Friday, October 16, 2009

21c Museum Hotel Ranked As Best Hotel in the USA, #6 in the World

The 2009 Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards has ranked the 21C Museum Hotel the number one hotel in the United States and the sixth best hotel in the world. This is a huge honor from the well traveled Conde Nast Travler subscribers. We are so lucky to be able to have our wedding at such a fantastic venue and have our closest friends and love ones stay at such a unique and highly revered hotel.

Click here to see the article clipping via PDF file.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Things To Do

Here's a link to some popular Louisville attractions for those of you who will have time to spend in the city before and after the ceremony and reception on Saturday. More information, including discount tickets and packages, can be obtained at the Louisville Visitor's Center on 4th and Jefferson, about four blocks from 21c. For extensive Louisville travel information check out the convention and visitor's bureau website here.

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM 21C

Louisville Slugger Museum
Glassworks Studio
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
Frazier Internationl History Museum
Muhammad Ali Center
Waterfront Park
Louisville Slugger Field
The Urban Bourbon Trail

WITHIN 15-20 MINUTES DRIVE FROM DOWNTOWN

Churhill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum
Old Louisville: America's largest neighborhood of preserved Victorian homes, walking tours and a night time ghost tour available
Speed Museum of Art

FIRST FRIDAY TROLLEY HOP

Friday, November 6, before the wedding is the night of the monthly First Friday Trolley hop. Ride the Main-Market trolley for free to check out the galleries of East Market Street, the attractions on Museum Row, or grab dinner at one of the many locally owned and operated restaurants. For more information check out the First Friday website. Events specific to that night's hop will be posted closer to the date.

Restaurants

For those staying the weekend, here are some recommended restaurants within walking distance from 21c. The 21c has a great restaurant, Proof on Main, which I would normally recommend but they will be doing the catering for the reception. Their bar is great for guests who want a chance to grab a cocktail and some small plates at any time during their stay. Room service is also available.

Luigi's Pizzeria
ADDRESS: 712 W. Main Street, about a block from 21c
PHONE: (502) 589-0005
PRICE: $
HOURS: Mon - Fri 7 am to 5pm, Sat 11 - 3pm, Closed Sundays
WEBSITE: www.luigispizzeria.com

Great pizza by the slice and calzones but they also serve gourmet pasta dishes, paninis, and even breakfast options!! Ideal for a quick and easy lunch. They also delivery and carry out orders.

Los Aztecas
ADDRESS: 530 W. Main Street, about two blocks from 21c
PHONE:(502) 561-8535
PRICE: $
HOURS: Mon - Thu 11am to 10pm, Fri - Sat noon to 11, Sun noon to 9
WEBSITE: www.losaztecas.net

Your average mexican family restaurant. It gets very crowded around lunchtime on workdays but it's easy to get a table for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Great margaritas!

Bistro 301
ADDRESS: 301 W. Market Street, about five blocks from 21c
PHONE: (502) 584-8337
PRICE: $$
HOURS: lunch served Mon - Fri 10 am to 4 pm, dinner served Mon - Sat from 4 pm - 10 pm
WEBSITE: www.bistro301.com

Menu has great salad and sandwich options in addition to heavier entrees. Outdoor seating available depending on weather. They have their own version of the famous Louisville hot brown that is quite delicious.

Bearno's By the Bridge
ADDRESS: 131 W. Main Street, about six blocks from 21c
PHONE: (502) 584-7437
PRICE: $$
HOURS: Mon - Thus 11 am to 11 pm, Fri 11 am to 4 am, Sat 4 pm to 4 am, Sun 12 pm to 12 am
WEBSITE: www.bearnospizza.net

Great pizza - the cheese sticks are not to be skipped. Their delivery service can take time but they will deliver late on Friday and Saturday. The service in restaurant is much better and there is almost always live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Chop Shop Salads
ADDRESS: 436 W. Market Street, about three blocks from 21c
PHONE: (502) 589-2467
PRICE: $
HOURS: Mon - Fri 11 am to 3 pm
WEBSITE: www.chopshopsalads.com

Salads and wraps custom made to your preference. Assembly line style salads includes flat bread. Seating is limited inside but it is a great place to grab a meal to take to Riverfront Park, weather permitting. There is also a plaza right across the street with benches for al fresco dining. They also deliver!

Z's Fusion
ADDRESS: 115 S. 4th Street, about four blocks from 21c
PHONE: (502) 855-8000
PRICE: $$$
HOURS: Mon - Thurs 11 am to 2:30pm, 5 pm to 10 pm, Fri 11 am to 2:30 pm, 4:30 to 11 pm, Sat 4:30 to 11 pm, Sun 5 to 9 pm
WEBSITE: www.zsfusion.com

Asian fusion restaurant with everything from sushi to steaks. Their cocktails are supposed to be fantastic. Great for a nicer dinner on Friday night.

