THINGS TO DO IN LOUISVILLE

Museums

Lined with the second largest collection of cast iron facades in the country (behind NYC’s SoHo district), Louisville’s Main Street is unlike anywhere else in America. For starters, where else can you visit 10 unique museums and distilleries in under five walkable blocks? This includes staples like the Muhammad Ali Center, Kentucky Science Center, Frazier History Museum, and KMAC Museum.

Gardens & Arboretum

Branch out from your typical indoor tour and enjoy a stroll through these outdoor gardens and arboretum. Start with a walk through Louisville’s Cave Hill Cemetery, a 296-acre Victorian era cemetery and arboretum that is the final resting place of many notable Kentuckians including Colonel Sanders, Muhammad Ali and George Rogers Clark. Head south of the city to Bernheim Arboretum and Forest to discover the Forest Giants created by artist Thomas Dambo. Or, head to Butchertown to explore the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, one of the city’s newest attractions.

Sports

With museum tours like the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Kentucky Derby Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center, sports fans can get up close and personal with some of Louisville’s most iconic figures. If spectating is more your speed, view live thoroughbred horse racing at Churchill Downs’ 2023 Spring Meet, a baseball game with the Louisville Bats at freshly-renovated Louisville Slugger Field, or, kick it at a soccer game at Lynn Family Stadium with pro teams Racing Louisville and LouCity. For those looking to cross the Kentucky Derby off their bucket list, you’ll want to schedule a visit for the first Saturday in May.

Parks

After being cooped up inside all winter, get your legs ready to explore 120 parks and over 13,000 acres of public land while getting your outdoor fix in Louisville. In fact, Louisville’s park system was designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the famed landscape architect who also helped design New York City’s Central Park. One of Louisville’s most popular attractions is the Big Four Bridge located at Waterfront Park. Take the nearly 1-mile walk from start to finish for sweeping views of the downtown skyline and Ohio River while walking on a converted 1895 gothic-style railroad bridge.