21c Museum and Hotel

21 Museum Hotel is one of the few urban hotels where you’ll want to spend more time in the common areas than in your room–or even the rest of Louisville.

The lower two floors of the 90-room boutique hotel house a free 9,000 square foot museum of provocative contemporary art. Most of the pieces change regularly, with a few exceptions.

The most notable permanent works are the first floor restrooms, especially the men’s–don’t worry though ladies, you won’t be the first to sneak a peak (and if you are too bashful, you can find a video tour of the men’s room on YouTube).

Once you make it to your room, and it might take you a while to leave behind the art, you’ll find your room spacious and relaxing, if not as compelling as the downstairs. And leave your shampoo, condition and soaps at home as you’ll want to try the hotel’s toiletries.

Rooms start at $119 and go up–considerably on Kentucky Derby weekend.

A room in 21c Museum Hotel

21c’s location is ideal for exploring downtown Louisville’s attractions, like Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Science Center.

Proof on Main, a new American restaurant located in the 21c (and named one of the best new restaurants in 2006 by Esquire) is worth a visit even if you aren’t staying at the hotel. The bar area is a smart gathering place for Louisvillians who work downtown. A drink or two here will expose out-of-town visitors to some of Louisville’s dynamic younger people.

And at Proof, the people behind the bar aren’t called bartenders. They’re mixologists. The speciality drinks vary based on what’s in season but seldom disappoint. Kentucky is bourbon country though, so a beverage based on that whiskey verital is a good way to keep it local.

Proof on Main

Proof’s food menu changes daily, depending largely on what’s available in Northern Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley. The Kentucky bison burger, roasted octopus appetizer and scallops with spaghetti squash are staples for a reason though.

As with 21c, Proof’s walls are adorned with interesting art that changes once or twice a year. The deers’ heads near the door, however, are permanent, so don’t miss them.

Photos courtesy of sashafatcat (room), ellenm1 (hotel) and Daquella manera (Proof)

21c Museum Hotel
700 W. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-217-6300