Southside - Louisville, KY Area Guide

Native American tribes traveled through the lands under Southside as early as 1,000 BCE, passing through on the way to the Ohio River in the north and west. Even as white settlers moved in, the area remained a rural spot until the Army Corps of Engineers built an airstrip nearby in 1941. The airport's activity during World War II spurred development in the surrounding communities, causing rapid housing growth in Southside during the 1940s and 1950s. The bulk of Southside remains residential with the exception of a few commercial districts. The area does not have an established cultural scene, so residents head to the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Speed Art Museum and the Clarksville Little Theatre to the north. Every summer, locals travel east to the Kentucky Music Weekend Bluegrass Festival.

Southside houses a wide variety of restaurants, from classic Southern comfort food to fresh and spicy Vietnamese cuisine. The majority of neighborhood restaurants cluster on the southern end of Southside Drive and the northern end of 3rd Street. Indulge in a true Kentucky feast at Indi's Fast Food Restaurant, where an order of the spicy fried chicken isn't complete without a side of macaroni and cheese or potato wedges. Order the special house hot sauce, and dine on true Southern dishes, including fried catfish sandwiches and barbecued ribs. Head to Vietnam Kitchen for Vietnamese favorites, including pho and vermicelli bowls. Regulars love the made-to-order spring rolls and fried egg rolls. If you love pho, Vietnam's signature soup, you'll enjoy Vietnam Kitchen's hearty and perfectly spiced version. Local diners love the barbecue at Rubbies – the restaurant's signature hickory-smoked BBQ pork and baby back ribs are two of the most popular menu items. If you're not into barbecue, try the classic hot brown sandwich or the breaded wings. This restaurant fills with locals every day of the week, and newcomers never feel out of place. After the dinner crowd leaves, Rubbies transforms into a Southside hotspot. The bar hosts regular karaoke nights and live bands from around Louisville. Like Rubbies, nightlife in Southside tends to be ultra-casual and welcoming. One of the only other bars in the neighborhood, Hoops Grill and Sports Bar brings in crowds of sports fans during March Madness and NASCAR events. Check out the limited pub food menu, or order one of the standard American brews on tap.

Southside covers a considerable amount of land, and most residents opt to drive rather than walk or bike. If you prefer to get around on foot, you're in luck as the sidewalks are plentiful. The neighborhood does not have bike lanes, but Southside Drive provides safe biking. The TARC #4 bus runs through Southside, bringing residents north to downtown Louisville and south to the Outer Loop. Call in advance when you need a taxi service, and allow ample time for pickup. Uber also serves this area. For drivers, parking is rarely an issue in Southside. Free street parking abounds in residential areas, and most local businesses maintain dedicated parking lots. Interstate 264 sits just a few miles north, allowing quick access to Interstate 65 and greater Louisville.

Southside does not have any parks within its boundaries, but adjacent neighborhoods provide a few convenient green spaces that can be used free of charge. Just to the north of Southside, Beechmont hosts the compact Louis B. Israel Park, which attracts local families with its small playground and grassy lawn. To the west of the neighborhood, Iroquois Park has something for everyone. Go for a run or a hike on the park's hill trails, or work on your serve at the tennis courts. The horseshoe pits and grills cater to large group events and small family picnics, while the disc golf course brings in an eclectic group of athletes. Feel free to bring your dog as long as it stays on a leash. The park's onsite Iroquois Amphitheater hosts free movies in the summer and sports a regular lineup of live concerts.

Life in Southside won't break your budget. The neighborhood cost of living is lower than the Louisville citywide average thanks to housing prices, which come in considerably lower. If you plan to rent a house or apartment in the area, expect to pay an average of $529 per month. Everyday expenses in Southside match those in the rest of the city. A ride on the TARC bus into downtown Louisville costs $1.75, and you are going to spend $4 or less for a pint of beer at one of the neighborhood's casual bars. Your wallet won't be too badly hit when you fill your tank, as gas prices hover about 9 percent lower than the national average.

The residential streets of Southside do not provide many shopping options. The stores that do make their home in the neighborhood rest along Southside Drive. Pick up essentials at Walgreens, Family Dollar and Cricket, and head into downtown Louisville for clothing or high-end shopping. Take the pain out of home-improvement projects with a trip to Girard's Hardware, a friendly neighborhood spot on 3rd Street that carries a small but comprehensive supply. Don't hesitate to ask for help—the knowledgable owner can answer questions and direct you to the tool you need. For your favorite beauty products, Illusion Nail Supply on Southside Drive is a convenient alternative to big-box drugstores. Southside has a scarcity of major grocery chains, so residents often shop at the budget-friendly Pic-Pac. This supermarket also carries a number of hard-to-find cuts of meats, including frog legs, making it a popular choice among culinary adventurers. A number of Asian markets also serve Southside. Pick up a variety of Asian snacks at the popular Dong Phuong, or visit the Vietnam Oriental Food Market for imported items, such as frozen octopus or canned jackfruit. From March through December, make the drive to the Douglass Loop Farmers Market, and pick up a glass of homemade lemonade to cool off while you browse the produce selection. This market welcomes dogs and hosts a variety of events, including wine tastings and live music.