Catching your favorite band at Iroquois Amphitheater or paying a visit to a local museum like the KMAC are always worthwhile expenditures, but sometimes you might be looking to fill in your outings with a few low-cost excursions. And here at LOUtoday, we like to get creative when it comes to saving a buck or two.
So, we’ve compiled a list of five things to do for free in the 502.
Pro tip: Bookmark these activities for a quick list to give to friends + family visiting Derby City.
The Speed Art Museum offers free admission every Sunday. | Photo by LOUtoday
Typically it costs $15 to peruse Kentucky’s oldest and largest art museum — which was founded in 1925 — but thanks to a major donation from Brown-Forman, anyone can visit the Speed for free on Sundays.
Must see: Claude Monet’s 1897 water lily painting “Nymphéas” — on temporary loan. Bonus: The museum is always free for UofL students or staff members, frontline healthcare workers, and kids under the age of three.
Travel back in time with a “Looking at Louisville” tour guide and learn about the history of whiskey in Derby City from the pre-Prohibition era to the bourbon boom via a ten-block journey through downtown. Tours start and end at the Louisville Visitors Center (301 S. 4th St.) + last 90-minutes.
Must see: The “Barrel on Main” — a five hoop public art piece at the intersection of Fourth + Main Streets — designates the center of the Bourbon District and was inspired by our beloved oak barrels.
70s Night | Fri., Aug. 5 | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | Howl at the Moon | Free to attend | Bust out your bell bottoms for free admission to this throwback party with themed drinks, 1970s music + giveaways. 🕺
Saturday
3rd Annual Midsommar Party | Sat., Aug. 6 | 5 p.m.-1 a.m. | ShopBar, 950 Barrett Ave. | Free to attend | Throw on your best flower crown or bear costume to celebrate this 2019 thriller flick + a May Queen will be crowned at 9 p.m.
Hops on the Hill 2022 | Sat., Aug. 6 | 6 p.m. | Mile Wide Beer Co., 636 Barret Ave. | Free to attend | Try limited-release beers, dance with Louisville Silent Disco + shop vendor and nonprofit booths.
Sunday
2022 Kentucky Wedding Show | Sun., Aug. 7 | 2-4 p.m. | Wildwood Country Club, 5000 Bardstown Rd. | $10 | Couples get free entry to meet with local wedding professionals + pick up door prizes. 💍
Tuesday
Notable Louisville Neighborhoods: History of Butchertown Neighborhood | Tues., Aug. 9 | 5-7 p.m. | Graeser Family Education Center, 1435 Frankfort Ave. | Free | RSVP through the Filson Historical Society to enjoy this self-guided tour, garden walk + presentation about Butchertown.
Wednesday
Bob Ross Landscape Painting | Wed., Aug. 10 | 1-4 p.m. | Northeast Library | Free | Make happy little accidents using Bob Ross’s Wet-on-Wet technique with a certified instructor. 🖌️
We have amonthly 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.
The August issue of St. Matthews magazine, The Voice-Tribune, will be its last. The printing presses will halt on Thurs., Sept. 1 after 73 years of business. The final launch party (which doubled as a farewell celebration) was held yesterday at Yew Dell Gardens. 📰
Number
50,000 sqft. That’s how big Kroger’s latest facility is in Louisville. The ~$4.1 million e-commerce hub on Robards Lane (in Waterson Park) will allow the grocery to expand its delivery services + employ up to 161 full-time employees. The facility will also use recyclable bags and work with local food banks. 🛒
Biz
The Belle of Louisville’s First Mate’s Market will set sail on Sat., Nov. 19 — a week before Small Business Saturday — and it’s looking for vendors to climb aboard. The dockside event looks to celebrate LOU’s small biz community just in time for the holiday shopping season. Sign your business up.
Community
Ready to spruce up your yard, Louisvillians? TreesLouisville is giving away100+ Redbud, Persimmon + American Hornbeam trees. They will be available on a first come, first service basis on Sat., Aug. 13 at Logan Street Market (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) and Bingham park(5-8 p.m.). 🌳
Active
Speaking of planting trees, Louisville Grows’ annual tree planting fundraiser, Plant 5K, is coming up on Sat., Sept. 17. Register until Tues., Aug. 16 to be entered to win two vouchers for a LouCity FC or Racing Louisville match + a club scarf. Registration is $30.
Edu
JCPS students are less than a week away from the first day of the 2022 school year and there are still three opportunities to pick up free school supplies before the big day. Snag supplies from this list of places hosting events today through Sat., Aug. 6. 🎒 (WDRB)
Cause
Five bottles of Pappy Van Winkle are up for grabs during Ronald McDonald House Charities’benefit raffle. Tickets are $100 each for a chance to win this rare flight of coveted bourbons. All proceeds will benefit families staying in Derby City while their children receive medical care. (WAVE)
Eat
The 13th Annual Kentuckiana Big Green EGGFest is grilling up a smoky cooking competition this weekend (Fri., Aug. 5 and Sat., Aug. 6) at Brownsboro Hardware & Paint. The “Chopped”-style showdown features 40+ chefs and tickets start at $20. Proceeds will benefit Kentucky Harvest and A Recipe to End Hunger. (WDRB)
Job
Coldwell Banker McMahan is seeking candidates for its New Licensee program, which provides training, mentoring, and coaching to individuals who want to establish their own successful real estate business. For consideration, email your resume to Lesley DePaola, Career Development Director.*
First there was brandy, then there was gin, and now there’s bourbon.
Butchertown distillery Copper & Kings has launched its first-ever bourbon and City Editor Katie got to try it, straight from the barrel.
Katie tried both the grape and apple brandy finished bourbons at 10 a.m. | Photo by LOUtoday
The sourced bourbon — which is aged five to six years — is finished for 13 months in Copper & Kings brandy barrels + the first release includes 14 single barrels, finished in apple or grape brandy barrels.
Copper & Kings Bourbon is available exclusively through a bottle-your-own-tour at the distillery. Pro tip: Make a brunch or dinner reservation at the rooftop bar and restaurant before or after your tour. We recommend trying the pimento cheese pancakes and fried pork sammie.
Editor’s pick:Anytime I hear about Pappy Van Winkle I can’t help but to think back to 2014 when META (425 W. Chestnut St.) made Pappy Jell-O shots that delighted some and shocked even more.
Learn more about the controversial gelatin +the infamous theft of Pappy bottles from Buffalo Trace Distillery on this podcast episode of “Criminal.”
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