May 24th – May 30th
Welcome back to The Louisville Plug.
This week is a packed one. We've got Memorial Day weekend kicking off in full Louisville fashion with a free morning at the waterfront, the longest running non ticketed Shakespeare festival in the country, the biggest indoor flea market of the year, and one of the city's best Mediterranean spots in the rec spotlight.
Inside this issue:
🥗 The Local Rec: A Mediterranean grill bringing serious flavor to the 502.
⚜️ What's Happening in Lou: Shakespeare in Central Park, Memorial Day at the waterfront, the Kentucky Flea Market, and Bats baseball at Slugger Field.
💸 Insider Perks: 10% off any Louisville Food Tour, including a brand new bourbon walking tour through NuLu.
🥗The Local Rec
A Louisville local’s food rec, every week.
This week’s rec comes from:
Erica Durrett @ louisvillefoodlife
Erica is constantly highlighting the best eats around the city. From hidden neighborhood gems to must try local favorites. Her page is all about celebrating Louisville food with honest takes and mouth watering videos that make you want to try everything immediately. If you’re ever stuck on where to eat or just love discovering great local spots, she’s a must follow on Instagram.
Their Rec: Shiraz Mediterranean Grill
Why they love it:
"Everything is made to order and always tastes incredibly fresh and full of flavor.”
“Their chicken is consistently cooked to perfection, and you can really tell everything is made with care.”
“It’s one of those places that never misses and genuinely makes me happy every time we eat there.”
Her Go-To order:
“Chicken Chipotle Panini with an extra side of chipotle and tzatziki.”
“My boyfriend and I usually split one of their pies too — either the Chicken Pie or the Veggie Pie (sometimes we add chicken).”
“I’m also obsessed with their rice — the herbal rice is my usual, but the lentil rice and even the white rice are all phenomenal.”
Thank you Erica for the rec! I don’t know about you all, but I think the Chicken Chipotle Panini is calling my name this week.
Be sure to follow louisvillefoodlife on Instagram and let her know if you try out Shiraz this week.
⚜️ What’s Happening in Lou?
We curate 3 events worth your time each week.
🗓️ Wednesday, May 27th – Sunday, May 31st
📍 C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater, Central Park
💸 Free, no tickets or reservations needed
The 66th annual Kentucky Shakespeare Festival opens its 2026 season with As You Like It, the pastoral romantic comedy about love, mistaken identity, and banishment in the Forest of Arden. Fun fact: this is the longest running non ticketed Shakespeare festival in the entire country, and most people in Louisville have never been!
Each night brings 50+ food trucks from the Louisville Food Truck Association, plus Will's Tavern and Will's Gift Shop. There's permanent bench seating and plenty of open lawn for blankets and chairs. Pack a picnic, grab a bottle of wine, and settle in for one of the most magical free Louisville nights of the entire summer. This is what Central Park was built for.
🗓️ Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day) | Fitness @ 8am / Main activities @ 10am
📍 Waterfront Park, Great Lawn
💸 Free to attend!
Louisville's signature Memorial Day tradition is back and it's one of the easiest free events to plug into all year. The morning kicks off at 8am with free fitness classes including yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, and workout circuits, then the main event begins at 10am. The hike is a 4 mile walk from the Great Lawn east along the Ohio River to RiverPark Place and back, with the farthest route crossing the Big Four Bridge into Indiana. Cyclists tackle a 12 mile route from the Great Lawn to Shawnee Park and back.
Heads up: The paddle portion has been cancelled for 2026 due to high water on the Ohio River. Leave the kayaks at home. The hike and bike are still on.
Free bike helmets go to the first 300 cyclists, and the first 2,000 arrivals get a free event t-shirt after completing a quick survey.
🗓️ Friday, May 22nd – Monday, May 25th
📍 Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C
💸 Free admission / Parking $10 ($5 with any purchase)
The Kentucky Flea Market is back for its Memorial Day Spectacular and it's one of the largest indoor flea markets in the entire region. Over 600 booths packed with antiques, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, bath and body products, surplus finds, and the kind of vintage treasure hunting where you never know what you're walking out with.
Free to walk in, $5 to park if you make any purchase, and four full days to browse. Perfect option for a rainy Memorial Day weekend or just an air conditioned escape when the holiday plans need a backup. Monday is your last shot.
🗓️ Tuesday, May 26th – Sunday, May 31st
📍 Louisville Slugger Field, E Main St
💸 Ticketed
The Bats continue their summer home stretch this week and the weekly promotions alone make this one of the most consistently affordable Louisville nights out. Tuesday is Taco Tuesday with $2 tacos, Wednesday brings Baseball Bingo, Thursday is Thrifty Thursday with $1 beer specials, and Friday hits with Margarita Madness.
A laid back Louisville summer night at one of the best minor league ballparks in the country. The perfect cool down after Memorial Day weekend chaos and an easy yes for anyone looking to plug into a recurring summer routine that doesn't break the bank.
💸 Insider Perks
Exclusive deals only for Louisville Plug readers.
Louisville Food Tours is giving Plug readers 10% off any tour when you use code LOUISVILLEPLUG10 at checkout.
They've got two worth knowing about:
Beyond the Barrel is an evening walking tour through NuLu hitting 4 stops with 6 food tastings, 2 bourbon pours, and 3 cocktails over 3 hours. Think fat washed, river aged, and clarified bourbon pairings you're not finding anywhere else. Wed-Fri at 5 or 5:30 PM, max 12 guests, 21+.
Louisville Legends is a daytime walk through downtown along Whiskey Row and Museum Row. Grab a Hot Brown, Derby Pie, Modjeskas, bourbon truffles, and the stories behind all of it. Great for first timers or if you've got people visiting. Wed-Sat at 11 or 11:30 AM, all ages, wheelchair and stroller friendly.
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