For U.S. travellers looking to explore a city in their own backyard, consider Louisville . . . a foodie destination on the rise. Offering much more than just the Kentucky Derby, this southern mid-western city has tons of distilleries and craft cocktail haunts with a solid appreciation for the arts as well. Accommodations are reasonably priced, and delving into hip neighbourhoods like NuLu and the Highlands — as well as marveling at old Victorian homes in Old Louisville — will help you walk off all that amazing food. If you're feeling some schnitzel, Germantown is a hotspot, too.