Lottie Davies

Louisville

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.

Best Time to Visit

Best Things to Do

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…
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…
Angel's Envy
Louisville
A micro-distillery that's one of the hippest spots around, Angel's Envy bucks local tradition by finishing its bourbon in port barrels, giving it a hint…
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 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…

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Attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

The 15 best things to do in Louisville: from bourbon to baseball bats

Curated by Karla Zimmerman

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…
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…
Gralehaus
Louisville
There's breakfast all day at this snug eatery housed in a historic early-20th-century home, and you should indeed indulge in its chef-centric takes on…
Proof on Main
Louisville
Arguably Louisville's best restaurant. The cocktails are incredible, the wine and bourbon 'library' (they're known to pour from exclusive and rare barrels…
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…
Big Four Bridge
Louisville
Built between 1888 and 1895, the Big Four Bridge, which spans the Ohio River and reaches the Indiana shore, has been closed to vehicular traffic since…
Brown Hotel
Louisville
Opera stars, queens and prime ministers have trod the marble floors of this storied downtown hotel, now restored to its 1920s glamor with 294 comfy rooms…
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…
Zanzabar
Louisville
Regional indie rock, country, metal and bluegrass bands take the stage at this neighborly, mid-sized concert hall. A separate entrance lets you into the…
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…
Butchertown Market
Louisville
This converted slaughterhouse complex that's been turned into a grab bag of quirky, cute and artsy boutiques is a zoo of desirables. Whether it's funky…
Angel's Envy
Louisville
A micro-distillery that's one of the hippest spots around, Angel's Envy bucks local tradition by finishing its bourbon in port barrels, giving it a hint…
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Louisville
Towering over Louisville like a mad king's castle, the abandoned Waverly Hills Sanatorium once housed victims of an early-20th-century tuberculosis…
Churchill Downs
Louisville
Churchill Downs is the landmark racetrack that hosts the epic Kentucky Derby in May. But there's plenty of action besides that: warm-ups and other…
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…
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…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

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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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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