Louisville Travel Guide 2025

Horse racing and the Bourbon District bring many visitors to Kentucky’s largest city each year. It’s home to the Kentucky Derby and the birthplace of bourbonism. But Louisville has much more to offer, including outdoor attractions, culture and art, and historic places to see.

With a location right along the Ohio River, it’s also a scenic city that’s great for taking tons of vacation pics. Visiting Louisville means you’re close to some great spots for day trip destinations, too.

With so much to consider, planning your upcoming trip can seem challenging. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend in Louisville or planning a week-long vacation, our AAA team is here to help. Our Louisville travel guide can help you determine when to go and what to see. We also give you advice on transportation around the River City, budgeting tips, best places to eat, and more.

If you’re driving here for your trip to Louisville, you don’t necessarily have to rely on your car to get around. It’s a walkable city, allowing you to explore the downtown area easily on foot. Leaving your car at your hotel means you don’t have to worry about parking availability and fees or traffic, especially if you’ll be here during horse racing events.

But having a car makes it easier to drive around the outer sections of Louisville and the surrounding areas for more sightseeing and activities. You may also need a car to do day trips, unless you’re able to book a tour to your destination that includes transportation, such as a full-day bourbon tour.

Other options for getting around Louisville include renting a bike or electric scooter. You might opt for this if you don’t plan to drive around and don’t want to walk. Or you can take the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) bus service to get around many parts of the city.

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Deciding when to visit this Northern Kentucky city involves taking a few factors into consideration. Think about any Louisville events you want to attend or activities you want to do while you’re in town. Consider your budget, since certain times are pricier than others. Our guide to Louisville includes a few ideas for the best times to visit to get you started.

If you want to see horse racing, plan a visit in spring, early summer, or fall. Most of these events take place from April through early July and from mid-September to November. Of course, you’ll want to make plans for a May visit if you want to attend the Kentucky Derby. Just note that the city is crowded and prices increase around these times.

If you’re interested in better deals or lower prices, consider a winter trip to Louisville. Prices on accommodations and other travel costs are usually lower during this time. Not as many people visit here in winter, so you’ll get to enjoy Lights Under Louisville and other holiday festivities with fewer crowds. Pack plenty of sweaters and coats to keep warm if you do visit in winter.

If you want mild weather for enjoying the outdoors, visit Louisville in late fall. Foliage here tends to be at its most colorful in late October/early November. With most horse racing events ending in November, you’ll also have lower prices and fewer crowds around.

Courtesy of GoToLouisville.com

As the site of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is an equestrian town, with many events and attractions centered around horses. You can watch thoroughbreds compete at one or more of the city’s racing events. Or you can enjoy doing some of your own horseback riding at one of the area’s equestrian centers. Below are some of the top attractions in Louisville for horse lovers:

Notable horse racing events that take place at Churchill Downs include:

No matter what season you visit or whether you prefer indoor or outdoor attractions, Louisville’s filled with activities to enjoy and places to see. We’ve already covered one of the area’s biggest draws, Churchill Downs and other equestrian-related attractions. Now we’ll go over other options for what to do in Louisville during your vacation here.

This is a great place to visit if you’re coming to Louisville for a family trip. The Kentucky Science Center has interactive exhibits that make it fun for kids to learn about aviation, construction, biology, geology, and other kinds of science. You can also watch science-themed movies here.

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Visit the zoo to see animals from Africa, Australia, the polar regions, and other areas. Louisville Zoo has exhibits featuring polar bears, flamingos, orangutans, giraffes, and many other species. Younger kids can enjoy a zoo-themed carousel, while older kids can try out the adventure ropes course. The zoo also hosts events throughout the year, like Qannik’s Beary Happy Holiday and Boo at the Zoo.

For premier shopping in Louisville, head to Fourth Street Live. This is where you’ll find tons of shops and restaurants, along with entertainment venues. Browse locally owned shops for unique souvenirs, or head to upscale boutiques for elegant clothing and other goods. Grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee before enjoying live music.

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Louisville is where the Bourbon Trail starts. You can spend time in town exploring the Bourbon District, but there’s more to see along the trail outside the city. Book a guided bourbon tour for a chance to ride through the Kentucky countryside and visit a few bourbon distilleries of your choosing.

Go on a subterranean tour of the Louisville Mega Cavern. The former 100-acre limestone mine goes under some areas of the city, including the zoo. In addition to 70-minute walking tours, you can also ride a zipline underground, do a ropes course, or ride a tram. Special events make this attraction even more fun, like the Christmas Express and Lights Under Louisville.

