Visit The Louisville Nature Center
The Louisville Nature Center is a great place to get in touch with nature and let your kids explore in a hands-on way. With a butterfly garden loaded with plants that attract butterflies, there is a good chance that stepping into that area may very well feel like walking into an enchanted garden. Additionally, you can go hiking here with your family and explore a one of a kind bird blind, all in the same location. Best of all? Admission is free to the nature center.
Enjoy A Horse Race At Historic Churchill Downs:
Churchill Downs is a horse racetrack located in Louisville, Ky. Officially opened in 1875, both the first Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks were held in the same year. Churchill Downs is most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby. The capacity of Churchill Downs is over 160,000.
Churchill Downs is rich with history, as many races took place since the 1870s. Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is one of the oldest running sport in US history. As you walk into the area behind the grandstands, you will see plaques commemorating all the winners of the Kentucky Derby since the 1870s. You can also enjoy a guided walking tour.
You can also plan for the Kentucky Derby Museum. Plan for early morning, as then you will get to see the early morning horse workouts. Also, seeing a horse race at Churchill Downs will be a fun and exciting experience. Visit the official website to check out the upcoming events and to plan your visit.
Overall:
A horse race at historic Churchill Downs would be one of the best things to see in Louisville Ky.
Address: 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208.
Actors Theatre Of Louisville
Actors Theatre presents over 500 performances of about 20 productions during its year-round season composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. Louisville’s only Tony Award-winning theatre, the State Theatre of Kentucky, and home to the Humana Festival of New American Plays.
- Address: 316 W Main St, Louisville, KY
- Website:Actors Theatre of Louisville
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Explore Iconic Kentucky Derby Museum
Go to Churchill Downs for a grand informational tour of the iconic Kentucky Derby Museum. You dont have to be a horse lover or even a racing fan to enjoy this unique museum.
From the wall of winners to Riders Up , 360-degree film, or enjoying a slice of Derby-Pie from the museums Derby Cafe, Tayor and I loved it all.
The Kentucky Derby, possibly the most stylish event of the year, is known for the fabulous fashions and the most exciting two minutes in sports. Some of these fashions are showcased at the museum.
A guided tour of Churchill Downs comes with the admission ticket. Did you know that not only the Kentucky Derby is run on that specific day but around 17 other races as well? It is business as usual at Churchill Downs, but only the Kentucky Derby with its 160,000 guests has that notoriety.
Enjoy A Live Performance At The Louisville Palace Theatre:
The Louisville Palace Theatre is located in the citys theater district in downtown Louisville, Ky. This circa-1928 theater is a historic landmark and was designed by architect John Eberson. The theater has two stories with a floor and a balcony. With a seating capacity of 2,800 people, the Louisville Palace Theatre is the finest in touring Broadway attractions, local, national, and international performing arts presentations.
The Palace exhibits a Spanish Baroque motif with arcades. Above you will get to see a curved and vaulted ceiling decorated with 139 sculptures of the faces of historical figures. Also, The Louisville Palace Theatre room is heavily ornamented and displays a replica nighttime sky on the ceiling.
In the theater, you can enjoy classic films, concerts featuring contemporary comedy and country artists. Visit the official website for ongoing and upcoming events.
Overall:
A live performance at the Louisville Palace Theatre would be one of the best things to see in Louisville ky, especially if you enjoy live performances.
Address: 625 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202.
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The Urban Bourbon Trail
Louisville is the epicenter of the countrys bourbon culture and the only city in the country to offer their exclusive Urban Bourbon Trail, a walking trail with great places to stop and sample Kentuckys most famous beverage and learn about the history and culture that surrounds Bourbon. The trail is full of award-winning micro-distilleries, craft cocktail destinations and exhibits related to Bourbon. Stop by the Louisville Visitor Information Center and pick up your guidebook that outlines the 34 stops on the self-guided walking tour. Collect a stamp in your passport-style guidebook from six of the stops and youll get a commemorative T-shirt.
301 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202, 502-379-6109
Fun Things To Do In Louisville With Kids Family Friendly Activities
- Tanner Wilkes
Many fried chicken, baseball, boxing, and derby champions were born in Louisville, so fans of any of the four will have lots of fun visiting this city.
This Kentucky metropolis just has so many fascinating places to visit, like museums and parks.
Other attractions for kids and adults that are super enjoyable are local restaurants, go-kart courses, and the zoo.
Really, this city is a place you shouldnt miss when youre down South.
Dont believe us? Heres a list of the fun things to do in Louisville with kids.
