10 Top Rated Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky
Photograph by Jarrett Campbell, via Wikimedia Commons
Churchill Downs
#1 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Churchill Downs known for the annual Kentucky Derby is a popular horse racing venue of Louisville. Known as the home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs Racetrack conducts Thoroughbred horse racing. The 147 acres racetrack features one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven furlong turf race course. Racing at Churchill Downs occurs in three meets: Spring, September, and Fall.
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Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
#2 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory located in downtown offers factory tour and museum attraction. The tour of the Louisville Slugger bat factory includes movie, walk through factory production line showing how the famous bats are made, and free souvenir mini-bat. The museum include old time bat making demonstrations, Hold a Piece of History exhibit and team specific exhibits. Other attractions include world's largest baseball bat, signature wall, and bat vault.
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Kentucky Derby Museum
#3 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Kentucky Derby Museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs is one of prime attractions of Louisville. The museum preserves history of the Kentucky Derby that started in 1985. The thoroughbred horse racing museum features two floors of interactive exhibits, 30 minute guided historic walking tour at Churchill Downs Racetrack, and 18 minute movie "The Greatest Race" on 360-degree 4K screen. The second floor exhibit features trophies and history of two Hall of Famers: legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas and jockey Bill Shoemaker.
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Muhammad Ali Center
#4 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Located in downtown, Muhammad Ali Center is an international cultural center dedicated to the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. Guided by Muhammad Ali's six core principles, the Muhammad Ali Center features an interactive museum, educational programming, and special events. The center includes 3 levels of exhibits and galleries to explore Muhammad Ali's life. The six core principles are confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality.
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Louisville Zoo
#5 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Louisville Zoological Gardens, known as the Louisville Zoo exhibits over 1,100 animals. The 134 acre zoo includes specific habitat types: Glacier Run, Africa, Islands, New World Exhibits (North, Central and South America), Australian Outback, the HerpAquarium and the Metazoo Education Center. Rides and attractions include Splash Park, Conservation Carousel, Zoo trams, Zoo adventure ropes courses, camel rides and the BOMA African Petting Zoo.
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Conrad-Caldwell House Museum
#6 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Conrad-Caldwell House, also known as Conrad's Castle is a Victorian house and museum. The Richardsonian Romanesque style castle was built in 1895 by Louisville architect, Arthur Loomis. The museum offers group tours on Friday, Saturday & Sunday and it last between 60-90 minutes. The Conrad--Caldwell House Museum has a gift shop and the house can be rented for private events.
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Speed Art Museum
#7 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
The Speed Art Museum is the oldest and largest art museum of Kentucky. The museum collection includes more than 6,000 years of creativity. It includes African art, ancient art, Native American art, American art, European art, and contemporary art. Other attraction of the museum include Speed Concert Series, the Art Sparks Interactive Family Gallery, and the popular late-night event, After Hours at the Speed.
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Frazier History Museum
#8 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Located in the West Main District of downtown, Frazier History Museum documents and reinterprets stories from history using artifacts, exhibitions, and live interpretations. The museum collection focus on topics of U.S. and world history and state of Kentucky. Permanent exhibit includes largest collections of toy soldiers and historical miniatures in the world. The Stewart collection consists of about 30,000 figurines, vehicles, and accessories on display. The permanent collection features historically significant arms and artifacts of American, American Indian, Asian, and European origin.
Louisville Mega Cavern
#9 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Mega Cavern was created by a massive limestone quarry during the middle of the 20th century. The cave stretches under all 10 lanes of the Watterson Expressway. Today, Mega Cavern is a popular attraction of Louisville. It offers many adventure attractions for all ages including zipline tours, tram-guided tours, 90 minute walking tour, ropes course, and annual holiday lights display.
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Waterfront Park
#10 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Louisville
Louisville Waterfront Park located in downtown area is a popular public park of the city. The 85 acre park adjacent to the Ohio River is known for hosting events, outdoor concerts, and festivals throughout year. Thunder over Louisville fireworks is the most popular event that occurs on the Ohio right in front of the park. Free wireless internet access is available throughout park.
Louisville Museums
Louisville Parks
- Waterfront Park