Things to Do in Madison
Things to Do Deals
The Aviation Museum of Kentucky
- Lexington-Fayette
12,000 sq. ft. facility traces the science and history of flight with restored aircraft, memorabilia, and interactive education stations
Eagle Aviation Louisville
- Hawthorne
A seasoned pilot steers an aircraft above city lights and the Ohio River and allows passengers to briefly assume the controls
The Murder Mystery Company
- Multiple Locations
Interactive dinnertime murder mystery that stars professional actors tests diners’ sleuthing skills throughout a multicourse meal
Putt-Putt Fun Center Louisville
- Fern Creek
Three 18-hole miniature-golf courses showcase distinct obstacles, including waterfalls and animal-themed scenery.
Woodford Hills Country Club
- Lexington Area
Golf cart takes players and clubs along an 18-hole, player-friendly course with rolling hills and immaculate greenery next to a horse farm
The Vernon Club
- Butchertown
Historical bowling alley houses eight lanes with automatic scoring and doles out pizza, jukebox tunes, and live rock music on Wednesdays
Louisville Stoneware
- The Highlands
Provided paints and supplies let artists decorate mugs, bowls, and platters; tours illuminate history of the studio, which opened in 1815
Iceland Sports Complex
- Lyndon
Two full-size rinks welcome guests during open-skate hours throughout the week
Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center
- Bardstown
Historic distillery whisks guests through warehouse for samples of small-batch bourbon and then to downtown Bardstown in a vintage trolley
Totter's Otterville
- Covington
Kids' activity village hosts educational entertainment with puppet shows, train rooms, and face painting as adults chaperone free of charge
Cincinnati Bike Center
- Central Business District
Rent a cruiser or comfort bicycle for four hours to explore Cincinnati
Bikram Yoga Louisville
- Crestwood
Heated room deepens stretches and ousts toxins while burning fat during 90-minute classes
Neusole Glassworks
- Glendale
Instructors demonstrate flame-working safety tips and how to make brightly colored beads with a torch during classes
Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Club
- Linwood
Instructors teach tennis fundamentals in six classes; summer membership included
Equine Education Shelby Trails Park
- Simpsonville
A 25-year equestrian veteran teaches jumping and dressage to all levels of riders inside a lighted, controlled indoor environment
Copperhead Creek Gem Mining Company
- Brown County, Indiana
Amateur prospectors use a sluice to sift through dirt in search of colorful stones; each person also gets to take home an unopened geode
RockQuest Climbing Center
- Sharonville
Pick up indoor climbing basics in belay class before one week of open access to the gym’s 20,000 sq. ft. climbing wall
Tanglewood Golf Course Louisville
- Taylorsville
200-acre course, ranked in Louisville's top 10 by ESPN, includes rolling terrain that combines elevation challenges with water hazards
Indian Springs Golf Club
- East Louisville
Water presents new challenges on every single hole of this 6,698-yard course
Fun Factory Roller Skating
- Norwood
Skaters of all ages careen across the hardwood floors of the indoor rink amid arcade games, a bounce house, and a concession stand.
