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1. Waterfront Park
- In the warmer months, Waterfront Park is busy with concerts, sports events and festivals. If there's nothing scheduled, explore the park's 85 acres... read more
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
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2. Muhammad Ali Center
- Named after its founder, the Muhammad Ali Center tells the story of Louisville's most celebrated athlete. Exhibits are organized around Ali's core... read more
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- Museums
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3. 21C Museum Hotel
- Because 21C is a museum and a hotel, you can visit the gallery any time of day. Admission is free, exhibitions rotate fairly regularly and when... read more
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- Art Museums/Galleries
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4. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
- For baseball fans, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is an obvious attraction. Fans' mildly-interested family or friends will have fun,... read more
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- Museums
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5. Churchill Downs
- On the first weekend of May, Churchill Downs hosts the Kentucky Derby. Fans of horse racing visiting Louisville at other times can sample Derby... read more
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- Equestrian
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6. Louisville Zoo
- The Louisville Zoo is not just for animal-watching. Feed the birds nectar at Lorikeet Landing, pet a wallaby or wallaroo (and learn the difference)... read more
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- Zoos/Aquariums
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7. Speed Art Museum
- Located next to University of Louisville's Belknap campus, the Speed Museum is Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum. Admission is free for... read more
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- Art Museums/Galleries
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8. Louisville Slugger Field
- Home to Louisville's Minor League baseball team, the Bats, Slugger Field sits downtown, near the Ohio River. Grab a craft beer and a seat - or... read more
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- Sports
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9. Frazier International History Museum
- Once nicknamed "The Gun Museum" by locals, the Frazier's permanent collection features both American and European historic weapons, thanks to its... read more
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- Museums
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10. Bardstown Road in the Highlands
- Just past Irish Row in the Highlands, Baxter Avenue turns into Bardstown Road and the next mile and a half offers visitors countless shops, bars,... read more
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- Shopping
expert pick -
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The Best of NileGuide
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Louisville's size means you can visit many of the city's best things to do in the same day, as several are close to each other. Those that aren't are generally reachable in15 minutes or less (driving). Even if you only have one day in Louisville, you should be able to see a number of its attractions.
Weather-permitting, start your Louisville tour downtown at our top pick, Waterfront Park. With miles of trails along the Ohio River, the park has great views of both the river and city, and hosts a number of events, concerts and festivals throughout the year. The park connects to downtown, and you can easily walk to Main Street and Museum Row and our number two destination, the Muhammad Ali Center. Founded by and dedicated to the native Louisvillian, the museum presents the boxer's core values in exhibits that will interest everyone, not just Ali fans.
Further down Main Street, you'll know 21C Museum Hotel by the chandelier-lamppost on the corner of 7th and Main. The contemporary art museum is free and open at all hours, since it's the lobby of the hotel. A block down, you'll find the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and its giant baseball bat. The factory tour is fun for everyone, and you can see those Sluggers in action at a Bats game at Slugger Field, another of our top sites.
You can't visit the home of the Kentucky Derby without stopping by Churchill Downs. Unless you're actually going to the Derby, you can spend a day at the races without spending a fortune. While there, learn about the race's history at the neighboring Kentucky Derby Museum.
Finally, visit Bardstown Road in the Highlands for miles of coffee shops, restaurants, bars and shopping. With new boutiques, businesses and restaurants opening regularly, you could spend a whole day on this stretch, eating all three meals at different establishments, with window-shopping (or real shopping) and people-watching in between.
- Best Of Louisville
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Hotels
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Restaurants
- Restaurants near Downtown
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Nightlife
- Bars and Clubs near Downtown
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