Downtown Louisville

Downtown Louisville is a vibrant and historic district that offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's rich history and architecture, experiencing the local culture and cuisine, diving into a distillery experience or enjoying outdoor activities along the Ohio River, there's no shortage of things to see and do. From the Muhammad Ali Center and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and Waterfront Park, the area is home to a range of cultural attractions that are sure to please. Downtown Louisville is a must-do experience that offers a unique blend of entertainment, education, and fun. Explore its three main districts to learn more.

WHISKEY ROW & MUSEUM ROW

Lining downtown Louisville’s Main Street is one of the country’s largest collections of castiron facades, Revivalist and Chicago Schoolstyle buildings. Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this historic architecture is second only to SoHo in New York City. Louisville’s Whiskey Row has seen a revival with new distilleries and attractions re inhabiting the area that once served as home to the Bourbon industry from the mid-to-late 1800s. Museum Row is home to notable museums all within a few walkable blocks.

Named one of the best Main Streets in America, this downtown thoroughfare is a must for Bourbon experiences and some of the city’s most iconic attractions.

SOUTH FOURTH STREET

As the city’s primary retail and entertainment corridor for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Fourth Street was the place to see and be seen. Folks flocked to the area to enjoy an evening out at the theater, dine and shop. Today, the 500 and 600 blocks of South Fourth Street are a must-visit destination for dining, nightlife, and attractions.

Whiskey Row & Museum Row

EAT & DRINK

No matter your taste buds, the Whiskey Row/Museum Row area has an abundance of dining options. For breakfast or lunch, there’s Wiltshire Pantry Bakery & Cafe. If it’s pizza you’re craving, there’s Luigi’s or The Misfit Lou, which also serves pizza, along with sandwiches. The Main Eatery, In Season, Addis, and Corner are go-to lunch spots for locals. Two Louisville mainstays, Bristol Bar & Grille and Bluegrass Brewing Company are great options for a classic American lunch or dinner. For straightforward Southern cuisine, there’s Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar or Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro. For a tasty burger, try Sidebar, Nic & Norman’s, or Mussel & Burger Bar. For Mexican, there’s Down One Bourbon Bar & Restaurant or Zombie Taco at Bar Moxy. For quick, yummy pub fare, there’s O’Shea’s Downtown and Troll Pub Under the Bridge. For upscale dining, Proof on Main puts an unexpected twist on southern-inspired cuisine. Monk’s Road Boilerhouse serves American classics with New York-Italian influences and also has a tasting room and speakeasy-style bar. Choosing from the many outstanding steakhouses, like Morton’s, Jeff Ruby’s or Repeal, is not easy, but there’s no wrong choice here. Inside the Galt House Hotel, you’ll find Walker’s Exchange and Swizzle, a rotating restaurant and bar high atop the hotel overlooking the Ohio River. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at Ehrler’s Ice Cream, a 150-year-old area tradition.

DISCOVER

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience gives visitors an insider’s look at the process of crafting Kentucky Bourbon at an artisanal distillery. Old Forester Distillery’s tour has an on-site cooperage, urban rickhouse and bottling line, along with George’s Bar. After an extensive restoration, Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery is set in the 19th-century building named for the historic fort. Distillery tours end with tastings and guests are welcome in The Bar at Fort Nelson, an elegant second floor space overlooking Main Street. At Hillerich & Bradsby Co.’s Barrels & Billets, you’ll learn about the art of whiskey making and create your own blend that you can take home. Bardstown Bourbon Company features a cocktail bar along with interactive education and tasting experiences.

The KFC Yum! Center is a 22,000-seat arena that continuously plays host to a who’s who of performances, including the globally broadcast funeral of Muhammad Ali.

Founded in 1964, Actors Theatre of Louisville occupies a theater complex with three stages for performances. The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, just a few blocks away, is home to the Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra, StageOne Family Theatre and the PNC Bank Broadway in Louisville series, as well as numerous community theater performances throughout the year. The Louisville Comedy Club brings local and national comedic acts to Whiskey Row.

Museum Row on Main Street boasts several one-of-a-kind attractions within its stretch of walkable blocks. From history to Bourbon to modern art, there is something for everyone, including the Frazier History Museum (home of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center), Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Kentucky Science Center, KMAC Museum, Muhammad Ali Center, Roots 101 African-American Museum, and 21c Museum Hotel, whose art exhibits are free and open 24/7 to the public.