Louisville Nature Center
- Poplar Level
One-year family membership to 41-acre nature preserve with more than 2 mi. of hiking trails and one of the city's only bird blinds
Cincinnati Area Bowling Lanes
- Multiple Locations
Revelers rent shoes and share a single lane for two hours in one of three bowling alleys, with pizza included at some locations
Strong Hold Climbing Gym at Hester's Family Fitness
- South Side
Rock climbers of all skill levels revel in a 4,000 sq. ft. facility
Lone Oak Golf Course
- Nicholasville
Cart zips twosomes across 6,473-yard course that runs around central pond and over gentle hills speckled with mature timbers
Lightworks Yoga
- East Louisville
Teaching restorative yoga styles, instructors promote core strength & spinal stability with gentle stretches that can use props for support
Gallop Again
- Harrison
Stable that specializes in the rescue and rehab of neglected horses leads kids' camp sessions with rides, crafts, and outdoor activities
Jane's Saddlebag
Restored saddlebag home offers insight into settler life with tours of a historic smokehouse, flatboat, and petting zoo of farm animals
Louisville Equestrian Center
- West Spencer
Riders aged 4 and older learn safety and horse-handling fundamentals; pony parties engage kids aged 4–9 with rides, activities, and gifts
Core Connection Studio NJ
- Blue Ash
Highly trained and certified dance instructors guide students through fancy footwork in private and group lessons
eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat
- Nashville
Explore the beauty of Indiana woodlands via ziplines, sky bridges, and rappelling towers that take adventurers through the tree canopy
The Hillforest
- Aurora
Mid-19th century mansion overlooks the Ohio River and welcomes families for tours with a membership and cookbook
Wake Nation Cincinnati
- Hamilton
Mechanized towers line shores of 10-acre lake where cables lead wakeboarders and water-skiers across jumps and floating obstacles
Frankfort Yoga Studio
- Frankfort
Amid elegant studio, instructors lead students of all ages & skill levels through numerous styles in a studio overlooking historic Frankfort
Wellness 360
- East Louisville
Deep breathing and gentle movements help to reduce tension and lengthen muscles
Quest Fitness Studio Louisville
- East Louisville
Trainers help clients work toward their fitness goals by combining strength-training exercises with invigorating cardio workouts
GoodFIT Fitness
- East Louisville
Certified instructors lead boot-camp fitness classes that include strength training and interval cardio for all ages and levels
Recommended Things to Do by Groupon Customers
Baseball in Louisville dates back to 1876 when the Louisville Grays began playing as part of the National League. Soon after the turn of the 20th century, minor league baseball arrived in Derby City and for 70 years, the Louisville Colonels commanded it. Their departure in 1972, however, led to a period of inactivity, as well as a period of unemployed umpires roaming the city shouting "SAFE!" at landing birds. Ten years later, baseball returned with the arrival of the Louisville Redbirds, who eventually became the RiverBats in 1998, and simply the Bats in 2002. Over the years this franchise has spent time as the affiliate of three big league teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, the Milwaukee Brewers, and its current affiliate, the Cincinnati Reds.
Discovered by brothers Squire and Daniel Boone in the late 1700s, Squire Boone Caverns is a vast network of underground caverns filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone, all formed by the gritty sands of time. Rushing rivers and waterfalls carry more than a million gallons of water through the caverns each day, often accompanied by disoriented surfers and bewildered penguins. A trained tour guide leads visitors through the nearby woods and into a man-made entrance to the caverns, where lighted walkways take visitors through the same enchanted labyrinth discovered by the brothers Boone, winding past natural formations, the coffin of Squire Boone, and a goblin king played by David Bowie.
In order to claim their tickets, fans will be redirected to the Cincinnati Reds' online ticketing site for Groupies, where they must choose their preferred game and pay additional fees (see below for details). Choose from the following games against the Milwaukee Brewers:
In 1909, a group of local art enthusiasts banded together to foster a community appreciation for art and further the practice of creating art. More than three decades later, they moved from their home at the old Water Tower, and now fill their new space with workshops, classes, and exhibits. Louisville Visual Art Association remains dedicated to promoting local artists, artistic styles, and contemporary culture.
A team of instructors instills painting and sculpting skills in children of all ages with the Children's Fine Art Classes program, which lets kids hone their understanding of color and technique during nearly 40 classes and camps. They also teach adult art classes, and help economically and socially disadvantaged students exhibit their artwork through Open Doors. Six to eight annual exhibitions often showcase work from these programs, but may also display fabric and knit pieces from local artists, or house events such as custom plates, cups, and utensils fashioned by 16 national ceramics artists to recreate Salvador Dali’s themed dinner parties. Each year, staff also fill two galleries with up to 800 works from its children’s programs, and celebrate local restaurants and music at the annual Bacon Ball.
Tucked away near the banks of the Ohio River stands the other Sin City. Or at least it used to be, during the days when bootlegging formed a powerful underground economy. When a group of teachers and history buffs needed money for school service projects in Central America, they decided to raise funds by starting tours that explored this seamy history, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. A few years and many local accolades later, knowledgeable guides continue expounding upon the town’s rich history of mobsters, gamblers, and ladies of the night.
Tours stroll down Newport blocks littered with buildings once occupied by speakeasies, brothels, and the site of Al Capone’s failed early restaurant career, Al Calzone. Along the way, guides tie the rich past to the rise of the modern-day gaming industry and Newport’s connections to famous crime figures.