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With so many accommodation options in Louisville, you’re bound to find the perfect place to stay for your visit. You’ll find hotels in the downtown area close to all kinds of attractions and shopping. If you prefer being near the water, you can also find waterfront hotels with views of the Ohio River. The following are some of the top accommodations our AAA team recommends.

Imagine being able to stay in a hotel surrounded by works of art. That’s what you get when you book a room at 21c Museum Hotel. As the name implies, it’s part museum and part hotel. Wander through the museum to admire modern art pieces before relaxing in your artfully decorated room.

Staying here means you’ll be sleeping in a hotel that was first built in 1923. It’s filled with ornate decor, including chandeliers and antique furniture. Since this is Louisville, artwork at the hotel has equestrian themes. With its central location, you’ll be close to restaurants, shops, and other downtown amenities. You can also take in panoramic views of Louisville from the Brown Hotel’s rooftop garden.

If you need spacious rooms or even suites, Hilton Garden Inn has them for you. It’s also near the airport, making it easy to get to and from here for flights. With an indoor pool, the kids can burn off energy after a day of sightseeing. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant for convenient dining. The whole family can enjoy the outdoor patio’s fire pit on chilly nights.

When you want to stay near the water, Galt House Hotel gives you riverfront views. Choose from roomier accommodations in the east tower or standard-size rooms in the west tower. There’s a rooftop lounge and bar that offer incredible views of the river and city, including a perfect place to watch fireworks shows before the Kentucky Derby.

If you’re planning to spend most of your time exploring the city’s distilleries, the Cambria Hotel puts you right in the Bourbon District on Whiskey Row. That means you’re within walking distance to many of the area’s attractions. There’s also an indoor pool for unwinding after walking around all day.

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Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly eatery or somewhere to enjoy a glass of bourbon with an evening meal, Louisville has many notable dining options. You’ll find a range of cuisines here, too, from authentic Italian to Creole and Cajun. These are some of the best places to eat when you’re visiting Louisville.

For some rib eye or filet mignon, enjoy a steak dinner at Malone’s, located in the northeastern corner of the city. There’s also plenty of seafood options on the menu, including blue crab linguini and walleye pike. Or you can fill up on sushi items, such as baked lava roll or dynamite roll.

The North of Bourbon restaurant is in the Germantown area of the city, but you won’t find German dishes here. Instead, you can feast on Cajun and Creole cuisine, like shrimp yakamein with Louisiana chili crisp or peppered catfish nuggets. Try an order of Creole cream cheese cheesecake or sweet potato cala for dessert.

When you’re in the mood for a burger, head to Mussel and Burger Bar, it’s in the downtown area close to the river. But don’t expect your average burgers here. Instead, this restaurant serves specially made burgers with toppings such as fried green tomatoes or foie gras. Or choose from mussel dishes, including mussels with pesto and mussels with curry cream.

Dine in style and historical elegance at Vincenzo’s, located in a 19th century building that used to be a bank. Some dishes are made right next to your table in this upscale dining establishment. Order authentic Italian dishes, such as fettuccini con pollo, or indulge in the champagne dinner featuring five courses.

For American fare with a twist in downtown Louisville, make reservations for dinner at Proof on Main. Dine in an artsy interior while enjoying farm to table dishes with Appalachian and Southern-inspired cuisine, such as bison burgers and steelhead trout. Proof on Main also serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch.

If you’re visiting here for horse racing, taking selfies or vacation pics with some of the horses at Churchill Downs is a must. You can take photos during a tour or snap some from the stands during racing events. But Louisville has tons of other sites that are ideal for photographs. We highly recommend the following during your trip here.

1. David Statue at 21c Museum Hotel

Head to 7th and Main Streets for a chance to pose for a picture with a David statue. While it’s not the original, it’s a well-crafted replica that’s been standing in front of the 21c Museum Hotel for over a decade. After taking photographs with David, check out the museum exhibits featuring modern works of art.

2. Louisville Waterfront Park

This scenic park on East River Road gives you a great opportunity to take some iconic photographs while visiting Louisville. Head over to the Big Four Bridge, a truss bridge dating all the way back to 1895, to bike or walk from Louisville to Jefferson, Indiana. You’ll pass over the Ohio River on your way, giving you beautiful settings for your vacation pics.

3. Idlewild Butterfly Farm

Getty / Sutthiwat Srikhrueadam

Walk over to 1100 Logan Street to find an enchanting place filled with native Kentucky butterflies. Idlewild Butterfly Farm has these colorful insects around in spring and summer. But you’ll need to check ahead to see when you can stop by for a tour and some photo ops with the farm’s vibrantly colored residents.