For nightlife, there are hidden speakeasies Wild Swann and Hell or High Water. If you’re looking for live music, head to Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar. Relax after a night out at Pelo West or Bourbon & Blush, both offering a wide range of salon and spa services.

SHOP

Art Eatables is a premier Bourbon chocolatier known for its Bourbon chocolate truffles. Duluth Trading Co. is home to men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, including its popular “Buck Naked”™ underwear line. The Shoppes at The Galt House Hotel include gift shops and men’s and women’s clothing boutiques. All of the museum gift shops offer unique items, among other souvenirs.

South Fourth Street

EAT & DRINK

Treat yourself to a Mint Julep or an Old Fashioned at The Brown Hotel Lobby Bar & Grill before ordering up Louisville’s Official Sandwich – the world famous Hot Brown. It was created at the hotel in the 1926 and has been a fixture on the menu ever since, inspiring other versions across the state. For elevated views and cuisine, go to 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen. This open air rooftop bar and restaurant is located on the 8th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. During the winter months, you’ll find themed igloos, perfect for parties and special occasions. The historic Seelbach Hotel is the location of Tom and Daisy’s wedding in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby. Head to the Old Seelbach Bar, which conjures an opulent, early 1900s vibe worthy of Jay Gatsby himself, to order a prohibition-era-inspired Seelbach cocktail.

Look for the Tom Bullock mural outside of Sway, the Hyatt Regency Louisville’s restaurant, which serves farm-to-fork Southerninspired fare.

If you’re in the mood for seafood or steak, there’s Brendon’s Catch 23. This official stop on the city’s Urban Bourbon Trail® boasts a selection of more than 100 Bourbons. There’s also Steak & Bourbon, a Louisville restaurant that just opened its second location across the street from Derby City Gaming.

Fourth Street Live! is filled with restaurants to suit any taste or mood. It’s home to Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse, where the celebrity chef’s passion for barbecue is evident. For meat lovers, Brazeiros Brazilian Steakhouse serves up carnivorous delights and gourmet sides. For Italian, there’s Benfinita and Scarpetta. For margaritas, tacos and more, there’s Locos. For German-crafted beer and eclectic American food, there’s Gordon Biersch Brewery. Pizza Bar boasts a vast array of pies and slices, and for your sweet tooth, there’s The Fudgery. A short walk south on Fourth Street, you’ll find
even more restaurants and bars. For Mexican food, there’s La Terraza and Mi Casita on 4th. For pizza, there’s Spinelli’s Pizzeria and Sicilian Pizza & Pasta, offering an array of melt-in-your-mouth pizzas, including the Kentucky Hot Brown, which is piled high with roast turkey, bacon and cheese sauce.

For a craft cocktail, Meta is a must. You’ll find classics as well as playfully modern concoctions. The elegant Black Jockeys Lounge offers great food, live music, and cocktails like the Oliver Lewis that invite a deep dive into the rich history of the black jockey.

DISCOVER

Experience the thrill of Derby City Gaming Downtown, a newly opened 43,000-squarefoot entertainment complex with three unique bars and lounges, live entertainment, sports betting, and historical racing machines. See a show at the Louisville Palace, which originally opened as a movie theater in 1928 and now hosts internationally renowned musicians, comedians, and performing arts events. The Palace is famous for its ornate interior, baroque architecture, and design. Nearby, Mercury Ballroom is another great place to catch performances by both national and up-and-coming artists.

Louisville entertainment district Fourth Street Live! is an epicenter of nightclubs. With 35+ HDTVs, The Sports & Social Club is a great place to watch the game and enjoy classic pub food. For dancing, head to Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano bar. For bull riding, mosey over to PBR Louisville.

One block over, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral of the Assumption is one of Louisville’s architectural landmarks. Built in 1852, the cathedral still celebrates mass daily and welcomes visitors.

SHOP

Discover the region’s first Bourbon-certified chocolatier and Bourbon Truffles in the adorable chocolate shop Art Eatables. Just around the corner is Beaded Treasures, where women entrepreneurs hand craft jewelry using semi-precious gemstones. A few blocks away is the K.U.L.A. Art Gallery filled with contemporary artwork and The Mysterious Rack offers a wide variety of handcrafted hats perfect for the Kentucky Derby. Fourth Street Live! also hosts a variety of events, such as Hot Country Nights, The MELANnaire Marketplace, and many others. A downtown shopping trip is not complete without a stop at the Louisville Visitor Center to pick up Louisville-themed gifts to enjoy at home.

Featured Attractions & Things to Do