Louisville

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Painted sign above the paddles of the 'Belle of Louisville' on Ohio River.

Lottie Davies

Overview

Louisville (or Loo-a-vul, as the locals say) is handsome, underrated and undeniably cool. Think of it as a hipster with good Southern manners. A fun and artsy town built on bourbon and American sport icons (it's home to the Kentucky Derby, and was the birthplace of Muhammad Ali and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat), it has evolved into one of the South's most foodie-centric cities, a lovely spot to eat and museum-hop between rounds of pursuing North America's best bourbon old-fashioned cocktail.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Muhammad Ali Center

Louisville

This must-see museum tells the tale of the city's most famous native: a local boxer nicknamed the Louisville Lip or, simply, The Greatest. Highlights…
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Louisville

See how baseball's most famous bat is made. Hillerich & Bradsby Co have been manufacturing the Louisville Slugger here since 1884. Admission includes a…
Speed Art Museum

Louisville

Built in 1927 and revamped to the tune of $60 million in recent years, Kentucky's most important art museum – unaffiliated but on the University of…
Old Forester Distilling Co

Louisville

A new Whiskey Row facility that opened in 2018, Old Forester itself is a classic brand, around since the 1870s. The distillery lets you view the entire…
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Louisville

The first distillery to open on Whiskey Row, Evan Williams puts on quite a multimedia show. Exhibits transport you back to the 1780s when bourbon-making…
Kentucky Derby Museum

Louisville

On the Churchill Downs racetrack grounds, the museum has exhibits on derby history, including a peek into the life of jockeys and a roundup of the most…
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co

Louisville

This small distiller located downtown along Whiskey Row has an intriguing story. First opened in the 1880s, it closed during WWI to conserve corn. It…
Frazier History Museum

Louisville

This state-of-the-art museum covers 1000 years of history with grisly battle dioramas and costumed interpreters demonstrating swordplay and staging mock…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Experience the highlights of Louisville, Kentucky, with these top things to do.

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Best Time to Visit

This is when to plan your trip to Kentucky's coolest city.

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Transportation

Luckily for fans of bourbon and racing, Louisville is surprisingly walkable. Whether you come for the distilleries or the Derby, here's how to get around.

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Best Neighborhoods

Downtown may be full of delights but make time for the hidden treasures in Louisville's other neighborhoods. Here's our guide to six of the best.

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Day Trips

Kentucky’s most vibrant city has a lot going for it, and it's also a great hub for day trips. Here is our pick of the best day trips from Louisville.

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Money and Costs

Louisville is the perfect city for budget travelers. From bargain accommodation to cheap delicious meals, here's how to stretch your dollars in Derby City.

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