Bachelorettes are flocking to Louisville, Kentucky for 2024 bachelorette celebrations. A cheaper alternative to bustling Nashville and overseas celebrations, this location offers incredible food, culture, entertainment and a wealth of bourbon distilleries that make the streets of Louisville just as fun as any other big city. A hidden gem of exciting activities and breathtaking scenery, here is a Louisville roundup for your next bachelorette party!
Where to Stay?
The Omni, a luxury hotel at the heart of downtown Louisville, KY, features a heated rooftop pool, Pin + Proof, a secret speakeasy tucked behind a “shhh” mural with an exquisite cocktail selection, and the Mokara Spa for ultimate relaxation. The ambience is modern, with accents of old Louisville charm, and within close proximity to Churchill Downs and Main Street.
Hotel Genevieve, is a gem to the vibrant NuLu (New Louisville) district of Louisville. The hotel encompasses a playful feel, with bright colors, and charming sweeping windows showcasing the gorgeous Louisville streets. For private events, consider booking the Lucky Penny, an intimate bar with plush red furnishings, and sparkling decor as a nod to the disco ball lineage in Louisville.
Activities:
Louisville Food Tours, five unique walking food tours exploring the culinary and historic beauty of Louisville, Kentucky. Created over two years ago, Lia Garcia, a longtime travel blogger and writer, and her husband sought to achieve a new way to share the culinary intrigue of Louisville. “Food tours are the best way to learn about a place,” Garcia says, “[There is] a rich culinary story that we wanted to tell about Kentucky and Louisville.”
The food tours focus on food with Southern charm and Kentucky twists, featuring Kentucky originals like bourbon balls, beer cheese, pulled pork, and more Southern delights. Focused in the eclectic different Louisville neighborhoods, the menus of the tours are “reflective of Kentucky’s culinary heritage.” Bachelorette and Bachelor parties receive a special choice of a gift when booking a private tour – at $185 for daytime; $250 for evening – for your party. The soon to be married can choose between a a sash, a wedding derby fascinator, a cocktail of your choice, or a whiskey set to take home to remember your incredible Louisville experience.
Southern Bride had the pleasure of speaking with Louisville Food Tour Founder, Lia Garcia, on what makes food tours special for bridal parties celebrating in Louisville. “ It’s hard to choose one thing.” Lia laughs, “It’s undiscovered, cheaper, it’s so friendly, the food is so good, it has history and culture. A lot of people who do choose to come to Louisville are coming for the bourbon trail and to taste bourbon, but even if you’re not into bourbon, it’s a really fun city that probably is going to be cheaper than any other city. It’s also easy to get to from everywhere. Louisville is close to the dead center of the country, and is a cheap, quick flight from any part of the country.”
See the five exciting food tours below for your bachelorette celebration!
Louisville Food & History Walking Tour Of NuLu, a three-hour daytime tour exploring the vibrant neighborhood NuLu, known for its historic buildings and trendy restaurants and bars. In this tour, you’ll get a taste of Kentucky delicacies like bourbon balls, and trace the history of various infamous homes and structures on the streets of New Louisville.
Highlands Heritage Tastes & Tales Tour, a tour of one of the oldest neighborhoods in Louisville, featuring striking historic Victorian homes, and the lush Cherokee Park. In this tour, experience Cave Hill Cemetery where Muhammad Ali was buried, and sip bourbon in the oldest bar in Louisville.
Beyond the Barrel Bourbon and Food Tour, currently the only bourbon and food themed guided walking tour in the world, showcases the historic and culinary culture of NuLu at night, starting at golden hour. This tour welcomes experiences in speakeasy’s, marvelous rooftop bars, and tasting rooms. You’ll even have a chance to stop at Nami, Louisville’s premier Korean steakhouse where award winning chef Ed Lee crafts unique Manhattan’s, and delectable dishes.
Phantoms Of Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, & Bites Tours: Set in Whiskey Row, this tour ventures to Louisville’s intriguing haunted history. Here, you’ll explore the historic downtown, visit Al Capone’s secret getaway tunnel, learn about the Prohibition, and stumble into exciting speakeasies.
