Louisville, like most major cities, has its share of crime, although tourists aren't usually targeted. The downtown areas around the major hotels, art galleries, restaurants and museums are patrolled by police and security, but individuals or couples walking even to nearby hotels can be at a bit of a risk. This is particularly true on Sunday when Fourth Street Live! is not as active (or as well patrolled) in the later hours. Avoid venturing into areas away from crowds of people, as well as the outskirts west of downtown Louisville. The entertainment corridor along Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue, east of downtown, can get raucous in the wee hours on weekends.
Some downtown parking lots have attendants. Others have slotted self-pay boxes marked with space numbers. Beware of individuals posing as attendants in lots with pay boxes. And to avoid "grab and run" thefts, say "no" to any panhandlers who ask for money. If you think you might want to donate to a legitimate street performer, try to have a dollar or two loose in a pocket so you won't be vulnerable when you pull out a wallet or open a purse. Common-sense vigilance is your best safety precaution.
Dos & Don'ts
Do be sure to pronounce the city's name like a native. Most say "Luh-vul," but anything works unless the "s" is audible. In other words, don't say "Lewisville."
Do ask residents for their favorite Louisville ghost story. Most everyone will have one. And no one will think you're strange for asking.
Don't be surprised when you ask someone where he or she went to school, and they tell you the name of a local high school, not a university. This is how Louisvillians place each other in the local social hierarchy.
Don't skip the Muhammed Ali Center, even if you see a bus load of school kids entering in front of you. The place is huge, with hundreds of display stations, so large crowds are no problem. The interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations are phenomenal, and you may be surprised at how compelling Ali's life story turns out to be, even if you aren't a boxing fan.
Do ask to see a bourbon list in any restaurant that has a good bar. If you want a bourbon cocktail, Old Fashioneds and Manhattans are acceptable choices. Bourbon and Coke is considered a barbaric—or at the least, unsophisticated—way to treat both ingredients.
Don't order a mint julep unless it's Derby weekend. You'll be marked as a tourist. (Or worse, a Yankee.) Natives drink them only on Derby Day, as a matter of tradition—no one actually likes them (although the collectible glasses they come in make great souvenirs).
