Photo credit: Wendy Pramik

The city of Louisville, KY is nothing if not famous for its bourbon, rich food culture, and warm hospitality. Often forgotten as a weekend getaway spot, Louisville offers all of the best food, drink, and art culture that any discerning weekender could hope for.

Harvest Restaurant

Photo credit: Wendy Pramik

Walking in the door, one is immediately greeted with the warm, elegant décor reminiscent of a farmhouse dining room. Large, rustic wooden tables fill the dining room, with dim lights providing subtle cover for happy conversation. The cocktail menu offers contemporary interpretations of classic cocktails, such as an Old Fashioned made with freshly picked Winesap apples and locally-made ginger bitters. The menu is full of inspired dishes, and all ingredients are locally sourced. The fried chicken is sure to be some of the best you’ve ever had, and don’t forget to pair it with a decadent cocktail to truly pique your experience at Louisville’s favorite farm-to-table eatery.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery

Though it was founded over 80 years ago, the Stitzel-Weller distillery still stands resolute on its original property in the outskirts of Louisville. Reopened in 2014 after being closed for 40 years, the distillery now hosts notable brands like Bulleit and I.W. Harper. The shop is filled with sparkling glass bottles filled with tasty bourbon, and a distillery tour will take you around the historic grounds, showcasing the original offices, distilling areas, and rickhouses still filled with aging barrels. Enjoy sampling several select whiskeys at the end of the tour surrounded by bourbon history.

Churchill Downs

Experience the horse races like a local at the prestigious Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Louisvillian pride comes to a delightful crescendo here where the fans and betters shout in glee for the majestic horses sprinting round the track, chilled mint juleps comfortably in hand. Bourbon whiskey never tasted as good as when enjoyed next to the clipped grass of the winner’s circle.

Proof on Main

Photo credit: Wendy Pramik

The boutique restaurant nestled in Louisville’s 21c Museum Hotel, Proof on Main offers some of the finest and most delicious dishes in the city. Charred octopus, braised rabbit, and bone marrow often grace the rotating menu. Gaze upon the contemporary art pieces and funky décor while sipping a Proof signature cocktail, or enjoy a pour from their extensive wine list. Keep an eye out for the red penguins hidden around the restaurant, the Proof signature.

Louisville Orchestra

Directed by Teddy Abrams, the Louisville Orchestra succeeds in Abrams’s goal of making it “most interesting orchestra on the planet.” With performances like “The Greatest: Muhammad Ali,” the orchestra combines phenomenal orchestral arrangement with poetry, stunning vocals, and character-driven narration. Stop at the orchestra’s bar before the show to keep thirst at bay during the lovely melodies of the orchestra’s unique performances. A national treasure, the Louisville Orchestra perpetuates the loving culture of the city and promotes the local appreciation of art and music.