Louisville

Kentucky

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

Lottie Davies

Why visit 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.

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Top places to visit in Louisville

Discover the best attractions in Louisville from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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Travel Guides

Louisville travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next 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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Things to Know

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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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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Best Road 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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