Of course, the night life and concerts are always great at GIE+EXPO, but there are just a few more things to check out before or after the show. While you’re in Louisville, make sure to take advantage of the numerous possibilities the city has to offer from morning to night.
Wake up with a local cup of Joe. It doesn’t matter where you’re staying; there is always a local cup of coffee around the corner.
With the owner of Mrs. Potter’s Coffee right behind its counter, you are sure to get the best quality of whatever you choose to start your day off right. In addition to great coffee and espresso, Mrs. Potter’s also offers a wide selection of loose-leaf teas, real fruit smoothies, fresh-baked pastries and cookies, salads and more. While there, make sure to take advantage of the shop’s free WiFi, daily drink specials, indoor and outdoor seating and art.
Also local is Heine Brother’s, with 13 locally owned shops in the area. This coffee shop serves up organic and fair trade coffees from around the world. And they have great scones and other pastries as well.
Who says that your day can’t start off with a chocolate chip cookie and coffee? Stop by Please and Thank You for what customers describe as the best chocolate chip cookie in the world. This local café in the NuLu district also offers coffee, sandwiches, sweets and more.
Learn bourbon on the Urban Bourbon Trail.
Become an official Bourbon Country Citizen by trekking to six bars and/or restaurants on the Urban Bourbon Trail while you’re in town. Try a little bourbon, get your Urban Bourbon Trail passport stamped and turn it in for a free Urban Bourbon Trailblazer T-shirt. You can get your very own Urban Bourbon Trail passport at the Louisville Visitors Center (corner of Fourth Street and Jefferson St.) or at any location on the trail. For more information, visit www.bourboncountry.com. (Remember, you don’t have to complete the Trail in one night, so drink responsibly.)
Explore the restaurants in SoFo, NuLu and on Whiskey Row.
4th Street Live! is entertainment central for three nights of fun after GIE+EXPO closes for the day. Venture a couple of blocks south of 4th Street (away from the river) and you’ll find the SoFo district. Known as a trendy place for local shopping during the day, South 4th Street, or SoFo, turns into an amazing dining and entertainment experience at night. The Marketplace Restaurant provides southern comfort food with an Italian feel and offers live jazz music nightly. There’s also Sapporo Japanese Grill and Sushi, Sicilian Pizza and Pasta and Safier Mediterranean Deli.
The East Market District of downtown Louisville, which has been dubbed NuLu for “New Louisville,” was recently named one of the “20 Hot Food Neighborhoods” by Zagat. Eateries in this area include Harvest, La Coop and Garage Bar - a local pizza place that was just put on Food & Wine’s list of Best Pizza in Unexpected Places.
No matter your taste buds, the Whiskey Row area, located in the first and second blocks of E. Main Street, has something just for you. For a juicy burger, head to Sidebar. The burger, beer and bourbon bar is known for its distinctive selections of bourbon-based cocktails and delicious burgers topped with many unique ingredients. For Mexican food, try Los Aztecas or Manny & Merle’s. And, you can never go wrong with pizza, especially if it’s at either Bearno’s or Impellizzeri’s. Or, for a Southern-style meal, enjoy Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar. You’ll walk in to a huge bar showcasing the day’s oyster selection and over 100 bourbons to choose from.
Enjoy the finest southern hospitality at Louisville’s local eats, drinks and shops. You won’t be disappointed.