Things To Do
Churchill Downs
Thursday nights at Churchill Downs are a great time! Groups can travel downtown together and see some of the horseracing for which Kentucky is known. The mint julep is the traditional drink, and gambling is allowed but not required to have a great time.
Old Forester Distilling Co.
Old Forester Distillery is one of the oldest in the state of Kentucky! A tour of this location includes seeing the original factory, distilleries, watching a bottling assembly line, and a tasting.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Louisville's new botanical gardens are open for visitors! Located along the waterfront park system, they can be driven or biked to from any of the other parks in the area, including the Big Four Walking Bridge from KY to Indiana across the river. General Admission: FREE MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY: CLOSED FRIDAY: 10AM – 4PM SATURDAY: 10AM – 4PM SUNDAY: 12PM – 4PM
River Activities
Louisville is right on the Ohio River and guests can canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board on the Ohio River or on the streams and creeks that flow through the parks. Outfitters around town include Endless Summer Paddle Company, Louisville Kayak Company, Nachand Canoe & Kayak and Kayak on a River.
Louisville Mega Cavern
The Mega Cavern is a former limestone mine in Louisville, and because it has extensive support structures, is classified as a building - the largest building in Kentucky! Activities include tram-guided tours, zipline tours, and a ropes course.
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
The famous Louisville Slugger bat factory offers guided tours! The tour includes the museum exhibits, but also admission into the bat vault where more than 3000 original models are carefully stored, the Pee Wee Reese exhibit gallery, and a mini Louisville Slugger bat to keep at the end of the tour.
Muhammad Ali Center
Muhammad Ali, three time world heavyweight chamption, grew up in Louisville. The museum honors his athletic legacy but also his humanitarian efforts that made him a global icon. The museum includes several permanent exhibits and films, as well as temporary exhibits on a rotating basis.
E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park
A great place to run or walk on the gravel paths, this lovely state park also offers hikes along the shaded Goose Creek Nature Trail.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork
Louisville’s nearly 4,000-acre park provides walking paths, canoe launches and recreational fields. There are community gardens and wildflowers, picnic areas and fishing spots. Outside of the bike park, hikers and walkers share all of the bike-accessible trails.