Let’s take the scenic route 🚗

Take a road trip to Shelby County, KY

Shelby County is known as the Saddlebred Capital of the World. | Photo by LOUtoday

Itching to get out of town, Louisvillians? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Shelby County — home to Shelbyville + Simpsonville — instead. From horseback riding experiences at Red Fern Riding to cocktails at the historic Red Lion at Science Hill — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the Saddlebred Capital of the World.

📍 Essential info

Drive time: ~30 minutes
Year the county was established: 1792
Est. population: 48,065

🎟️ Experience

Red Fern Riding, 5063 Aiken Rd., Simpsonville
If you’re in the heart of Kentucky horse country, you might as well saddle up and take a ride. This equestrian center, located within the 462 acres of Shelby Trails Park, offers scenic + adventure guided horseback riding for riders of all experience levels.

Yellow sunflowers are are pinned around a wooden sign with horseshoes. — Red Fern Riding offers guided horseback riding through the scenic Shelby Trails Park.

🍔 Eat

The Bell House, 721 Main St., Shelbyville
Situated in a circa-1902 Victorian home in downtown Shelbyville, you’ll be tempted to stay all day with a menu spanning from breakfast to dinner. Pro tip: Get the Hot Brown.

A bubbling hot brown sits in a ceramic, oval-shaped dish. The surface of the molten, open-faced sandwich features a tomato, strips of bacon, parsley flakes, and a crispy, golden brown bake. — The Bell House’s hot brown is a must-try.

🏨 Stay

Saddlebred Suites, 700 Main St., Shelbyville
Stay in one of four suites — or rent the whole space for $1,000 — in this circa-1890 building that’s been renovated into a loft boutique hotel experience. In the morning, get a java from the attached coffee shop, The Paddock Coffee, Eats & Gatherings.

A renovated suite with exposed brick walls and bright, open windows is accented by a large beige couch and accompanying chair. There's a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall and an artistically-rendered horse portrait hanging on the wall above a small fireplace. — This modern Vrbo can sleep up to five adults.

Wait a minute, Louisvillians. Before you head out the door, find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank and stock up on road trip snacks from Full Stop Station. Also, bookmark this map so you have no trouble finding all of our recommendations while visiting Shelby County.

6 MORE SHELBY COUNTY TIPS

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Monday, Nov. 7

Successful Aging, with Robert Friedland, MD | Monday, Nov. 7 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Main Library, 301 York St. | Free | Listen to Robert Friedland, MD discuss findings from his latest book, “Unaging.”

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Solidarity Medicine Making | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Louisville Grows, 1541 Portland Ave. | Free | Learn how to make herbal home medicines like elderberry syrup in this hands-on class.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Low Intervention Wines | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 7-8 p.m. | Westport Whiskey & Wine, 1115 Herr Ln. | $10 | Learn about what makes natural wines so unique at this guided tasting.

Thursday, Nov. 10

S. 4th Night Market. | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 4-8 p.m. | S. 4th St. between Guthrie St. and W. Chestnut St. | Free to attend | Shop local vendors, eat from food trucks + enjoy live music under the stars.

Friday, Nov. 11

Festival of Trees & Lights 2022 | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Louisville Slugger Field , 401 E. Main St. | $10-$12 | Marvel at holiday decorations and displays arranged by local designers and volunteers + get a photo with Santa, shop a gift market, and visit the outdoor Elf Town.

Saturday, Nov. 12

Hard Times Collective: Moon Market | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 4-8 p.m. | TEN20 Craft Brewery , 1020 E. Washington St. | Free | Shop from 25+ vintage vendors, get your photo taken and get a free tote bag of goodies when you’re one of the first 50 there.
Throo The Zoo 5K| Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8 a.m. | Louisville Zoo | $35 | Run alongside zebras and polar bears + come in a creative costume for a chance to win a prize package.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

69º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

Plan Ahead

This month is the last chance of the year to cruise the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville as her final voyage sets sail on Sat., Nov. 12. Tickets start at $30 for scenic cruises. The Mary M. Miller will continue sailing through Sat., Nov. 26 — and that’s all folks, until next year.

Community

Louisville Zoo guests can get one free child admission ticket when they purchase adult admission as part of a new promotion called School’s Out Safari — and the first date the discount is available is tomorrow, Tues., Nov 8. Tickets must be purchased on site, day-of to redeem the offer. See more dates.

Festival

This year’s Festival of the Faiths, taking place Wed., Nov. 9-Sat., Nov. 12, will focus on the power of storytelling. The local festival, which began in 1996, celebrates the wisdom of faiths from around the world and promotes interfaith understanding. Check out the schedule + reserve tickets. (LEO Weekly)

Theater

Actors Theatre’s Winter and Spring 2023 season takes to the stage on Wed., Jan. 18 with “Ohio.” The local theater company will also present “La Egoista” in February + “Party People” in April. All three shows will be in-person productions. See more local theater. (LEO Weekly)

Travel

Picture this: It’s a regular Monday at the office. You’re skimming your inbox for the fifteenth time when suddenly, an email arrives: ⛵ Malta — $400-$500s. With a flash of your credit card, you’ve booked sunny skies + crystal blue waters for this year’s summer vacation. Good thing you got those Scott’s Cheap Flights notifications.*

Shop

Thinking about what you’re going to wear to all those holiday parties and already feeling stressed? We’ve been there. Rent the Runway is our No. 1 hack to make getting dressed something we actually look forward to instead of dreading. Bonus: Use code 6AMXRTR for 40% off two months of a membership or one-time rental. 👗 *

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Where to eat nachos in LOU

Where to eat nachos in Louisville, KY

Tray of french fries with trays of tortilla chips, guacamole, and nachos.

Check out these apps from Taco Luchador. | Photo by @taco_luchador

Whether you like your nachos piled high with endless toppings, or take pride in being a melted-cheese-aficionado, we’re here with a list of places in LOU to get your nacho fix.

📍 Zombie Taco | 100 W. Washington St., Unit 101
We’re eyeing the Adobo BBQ chicken nachos. A flavorful twist on a classic menu item, these nachos are topped with green chile queso, red Fresno peppers, sour cream + guacamole.

📍 Taco Luchador | Multiple locations
Try the Luchador nachos, complete with your choice of protein — barbacoa, tinga, or veggies — and it doesn’t stop there. These nachos come loaded with queso, pico de gallo + pickled red onions.

📍 Taco City Louisville | Multiple locations
Take your nachos to the next level with the shrimp nachos piled high with white queso + pico de gallo. If you haven’t got your sea legs yet, try them with grilled steak or chicken.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by City Editor Sarah.

Editor’s pick: I went over to Aurora Gallery & Boutique in Shelby Park to check out the new digs and was blown away by how beautiful it was inside.

The shop has jewelry, prints + other trinkets in the first part of the store — hello, holiday shopping destination — and the back half is an art gallery, where 79 colorful masks were on display as part of its debut exhibition.

I can’t wait to go back for Ezzitwhurr‘s pop-up art show on Sat., Nov. 12.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Dig into our ultimate donut guide here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Sarah Shadburne, Katie Molck, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

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