Whether you’re hoping to sample top-quality natural wine, sip refreshing rum cocktails or forgo alcohol entirely, this historic Kentucky city comes equipped with a truly diverse range of landmarks and attractions to enjoy, ensuring that visitors can have a memorable Derby experience without a single drop of bourbon touching their lips.

Explore The Many Cuisines Of NuLu

Louisville: Discover Kentucky’s Largest City

Population: Over 600,000 people call Louisville home.

Famous Food: Try local favorites like the Hot Brown (turkey, bacon, and Mornay sauce) and the sweet, chocolatey Derby Pie.

Modern Dining: Explore more than classic Kentucky food. The East Market District (NuLu) has become a hub for global flavors.

NuLu Highlights: Enjoy Korean cuisine at Nami, created by James Beard Award nominee Chef Edward Lee.

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Visitors can explore Caribbean dining at La Bodeguita De Mima, a lively 1950s Cuba-inspired restaurant. Popular dishes include pork tamales, shrimp ceviche, and a massive Cuban sandwich. The venue also serves a variety of rum cocktails, honoring Cuba’s rich distillation history.

For a taste of the Eastern Mediterranean, MeeshMeesh is a must-try. The menu offers dishes like herb falafel, grape leaf-wrapped branzino, and lamb merguez, along with other Levantine-inspired favorites.

While the Derby is famous for its mint julep, there are plenty of options for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. In NuLu, Seven is praised for its mixology program, offering both alcoholic and zero-ABV drinks. For a refreshing option, the Safe Zone drink, loaded with cranberry and lime, is perfect for a break after a day of exploration. For something more adventurous, try the Secret Garden, a savory blend with giardiniera and house-made hot sauce.

For those heading south, Canary Club in Shelby Park offers a wide variety of mocktails, like the citrusy White Rose Spritz, paired with bites such as tinned fish and empanadas. The bar also features a rotating selection of natural wines, including orange wines and rosés. At Nouvelle, visitors can enjoy over 100 wine options, along with cheese boards and charcuterie plates.

Check Out Louisville’s Top Attractions

Louisville Attractions: Simplified Overview

— Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory features the World’s Largest Baseball Bat, a steel landmark that stands 120 feet tall.

— Kentucky Derby only lasts about two minutes, so visitors often look for other things to do in the city. The Trolley de ‘Ville is a great starting point, especially for first-time visitors. This vintage trolley offers a historic tour, covering the history of Louisville, the University of Louisville, and the impressive Victorian architecture in Old Louisville.

— After your trolley tour, you’ll have plenty of popular museums to explore. Highlights include:
— Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
— Muhammad Ali Center

— If you love art, don’t miss the Speed Art Museum, which recently hosted the exhibit “Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900–1939”.

— For outdoor enthusiasts, the Louisville Zoo is a top choice. Opened in 1969, the zoo is a center for wildlife conservation with programs that protect species like the Cuban crocodile and polar bear. The zoo is especially known for its black-footed ferret breeding program. Since 1991, over 1,000 kits have been bred at the Louisville Zoo Conservation Center.

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Key attractions: Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, World’s Largest Baseball Bat, Kentucky Derby, Trolley de ‘Ville, Old Louisville, Muhammad Ali Center, Speed Art Museum, Louisville Zoo, wildlife conservation, black-footed ferret breeding program.