Clifton & Crescent Hill

Stroll along Frankfort Avenue, the main thoroughfare through the leafy and charming Crescent Hill and Clifton neighborhoods. You’ll find historic homes and buildings, tree-lined streets, alfresco dining and locally-owned shops peppering this railroad-lined avenue and one of the city’s noted “Restaurant Rows.”

EAT & DRINK

Start your day at any of the many outstanding breakfast and brunch locations on Frankfort Avenue. The croissants and pastries at Blue Dog Bakery touted for its authentic artisan breads (Levain!), rival the best Parisienne patisseries. Or, try the Huevos Rancheros at James Beard-nominated Con Huevos, the biscuits and gravy at Eggs Over Frankfort or a full, leisurely brunch at Morning Fork.

The Hub and The Manhattan Project are great places to catch the big game on TV and grab some elevated pub food and craft cocktails. El Mundo is marked by Mexican eats with local ingredients and fresh-juiced margaritas. Chick’n & Mi specializes in Asian-inspired comfort food, including a fun twist on fried chicken. And, for sushi, there’s cozy Osaka. For pizza, try Parlour, which offers live music and outdoor seating areas. Among other local favorites are Porcini (fine Northern Italian cuisine), Irish Rover (authentic Irish pub grub), Bourbons Bistro (a founding member of Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail® known for its Bourbon-inspired dishes), Volare (authentic Italian), Varanese (Mediterranean and American), DiFabio’s Casapela (Italian) and farm-to-table Fork & Barrel.

Need a sugar fix? Head to Please & Thank You, home of what’s touted as Kentucky’s best chocolate chip cookie. Gelato Gilberto specializes in artisan ice cream with an Italian flair, while local favorite Comfy Cow stays close to its roots, serving up scoops of Bourbon ball ice cream and other Kentucky-inspired and classic flavors.

To start the evening or top off the night, the options are broad, from the casual Gallant Fox Brewing Company, the Bourbon-centric Silver Dollar, which is housed in a restored 1890s firehouse and stocked with more than 100 Kentucky Bourbons, to the late-night Hilltop Tavern, which offers delicious comfort food bar bites.

DISCOVER

The Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse became an instant tourist attraction when it first opened in 1879 and is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. Stop by the American Printing House for the Blind (home to the Helen Keller archive and the official supplier of educational materials for visually-impaired students in the country) for free guided tours. You can witness the production of Braille publications and the recording of talking books on the free tour.

SHOP

Consignment shops galore line Frankfort Avenue, including Margaret’s Consignments and Collectibles, Urban Kitty and men’s re-seller Evolve.

Looking for something a little unusual? Visit Just Creations. This fair-trade marketplace sells handcrafted goods of artisans from more than 45 countries.

Vinyl lovers will want to peruse Guestroom Records, and book lovers will feel at home at Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville’s oldest independent bookstore. Pair your purchase with a coffee from neighboring Crescent Hill Coffee and read a spell while the trains roll along.

If you’re on the hunt for designer fashions, you can find them at Peacock Boutique, for women, and children, next door is the whimsical clothing store Kiddo. Designer options for your home abound at Posh Home and Summer Eliason Designs, all four shops conveniently located on the same block. For specialty Bourbon-enhanced culinary delights, visit Bourbon Barrel Foods and Eat Your Bourbon Marketplace. Ask about the free soy sauce tasting experience.

Vintage, antique and resale seekers will enjoy 2023 Antiques, Nussbaum Antiques & Fine Art, Redefine Design on the Avenue and the expansive Mellwood Antiques in a former meat-packing plant in Clifton.

Featured Attractions & Things to Do