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Hop Aboard The Belle Of Louisville
A National Historic Landmark, the Belle of Louisville should most definitely be on your Things To Do Louisville list!
The all-steel paddlewheel boat was built in 1914 and was originally named Idlewild. The boat has served as a passenger ferry, a cargo ship and even a nightclub for soldiers. In 1962, the boat came to Louisville it was renovated and renamed the Belle of Louisville.
The Belle of Louisville is the oldest river steamboat still in operation and city visitors can hop on board the historic boat for a river cruise. Passengers can choose between an interesting Harbor History cruise, a Picnic Lunch cruise or a fun Sunset or Moonlight cruise.
Indulge In A Kentucky Hot Brown
Just like drinking bourbon, eating a Kentucky Hot Brown should definitely be on your Louisville, KY to do list!
The decadent dish an open-faced turkey sandwich on crustless bread topped with tomato, bacon and Mornay sauce thats broiled to bubbly perfection was created in a Louisville hotel kitchen in 1926.
There are different tales about why the sandwich was created and what original ingredients were used, but it remains a rich culinary tradition in the city.
The Hot Brown can be found on restaurant menus around the city but we think it is best to eat it where it was created: The Brown Hotel in Old Louisville.
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Get In Touch With Nature
Louisville Nature Center
A visit to the Louisville Nature Center allows you to explore the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve, the very popular butterfly and dragonfly gardens, and wildlife exhibits. You can also engage in fun activities designed to educate children in the indoor museum area, all for no charge.
Spending time at the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve is a marvelous way to escape from city life. This 41-acre urban forest is right in the middle of Louisville and easily accessible from downtown, so you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Bluegrass State without moving too far.
Best Things To Do In Louisville Kentucky
The largest city in Kentucky, Louisville is a unique vacation destination offering many fun things to see and do. Watch a race at the famous Churchill Downs racetrack, dine at a great restaurant, visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, explore the Muhammad Ali Center, tour the Louisville Mega Cavern, or plan a wedding. Best things to do on your weekend getaway to Louisville, KY with kids include the Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Frazier History Museum and the Louisville Zoo. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Some restaurants are currently offering pickup only. Hours/availability may have changed.
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Historic Railpark & Train Museum
Another fantastic place to learn about Kentucky’s railroad heritage, the Historic RailPark & Train Museum is situated inside the old railroad station in Bowling Green, which was built in 1925. The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, and they feature kid-friendly interactive aspects like train sound recordings. The museum also boasts five restored railcars, and guided tours of these cars are offered several times a day. If you have an extra hour to spare, you can also play one of the exciting Escape Games, which require visitors to work together to escape a locked train car.
401 Kentucky St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Phone: 270-745-7317
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The Bard’s Town Louisville Kentucky
The Bards Town brings together great food, excellent theater, and a relaxing lounge to offer diners an evening like no other. The Bard’s restaurant offers diners a Shakespearean-themed menu that includes delicious delights like Tybalts Tomato Bisque, the St Francis BBQ Bacon Burger topped with bacon, cheddar, onion rings, and BBQ sauce, and the First Folio Fish of fresh Atlantic cod served on marble rye with savory remoulade sauce.
Try the Lord Chamberlains Fin fresh fish tacos of cod stuffed into soft tortillas with remoulade sauce and freshly prepared salsa before ending with something sweet from the dessert menu such as Triple Chocolate Cake or Key Lime Pie.
Vegetarians can happily tuck into the “To Bean, or Not to Bean” Black Bean burger while kids can enjoy a special childrens menu for smaller appetites. An array of fountain drinks, iced teas and coffees are also available.
1801 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY, Phone: 502-749-5275
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Best Things To Pack For A Trip To Louisville
As a mom, its your responsibility to make sure you all arrive in Louisville with the necessary essentials . And that requires having a sturdyand stylishsuitcase to start. Im obsessed with Away luggage because it looks good, yes, but it also holds up well and has enough room for even the biggest over-packer like me. As for what to put inside, I never go anywhere without my favorite sleep mask and this travel-friendly skincare kit . Another must-have is something to wear for your inevitable horse-riding lesson or equestrian encounterslike a pair of chic Hunter boots, which are both waterproof and comfortable to wear all day. And speaking of horses, even if its not Kentucky Derby season, you cant go wrong with a pretty sun hat when youre exploring the deep South. Psst: Dont forget this popular instant camera for capturing the entire tripyoull love having the memories to look back on when youre dragging yourself back to work and school next week.
Although we only recommend picks we really love, we may earn a commission on purchases made through links from our site.
