Louisville is the home to the Famous Kentucky Derby Festival, a month long festival held every year in Louisville. Before the Kentucky Derby horse race on the first Saturday of May, the city is full of festivities, including balls, parades, races, and fireworks. Make sure you have your Sunday’s best as you watch your favorite horse compete for first place.  

Here are the best things to do in Louisville:

• Cruise on the Ohio River with the Belle of Louisville
• Camp out close to home at Jefferson Memorial Forest
• Learn Kentucky history at the Frazier History Museum
• Ride the zipline the Mega Cavern
• Master the boxer’s six principles at the Muhammad Ali Center

A trip to Louisville isn’t complete without learning more about baseball. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a baseball lover’s dream come true. The museum has exhibits on the company’s history, the cultural impact of baseball, and baseball themed attractions. Bring your cleats so you can take a few swings in the batting cage before you leave.

Check out these top tourist attractions in Louisville:

• Appreciate the range of exhibits at The Carnegie Center of Arts and History
• Take a photo in front of Abraham Lincoln Memorial
• Go back in racing history at the Kentucky Derby Museum
• Place a bet at Churchill Downs
• See how Kentucky whiskey is made with the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

The Louisville Mega Cavern is one of Louisville’s most exciting attractions. Once a limestone mining excavation, the cavern has been repurposed as a 100-acre warehouse and adventure destination. Pop down to try the world’s only underground zip-line or ride the Mega Tram.

Other exciting activities in Louisville include:

• Eating a bison burger at Proof on Main
• Seeing an international film at Speed Art Museum Cinema
• Admiring the contemporary pieces at the KMAC Museum
• Touring distillery at Copper and Kings American Brandy Company
• Training for the Derby Festival Marathon on the city wide Louisville Loop

Trying to see your favorite bands play tonight? Louisville has that covered. The Derby City has plenty of live music bars and concert venues to see local and touring bands. Buy tickets to a show at The Bourbon Hall, Headliner’s Music Hall, or Mercury Ballroom.

Check out these other nighttime activities in Louisville:

• Nowhere Bar has retro decor and a busy dance floor
• Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar plays live music almost every night
• The French Lick Resort has a concert venue and casino
• The Caravan comedy club is always good for a laugh
• Louisville Palace hosts performances by the Louisville Orchestra.

Louisville Zoo is home to more than 1,200 different animals from all over the world, and has a number of other family-friendly attractions, including a splash pad, a train ride, playground, rope climbing, and more. Be sure to stop by the Butterflies N Blooms exhibit to interact with the world’s prettiest tiny flyers in flowers.  

Family-Friendly things to do near Louisville include:

• Watching a performance at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

• Getting a hands-on learning experience at the Kentucky Science Center
• Riding the thrill rides at Kentucky Kingdom
• Signing up for horseback riding lessons at Silver Lining Stables
• Splashing and playing in The Parklands of Floyds Fork

Louisville residents are students for life, and take pride in having engaging things to do indoors. Take some time to explore all of the museums and learning centers the Derby City has to offer, including the Kentucky Science Center, the Frazier History Museum, and the Carnegie Center for the Arts.

Here are some other things to do indoors in Louisville:

• The Mokara Salon & Spa is a relaxation paradise
• Metro Arts Center offers art classes in different art styles
• The Actors Theater of Louisville puts on more that 500 shows a year
• Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium offers visitors a chance to explore the stars
• Louisville Orchestra whisks listeners away with modern and classic compositions

Louisville, Kentucky is a vibrant city with a rich history and a wide variety of things to see and do. From cultural attractions and outdoor adventures to world-class dining and shopping, there's something for everyone in Louisville. Here are just a few of the many things you can do while visiting the city:

The Louisville Nature Center is a free urban oasis complete will trails, gardens, a pond, and a library. Spend the day looking for wildlife, appreciating the sensory garden, and exploring the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve.

Check out these other active things to see in Louisville:

• Tee off at Iroquois Golf Course
• Race at the Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue
• See the wildlife at the Louisville Nature Center
• Hire a boat at the Waterfront Park Fishing Charter
• Splash around at Atlantis Water Park in Clarksville Indiana

Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: This popular attraction is a must-see for baseball fans. The museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Louisville Slugger bats are made, and you can even design your own custom bat. The museum also features exhibits on the history of baseball and the evolution of the Louisville Slugger brand.

Explore the Louisville Zoo: Home to more than 1,500 animals, the Louisville Zoo is a great place to spend a day with the family. The zoo is known for its African Elephant Crossing exhibit and its Gorilla Forest exhibit, but there are plenty of other animals to see as well.

Take a stroll through the Louisville Waterfront Park: Located along the banks of the Ohio River, this park is a beautiful place to relax and take in the sights. The park features a playground, walking and biking trails, and a large fountain. There are also food vendors and a seasonal farmers market.

Visit the Louisville Museum of Art: With a collection of over 17,000 works of art, the Louisville Museum of Art is a must-see for art lovers. The museum features paintings, sculptures, and photographs from a wide range of periods and styles.

Learn about the history of bourbon at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: Located in downtown Louisville, this tour takes visitors through the history of bourbon production in the city. The tour includes a tasting of various bourbons and a chance to learn about the distillation process.

Check out the Muhammad Ali Center: Dedicated to the life and career of the famous boxer, the Muhammad Ali Center features interactive exhibits, films, and memorabilia. This is a great place to learn about the life and legacy of one of the most iconic figures in sports history.

Head to Churchill Downs: Home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs is a must-see for fans of horse racing. The racetrack offers tours that take visitors behind the scenes to see where the horses are stabled and trained.

Explore the Louisville Mega Cavern: This former limestone mine has been transformed into an underground adventure park. The cavern offers zip lining, rope courses, and underground bike trails, making it a great place for thrill-seekers.

There are so many more things to do in Louisville, these are just a few examples. No matter what your interests are, you're sure to find something that appeals to you in this vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions about things to do in Louisville:

What is there to do in Louisville at night?
There are plenty of things to do in Louisville at night, including attending a show at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, visiting one of the city's many bars or clubs, or seeing a movie at the IMAX theater at the Kentucky Science Center.

What are the best free things to do in Louisville?
Yes, there are several free things to do in Louisville. Some options include visiting the Louisville Waterfront Park, touring the Louisville Mega Cavern, and exploring the Louisville Zoo (children under 2 years old are admitted for free).

Are there any kid-friendly activities in Louisville?
Yes, there are many kid-friendly activities in Louisville. Some options include visiting the Louisville Zoo, taking a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and exploring the Louisville Waterfront Park. Check out our activitis and deals for things to do with kids in Louisville.

Are there any outdoor activities in Louisville?
Yes, there are plenty of outdoor activities in Louisville. Some options include hiking and biking at Cherokee Park, exploring the Louisville Waterfront Park, and visiting the Louisville Zoo.

Are there any food and drink options in Louisville?
Yes, Louisville is known for its food and drink scene. The city is home to a variety of restaurants, bars, and breweries. Some local specialties include bourbon, hot browns (a type of open-faced sandwich), and bourbon balls (a type of chocolate candy).