The Seelbach Hilton Louisville
Address: 500 Fourth Street
Room service24-hour front deskLinens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelinesATM/cash machine on siteNewspapersCashless payment availableShared stationery such as printed menus, magazines, pens, and paper removedPhysical distancing rules followed
Omni Louisville Hotel is a sophisticated establishment with a modern style. It is close to Kentucky International Convention Center, which is in Downtown Louisville. Sleek rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows and city views. In-room amenities include a flat-screen TV, a desk, and a personal safe. Suites offer a separate living room, a bourbon bar, and a luxurious bathroom. In terms of dining options, guests can choose among three restaurants, including a steak house and a rooftop bar. Other facilities include a rooftop pool and a spa.
Become A Resident Artist
One of the most iconic fixtures in the Louisville skyline is the Galt House. Actually, two of them: the red and white hotel is split between twin buildings, connected by a skyway, and its classical style matches the historic Belle of Louisville steamboat parked in the river out front.
The Galt House is located right on the Ohio River waterfront. Youâll take in views of the chevron-peaked, identical steel bridges and scalloped, blackened historic walking bridge criss-crossing the Ohio River as you relax by the pool or workout at the gym If youâre feeling romantic, make a reservation at the hotelâs Rivue Restaurant and Lounge and enjoy an intimate meal as you slowly rotate high over the Ohio River and appreciate one of Louisvilleâs truly epic sunsets glinting off of the domed Providian tower and sparkling across the waves of the Ohio River.
With its Artist Residence program, the Galt House has embraced Louisvilleâs rich and varied arts scene. The hotel is also walking distance from some of the best cultural institutions in Louisville, including Museum Row, the Kentucky Center for the Arts, and Actorâs Theatre. Take a long bike ride down the waterfront and across the Big Four Bridge before heading back to your hotel to freshen up for a night at the theater.
Experience The Best Of Kentucky
There are certainly plenty of reasons to visit the beautiful and diverse state of Kentucky, not least of which is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 95% of the worlds bourbon is crafted in Kentucky, which has been considered an indigenous product to the United States since 1964. In total, there are somewhere around 9 million barrels of bourbon aging in the great state of Kentucky. No wonder its such a great place for fans of this corn-based spirit to visit!
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail was created in 1999 as a means to help visitors more efficiently explore the world of bourbon. In 2021, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour was added to the experience. Combined, these trails bring 2.5 million visitors to the state, leading the way in tourism to Kentucky.
This spring is a great time to enjoy tours and tastings of this world-famous spirit. Combine it with a few other fun stops at Kentuckys Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts, and you have the perfect recipe for a great road trip. As always, when you choose a Select Registry branded property, youre choosing the finest in independent, boutique properties, each of which delivers a level of personalized service you wont find anywhere else.
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Kentucky Bourbon Trail: The Ultimate Guide
Bourbon is booming right now and so is tourism in Kentucky. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a collection of eighteen bourbon distilleries, is drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Touring the distilleries, learning about the origins of bourbon, and tasting lots and lots of bourbon whiskey is an excellent way to spend a long weekend.
But there is more to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail than just distillery tours and bourbon tastings. Its a step back in time where you learn about the history of Kentucky. You will drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, with horse farms as far as the eye can see. Spend the night in a historic tavern, enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, or visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy.
In this post, we cover everything you need to know to have the best experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Learn how to plan your bourbon tasting itinerary, when to go, where to stay, and even ideas for things to do off of the bourbon trail.
Note: Due to COVID-19, distillery tours may be cancelled or offered on a reduced schedule. I recommend visiting the official website of the distilleries for hours and tour information.
More Great Things To Do In Kentucky
Kentucky is really synonymous with two things: Bourbon, and horses. We have the bourbon part of Kentucky pretty well covered above, so now its time to talk about horses!
Every year, thousands of racing fans descend upon Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby in May and all the pomp and circumstance that comes along with it. But beyond just visiting these legendary horse racing tracks, there are plenty of horse-friendly activities to enjoy in the area, along with picturesque farms and magnificent animals to visit. Even if you arent a horse lover now, one trip through Kentucky will likely change that.
While bourbon and horses rank as must dos during your visit to Kentucky, theres so much more to this incredible state to see and do, too. Outdoor adventures are everywhere, the arts and crafts made by local artisans are captivating, and theres an incredible wealth of history and culture to explore.
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Best Place To Stay To Do The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
We will be heading that way this summer. Are we better off staying somewhere on the trail, or staying in Louiville and driving from there. Any suggestions welcome. Price not really a factor. We are planning to be there for two nights.
Of the six distilleries on the bourbon trail, three are within 40 minutes of Lexington and the other three are closer to Louisville: . It really depends on what you would like to do after you’re finished touring for the day. .
