Louisville, Kentucky

The Kentucky Derby Museum celebrates, engages, and educates visitors about the extraordinary experience that is the Kentucky Derby.

One of the main attractions in the Louisville region, the Kentucky Derby Museum showcases the history, hospitality, and tradition of the world-renowned event. The Kentucky Derby Museum is one of the top Louisville attractions.

The museum features an array of world-class exhibits, including the Guinness World Record’s Largest Horseshoe, Resident Thoroughbred and Miniature Horse, and The World’s Greatest Race, all of which have attracted visitors from all over the world to admire.

Admission to the museum includes a historic walking tour of the Churchhill Downs Racetrack, The Greatest Race exhibition, a state-of-the-art 360-degree high-definition film, and access to all of the permanent and temporary exhibits and displays.

704 Central Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-637-1111

The Louisville Mega Cavern presents the opportunity for a vast underground adventure where visitors can explore the history, geology, mining, and building technology of Louisville.

It is also home to the world’s only underground zip line course.

Once a limestone mine that was found in the 1930s, the vast man-made cavern is part of 17 miles of corridors that run beneath the city and provides an array of exciting educational and fun-filled adventures for visitors of all ages. Take a MegaZip Tour and zip line into parts of the cavern never seen before; explore the cave on challenging roped walkways on a MegaQuest tour; or hop on the MegaTram and take a Jeep-drawn ride through the vast halls and caves. Professionally trained guides (Video) lead all tours, which are suitable for all ages.

1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 877-614-6342

Known as “The Avenue” by locals, Historic Frankfort Avenue is a section of road that connects some of Louisville’s most charming and historic neighborhoods.

This vibrant corridor brims with character and is home to unique and locally owned boutiques, trendy art studios, galleries, and bustling cafés and restaurants and an array of attractions to explore, including the historic Peterson-Dumesnil House, the Louisville Water Company, and the American Printing House for the Blind. More than 30 locally owned restaurants offer a variety of dining options, from alfresco to fine dining, while a wealth of boutiques and shops sell everything from vintage items and clothing and outdoor gear to home décor, wine, and books. If you are wondering what to do in Louisville, Kentucky today, this is a great place to start exploring.

The last Friday of every month is known as FAT Friday Trolley Hop, and visitors can hop on and off free trolleys that cruise along the alley and explore the sales, specials, and samplings on offer. Frankfort Avenue also plays host to several annual events such as the Easter Parade, the Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration, and the Old Fashioned 4th of July Art and Music Festival.

Churchill Downs is the home of the famous Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, two of the longest continually running sporting events in America.

Opened in 1875 on Central Avenue in south Louisville, the thoroughbred racetrack hosts three race meets each year and has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championship no less than eight times.

The race track covers 147 acres of ground, featuring a seven-furlong turf racecourse and a one-mile dirt race track in the shape of an oval.

Churchill Downs also boasts a venerable grandstand topped with the Twin Spires (the world-renowned symbol of the race track) and beautifully designed clubhouse with private luxury suites and The Big Board – the world’s largest 4k video screen.

P700 Central Ave, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-636-4400

The Big Four Bridge is a former railroad truss bridge that spans the Ohio River, connecting Louisville with Jeffersonville in Indiana.

Constructed in 1895, the six-span bridge spans a length of 2,525 feet (770 m) and is 547 feet (167 m) and was converted into a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in 1969, earning it the nickname of the “Bridge That Goes Nowhere.”

Access to the bridge is limited to pedestrian and bicycle use, offering people from Louisville, Jeffersonville, New Albany, and Clarksville a scenic and safe way to travel between the cities.

There are urban green spaces on either end of the bridge, featuring lawns, fountains, pavilions, and a children’s playground where people can relax and enjoy the outdoors.

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Located on West Main Street on Louisville’s “Museum Row” in the West Main District of downtown, the Kentucky Science Center is the largest hands-on science museum in the state of Kentucky.

Founded in 1871, the center was formerly known as the Louisville Museum of Natural History & Sciences and then as the Louisville Science Center. The center is made up of two adjacent buildings.

If you are looking for fun things to do in Louisville, Kentucky with kids, the Kentucky Science Center is a great place to visit.

The 150,000 square foot main building was built in 1878 as a dry goods warehouse. The second building, the 37,000 square foot Alexander Building, was built in 1880. Today, the center features a four story digital theater, a Science Education Wing with hands-on workshop labs, and three floors of interactive exhibits.

727 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-561-6100

The Muhammad Ali Center is a cultural center and museum devoted to champion boxer Muhammad Ali. Opened in 2005, the museum is part of “Museum Row” in the West Main District of Louisville.

The six-story building features a 40,000 square foot two-level theater, interactive exhibits, galleries, and a plaza. A walkway that connects the center to other downtown attractions was added in 2013.

One exhibit is a mock boxing ring that was recreated from Ali’s Deer Lake Training Camp. A two-level gallery displays his boxing memorabilia and his history. The center offers education outreach in the form of films, lectures, and tours.

144 North Sixth Street, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-584-9254

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum is an important house in the St. James-Belgravia Historic District in Old Louisville. Built in 1893 for Theophile and Mary Conrad, it was given the nickname of “Conrad’s Castle.”

Made of bedford limestone, the house was built in what is called the Richardsonian-Romanesque style. The exterior features coned, hexagonal, and pyramid shaped towers and turrets as well as many decorations such as carved animals, gargoyles, and other objects.

The interior has high ceilings, stained-glass windows, carved fireplaces, and parquet floors that mimic quilt patterns. The museum offers tours, and the historic house can be rented for special occasions such as weddings.

1402 St. James Court, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-636-5023

Opened in 2000, Louisville Slugger Field is a baseball stadium with has a seating capacity of more than 13,000 people and is the home of the Louisville Bats baseball team and the Louisville City FC professional soccer club.

The stadium is unique in that an old train shed has been incorporated into its design; visitors enter the stadium through this train shed, which was formerly the Brinly-Hardy Company warehouse. It also features 32 private suites, concessions, press facilities, and a children’s play area. Visitors can see both the state of Indiana and the Ohio River from the stadium.

Baseball fans should make time to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where you can watch bat making demonstrations and go on guided factory tours.

401 East Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-212-2287

Louisville Waterfront Park is a municipal park that sits along the Ohio River.

Dedicated in 1999, the park at first consisted of 55 acres of land that had formerly been used for sand pits, scrap yards, and other industrial sites. Today, the park consists of 85 acres.

With a view of the Ohio River, the park hosts many outdoor festivals and concerts. Thunder Over Louisville is the annual kickoff celebration of the Kentucky Derby Festival: it is very popular and well attended. Some of the features of the park include the Promenade along the river, Adventure Playground, Lincoln Memorial, Swing Garden, Tumbleweed Southwest Grill, and much more.

River Road, Louisville, Kentucky, Phone: 502-574-3768