Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is a vibrant city with a lot to offer groups of friends, couples, or families.

Where to Stay

• The Brown Hotel - Have a cocktail in their historic lobby bar. Try one of their "Hot Brown" open face sandwiches, famous for over 100 years.

• 21c Museum Hotel - This eclectic hotel is a little wild with a museum of 21st Century Art and a fun bar, Proof on Main. (Definitely not G rated!)

• Downtown Marriott - Clean, modern, comfortable, spacious rooms in a good location.

Where to Eat

• The Troll Pub Under the Bridge - Famous for their Frickles (fried pickles)

• Hell or High Water - One of many mysterious and fun speakeasies

• Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar - Huge collection of over 2,000 Bourbons and Whiskeys. We had to try the Derby Pie for dessert!

• Guacamole Modern Mexican - We loved the food, drinks, and atmosphere!

What to See & Do

There are many options beyond Bourbon! Louisville is filled with art and attractions. Watch horse racing at Churchill Downs, swing a bat at Louisville Slugger, shop in the Phoenix Hill area, walk across the Big Four Bridge that links Louisville to Indiana over the Ohio River, ride on the Belle of Louisville Riverboat, or check out the Frazier History Museum.

Distilleries

Kentucky boasts more than 80 distilleries. Touring a distillery offers a blend of science, history, culture, entertainment, and often includes a tasting! Even if you don't drink Bourbon, visiting these distilleries is enjoyable and informative. Be sure to schedule your tours ahead of time to confirm your spot and plan ahead for safe transportation to responsibly enjoy those samples.

Here are some of the distilleries we've visited:

• Barrel House, Lexington

A newer distillery, founded in 2008 with, The Elkhorn Tavern, an onsite restraunt.

• Bluegrass Distillers, Lexington (now Midway)

The first Kentucky distillery to use blue corn in their Bourbon. After some wrong turns and back alleys we finally found it on the very last day it was accepting visitors. They have moved everything from Lexington to their Midway, KY location.

• Buffalo Trace, Frankfort

An iconic brand with a stunning property and a range of tour options. The tour we attended concluded with tastings of their renowned Bourbons: Buffalo Trace, W.L. Weller, Colonel E.H. Taylor, along with other samples like Wheatley Vodka, Bourbon Cream, and Freddie's Root Beer.

If you're unable to join a tour, you can still visit the gift shop. Classics such as Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Traveller Whiskey, and Sazerac Rye Whiskey are available daily, while favorites like Weller Special Reserve, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, or Blanton's Single Barrel are offered on a rotating basis, with a limit of one bottle per visitor every 90 days. If your preferred bottle is available that day, it feels like winning the lottery!

• Bulleit Distilling Co., Shelbyville

Bulleitt has an impressive environmental focus on sustainable practices.

• Castle & Key, Frankfort

Built in the 1880s by Colonel Taylor, Jr., this distillery's stunning grounds and castle were inspired by European architecture and underwent restoration in 2012. We enjoyed relaxing, snacking, sipping, and taking in the beautiful scenery at this unforgettable stop. They have a new location in downtown Louisville too that I'm excited to try.

• Evan Williams, Louisville

They were the first licensed distillery in Kentucky and are located downtown, on Whiskey Row.

• Four Roses, Lawrenceburg

We enjoyed sipping a signature cocktail on their porch and taking in the views. Their distillery features a delightful gift shop and tasting room. Additionally, you can explore their Warehouse and Bottling facility located in the countryside at Cox's Creek to see their unique single-story rack warehouses.

• James E. Pepper, Lexington

Supposedly, the Old Fashioned was created in his honor.

• Michter's, Louisville

Michter's is one of our favorite brands with a heritage dating back to the 1750s. We enjoyed a tasting at Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery, in the heart of downtown Louisville.

• Rabbit Hole, Louisville

I am fascinated by the story of Rabbit Hole's founder, clinical psychologist Kaveh Zamanian, who fell in love with a woman from Louisville and embarked on a "rabbit hole" journey, risking everything to create a new American Whiskey. The tour is modern, interactive, and feels in stark contrast to the large warehouses of other distilleries. We also enjoyed the art and creativity that is showcased in the Overlook Bar.

• Towne Branch, Lexington

One of only a few joint brewing and distilling operations.

• Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., Frankfort

If you do the tour, you get the opportunity to taste an uncut sample pulled directly from the barrel.

• Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg

Home of the famous father/son Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell.

• Woodford Reserve, Versailles

This classic tour showcases cypress fermentation tanks, six copper pot stills, and a limestone warehouse. We loved seeing the barrels roll along metal rails between buildings and the aroma of Bourbon aging in oak barrels. Our guide, a retired schoolteacher, explained how the "medicinal properties" allowed people to obtain it with a prescription during Prohibition. The tasting was informative and featured a chocolate Bourbon ball treat.

So close...

In 1999, the Kentucky Distillers' Association created a Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide, spotlighting all the must-see stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Craft Tour, featuring some of the smaller distilleries. I snagged myself a copy of this Field Guide during our first trip to Louisville in 2023. My travel buddies couldn't resist rolling their eyes and cracking jokes, but that didn't stop me from proudly collecting stamps (or a coaster, sticker, pin, or other trinket) at every stop. Alas, the program wrapped up in July 2025, leaving me just EIGHT stamps shy of a complete collection. Cheers to almost making it!