4. The Barrel Sculpture

While taking a stroll through the Bourbon District, stop at 4th and Main Streets. That’s where you’ll find the Barrel sculpture. Pose under its arches to capture images for your vacation photo album. Read through historic info posted on signage at the Barrel before exploring all of the other sights in the district, including tasting rooms and distilleries.

5. World’s Biggest Baseball Bat

Courtesy of GoToLouisville.com

If you’re a baseball fan, you’ll undoubtedly be visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory at 8th and Main Streets. Even if you’re not planning to visit the museum, you can still snap incredible pics with a giant 120-foot tall baseball bat behind you. The largest baseball bat ever has been part of the museum’s entrance since 1996.

iStockphoto.com / Patrick Jennings

While you’re staying here, take advantage of Louisville’s location to visit notable attractions or cities that are within a couple hours’ drive. Your options range from big cities in the region to national parks and forests. Whether you prefer spending time in the great outdoors or exploring city streets, all of the following make memorable day trips from Louisville.

1. Mammoth Cave National Park

Take I-65 South to get to Mammoth Cave National Park in a little over an hour. You’ll get to explore the longest cave system in the world while you’re here. Take a guided tour to learn more about Mammoth Cave. Rent a kayak or canoe to glide along the Green River or Nolin River, or go hiking on the park’s South Side trails or backcountry trails.

2. Frankfort

Head east on I-64 to visit the capital of Kentucky. Frankfort has tons of attractions to enjoy during a day trip, including McConnell Springs Park and the Wild Turkey Distillery Visitor Center for outdoor adventures. Or you can visit the Liberty Hall Historic Site and Capital City Museum for historical and cultural attractions.

3. Lexington

Travel east on I-64 for a little over an hour, and you’ll be in another equestrian town. Lexington has horse racetracks, including Keeneland, where the Blue Grass Stakes take place. It’s also an area filled with horse farms. Other notable places to visit if you’re an equestrian enthusiast include Kentucky Horse Park, where you can explore the International Museum of the Horse.

4. Indianapolis

Head north on I-65 to visit one of the biggest cities in the Midwest. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Indianapolis, giving you a busy day trip to enjoy. Take the kids to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for lots of fun exhibits. Visit the Indianapolis Zoo to meet animals and stroll through the White River Gardens.

5. Hoosier National Forest

Take US-150 West or I-64 West and Highway 64 Northeast to get to Hoosier National Forest in about an hour. It’s not a huge forest. But it does have more than 260 miles of trails to explore, like the Wilderness Sycamore Trail or the Morgan Ridge East Trail. If you’re a mountain biker, you can ride along certain trails, including Oriole East Trail and Shirley Creek Trail.

Traveling to Louisville doesn’t have to cost a bundle. You might pay more if you’re coming here for the Kentucky Derby or other racing events due to ticket costs. But you can still save money during your trip in other ways. Whether you’re trying to keep your budget down overall or looking for ways to cut costs while in town for racing, we offer these money-saving tips.

1. Stay across the river in Jeffersonville, IN, or other towns. You don’t have to book rooms right in Louisville, even if you’re coming here for the Derby. In fact, staying elsewhere could end up saving you some money. Look at accommodations across the river in Jeffersonville, IN, or other nearby towns. They tend to have lower costs than Louisville hotels, and you’re just a quick drive away from Churchill Downs and other area attractions.

2 Look for available discounts with your AAA membership. Paying full price for tours and attractions, hotel rooms, and a rental car can easily have you going over your budget. But with your AAA membership, you can save on most or all of these costs. Check for discounted prices on all of these while planning your trip:

3. Visit in winter or early spring for the lowest prices. If you’re looking for lower airfare, hotel rates, and other expenses, you may want to plan a vacation here anywhere from November through March. Just note the dates of any races taking place in those months. Waiting to visit until after races in November or before they start in March helps you find lower costs for many travel-related costs.

4. Use bike rentals or buses to get around instead of driving. Using your car might seem like an easier way to explore the city, but it’ll cost you in terms of parking and gas. Consider renting a bike to get around. Or you can take public buses to visit certain areas for Louisville. Don’t forget that it’s also a walkable place, giving you another low-cost way to get around.

5. Make a list of free and low-cost things to do in Louisville. A vacation in Louisville doesn’t have to cost much if you plan ahead. Fill your itinerary with attractions and activities that are low-cost of even free. Tickets for the Derby might be expensive, but general admission to Churchill Downs for non-events is low. You can also enjoy low-cost or free admission to local museums, like the Speed Art Museum or 21c Museum.

Once you’ve gathered inspiration for your dream Louisville trip on Trip Canvas, contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents today to start making your dream a reality, using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals. No matter your budget, they can help you simplify the planning process with prepackaged trips or a la carte options.