Five Fun Things To Do in Louisville in 24 Hours, Including Food, Art, Shopping and Fitness
In downtown Louisville (and all over town), you'll see several horse sculptures that are part of the Gallopalooza arts initiative, which raises funds for beautification projects every five years.
With just 24 hours and a small budget, you can discover many wonderful surprises in Louisville, Kentucky, including food, art, shopping and fitness.
That’s beyond the things for which it is best known, like Churchill Downs, mint juleps and Kentucky Hot Browns. With world-class museums, neighborhoods thriving with independent businesses, unexpected dining options and a renowned historic park system, it takes less than a day to see that Louisvillians wear many hats besides the expensive designer ones donned at the Derby.
Here are just five of the fun things I found to do in Louisville, one of Livability.com’s best places to live:
1. VISIT 21C MUSEUM HOTEL ON MUSEUM ROW ON MAIN
Entrance to the 21C Museum Hotel, recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the best in the world.
Louisville’s Museum Row on Main comprises the Louisville Slugger Museum, Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville Science Center, Frazier International History Museum, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and the 21c Museum Hotel. I didn’t have the time to visit ALL of these in the time that I had, but was able to check out the cool gift shop at Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft before heading across the street to explore the 21c, which was recommended by several friends, is FREE, open 24/7 and as awesome as everyone said it would be. You can check out the 21c website for the many accolades it’s received, with probably the most recent being named among the best 500 hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.
Tips: There are plenty of inexpensive parking options downtown. Also, note that not all the museums on Museum Row are free, but a ticket stub from one entitles you to a discount at any of the others.
Read more about Museum Row on Main and the 21c Museum Hotel on Livability.com.
2. EAT & DRINK AT ZA’S PIZZA PUB
I had the benefit of a Louisville resident friend’s recommendations for dinner, and since I preferred something casual, local and low-key, he (correctly) felt that Za’s Pizza Pub would fit the bill best. Za’s has been around since 1996 on Bardstown Road, the main, walkable commercial corridor in the Highlands known for its mix of (almost all independent) restaurants, shops and nightspots. Besides great pizza, Za’s has just more than a handful of beers on tap and dozens of bottled selections from around the world.
Tip: Try the Garden Za on hand-tossed wheat crust.
Beer fans, you can read all about Louisville’s brewery scene on Livability.com.
3. EAT & BROWSE AT LYNN’S PARADISE CAFE
Lynn's Paradise Cafe on Barret Avenue in Louisville's Highlands area
I’ve heard many good things about Louisville’s vintage clothing and antique shops, so I did quick internet research to decide on just one to check out while there. My search led me to The Nitty Gritty on Barret Avenue (also in the Highlands, but off the main strip), which wasn’t quite open yet (it was before 11 a.m. on a week day). More on that later. My adventure was hardly in vain, however, because it was while parking for The Nitty Gritty that I saw Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. Well, look at the photo. It’s hard to miss.
I learned that Lynn’s has been featured on just about every TV show and cable network (Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Food Network, Discovery Channel …) and covered in most major print publications (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Bon Appetit, Southern Living, Esquire, Gourmet …). Somehow, I missed all that coverage, yet there was something special about feeling like I discovered it on my own. The inside of the place was as eye-catching and wild as the exterior, and the food hit the spot. The gift shop was also incredibly fun … I will write more about Lynn’s later. There was just too much to see and talk about to fit into this one post.
Tip: For a truly Kentucky experience, try the Bourbon Ball French Toast, which has been featured on The Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.” And if you don’t want to spend three hours in the gym for it, ask for a half order.
Read more about other Louisville independent restaurants on Livability.com.
4. SHOP FOR VINTAGE AT THE NITTY GRITTY
After breakfast at Lynn’s, The Nitty Gritty had opened, so I went in to take a peek around. The young lady working there was super helpful and friendly – meaning not pushy, but clearly enthusiastic about all the cool stuff they had, from deadstock 1980s Smurfs wallets, handmade jewelry and 1960s pleather Go-Go dresses to 1950s fur coats, men’s 1970s Western shirts and 1940s fedoras. She also clearly loves her city, particularly the Highlands neighborhood, explaining that it is best defined by the loyalty of its people. Besides drawing tourists and people from all over town because of its quirks and trendiness, she says the Highlands is characterized by, and thrives because of, a true sense of “shop locally” by its residents and business owners.
Tip: Bring a lot of money, not for extravagance but for volume. The prices and selection were great, making me wish I’d budgeted more money. Next time! Be sure to check out the upstairs portion of the store, which includes the “Rough Rack” for those who don’t mind making repairs or tackling dye projects for deeply discounted item in need of some TLC.
Read more about shopping in Louisville on Livability.com.
5. JOG AT CHEROKEE PARK
Baringer Hill at Cherokee Park is a popular spot for frisbee as well as sledding during winter snow.
To work off that amazing French Toast from Lynn’s, I made a final stop at Cherokee Park, one of the original three of 18 parks and six parkways designed for Louisville by Frank Law Olmsted, known as the Father of American Landscape Architecture. I chose Cherokee because it was close, plus I heard the neighborhoods surrounding it are beautiful (they are) and the 2.4-mile paved loop is a great place for a brisk walk or jog (it was).
Tip: Baringer Hill is a favorite spot for sledding during winter months.
Read more about Louisville’s awesome parks and the Olmsted Legacy here.
In the interest of time and convenience, you can see that most of my exploration was in downtown and the Highlands, but I am told they offered a good sampling of what the city has to offer in a short timeframe. Next time I hope to explore a bit more north of town at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, and south of downtown at the Speed Art Museum and Kentucky Derby Museum.
Live in or been to Louisville? Tell us about your favorite places to go and things to do!
