Louisville, Kentucky Relocation Guide

Welcome to Louisville, Kentucky! Also known as "The Gateway to the South, "River City", and "Derby City", just to name a few, this city is bustling with opportunity and ready to welcome you home!

Explore Fischer Homes' guide for all that Louisville has to offer, including events, hidden gems, and resources for those moving to "Possibility City". There's a reason Louisville was named #3 in Top Housing Markets for 2023 by Realtor.com - keep reading to learn why!

1. Fantastic Food 

Calling all foodies! Louisville has approximately 1,500 amazing restaurants for you to try and has even been named one of the Top Five "foodiest" small cities in America by Bon Appetit magazine. Below are some highlights of where you can catch some grub and meet new friends!

610 Magnolia

Located in historic Old Louisville, 610 Magnolia has been featured in numerous national publications and offers a modern approach to the Southern Table. Chef Edward Lee's Magnolia 610 celebrates everything in Louisville - historic and progressive, diverse and complex. Reservations are required, so be sure to call before you arrive!

Buck's Restaurant

Established in 1992 and located on the bottom floor of the Mayflower Building, Buck's Restaurant is the ideal location for special occasions, birthdays, and anniversaries. Here you will enjoy a local singer/pianist and over 50 Bourbon selections!

Proof on Main

Located inside the 21C Museum Hotel, Proof on Main boasts contemporary artwork including sculptures, wall hangings, and paintings. Their menu showcases a unique, modern approach to comfortable, accessible, and locally-sourced cuisine. Top off any meal with the Kentucky Stack Cake - a rich dessert with lemon buttercream, almond, and buttermilk whip!

The Kitchen Table

Just south of Shepherdsville in Clermont is home to The Kitchen Table. This restaurant is located on-site at the James B Beam Distillery, so each dish pairs wonderfully with different Bourbons. Enjoy creative twists on venison poppers, pulled pork empanadas, fried catfish, and a hot brown pizza!

Barn8

About 20 minutes from downtown Louisville is Barn8 Restaurant, located on the historic Hermitage Farm with over 600 acres. This restaurant is a place that celebrates all things Kentucky - champion thoroughbreds, bourbon, and farm fresh-to-table Kentucky Cuisine. You can even plan private events here!

2. Amazing Attractions

Louisville, Kentucky is home to some of the best attractions and activities within a 30-minute drive. Residents can discover endless activities to keep busy and have fun throughout all seasons. Below are some of our highlights, but there's so much to still discover!

Fourth Street Live!

A major attraction since it opened in 2004, Fourth Street Live has become a hub for nightlife and entertainment. It's pedestrian-friendly and features various restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. You'll also find a variety of events throughout the year like live music performances, festivals, and different holiday celebrations!

Kentucky Kingdom

Featuring over 70 rides and attractions, Kentucky Kingdom has been entertaining thrill seekers since 1987. This theme park also features a water park, Hurricane Bay, where you can cool off on a hot day!

Louisville Zoo

This 134-acre zoo was founded in 1969 and houses over 1,500 animals from around the world. Louisville Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is committed to conservation and education. They also offer a variety of educational programs and events, including zoo camps, animal encounters, and behind-the-scenes tours!

Louisville Slugger Museum & factory

Founded in 1966, this museum showcases the history of baseball and the iconic Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Visitors can take a guided tour and see how the bats are made from start to finish, browse a collection of over 6,000 baseball bats, along with other interactive and educational experiences!

Louisville Mega Cavern

A man-made cavern, originally created as a limestone quarry, offers underground zipline adventures, bike park, and aerial ropes courses. Open year-round, Louisville Mega Cavern is a great place for people looking for indoor activities in the colder months!

3. Spectacular Sports

Here in Kentucky, ball is life! Basketball that is. Catch a Louisville Cardinals basketball game, especially against the Kentucky Wildcats, an intense rivalry known as the "Battle for the Bluegrass." The two teams usually play each other once a year in a game that is highly anticipated by fans of both programs. Not a hoops fan? Louisville has plenty of other sports teams to enjoy, including:

• Louisville City FC
• Racing Louisville FC
• Louisville Bats
• ...and more!

4. Horse Racing

While this would classify as a sport, horse racing deserves its own spotlight. Horse racing is an integral part of Kentucky's culture and history, with the state referred to as the "Horse Capital of the World."

The Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, takes place annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville. They host other major horse racing events throughout the year, including the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Horse racing is an important part of the cultural and economic landscape of Louisville, and the industry supports thousands of jobs and generates millions of dollars in revenue for the city and state.

Fun Fact: The Kentucky Derby alone is estimated to have an economic impact of over $400 million each year!

5. Wonderful Weather

Welcome to the Ohio Valley, where you'll experience all 4 seasons - Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall! The variation in seasons gives you the chance to experience gorgeous foliage as it changes colors throughout the year and is a great spot for someone with a green thumb! Check out these resources on gardening:

• Louisville Community Gardening
• Volunteer Opportunities
• How-To Gardening Tips

6. Barrels of Bourbon

Moving to Louisville means you have access to tons of distilleries and bourbons through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and even more outside of the trail! The trail is made up of 30 distilleries, offering you a variety of options and places to visit where you can taste and learn about Bourbon and how it's made. 

Fun Fact: Kentucky is responsible for 95% of the world's supply of bourbon and has more bourbon barrels than people. Wow, that's a lot of corn!

7. Useful Utilities

Moving can be stressful, moving to a brand new city or state, even more so! While you're enjoying all the wonderful things Louisville has to offer, don't forget the things you'll need when you move! See this resource from LouisvilleKy.Gov that has a comprehensive list of what you'll need to do when you move!

8. convenient Cities

Within the Greater Louisville area, there are so many wonderful towns and neighborhoods that offer easy access to roads and highways to get you to all these destinations we've mentioned. Check out some of the great neighborhoods below that make Louisville what it is today!

Fun Fact: On average, the typical commute to work in Louisville takes about 23 minutes (less than the national average), according to a nationwide analysis by The Associated Press. 

The Highlands

One of the defining features of The Highlands is its architecture, with many buildings built in the early 20th century. Bardstown Road is the main commercial strip in the area and is lined with a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. The neighborhood also has several parks, including Cherokee Park, which is one of the largest and most popular parks in the city!

Shelbyville

Shelbyville is known for its historic downtown area featuring several unique shops and restaurants and is home to thoroughbred breeding and training farms. The Shelby County Fairgrounds hosts several shows and events throughout the year. Also home to the Claudia Sanders Diner and from this very building is where Kentucky Fried Chicken grew into a worldwide organization! Want to find more to do in Shelbyville? Check out our suggestions here!

Interested in moving to Shelbyville? Check out new homes here! 

Shepherdsville

Known for its rich history and a strong sense of community, Shepherdsville is also home to several beautiful parks, including the Shepherdsville City Park and the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, a 16,000-acre nature preserve that offers hiking trails, gardens, and educational exhibits. Want to find more to do in Shepherdsville? Check out our suggestions here!

Interested in moving to Shepherdsville? Check out new homes here! 

Mt. Washington

One of the defining features of Mt. Washington is its historic downtown area. The downtown is home to several unique shops and restaurants, many of which are housed in historic buildings that date back to the early 1900s. This area has been revitalized in recent years and features several public art installations and a farmer's market. Want to find more to do in Mt. Washington? Check out our suggestions here!

Interested in moving to Mt. Washington? Check out new homes here! 

Charlestown

You might be thinking, "Isn't this is in Indiana?". You're right! One of the cool things about Louisville is that there are so many neighborhoods just across the Ohio River too! Located just 20 minutes north of the city, Charlestown offers bustling small businesses, a strong sense of community, and is home to several yearly community events, including a popular fall festival and Christmas parade. Want to find more to do in Charlestown? Check out our suggestions here!

Interested in moving to Charlestown? Check out new homes here! 

Want to Make Louisville, Kentucky Home?

Like what you've read above? Does Louisville sound like the perfect city for you? If so, Fischer Homes is calling your name! Come visit one of our Model Homes or connect with us virtually to begin building your dream home with Fischer Homes!

Offering a variety of communities across Louisville from the $220's to the $600's+ with a variety of floorplans including low-maintenance, ranch style, two-story, five-level, and more, you're sure to find a home that fits you perfectly! 

Start Your Home Building Journey

Interested in building a home in the Louisville, Kentucky area? Visit our website or call us at 502.806.8466 to talk with one of our New Home Specialists today!