Jeffersonville, IN

The history of modern Jeffersonville begins around 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson took office and the settlers in the area decided to use a grid pattern Jefferson designed. Because of its location directly across the river from Louisville, Jeffersonville played a critical role during the Civil War as a border city between the Union and the Confederacy.

During the Great Depression, Jeffersonville relied heavily on its the illegal gambling industry, earning itself the nickname "Little Las Vegas." This industry collapsed in one night in January 1948 when police raided every casino in the city. Since then, Jeffersonville's focus has turned toward creating new businesses and restaurants and increasing its connectivity with Louisville.

The Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville attracts locals and visitors, as it is one of the most popular museums in the neighborhood. A number of local events take place there, including several holiday parades.

Not only do the restaurants in Jeffersonville attract diners from across the city, but they also provide important economic benefits for the community. Because of this, a large variety of restaurants representing numerous culinary traditions exist throughout the city, though many of the most popular food options cluster around the shoreline of the Ohio River in southern Jeffersonville.

For burgers and traditional American foods, locals often recommend Big Four Burgers & Beers. This establishment prides itself on crafting unique burgers, including Mediterranean and Thanksgiving themed burgers. Enjoying one of these succulent dishes with a fresh order of garlic fries on Big Four's two-story deck perfectly epitomizes the dining experience in Jeffersonville.

When seeking a hearty Italian meal in Jeffersonville, residents need look no further than the Come Back Inn. This eatery specializes in pasta-based dishes, though the pizza also deserves some recognition. Regardless of what they order, the massive portions mean that patrons of the Come Back Inn should expect to bring home some leftovers. This restaurant also features an extensive craft beer menu. To top it off, this restaurant strives to provide a relaxed, homey atmosphere with an emphasis on friendly service.

Complementing the fantastic dining scene in Jeffersonville is a well-developed nightlife. Match Cigar Bar caters to Jeffersonville's more upscale circles, presenting a massive selection of both cigars and classic cocktails. This establishment prides itself on its knowledge of the products, and the staff genuinely go out of their way to cater to their guest's needs. The attention to service makes the Match Cigar Bar one of the more unique bars in Jeffersonville.

When searching for a louder, party-friendly bar, visitors should check out the Nowhere Bar. This upbeat, lively establishment features a large dance area and an intricate lighting/laser rig. More importantly, the Nowhere Bar attracts crowds from across the city and has developed a reputation as one of Jeffersonville's wildest nightlife destinations.

Fortunately for travelers and locals, transportation in Jeffersonville can be found quite easily in numerous forms. Like most of Louisville, automobile transit in Jeffersonville is the easiest mode of travel. Two major highways, I-65 and I-265, pass through Jeffersonville and connect it to surrounding communities.

Though free and cheap parking exists throughout the city, in peak hours it becomes quite competitive closer to the river. Taxis regularly comb the streets of Jeffersonville. Catching a taxi proves easiest near the more touristy areas along the shoreline. Uber and other ride-sharing services cater to Jeffersonville, and public transit consists of routes 71, 72, 65 and 82 on Louisville's public transportation system, TARC.

Though some areas experience high automobile traffic, bikers and walkers should feel quite safe traversing Jeffersonville's streets. With the implementation of the Big Four Bridge Project, Louisville and Jeffersonville now connect via walking and biking paths, and both cities have made efforts to be accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians in the areas surrounding the bridge entrances.

Jeffersonville features several parks offering a variety of amenities. The Falls of Ohio State Park brings the opportunity to view real fossil beds as well as a large dam and numerous geological oddities. Only the museum at this park charges an entrance fee, so guests may visit the grounds free of charge. Events happen at this park very often and mostly focus on educational activities targeted toward children.

Several other more traditional city parks also exist in Jeffersonville, including Memorial Park and Colgate Park. These parks feature playgrounds, walking path, and eating areas. These parks welcome dogs, though no parks feature amenities specifically catering to canines. The Parks Department runs several annual events, including a winter ice-skating rink complete with ice shows, movie nights, children's camps and exercise events.

Compared to an average of Louisville and the greater metropolitan area surrounding both cities, life in downtown Jeffersonville rests above the city average.

Public transportation between Jeffersonville and Louisville's city center costs $1 for a one-way trip. The average a one-bedroom apartment rents at $575 a month. Grocery and food prices rate only slightly higher than the city average. When out on the town, a beer costs roughly $5, but the drive to the bar might cost a few pennies more. Gas typically costs 1 to 2 percent extra in Jeffersonville compared to both the city and national averages.

Shopping in Jeffersonville centers around Spring Street in the southern section of the community. Here, numerous high-end and affordable, locally owned shops sell wares in a variety of categories.

One of the most interesting shops is Horner Novelty. Few shopping adventures rival the fun of wandering through the aisles of Horner Novelty and seeing what's for sale this week. The store houses a large selection of costumes, holiday themed items and party supplies.

Just down to street from Horner Novelty stands Choices. This small clothing boutique's quirky vibe and assortment of wares keeps shoppers happy for hours. The staff at Choices strives to build relationships with their patrons, and shoppers really feel at home in this charming shop. Best of all, Choices does its best to offer reasonable prices on all its products.

Jeffersonville hosts several grocery stores, including a handful of Save-A-Lots, an ALDI, a Walmart and a few smaller markets. From May 31 to October 28, the Jeffersonville Farmers Market meets twice a week to provide citizens of the area with fresh and sustainably sourced produce.