Things To Know About Louisville Kentucky
Most Louisville residents have a slew of facts about Louisville that theyre ready to rattle off at a moments notice. Its one of those unspoken things that we all do, like asking every other Lousivillian we meet what high school they went to before any other question, or taking pictures every time theres a particularly stunning sunset and posting them all over Facebook and Instagram
Here are some of my favorite things you should know about Louisville, Kentucky. For more random Louisville facts, this list is fantastic.
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Things To Do In Louisville With Kids For A Fun Day
Had I known there were so many fun things to do in Louisville with kids, I would have planned a few extra days to spend visiting the city. We only had one day to experience as much of Louisville as possible and it left us wanting to come back for more.
First of all Louisville is a stunning city. The architecture and classic charm, along with the views of the Ohio river make Louisville an amazing city to explore for all ages.
We decided to visit Louisville, Kentucky during our road trip to Tennessee. The great thing about including many places in your road trip is you get to experience so many places. The not so great thing is you are limited with time.
We had less than 24 hours to experience as much of Louisville as we possible. There are many family friendly Louisville attractions but we decided to visit two: The Kentucky Derby Museum and the Louisville Slugger Museum.
See A Louisville Bats Game
Anyone near Louisville during baseball season should treat themselves to a Louisville Bats game.
This minor-league team has more than earning their following.
When you want to have fun in Louisville, Kentucky with a crowd full of people, you should come here.
With their home turf at Louisville Slugger Field, which is also where the soccer team Louisville City FC plays, the Louisville Bats give their city a team to be proud of.
If youve never been to a minor-league baseball game before, youll find theres a lot to enjoy about it.
The prices are much more reasonable and the experience is a lot more intimate.
Going to a Bats game is one of the best things to do in Louisville.
You can enhance others fun times by cheering as loud as you can.
These sorts of activities help to make Louisville, Kentucky the splendid city it is.
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Visiting The Louisville Slugger Museum With Kids
The Louisville Slugger museum has a tour that guides you through the production of the Louisville Slugger bats. It is about a 20 minute tour and there is no video or photography allowed.
We learned a lot from the tour and it was incredible to see a piece of wood turned into a baseball bat. The tour is a lot of fun and at the end you receive your own min-bat.
The museum itself is not very large and would take under an hour to tour. The highlight of the visit was having an opportunity to hold a famous bat. They had bats from every player imaginable and this was a very cool moment. When you hold the bats you wear gloves and have to be very careful to keep the bats preserved.
Place A Bet At Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs the racetrack for the famous Kentucky Derby is a city landmark. The racetrack dates to 1875 and the Derby ranks as the longest continuously running sports event in the USA.
The Kentucky Derby a festive event of fabulously large hats and heaps of debauchery with a two-minute horse race takes place the first Saturday in May.
However, the Derby isnt the only time to visit Churchill Downs. In fact, visiting Churchill Downs should be on your Louisville to do list any time of year! Churchill Downs visitors can wager a bet on live horse races and simulcast events and even tour the track facilities on certain days.
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Eat The Best Lunch In Louisville
For lunch, pop in Mussel & Burger Bar, a top-ranked hip American bistro with a stellar reputation. Taylor and I sat at a high top table in the bar for a super relaxing meal. The gourmet burgers and macaroni & cheese are two items that are sure to please your palate.
I chose to eat the Southern Bell Burger , and Taylor had the 4 Cheese Mac & Cheese with bacon and brown butter crumble. Both were very tasty and we loved the ambiance at Mussel & Burger Bar.
Drink Local Louisville Craft Beer
Its hard to believe that in a bourbon-loving city like Louisville there would be room for craft beer yet, the craft beer business is booming.
Local craft breweries are now dotting the city landscape and they are proving to be fun places in Louisville to have a drink. The breweries each with a distinct style offer a range of craft brews and cocktails.
Use our guide to the Best Craft Beer in Louisville to find a local brewery that fits your style!
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Show Off Your Selfie In Louisville
Several spots in Louisville are designated selfie spots. Museum Row, Louisvilles Main Street, is home to some of the favorites such as the Louisville Slugger Museum, which boasts a 68,000 pound, 120-ft tall baseball bat, and 21c Museum Hotel David statue, a 30-ft tall gold replica of Michelangelos 16th-century marble statue of David.
Jennifer Lawrence fans can get their photo under her mural/hometown hero banner at 6th & Main streets, at the Kentucky Center for the Arts Building. I loved the Wall Street of Whiskey mural! Tag #louisvillelove and maybe they will share your photograph.