Whispers on Whiskey Row: Murder, Crime, & The Haunted History of The Derby City: Love a good ghost story? This tour is a no food, just stories tour, of an in-depth history of Louisville’s historic downtown. At the end of the setting sun, experience Louisville’s dark stories, and ghosts along the Ohio River, and the alleyways of Whiskey Row. This is a great tour for those looking to celebrate a Halloween Bachelorette.
Hell Or Highwater, a classic speakeasy accessed by the underground tunnels beneath Whiskey Row, and set inside a gorgeous old library. The menu here changes seasonally, and features the delectable bourbon that Louisville is known for. This is a wonderful place for a relaxing, private evening in a unique venue.
Whiskey Row, of course, is a must see in Louisville. Dive into the various bourbon distilleries and bars on this one long entertainment street. Indulge in a whiskey production process tour, or take a cocktail class at George’s Bar in Old Forester Distillery.
Rabbit Hole Distillery, set in the bustling streets of NuLu, is a great place to schedule a tour for the full whiskey experience. Capture the whiskey production process, and enjoy some tastings of spirits in the lounge yourself.
Angel’s Envy Distillery, an industrial chic distillery perfect for bourbon and whiskey tours. The Distillery offers a range of private tours for your bachelorette party to book, alongside cocktail classes to experience the art of distillery hands on. Enjoy the Finishing Room, a unique bar at the end of the tour were you can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails paired with a seasonal menu of small plate dishes.
Waterfront Park, for bachelorette parties looking to embrace nature, is a public park with breathtaking views of the river. Here, take a public art walk tour, or picnic in one of the park’s various designated areas. The Swing Garden is the perfect spot for a picnic and to relax, before venturing on the many connecting walking paths to explore all that Waterfront Park has to offer.
Churchill Downs, a staple of Louisville Kentucky. If you’re in town, you have to go, even if the derby isn’t happening. Dress up in fancy hats and enjoy drinking and horse racing in this legendary arena.
The Belle of Louisville, a 100 year old historic steamboat featuring daily tours and cruises along the Ohio River. Tour guide Lia Garcia recommends the Sunset Cruise, where you can experience the gorgeous setting sun riding along the Ohio River. This is a perfect activity for the evening, with drinks and delicious food.
Museum Row, on Main features Louisville’s iconic museums including the Louisville Slugger Museum and Muhammad Ali Center. One ticket pays for admission to every museum on this street of historic Louisville culture.
NuLu, the entertaining and vibrant neighborhood in Louisville, has a lot to offer in restaurants, bars, and places to shop. The Revelry features locally crafted art, jewelry, home goods, and stickers. This is a great place to visit for souvenirs of Louisville culture. Women Owned Wallet is another incredible boutique store, showcasing creations crafted solely by women, within a pink, lively atmosphere.
The Highlands, originally “Restaurant Row” features an abundance of restaurants, bars, and galleries to peruse. This district creates a more historic feel with Victorian homes, and charming architecture. This is a great place to retreat to for early morning coffee, and a stroll through the endless streets of boutiques. For bachelorette parties interested in private dining options, Le Moo, an excellent fine dining experience ripe with traditional steakhouse dishes, and a welcoming, luxury ambience is a wonderful place to book a private venue for your party, and enjoy themed drag brunches on the weekends.
Cherokee Park, a gorgeous scenic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who is known for designing Central Park in New York. This is a wonderful place to stroll the open meadows of Beargrass Creek Valley, and for an exhilarating hike for an adventurous wedding party.
Butchertown, is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, and harbor’s the city’s only brandy distillery, Copper & Kings. Known as the original meatpacking district, this is the perfect place to indulge in trendy boutique shopping, exquisite restaurants, and for soccer fans, an incredible stadium. Bachelorette parties have to check out Play Dance Bar, a lively dance environment with an exciting drag scene, this is the perfect place to grab drinks and dance the night away with your girlfriends.
The Champagnery is an excellent place to share a sparkling drink with your girlfriends. Indulge in sparkling wines from around the world, paired nicely with a bar and delicious small cheese plates and charcuterie. The atmosphere here is industrial chic, with an option to make reservations for up to ten guests for you and your party.
4th Street Live, a lively entertainment district in the heart of downtown Louisville, filled with vibrant nightlife and exquisite Louisville restaurants. Live music surrounds the streets, and if you and your party decide to stay at the Omni, it is a quick walk from the hotel to the festivities.
To learn more about Louisville Food Tours, click HERE!
