Bourbon City also turns out to be a food lover’s dream. Wish I had a bigger stomach, but planning a return visit when the food cravings hit yet again doesn’t sound too bad, either.
Nightcap
The Library Bar at the Omni Louisville is a perfect spot to unwind after hours of travel. Tried my first mint julep, basically bourbon, sugar, and mint on ice, and then was off to a comfy night’s sleep. (Above, an installation of bourbon barrels at the Omni Louisville.)
Not-so-boozy brunch
There’s no shortage of restaurants to try out in Louisville, but do check operating hours as a good few of them are closed on Sundays. Porch is a standout for brunch, as boozy or as clean as you like. We opted for a healthful ginger sunrise juice to start, followed by the decadent pecan praline baked french toast with bourbon maple syrup and the hearty smoked brisket hash smothered in flavorful bbq sauce and topped with a fried egg and shoestring potatoes.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
A distillery tour and bourbon tasting is a can’t miss on your fist visit to Louisville! Take your pick from any of the working distilleries along Whiskey Row in downtown. We ended up at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
Did you know that bourbon is made out of fifty-one percent corn and aged in new oak barrels? Our intrepid tour guide introduced us to the ins and outs of bourbon making and even gave us a quick history lesson on Evan Williams, an early Louisville resident with a passion for bourbon.
At the end of our tour, we got to sample three varieties of bourbon in the tasting room, styled like a 19th-century saloon.
Afterward, it’s a short walk to the Frazier museum, where you’ll find more bourbon and Kentucky history.
Spiked sweets
Before heading home, stop by A Taste of Kentucky and grab some sweet treats for the road.
