We’re sitting on a gold mine of unique seats here in the 502, so today we’re taking a tour sitting down.
We’ve rounded-up 10 places to take a load off from a pink phone booth inside The Bellwether Hotel to a cozy mid century modern living room with a fireplace at The Whirling Tiger.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the tour.
Pink phone booth | The Bellwether Hotel, 1300 Bardstown Rd.
Nestled in the corner of this 1920s hotel is a bubble gum pink “phone booth.” While you can’t talk to a friend on these mock phones, you can snap a photo with one — hand’s free — thanks to a ring light set up in the space. Pro tip: You do have to be a guest to access this pink paradise, so book a room here.
Mid-century listening room | The Whirling Tiger, 1335 Story Ave.
This faux living room inside Butchertown’s The Whirling Tiger turns back time harder than Cher. With lush, green shag carpet + a real fireplace it’s the perfect spot to impress out of towners and sip cocktails.
Old Cardinal stadium seats | Various bus stops
In 2019, several bus stops around town — like the one on the corner of Bardstown Road and Douglass Boulevard — said goodbye to traditional bus benches and hello to Old Cardinal Stadium seats. The project led by Metro council members repurposed the red chairs after the stadium was demolished.
Bourbon barrel booths | North of Bourbon, 935 Goss Ave.
Have your bourbon and sit in it too. This NOLA-style restaurant in Germantown has four tables tucked inside oversized barrels. Snag a frozen Kentucky coffee while you’re there. It comes in a cup you can take home.
Text rain | 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St.
“Text Rain” is a permanent interactive installation between the elevators at this downtown museum hotel. You can comfortably watch people use their bodies to manipulate the falling text from a white bench directly across from the screen.
Oversized beach chairs | Joe Creason Park, 1297 Trevilian Way
You can’t miss these giant pastel Adirondack chairs in front of Metro Parks’ offices at this 62-acre park. The chairs made their debut in 2017 + you can relax in them daily from 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
1960s Lincoln Continental | Spinelli’s Pizzeria, 614 Baxter Ave.
This late night Highlands staple is home to the only car-dining experience in the city. Grab a slice from this pizza shop — we recommend the buffalo chicken pizza with Fritos on top — and slide into this vintage 1960s Lincoln Continental transformed into a dining booth. Yes, the car’s doors actually work.
Charles R. Farnsley bench | 631 W. Main St.
Visit former Louisville Mayor Charles R. Fransley on a bench downtown. Fransley, who was mayor from 1948-1953, sits on the 600 block of Main Street. The statue of him was dedicated in 1998.
Steps at The Heigold Facade | Heigold House Facade, 332-402 Frankfort Ave.
Speaking of Charles R. Farnsley… while in office he saved the facade of this building from 1857. It was the home of German immigrant Christian H. Heigold and was one of few structures to survive the Great Flood of 1937. Today, it serves as the entrance to Frankfort Avenue + the steps are a great spot to soak up the history of the structure.
Waterfront Park swings | Various locations
Swing life away at the Swing Garden near Big Four Bridge at Waterfront Park. There are 10+ swings to choose from to take in views of the river + bridges.
Bonus:
One of the Highlands best kept secrets is the Toto brand bidet — a traditional Japanese bidet — in the women’s restroom at Dragon King’s Daughter.
