Barrel Picks: Louisville Tourism's staff fall bucket list

The Highlands neighborhood is a picturesque fall backdrop. | Photo by Steve Grider

It’s fall y’all. And while our beloved autumnal events like fall racing at Churchill Downs and the St. James Court Art Show truly make fall in Louisville special, we wanted to share a few more things to do off the beaten track. So, with PSLs and apple picking abound, we asked the Louisville Tourism team to share the events, traditions, and pastimes that are on their bucket list every fall. Here’s what everyone had to say:

Phalcha Coffee's fall menu also includes an iced coffee with pumpkin foam & apple caramel waffle. | Photo by Louisville Tourism

Fall coffee flight at Phalcha Coffee
Sara B. has this Germantown coffee shop’s seasonal coffee flight near the top of her fall bucket list. The “Flight to Fall” features three seasonal bevvies, including pumpkin spice, ube cardamon chai, and maple spice.

Pro tip: Stacey Y. goes on a “PSL scavenger hunt of sorts” for the best fall coffee drink every year. All local, no Starbucks. Start your own search at these Louisville coffee shops.

“Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Seeing Time Slip Theatre’s production of this cult classic is on the fall radar for Rebekah C. & Sara B. The staged version of the musical comedy-horror runs from Friday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Nov. 1 at PLAY Louisville in Butchertown.

Huber’s Orchard and Winery
Located about 20 miles north of Downtown Louisville, and named of one “The Best Pumpkin Patches in the U.S.” by USA Today’s 10Best, this family farm has been a local fall favorite for nearly 50 years. Huber’s offers apple picking, winery & distillery tours, a family farm park, and a country-style restaurant, but ask Amy C. & Shelby B. and they’ll tell you the real star is the pumpkin patch.

A replica of Drag-U-La, Grandpa Munster's coffin-shaped drag car from "The Munsters," is on display inside Caufield's Novelty. | Photo by Louisville Tourism

Costume shopping at Caufields Novelty
This is a Halloween-time must for Jessica D. Caufield’s is one of Kentucky’s oldest & largest novelty and costume shops, operating in downtown Louisville since 1920. But the costume-lined walls are only the beginning. The family-owned business is also known for its spooky attractions inside and out, including a replica coffin car from “The Munsters,” the World’s Largest Vampire Bat, and the dungeon — a scary good animatronic props room.

Fall hiking
You can’t go wrong taking a hike at any of Louisville’s parks, but Jordan S. always hikes the Rose Island trail at Charlestown State Park (a 20 minute drive from Louisville), which winds through a century-old, abandoned amusement park.

Other highlights of ColorFest include live music, hands-on nature activities & local food and drink. | Photo by Bernheim Forest

Colorfest at Bernheim
Becca L. is headed to Bernheim Forest and Arboretum for ColorFest on Saturday, Nov. 1 & Sunday, Nov. 2. The annual fall festival includes crowd-favorites like the giant slides, mud pie kitchen, and pumpkin rolling among the vibrant hues of the changing leaves.

Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company
Nothing says “fall” like a warm sweet potato pie, and Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie is the only pie for Sara B. The bakery is located in the Highlands neighborhood and offers six variations of mini pies, as well as cupcakes, brownies, and ice cream.

Monnik Beer Co. is located in an historic Germantown building. | Photo by Monnik Beer Co.

Drinking local beer
At the top of Dan K.’s list is checking out Louisville breweries for dark beers, like Monnik Beer Co.’s brown ale, Gravely Brewing Co.’s dark cream ale, and Against the Grain’s bourbon barrel aged stout.

Looking for more reasons to fall in love with Bourbon City? Check out these 13 free things to do this fall and can't-miss October events.