Louisville, Kentucky, is a charming old river town. Rich with Victorian architecture and a legendary reputation for horses, bourbon and bluegrass music, Louisville also cherishes its extensive city park system.
Visitors who first learned of Louisville from their Louisville Slugger baseball bats are pleased to see the giant bat that stands in downtown Louisville. It marks the spot where the Sluggers are made.
Louisville is on the upswing: There's a revitalized riverfront area, an excellent museum at the Slugger factory, the Frazier History Museum, the Muhammad Ali Center and Fourth Street Live!, an energetic entertainment and shopping area. Louisville's classic attractions are as enticing to visitors as ever, including a healthy fine-arts scene, an abundance of excellent restaurants, interesting architecture both old and new, and, of course, the Kentucky Derby.
As it has done for almost 150 years, the Kentucky Derby and associated events transform Louisville each spring. Visitors will find reminders of the city's signature event everywhere—dozens of theme-decorated horse models can be found on the sidewalks, in the gardens and in the entrances to some of the buildings.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.