There’s a reason it’s nicknamed “Bourbon Country.” Louisville, Kentucky is famous for its bourbon production. Yet, there’s much more to this great southern city. While the bourbon is the big draw, there’s plenty to enjoy for all ages. Here are some of the best things to do in Louisville, Kentucky, all year round.
Louisville is the largest city in the Bluegrass State. It’s a city full of museums, baseball, outdoors, and art. They are proud of their horse racing heritage, hot brown sandwiches, and bourbon production. All this combined makes it one of the most popular cities in the South as a travel destination.
There’s no wrong time to visit Louisville, but there are some busier times (like May for the Kentucky Derby). Plan your itinerary to include all the things to do in Louisville and you’ll have a memorable time.
Top Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky
Although Louisville has a distinct downtown area, we recommend taking a drive through the city. Some of Louisville’s attractions are not centrally located, but are worth the short drive from downtown.
1. Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby Museum
The excitement of the Derby for two minutes is exciting all year round. Kentucky Derby Museum. There’s history behind many of the Derby’s favorites, including roses, mint juleps, and famous horses. The Derby Museum explores the history of horse racing and how Louisville became the thoroughbred city it is today.
There is a virtual reality experience where kids can “ride” horses and race them through a computer screen. Try on the jockey’s costume and check the jockey’s weight before the race. The famous Triple Crown trophy is on display. There are pieces of art throughout the museum, and kids will love learning about horses and the origin of their names.
Museum admission includes a 30-minute bleacher tour, but additional bleachers are available for an upgrade fee. Don’t forget to stop by the cafe and try some Kentucky Derby pie. Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport. Drink a mint julep and get your first stamp!
2. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Tour
Second to Bourbon, Louisville has a rich baseball history. Did you know that? Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Do they produce more than 1.8 million wooden bats annually? Don’t miss the replica of Babe Ruth’s bat, a giant 120-foot-tall baseball bat outside the museum. During the factory tour, you can see how bats are made and take home a mini bat.
The museum has a bat vault where you can see a collection of bats used by some of baseball’s most famous players. Upgrade your Factory Tour to customize your experience to your favorite players and teams. Additionally, the upgraded tour includes a personalized mini-bat.
3. Louisville Slugger Field
See how the famous bat is made, then catch a game at Louisville Slugger Field. Louisville is the home of the Cincinnati Reds’ Triple-A professional baseball team, the Bats. It is a beautiful ballpark and the center of downtown hotels and tourist attractions. Louisville Slugger Field offers kids club memberships with replica jerseys and free admission to all Sunday home games.
4. Muhammad Ali Center
Louisville is the birthplace of Muhammad Ali, the world-famous boxer known as the first fighter to win the World Heavyweight Championship three times.of Muhammad Ali Center It chronicles the late boxer’s life and accomplishments both in and out of the ring.
This museum does a great job of showcasing his humanitarian efforts and is one of the stops along the Civil Rights Trail. There are interactive exhibits such as Shadow His Boxing and a build-your-own Wheaties box. In addition to the museum, Louisville tourists can drive near his childhood home at 3302 Grand His Avenue.
5. Four major bridges
The best views of Louisville are from the Big 4 Bridge. Formerly a railway-only bridge, it is now open to pedestrians and bicycles. This bridge crosses the Ohio River and connects Waterfront Park to Jeffersonville, Indiana. The total distance will be 2 miles total. Walking from one state to another and back again is definitely a good workout. Plus, the view from the bridge is amazing.
6. Kentucky Science Center
The world of STEM is kentucky science center. Let your imagination run wild with fun, educational, and interactive exhibits. The Kentucky Science Center is a top destination for kids in Louisville, but adults also have fun at the center.
There are a total of four floors of exhibits to explore. It’s difficult to see the entire museum in one visit. Exhibits range from healthy body lessons to tours of real mummies. It’s sure to bring out the science geek in your child.
7. Old Louisville
Fans of Victorian-era architecture will love it. old louisville. This national preserve is home to the most extensive collection of contiguous Victorian mansions in the United States. Start your visit at the historic Old Louisville Visitor’s Center in Central Park. The center is an urban oasis with a vine-covered pergola with beautiful views and walking paths. We offer daily 60-minute walking tours.
8. Louisville Giant Cave
If you like classic ropes courses, try our underground ropes course. Louisville Giant Cave. Once a limestone mine, it is now the city’s most popular tourist attraction. A tour guide will lead you through the ropes course and lead you through his 2-hour course that takes you through the entire man-made cave.
For the less adventurous, there are tram tours. The tram tour focuses on the informational side of the cave. Learn about the history, geological wonders, and techniques used in the cave today.
9. Frasier History Museum
of Frasier History Museum Over 100,000 square feet of Kentucky history. The museum is located on the main street, so you can’t miss it. This is the welcome center for Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, which hosts up to nine exhibits at a time, including temporary traveling exhibits. Notable artifacts include President Theodore Roosevelt’s “big stick” and Geronimo’s bow. The museum is constantly updating its contents, so no two visits are the same.
10. Belle of Louisville Riverboat
Ride aboard “the most widely traveled river steamboat in American history” Louisville bell. The steamboat is owned and operated by the city and docks at the downtown pier. Choose from a Moonlight Cruise or a Ride with Santa. It’s a unique way to experience Louisville. and It has air conditioning.
11. Louisville Zoo
There are over 1,500 animals to see and over 130 acres of exhibits. Louisville Zoo. Some of the exhibits include a botanical garden. Specialty exhibits include a variety of habitats, including Glacier Run, Africa, Islands, New World Exhibits (North, Central, and South America), the Australian Outback, and the Aquarium. The zoo continually works to teach conservation through community support. Children will love the playground, merry-go-round, and petting zoo area.
12. Cave Hill Cemetery
Cave Hill is one of the spookiest places in Louisville, Kentucky. Cave Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of some of Louisville’s most famous figures.He will be buried at Cave Hill along with Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Colonel Sanders, Muhammad Ali and Patty Hill. (Who wrote the song “Happy Birthday”).of Guided tour of Cave Hill Heritage Foundation Whether you choose walking, wagon, or golf cart tours, they operate year-round. Themed tours focus on Civil War heroes, Cave Hill women, and Cave Hill bourbon distillery, to name a few.
13. Speed Art Museum
of speed art museum Home to some of Louisville’s most famous works of visual art. Located near the University of Louisville, this museum is a work of art with modern architecture and unique outdoor spaces. You’ll find everything from Native American art to contemporary pieces. This museum is most famous for Degas, Picasso, and Monet.
14. Urban Bourbon Trail
Yet another bourbon avenue to explore. Urban Bourbon Trail. This trail takes you to downtown distilleries and Louisville restaurants. A culinary experience focused on the city’s best bourbon drinks. The city’s official cocktail is the Old Fashioned, and the Urban Bourbon Trail list has plenty of versions to try. Earn an Urban Bourbon Trailblazer T-shirt from the Visitor Center by visiting at least six participating locations and completing the trail.