cookies and loved sitting close to the field! Tickets are SUPER affordable, I would add this to your list for a fun but casual summer outing!

Art & Spring Everywhere:

One of my favorite parts on trips is always taking advantage of the scenery around me, whether it be God's creation or the work of God's people! Don't forget to soak it all in!

One thing that I really took away from this trip is how many great places there are in underrated cities and that sometimes a change of scenery can really change how you think about the world around you. Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and I have really started to grasp onto the fact that Jesus didn’t die and rise again for me to worry, be anxious about the future, remain stagnant, and live in fear. He died not only for our salvation but for freedom. Freedom to experience His creation, freedom to get out of our comfort zones, freedom to go somewhere different. Freedom to love and engage with the world around us in a way that can change narratives. And yes, a trip an hour and half away helped me process all of that. I know it’s been such a hard year but I have so much hope, whether it’s traveling to your backyard, out of state or just to your kitchen table with loved ones, I hope you find the God in it, I hope you experience some freedom and I hope you know you are loved! Sometimes a a little trip is all you need. ❤️🥰Also, I obviously didn't hit even a small percent of where there is to eat, hang out and of course experiences. This time around I really just enjoyed the change of scenery and a little getaway. When I go back I'll be sure to update this list and hopefully keep you guys informed of where I loved in Louisville, KY. (est. 2021)

(2022) As I continue to update this as I continue my travels, my feelings remain the same. Life is worth living! I hope you are living your best bite!

xo Kait xo

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