I would really like to get to Makers Mark, and Woodford, and whatever else inbetween makes sense. From looking at the map, it seems that lexington is the closest, but I dont know how much to scale the map is.
The map is really close to scale. Maker’s is just barely closer to Louisville and Woodford is definitely closer to Lexington. For a little bit of information about the Lexington area and bourbon:
Just came across this article on a local foodie forum and thought it might be of interest.
Louisvilles Urban Bourbon Trail Expands
New passport booklets now available.
We did the Makers Mark tour last October. A great place to stay is the Maple Hill Manor B & B in Springfield. It was less than 1/2 drive to Makers Mark.
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Kentucky Horse Park State Park
When you combine horses and bourbon, you get Kentucky. When you add a state park to that, you get a good ol time. Kentucky Horse Park isnt for everyone its definitely not a backcountry experience. That said, youll find a lot of amenities including Olympic-sized pools, back-in RV sites, the International Museum of the Horse, and equine rides from ponies to walking horses. Staying here after visiting the bourbon trail will have you feeling that good old fashioned Southern hospitality.
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Day 3 Back To Louisville
Its the final stretch. Time to get up bright and early, pop some ibuprofen, and get back on the road. On day 3, plan on making your way back to Louisville on a Southbound route, then staying in Louisville again after youve completed the trail. The same goes for day two in terms of travel options and picking which distilleries you want to tour the most because youre on a time crunch.
The Hot Brown Was Born Here
Dreamed up in the 1920s by Chef Fred Schmidt, the Hot Brown is a Louisville culinary tradition. This open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce, created to satisfy the early morning cravings of the hotels Roaring Twenties dinner dance guests, has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and countless cookbooks.
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How Does A Distillery Get Featured On The Official Bourbon Trail
Its not entirely clear how distilleries are selected to be featured on the bourbon trail. What is clear is that a distillery has to meet the following criteria.
- Be a member of the Kentucky Distillers Association .
- Follow the Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing, set forth by the Distilled Spirits Council.
- Abide by all applicable KDA by-laws, federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, and pay annual dues.
You probably already know that there are more than 18 distilleries in Kentucky. Currently, there are close to 100. For a distillery to be considered a part of the bourbon trail, they have to be recognized as a Kentucky Distillers Association member. The KDA is a non-profit association established in 1953 to ensure that its members followed the best distilling practices.
Today, to be a Heritage Level member of the KDA, a distillery must keep an inventory of at least 25,000 barrels at all times. A distillery must also pay dues of a one-time initiation fee of $65,000 and a quarterly payment of 10 cents per barrel.
Overall, 37 members of the Kentucky Distillers Association operate one or more distilleries in Kentucky. Of these members, not all Heritage Level members are on the trail, with Willett distillery recently leveling up to Heritage, yet still being featured on the Craft Distillery Tour. Also, some Proof Level and Craft Level are featured on the trail.
The Best Places To Stay In Bourbon Country : Large Hotels
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The Brown Hotel | Louisville, KY: The elegant and traditional Brown Hotel is a Louisville legend. With arched windows and towering pillars topped with gold leaf and scrolling accents, the lobby alone is worth a visit. Book their Muhammad Ali suite to pay homage to the famous Louisville native, or take a drive five miles to see the Stitzel Weller Distillery.
ALoft Newport on the Levee | Newport, KY: The ALoft embraces an industrial-chic look with poured concrete floors and exposed ducts, interspersed with pops of neon light and soft white beds. This all-new hotel is a modern beauty, with Bourbon touches like Four Roses soap dispensers and barrel wood sinks. Each stay comes with cocktails at their stylish bar .
Waking up at ALoft couldnt be easier. A five minute walk will take you to Newberry Bros. Coffee, an independent roastery that also just happens to have a selection of 1,500 Bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes. Or, mix up a day of brown water and spend some time with those in fresh water. Newport Aquarium has 70 exhibits and an opportunity to get up close and personal with penguins, sharks, and more.
Just steps away is Louisvilles Fourth Street Live, which includes celebrity chef Ed Lees Whiskey Dry. With Whiskey Row seeing the opening of Old Forester and new tours at Angels Envy this summer youll never run out of Bourbon happenings in Louisville.
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Churchill Downs And The Kentucky Derby
It only happens once a year and takes fewer than two minutes to complete, but fortunes are made and lost during that time. One of the most exciting sports events of the year, the Kentucky Derby has people all over the world donning their hats and sipping their mint juleps.
Churchill Downs has been home to the Kentucky Derby since its inception and many have cried and laughed over wins by Justified, Man-o-War or Seabiscuit. You can tour Churchill Downs or attend a race. If you are invited to the Derby, dont miss it.
Top Tip: Old thoroughbreds can find a happy home at Old Friends Farm for Retired Thoroughbreds in Georgetown. Its just about an hours drive from Louisville out there and well worth the visit. You can read all about the work they are doing here.
