Check out Louisville — a fun-filled family roadtrip destination!
If you’re looking for an easy, last-minute road trip this summer, I have just the place for you!
Louisville, Kentucky, is about a 4-hour drive away, and while the climate is very similar to St. Louis (it’s hot), it is a fun change of scenery!
My family began traveling here in 2020, and we’ve been back every year since – sometimes twice a year! The home of Kentucky bourbon, the Kentucky Derby, Muhammad Ali, a minor league baseball team, and the Louisville Slugger offers a lot to explore!
Here are a few of our local Louisville favorites:
Eats
It’s not all Kentucky hot browns and Hush Puppies! I’d recommend making a reservation at any dinner restaurant.
- La Bodeguita de Mima – I am so serious that you must go here. The food, drinks, and ambiance are amazing. Kids’ meals are served in vintage cardboard cars. I can’t recommend it enough! The entire NuLu neighborhood has excellent and trendy food and shopping to peruse!
- Ciao Ristorante is in the Irish Hill neighborhood, a bit off the beaten tourist path, but a family favorite. Unique pasta dishes and a great wine list do it for me!
- Biscuit Belly for a fun and filling twist on a Southern breakfast staple.
- Highland Morning is our breakfast favorite! There is an off-menu option for kids’ waffles with Nutella and whipped cream, so be sure to inquire!
- Cottage Cafe is a darling, very (very) old-school lunch spot. I recommend visiting for a slice of cake, which is out of this world!
- Feast BBQ to try another city’s take on barbecue!
- Much like St. Louis, Louisville is right on the water and the state border. Hop over to Indiana to Upland Brewing Co. for spectacular views of downtown, a local brew, and dinner.
- Ehrler’s Ice Cream – what is a summer vacation without ice cream?!
Attractions
- Kentucky Science Center (“a must” according to my husband) feels like a cross between our science center and the Magic House. We bought an annual membership to save on our visit and usually go twice during each trip!
- The Louisville Zoo feels a little older than ours, but there are some nice up-close-and-personal animal moments. You can ride camels!
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory offers daily tours that are engaging for all ages. Everyone gets a mini baseball bat to take home.
Muhammad Ali Center is better for older kids. Get ready to feel incredibly inspired learning from immersive exhibits about Muhammad Ali’s journey from boyhood in Louisville to becoming the “greatest of all time.”
Coffee
You will find Heine Bros Coffee (great for a simple brew) and Quills Coffee (fancier, pour-over styles) locations all over Louisville. Need I say more than coffee?
Bourbon
If you or your spouse loves bourbon, you will be in heaven. There is an urban bourbon trail you can learn more about here. My husband collects bourbon, and he recommends Old Louisville Whiskey Company for a unique experience!
Running or Walking Paths
If you are a vacay runner like me, try visiting Cherokee Park or Waterfront Park.
Where to Stay
You’ll find lots of options downtown, including historic hotel properties and ample Airbnb’s (many Airbnb units are enormous as they do a good bachelor party business – hello, bourbon!). You’ll also find boutique hotels in NuLu and even Airbnb rental homes in nearby suburbs such as St. Matthews for those who’d like more space!
A friendly reminder that while smaller than St. Louis, Louisville is still a city, and most attractions are in the downtown area, which comes with similar concerns that we have in our downtown area. We’ve seen many homeless people and ministries serving the homeless (which is a great conversation point for kids!) as well as some seedier activity, so just be aware of your surroundings as you would in any downtown environment!