River Bend Winery
ADDRESS: 120 S. 10th Street, about 3 blocks from 21c
PHONE: (502) 540-5650
PRICE: $$
HOURS: Mon - Thurs 11 am to 9 pm, Fri - Sat 11 am to 2 am, Sunday noon to 6 pm
WEBSITE: www.riverbendwine.com

Free glass of wine with any meal purchase. Menu has a southern slant on the classic cafe options. The Friday before the wedding is a downtown trolley hop night so they will be having free wine samples and more. See the post on things to do for more information.

Toast on Market
ADDRESS: 736 E. Market Street, about 15-20 minute walk from 21c, easy accessible via the downtown Main-Market trolley
PHONE: (502) 569-4099
PRICE: $$
HOURS: Closed Mon, Tue - Fri 7 am to 2 pm, Sat - Sun 7 am to 3 pm
WEBSITE: www.toastonmarket.com

Great place for brunch although it is a bit of a walk from the restaurant. They are known for their gourmet pancakes and super fluffy options. Great place for a soup and sandwich lunch as well.

732 Social
ADDRESS: 732 E. Market Street, about 15-20 minute walk from 21c, easy accessible via the downtown Main-Market trolley
PHONE: (502) 583-6882
PRICE: $$$
HOURS: Mon - Sat 5 pm to 1 am, closed Sun
WEBSITE: www.732social.com

Specializing in farm to table cooking, this is a great small plates restaurant with yummy signature cocktails and a fantastic wine list. Well worth the walk from 21c. It's been voted one of Louisville's best new restaurants this year.

J. Graham's Cafe
ADDRESS: 335 W. Broadway, about 15-20 minute walk from 21c
PHONE: (502) 583-1234
PRICE: $$
HOURS: Sun - Sat 7 am to 2 pm
WEBSITE: www.brownhotel.com

Located at the Brown hotel, J. Graham's is the original creator of the famous Hot Brown. It's practically a tourist requirement for new visitors to Louisville. They are open for breakfast and lunch daily. The Brown is also home to The English Grille which is pricier and more upscale. It's open from dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.

CHAIN RESTAURANT OPTIONS IN THE AREA
Fourth Street Live!
Located at 4th Street between Liberty Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Food court on the second floor includes Wendy's, Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, Tai Pei Chinese and Rocky Roccoco Pizza. Full service restaurants include the Hard Rock Cafe, TGIFriday's, The Pub, Sully's and Red Star Tavern.

Subway
725 W. Main Street and 539 W. Market Street

Quizno's
223 S. 5th Street

Panera
400 W. Market Street

Old Spaghetti Factory
235 W. Market Street

Jimmy John's Sandwiches
415 W. Jefferson Street

Champions Sports Bar and Restaurant
280 W. Jefferson Street

Wolfgang Puck Express
221 S. 4th Street

Joe's Crab Shack
131 River Road

Parking and Driving information

PARKING

Parking is available at the 21c. For hotel guests valet parking is available at $21 a day with unlimited trips in and out of the garage. For those coming for Saturday night only, valet parking is $4 a night at the 21c garage. Street metered parking is free after 6pm Monday through Friday and all day Sunday. Click here for a helpful map and parking garage guide listed by popular downtown destinations - including the 21c.

GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN

For those flying into Louisville SDF - there is no need to rent a car! Even if you are staying at a hotel other than the 21C, most are in a comfortable walking distance to the wedding ceremony and reception locations. In the event of inclement weather, you can take the Louisville Trolley. Running up and down Main and Market streets these stops are indicated by a red or green T in a circle at various corners downtown. The trolley costs 50 cents, exact change only, each trip. To see a map of the trolley stops and get more information from the Louisville transit authority please click here.

If you find yourself in need of a taxi, many wait by the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Jefferson and 4th Street. Otherwise try these numbers:

- Louisville Yellow Cab (502) 636-5511
- Ready Cab (502) 451-4114
- Green Cab (502) 635-6400

Louisville also has a great company called City Scoot that sends a sober driver on a small scooter to meet you at your car wherever it may be. The scooter goes in the trunk, and then the driver takes you and your vehicle to your hotel or home. It's a great way to get you and your car home in one piece. Call them at 502-56-NO-DUI from 9 pm to 5 am to request their services. They charge a $9 pick up fee plus $3.50 per mile. Check out their website for more information.

DIRECTIONS

This page from the 21c website has great information on directions to the hotel. For more extensive or departure location specific directions please feel free to call the museum hotel concierge at (502) 217-6300.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Engagement Photos

Here are the links to the engagement photo galleries in case any one is interested. Working with Robert and Scotty has been great!

Scotty's set
Robert's set