Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, located on the border between Kentucky and Indiana. It is world famous for the Kentucky Derby, the annual horse race with a Tradition of almost 150 years. But horse racing is just one of dozens of fun things to do in Louisville, and if you keep reading, you will discover other awesome attractions.
Louisville has a thriving theater scene, excellent museums, and some of the best Bourbon distilleries in the state—we stopped there last year to buy some high-end Bourbon before heading back to Canada. The incredibly rich history of the city becomes obvious once you walk through the oldest neighborhoods.
The best things to do in Louisville, Kentucky
From the best attractions in Old Louisville to the best parks just outside the city, here are the best things to do in Louisville, Kentucky!
Louisville is a fun city to visit. Whether you are interested in Sports, architecture or culture, you will have a lot of fun. And if you need a break from the busy city streets, you can always escape to one of the many natural parks nearby.
1. walking tour of Old Louisville
Old Louisville is a special neighborhood and by far the best for a relaxing walk. The neighborhood is characterized by an almost entirely Victorian architecture of the after nineteenth and early twentieth century. Most of the houses here were built of brick, and this neighborhood is home to most of the residences with stained glass windows in the country.
But Old Louisville is a big neighborhood of 48 blocks, so you don’t have to walk down every alley. I recommend that you start with Central Park and stop at the visitor center. Discover the Witch Tree and Konrad’s Castle, located on both sides of the park. The Witch tree has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors seeing its gnarled and twisted branches and hearing stories of a time when a clan of witches gathered to cast their spells.
2. an afternoon at Churchill Downs
There’s a reason Louisville is known as Derby City, horse racing is at the heart of Kentucky culture. Even if you are not particularly interested in Sports, an afternoon on the track will give you a glimpse of how so many locals spend their time. And it’s a lot of fun, I promise! Remember to play responsibly.
The city is famous for the Kentucky Derby, the most famous and most visited horse race in the entire United States. The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May. In 2024, it is May 4th. Everything closes that day, so if you don’t have a ticket, you’ll probably at least be glued to a TV at a local Bar to watch the event. The Kentucky Oaks Race precedes the Derby and takes place a week before the main event.
3. History of horse racing at the Kentucky Derby Museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum is a must to learn more about the history of Louisville’s iconic race. Located next to the legendary Churchill Downs racing circuit, the museum explores the history and importance of the place.
I recommend that you visit the museum and the racetrack on the same day, since they are both in the same area, which takes a while from downtown Louisville. The museum’s exhibit features trophies, costumes and other memorabilia documenting the Kentucky Derby over the decades.
The famous race turns 150 years old in 2024 and it is fascinating to think that a horse race has such a long history. This is definitely something worth exploring, if only for the importance it has for the people of Louisville.
4. Restaurants near Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
The state of Kentucky is known for Bourbon production and visiting Bourbon distilleries is a must if you are in Louisville. The Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company is located right in downtown Louisville and is also easy to find when walking around downtown.
