Things To Do in Shively

At Farnsley Golf Course, you can sharpen your long and short game at a nine-hole, par-3 course or on multiple practice fields. In 2011, five of the course’s greens got a makeover and all caddies were required to dispose of their shoulder pads and acid-wash jeans. Off the course, golfers can perfect their swing at a driving range lined with 300 yards of bermuda grass, or focus on chipping in a short-game practice area. If you’re looking for more in-depth tweaks to your technique, feel free to enlist the help of a teaching professional with personalized lessons.

Owners Larry and Angie Doherty utilize their more than 20 years of combined education and supervision experience to make Outside In Family Fun Center a safe, entertaining destination for adults and demi-adults alike. Putt away cares with a loved one during a saunter through the center's 18-hole minigolf course (prices varies by age), or set a youngster (12 years or younger) loose in one of the cartoon-clad inflatable bounce houses to see how long it takes for him or her to get tired or befriend a migrating bullfrog. Outside In is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Safety plating divides the six lanes in both of the indoor civilian ranges, where sound-absorbing material muffles the blast of bullets hurtling toward targets on a 25-yard journey. Visiting shooters can test their aim with a rental gun or purchase a new firearm from the showroom, which also stocks an array of holsters, spotting scopes, and replacement grips. Meanwhile, gunsmiths spruce up pistols with cleanings, coatings, and tiny top hats, while the staff's NRA-certified instructors enhance pupils' handgun knowledge, safety, and skills during private lessons and women's-only classes.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, Louisville Nature Center offers a tranquil escape from urban sprawl. At its 41-acre Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve, more than 2 miles of hiking trails wind past a verdant forest populated by 180 species of tree, shrub, and wildflower. The latter blooms in a native pond and garden, and dragonflies and 30 butterfly species in other gardens pay homage to Lord of the Flies by trying to collectively lift a conch. More creatures soar skyward inside one of Louisville's only bird blinds, where visitors can watch 150 species of resident and migratory birds fluttering about.

After exploring on their own, guests can relax on one the picnic tables or beneath the covered gazebo before joining in on special events such as owl hikes. Youngsters, meanwhile, can discover more nature factoids at summer camps, educational programs, or birthday parties, which include guided hikes and live animal presentations.

At the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs’ Downs After Dark events blend the thrill of championship horse racing with the allure of a night on the town. Much like a werewolf Cinderella, the expansive 147-acre facility will be painstakingly transformed for nocturnal communing by adding mood lighting that evokes the air of an upscale nightclub. Patrons partake in a deluge of drinks while cheering on the horse of their choice in any of the 11 scheduled races. Race seating will be located in Section 117 of the winner’s-circle area, offering premium views of each turn, gallop, and volley for position. The party continues after the contests, where racing fans shake their newly minted moneymakers to tunes spun by the Miami Heat's DJ Irie while celebrating the success of their winning horse or the jockey they raised from birth. Previous Downs After Dark events have featured gourmet fare and a synergy of sport and fraternization more memorable than singles'-league ping-pong or speed dating at a track meet. The evening's White Party theme invites guests to don their best cloud, snow, or milk-colored ensembles.

Derby City Mixed Martial Arts, featured on ESPN as a cross-training haven for Kentucky Derby jockeys, coaches both beginners and competitive fighters. Expert instructors showcase such MMA schools as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which teaches leveraging holds to best bigger opponents, and muay thai kickboxing, deemed The Science of Eight Limbs after its signature move of throwing a tarantula at an opponent's face. Classes on agility, cardio conditioning, boxing, and wrestling round off the roster, and open sparring times let practitioners hone their fist- and footwork.

National treasure Glen Campbell encapsulates a nearly 60-year career rife with fiery passion, charisma, and immortal hits as he graces Louisville with a stop on The Goodbye Tour. Although Campbell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, his divergent catalog and recent Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award portray an artist who, like a pigeon with an oversize head, can never be pigeonholed. Born with an endless sunrise of a voice and lightning-quick guitar playing abilities that leave skid marks on pick-guards, Campbell's career has spanned from touring member of The Beach Boys to variety-hour host to consummate country-chart-topper. The well-traveled performer has a blast on his victory lap, reacquainting fans with hits such as "Wichita Lineman," "Rhinestone Cowboy," and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," along with new tracks from his gossamer swan song, Ghost on the Canvas.