Things to do in Louisville

Things to do in  Louisville

Off to the races

Wear your best hat and clink your mint juleps: Louisville—Kentucky’s largest city—is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, held each spring at the Churchill Downs racetrack. History feels close at hand here, as it does in Old Louisville (known for its concentration of Victorian architecture) and aboard the Belle of Louisville steamship. Other things to do in Louisville include discovering the city’s baseball lore at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, exploring the Muhammad Ali Center, and tasting Kentucky’s distilling heritage along the Urban Bourbon Trail.

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Top 1 attractions in Louisville

#1

Frazier History Museum

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The Frazier History Museum offers a wide variety of exhibits about Kentucky’s history. See historic artifacts, get an in-depth look at the invention and distillation of Kentucky bourbon, and enjoy gallery talks. The three floors of exhibition space hold a variety of events ranging from whiskey tastings to performances by costumed actors.More
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Top activities in Louisville

Bourbon Tour (03) : Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Other

Bourbon Tour (03) : Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Other

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$259.99
Old Louisville Ghost Tour as Recommended by The New York Times @ 4th and Ormsby

Old Louisville Ghost Tour as Recommended by The New York Times @ 4th and Ormsby

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$27.50
Kentucky Derby Museum General Admission Ticket

Kentucky Derby Museum General Admission Ticket

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$21.00
Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby
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Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby

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$25.00
Bourbon Distillery & Horse Farm Tours

Bourbon Distillery & Horse Farm Tours

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$412.50
Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby

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$25.00
Buffalo Trace +Four Roses +Woodford Reserve or Bulleit or Stizel

Buffalo Trace +Four Roses +Woodford Reserve or Bulleit or Stizel

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$299.99
Old Louisville Ghost Tour as Recommended by The New York Times @ 4th and Ormsby

Old Louisville Ghost Tour as Recommended by The New York Times @ 4th and Ormsby

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147
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$27.50
Historic Old Louisville Walking Tour

Historic Old Louisville Walking Tour

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$22.00
Bourbon and Derby: Makers Mark OR Other distillery + Churchill Down

Bourbon and Derby: Makers Mark OR Other distillery + Churchill Down

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$239.00
Experience Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum!

Experience Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum!

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$10.00
Germantown Public Beer Walk

Germantown Public Beer Walk

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$56.42
2 Hour Pedal Bar Tour through Downtown Louisville
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2 Hour Pedal Bar Tour through Downtown Louisville

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$39.00
Private Party Bus in Louisville

Private Party Bus in Louisville

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Bardstown Bourbon Tour: Pick 3! Jim Beam & More (Groups of 7 +)

Bardstown Bourbon Tour: Pick 3! Jim Beam & More (Groups of 7 +)

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$279.00
Buffalo Trace,Four Roses,Woodford,Bulleit Frontier/Stitzel, Castle&Key or Jeptha

Buffalo Trace,Four Roses,Woodford,Bulleit Frontier/Stitzel, Castle&Key or Jeptha

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Whispers on Whiskey Row: The Dark History of Derby City Tour
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Whispers on Whiskey Row: The Dark History of Derby City Tour

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$45.00
Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Louisville by 3Quest Challenge

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Louisville by 3Quest Challenge

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$10.00
The Supernatural Paranormal Buff Walking Tour
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The Supernatural Paranormal Buff Walking Tour

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$110.00
Louisville Locomotion Scavenger Hunt
Special Offer

Louisville Locomotion Scavenger Hunt

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$21.60
$27.00  $5.40 savings
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All about Louisville

When to visit

The best times to visit Louisville are in spring (April–June) and fall (September—October). Spring can bring more rain showers and colder temps as compared to fall, but it’s also when travelers flock to Louisville to attend the Kentucky Derby, which takes place on the first Saturday of May every year at the Churchill Downs racetrack. In summer (July–August), the city can be uncomfortably muggy, but there are many outdoor events and festivals happening then, too.

Getting around

Louisville’s downtown is considered very walkable, with many of the city’s top attractions and urban bourbon distilleries within several blocks of each other. Transit Authority of River City (TARC) operates buses and trolleys throughout the Louisville metro area. And in addition to ride-share services, the city also has a bike-sharing service called LouVelo as well as electric scooters around downtown and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Traveler tips

You should know how to pronounce the city, named for King Louis XVI, before you visit. Do not pronounce it LOU-iss-vill or LOOEY-vill, unless you want to get dirty looks from locals. Instead, the “proper” way is LOO-a-vul or LOO-a-vill. And while you’re there, check out the largest contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the US. Located in the city’s historic preservation district, known as Old Louisville, the homes were the result of the Southern Exposition—a series of world’s fairs.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
EDT (UTC -5)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
1
Tours
60
Reviews
3,697
EN
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People Also Ask

What is Louisville known for?

Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city, is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, which is held at the Churchill Downs Racetrack every May. Besides its horseracing heritage, the city is where you’ll find the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville is the boxer’s birthplace), and bourbon distilleries.

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How do I spend a weekend in Louisville, KY?

Even if your trip doesn’t coincide with the Kentucky Derby, you can still visit the famous Churchill Downs Racetrack, which hosts activities and tours year-round. Take a factory tour at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and learn about the history of the iconic baseball bat. Finally, stop at some of the distilleries on the state’s Bourbon Trail.

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What is the #1 tourist attraction in Kentucky?

The historic Churchill Downs Racetrack, located in the heart of Louisville, is where the Kentucky Derby happens each year on the first Saturday in May. At any time of the year, you can take a tour of the grounds and explore the Kentucky Derby Museum to see racing memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and more.

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Does Louisville have nightlife?

Yes. Thanks to the state’s bourbon industry, Louisville boasts plenty of bars and speakeasies where you can grab an after-dinner drink. Plus, the city’s block-long stretch called Whiskey Row, once the home of bourbon and tobacco warehouses, now houses restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels; it’s also close to the KFC Yum! Center arena.

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What should I not miss in Louisville?

During a visit to Louisville, you’ll want to explore the city’s top highlights: thoroughbreds, baseball, and bourbon. Check out the historic Churchill Downs Racetrack and Kentucky Derby Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where pro baseball teams get their bats, and one of the many bourbon distilleries to learn more about the state’s popular export.

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Is Louisville worth visiting?

Yes. As the largest city in Kentucky, Louisville epitomizes the heritage and flavor of the state. Filled with bourbon distilleries and horse-racing history, the city also boasts one of the largest collections of Victorian mansions in the US, a thriving food scene, and cultural institutions like the Muhammad Ali Center.

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