Coolest Hotels In Louisville: Bourbon Bars Foodie Fun And Spectacular Sunsets
Louisville is a city with a fascinating past and flourishing present. Founded in 1778 and named for a French King as thanks for his troops assistance in the Revolutionary War, Louisvilleâs rule-breaking history is firmly rooted in our countryâs origins. The city refused to join with its southern neighbors during the Civil War and instead served as a terminus on the Underground Railroad and during the Prohibition era, it produced 80 percent of the countryâs whiskey an oaky, vanilla-scented elixir you know as Bourbon.
Today itâs a city of pulled pork and Derby Pie, intertwining the best of Southern and Midwestern influences. Itâs the home of the Kentucky Derby, the most exciting two minutes in sports itâs where Muhammad âsting like a beeâ Ali threw his first jab and itâs where Louisville Slugger turns the trunk of a tree into the weapon of choice for legendary baseball players past and present.
But take the time to explore and youll sense Louisvilles history as you stand on the banks, watching the century-old Belle of Louisvilles bright red paddle churn through the heavy, slow waters of the Ohio River. Youll taste Louisvilles identity as you sip sweet bourbon in a smoky speakeasy lounge, and youll feel the spirit of the city at Churchill Downs, sipping an ice-cold Mint Julep as thundering hooves race past oversized hats and seersucker suits.
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Kentucky Bourbon Trail Travel Guide: Louisville
March 1, 2016 | Whisky Advocate
There is a lot to be said for Louisville as a base, even though the nearest distillery tour is Jim Beam, 30 miles away. Louisville is a real city, with lots of choices for lodging, eating, drinking, and other things to do. It has bourbon attractions like the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, Evan Williams Experience, Bulleit Bourbon Experience at Stitzel-Weller, and Brown-Forman Cooperage. The first three include small, working distilleries. The Jim Beam and Evan Williams attractions are downtown, the other two are not. More bourbon-related attractions are in the works.
Of course, Louisville also features many excellent non-bourbon things to do, such as the Louisville Slugger Museum, The Muhammad Ali Center, Falls of the Ohio State Park, the Churchill Downs Museum, the newly-remodeled Speed Art Museum, and the Frazier History Museum. Visitors who want roller coasters in their theme park experience can visit Kentucky Kingdom, south of downtown near the airport. Punters can play the ponies at Churchill Downs. Other games of chance are available just across the river at the Horseshoe Casino Southern Indiana.
Other Stops On Whiskey Row
If you have time, visit all the other distilleries on Whiskey Row:
- Angels Envy try bourbon finished in port barrels
- Jim Beam They may have changed their name from the german Boehm to Beam after prohibition, but this spirit has always been an American classic!
- Kentucky Peerless Another smart distillery owner who registered his bourbon as medicine during Prohibition!
- Rabbit Hole a modern approach to bourbon making more of a mixing whiskey and they invite you to the bar next door to taste their cocktails
- Michters Fort Nelson Distillery Once this distillery had a home in Pennsylvania, now its on Whiskey Row.
- Lush Lead: A few of the cocktails at Michters Fort Nelson Distillery were curated by David Wondrich the author of the drinks books, Imbibe and Punch!
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When Is The Best Time To Tour The Bourbon Trail
Most Kentucky bourbon distilleries are open year-round, 7 days a week. They may have odd days here and there when there are closures , but for the most part, you can visit during any season.
No matter when you choose to go, be sure to call ahead before traveling to see if reservations are preferred or required at each distillery.
More Kentucky Bourbon Trail
We spent the night in Bardstown at the Bourbon Manor Inn. If you have the chance, stay here. This is probably one of the best bed and breakfasts Ive stayed at, thanks to the hospitality, spacious rooms, and great food. Best of all, you can purchase bourbon samplesincluding some hard-to-find labelsand cocktails in the evening at the inns bar.
Bardstown makes a great base for exploring nearby distilleries, and when I return, I plan to spend an extra night doing just that. Nearby, you can visit Makers Mark Distillery in Loretto, Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Log Still Distillery in New Haven, and Old Samuels Distillery in Cox Creek.
Lux Row Distillery in Bardstown. Photo by Teresa Bitler
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Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail
VISIT SOME OF LOUISVILLES TOP BOURBON BARS AND RESTAURANTS
After a day of exploring Kentuckys greatest distilleries its time to put your knowledge to the test on Louisvilles Urban Bourbon Trail®. This collection of local bars and restaurants have a wide knowledge of whiskies, Bourbon infused food menus and some of the citys largest collections of Bourbon.
To get your adventure started, to your mobile device. Your goal? Dine-in at six participating locations to earn yourself an official Urban Bourbon Trailblazer t-shirt.
Your goal? Get six stamps! As soon as you collect six, redeem your passport at the Louisville Visitor Center or send it by mail and receive the annual edition of the Urban Bourbon Trailblazer T-Shirt.