Located along the Ohio River and just a hop, skip, and a jump (over a bridge) to Indiana, Louisville is a city that has produced some of the country’s icons. From sports to food and the culinary arts, we have “Louavall” to thank for some of our favorite drinks, traditions, and even people.
There are certain things that come to mind when you hear Louisville—a baseball bat, a boxing legend, or one of the most famous sporting events that lasts just two minutes long. Or is it the bourbon, bluegrass, or sipping a refreshing mint julep on a warm summer’s day that comes to mind? Kentucky’s largest city welcomes its visitors with open arms and a heaping dose of Southern hospitality while inviting newcomers to experience and celebrate the city’s history and traditions.
There’s something for everyone in Possibility City. Whether you need a restful weekend getaway or a time to reconnect with family, your group will be charmed by the small-town feel in a modern urban atmosphere that meshes the old and new together perfectly. With many parks and beautiful architecture to admire, Louisville also has the largest Victorian district in the United States waiting for you to discover.
Louisville is known for many things—some more iconic than others. We’re going to start with some of the lesser-known activities and landmarks you’ll want to check out during your trip to the Gateway to the South.
Starting off strong with the Belle of Louisville, a National Historic Landmark that cruises along Louisville’s waterfront with passengers looking to either learn more about the city’s history, enjoy a four-course dinner, or, a special event. You’ll have your pick from leisure cruises, dining cruises, kids’ cruises, and special or private event cruises. Launched in 1914 as a ferry between Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas, the Belle has changed jobs, ownership, and even her name until today as the only remaining authentic steamboat. Learn more about the Belle’s history on the Belle of Louisville Riverboats’ website. While the Belle is accompanied by sister vessel, Mary M. Miller, each steamboat offers full bars and concession items.
Those looking for something to do with children and teens will want to check out the area’s amusement parks and other attractions throughout town. Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay is the state’s largest amusement and water park that’s open seasonally and offers specialty holiday events. The fun begins mid-May, but make sure to check the website if you’re planning to visit after summer since the operating hours will adjust by season.
For a self-paced activity, head to the Louisville Zoo! An impressive facility offering many exhibit zones covering Africa, Australia, the Islands, Glacier Run, and the Americas, as well as a Herpaquarium, your group can spend hours learning about more than 1,100 different animals and their habitats. For the official state zoo of Kentucky, make sure to check their website for a list of their upcoming events.
Hidden in plain sight and located extremely close to the zoo, the Louisville Mega Cavern is a unique and popular attraction for visitors to experience, and is a total hit for kids! Have you ever heard of underground ziplining? We thought not. You can take a 2-hour adventure through a man-made cavern, or if that’s not enough, try the only fully underground aerial ropes course in the world. If heights…underground, but heights nonetheless …aren’t your thing, you can take a Historic Tram Tour. Find more information on their website.
We’re entering the city’s list of the more iconic landmarks, starting with another family favorite: the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Baseball fans will want to head here first since the experience is that cool. The Slugger name is a baseball icon, so taking a turn through this museum isn’t just learning about the history of this famous bat but about the sport itself. You’ll be able to see how the bats are made, with an option to book a private behind-the-scenes tour for the ultimate all-star experience. The best part? You can even create your own personalized Louisville Slugger bat. We don’t even play baseball, and we want one of our own!
Did you know that Muhammad Ali grew up in Louisville, Kentucky? “The Greatest” is still the most popular person to have been raised in Bourbon City, and visitors can (and should) visit the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum that includes exhibits and collections that allow you to explore his legacy as the greatest boxer of all time. For more information about hours of operation, ticket prices, and more, visit the museum’s website.
Another museum that is both popular and a must during a visit to Louisville, is the Kentucky Derby Museum. Because chances are, you’re not in town to see the actual live event, this museum gives you a good dose of one of the city’s most cherished traditions. Located at the famous horse-racing track, visitors can learn all about the legendary race and enjoy a 30-minute guided tour of the racetrack. Stop for a bite to eat at the Derby Café, where you’ll find Kentucky classics like a Hot Brown Panini, Burgoo, and Bourbon Bread Pudding.
Speaking of Bourbon, it’s not called Bourbon City for nothing! Louisville is known for its Bourbon, and you can learn about the city’s past while visiting the best Bourbon bars on the Urban Bourbon Trail. The digital pass is free, and you can find it here. The city is full of award-winning culinary experiences in general, but paired with iconic drinks like a Sidecar or Manhattan can be the finishing touch to any great meal. Obviously, this activity is reserved for visitors over the age of 21.
Like many destinations in the South, most people would agree that the best time to visit Louisville is when the weather is at its most beautiful…meaning not too hot! If you have the ability to travel anytime throughout the year, plan for a trip during spring or early fall. You’ll have a peaceful moment in early spring that lets you explore the city in gorgeous weather without crowds. Once horse racing starts to pick up in April, the city becomes alive with activity, especially when the Kentucky Derby brings over 150,000 people to town. This year, the 150th Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 4th. For more information, visit the event’s website.
Spring in Louisville has a variety of weather, with average highs in March reaching 59 degrees and rocketing up to 78 in May. Late spring is such a popular time to visit, that you should expect hotel and resort prices to be at their highest or close to it! That doesn’t mean that all accommodations during this time are expensive, it just means that if you’re traveling on a tighter budget, plan for March or even late summer to early fall.
Live racing begins at the end of April and stretches through the Fourth of July weekend. Summer is met with many more activities, events, and festivals that are all worth traveling to Louisville for. That said, there comes a time in the summer when it does get pretty toasty, with humidity levels running higher than 50% on most days. The racing season picks up again at the end of October and runs through the beginning of December. Average highs in October are set at a lovely 70 degrees, with average highs dropping to 57 degrees in November and 47 degrees in December.
It’s always a big decision when it comes to booking your accommodations for a trip. Taking into account of what your group needs out of a hotel, resort, or rental along with budget and transportation factors can all be overwhelming. To help, we wanted to remind you that you can use your Palmera Vacation Club membership to the fullest by accessing Quest Travel Club, one of the Six Ways to Travel.
On Quest, you can easily find the best accommodations for you with helpful filters and a map tool. Want to stay in Downtown? Or what about the East Market District, the Highlands, or Butchertown? Quest will help you decide on the perfect place to stay, all while finding the best price, too!
Here are some random examples we’ve pulled from Quest Travel Club:
