Louisville, popular for its Kentucky Derby and baseball bat, is a modern and cosmopolitan city. It is a mix of Southern charm and Midwestern sophistication. Louisville, nicknamed as the Derby City, has a beautiful waterfront skyline, lively art and culture scene, diverse and eclectic shopping and dining scene, and world-class attractions. The city offers horse racing, museums, art galleries, historical neighborhoods, and bourbon tastings. Whether you want to enjoy the historic sites, wander along the riverwalk, or take a stroll on the artistic and cultural side, this city has it all. Explore this lively city in 48 hours through our guide-
Image by Volkan Yuksel via http://www.panoramio.com/photo/50649461
Day 1- A day filled with art, history and cultural in the Derby City!
8:00 am-Partake of breakfast at Toast on Market!
Kick off your morning with a delicious breakfast at the Toast on Market. This cafe serves classic American cuisines.
Address: 620 E Market St, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 502-569-4099
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am-3:00 pm
9:00 am- Sightseeing and history session at Falls of Ohio State Park!
The Falls of the Ohio features naturally exposed fossil beds. Go to the Interpretative Center to know about the prehistoric people and geography of the River City. There are many exhibits, video presentation and gallery that depict the story of this beautiful park. You can even go for picnicking and hiking in this park.
Address: 201 West Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129, United States
Phone: 1 812-280-9970
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 am-11:00 pm
Costs: Children (18 years and below): $2; and Adults: $5
Distance from Toast on Market: 2.7 miles or 8 minutes drive
10:00 am-Fun and Education at Kentucky Science Center!
Head over to the Kentucky Science Center that features interesting hands-on exhibits to engage your mind! The center also has an IMAX theater that shows films on health and life sciences, earth and natural sciences.
Address: 727 West Main Street, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 502-561-6100
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm; Friday-Saturday: 9:30 am-9:00 pm; Sunday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Distance from Falls of Ohio: 2.3 miles or 6 minutes drive
11:00 am- Take a tour of the baseball history at Louisville Slugger Museum!
Explore the baseball and the Major League Baseball Bat history at the Louisville Slugger Museum. Take a look at the 120-foot steel gigantic bat leaned against the building. Catch a short film on the baseball legends and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the game and watch how the Slugger bats are made. Get a free mini-bat at the end of the tour!
Address: 800 W Main Street, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 877-775-8443
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Distance from Kentucky Science Center: 1 minute
12:00 pm- Educational and inspirational experience at Muhammad Ali Center for adults and children’s alike!
Stop by the Muhammad Ali Center, a tribute to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. The center includes interactive exhibits and media presentation that showcases the life, values and career of Muhammad Ali. The center also has an interactive training section that allows the visitors to shadow box, and experience the power and energy of an Ali punch.
Address: 144 North Sixth Street, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 502-584-9254
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 9:30 am-5:00 pm; Sunday-12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Distance from Louisville Slugger Museum: 0.4 miles or 2 minutes drive
1:00 pm- Lunch at Bistro 301!
Head over to Bistro 301 for a casual, upscale regional-inspired food. Do try the “Hot Brown”, the local’s favorite!
Address: 301 West Market Street, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 502-584-8337
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00 am-10:00 pm; Saturday-Sunday: 4:00 pm-10:00 pm
Distance from Muhammad Ali Center: 0.4 miles or 2 minutes drive
2:00 pm- Get on a journey of over 1000 years of unique and rich history at Frazier History Museum!
Head over to the Frazier History Museum that features the largest collection of arms and armors artifacts from the Bronze Age to the twentieth century. Among the several exhibits, it also host live performances of history interpretation and has a movie theater.
Address: 829 W Main Street, Louisville, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 502-753-5663
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday: 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Distance from Bistro 301: 0.8 miles or 3 minutes drive
3:00 pm-Explore the artistic history of Kentucky at Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft!
Visit the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft that features the work of some great artists. It features unique art pieces and several art forms.
Address: 715 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Phone: 1 502-589-0102
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Costs: Below 18 years-free; Adults: $6; and Seniors and Military: $5
Distance from the Frazier History Museum: 0.6 miles or 2 minutes drive
4:00 pm-Design your own the Ville souvenir at Louisville Glassworks!
Head over to the Louisville Glassworks that has two galleries and glass studios showcasing beautiful glass art. Design your own souvenir at the walk-in workshop held at the Glassworks. Make your own masterpiece, such as glass snowman, sun catcher or anything of your choice in your fav colors at this spot.
Address: 815 W Market St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Phone: 1 502-584-4510
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Distance from Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft: 0.3 miles or 1 minute drive
5:00 pm- Time for some Retail Therapy!
Indulge in your fav brands at the Oxmoor Mall. The mall features several specialty stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters, Michael Kors, Gymboree, Apple, and more.
Address: 7900 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40222, United States
Phone: 1 502-426-30000
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am-9:00 pm; Sunday: 11:00 am-6:00 pm
7:00 pm- Dinner and Drinks!
Head over to the Havana Rumba (4115 Oechsli Avenue, Louisville, KY 40207, United States) that serves authentic Cuban-style fare and cocktails. Or enjoy the authentic French cuisines at the Bistro Le Relais (2817 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40205, United States).
9:00 pm- The Ville nightlife is live!
Head over to the Jerry Green & Friends (2800 Breckenridge Ln, Louisville, KY 40220, United States) for live music that ranges from the 60s to the present. You can also go to The Connection (120 S Floyd St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States), a gay bar, but straights do feel comfy here. Dance to the DJs awesome music all night long at this nightclub.
11:00 pm- The night is still young in the Derby City!
Enjoy the blues and jazz music with drinks at Stevie Ray's Blues Bar (230 East Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States). Wanna hang out with your friends and have a good conversation with drinks, casual atmosphere and soothing music, Nachbar (969 Charles Street, Louisville, KY 40204, United States) is your spot. For awesome DJ music, dancing, retro gaming and drinks, drop by the Zanzabar (2100 S Preston St, Louisville, KY 40217, United States).
A Map Guide on Day One Tour in Louisville
Day 2- Explore the Gateway to the South!
9:00 am- Breakfast at Wild Eggs!
Suppress your morning cravings with a hearty breakfast at the Wild Eggs. It serves soups, sandwiches, salads, delicious muffins and creative egg dishes. This spot has flavorful and creative menu. Enjoy the delish breakfast in a contemporary setting!
Address: 121 S Floyd Street, Louisville - 40202 KY, US
Phone: 1 502-690-5925
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 am-2:30 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am-3:00 pm
10:00 am- River Cruise on Belle of Louisville!
Relax and enjoy the river cruise aboard the Belle of Louisville, the historic paddle-wheeler down the Ohio River. It also offers a wide range of activities, such as DJ, live entertainment, historic facts narration, and more. Get your tickets in advance to reserve a place on the steamboat.
Address: 401 West River Road, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Phone: 1 502-574-2992
Distance from Wild Eggs: 0.7 miles or 4 minutes drive
11:00 am-Explore the Thomas Edison fascinating inventions exhibits at Thomas Edison House!
Thomas Edison house features the inventions patented by Thomas Edison, and several hands-on exhibits on the phenomenal feats of Thomas Edison. It has artifacts of the light bulb, the phonograph, enhancements of telephone and telegraph, and the movie project.
Address: 729 East Washington Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Telephone: (502) 585-5247
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Admission costs: Students: $2; Adults: $5; and Seniors: $4
Distance from Belle of Louisville: 1.3 miles or 6 minutes drive
12:00 pm- Tour the Kentucky Derby Museum!
Check out the popular horse racing tracks in the world at the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby Museum features interactive race-related displays and also permanent exhibits that take you on a voyage from the birth of the horse to the winner’s circle.
Address: 704 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208, United States
Phone: 1 502-637-1111
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
2:00 pm-Time to satiate your appetite!
It’s lunch time! Want to have American fare, head over to the Derby Cafe (704 Central Ave), or Millionaires Row & Skye Terrace (700 Central Avenue Churchill Downs). Craving for authentic Mexican fare, head out to Santa FE Grill (3000 S 3rd Street), or Senor Iguanas (3105 South 2nd Street). For seafood or steak, go to Buck’s Restaurant & Bar (425 W Ormsby Ave).
3:00 pm- Adventure at Louisville Mega Cavern!
Head over for some fun and adventure to the Louisville Mega Cavern, the only Underground Zip Lines and Adventure Tour in the world. It is 17 miles of corridors situated below the city. Hop on the historic tram and tour the underground for approx 60-70 minutes. Check out the historic replica of Cuban Missile; know about the early cave formation and the recycling process, green business technology, geology, and mining techniques.
Address: 1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213, United States
Phone: 1 502-855-6342
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am-10:00 pm; Friday-Saturday: 8:00 am-12:00 am; Sunday: 12:00 pm-10:00 pm
4:00 pm-An hour with animals at Louisville Zoo!
Louisville Zoo has over 1,300 animals. See a grizzly bear swimming and playing with ball in water, watch tiger training session, catch the feeding show of the sea lion, penguins, polar bear and seal, check out the orangutan and Lego sculpture exhibits, and come face to face with the gorillas.
Address: 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213, United States
Phone: 1 502-459-2181
5:00 pm-Go Shopping and Splurge!
Head over to Mall St. Matthews (5000 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40207, United States) for some shopping. The mall features over 140 stores, such as Brook Brothers, Ann Taylor Loft, Williams-Sonoma, Aeropostale, Pottery Barn, Aveda, J.Jill, Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Dillard’s, JC Penney, and many more. The mall has everything you need!
6:00 pm-Indulge in sporting activities at Louisville Extreme Park!
Head over to Louisville Extreme Park for some fun and sports. Do skateboarding, biking and in-line skating at this spot. This is the biggest skate park in the United States. Sports lovers spot it is!
Address: 531 Franklin Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Phone: 1 502-456-8100
Distance from Mall St. Mathews: 8.7 miles or 14 minutes drive
Then head over to Waterfront Park (River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202, United States) adjoining the Ohio River. The park features open lawn area, a playground, walking lanes and fountains. It also hosts several festivals and events year-round. It is a great spot for sightseeing, biking, picnicking, walking and concerts.
Distance from Louisville Extreme Park: 0.6 miles or 2 minutes drive
7:00 pm- Entertainment at KFC! Yum Center!
Address: 1 Arena Plaza, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Phone: 1 502-690-9000
Distance from Waterfront Park: 0.6 miles or 2 minutes drive
Or you can head over to the Fourth Street Live (420 West Liberty Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States), a buzzing area full of activities. Catch a live music show, or do a bit shopping, or unwind with drinks at the on-site bars and restaurants. It is a shopping, dining and entertainment spot.
8:00 pm- Drinks and Dinner at Sully’s Restaurant and Saloon!
Head over to the Sully’s Restaurant and Saloon that serves pub grub and drinks. Grab some delicious eats, sip a few drinks, and enjoy the DJs music at this spot.
Address: 434 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Phone: 1 502-585-4100
Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday: 11:00 am-2:30 am; Thursday-Saturday: 11:00 am-4:00 am; Sunday: 5:00 pm-2:30 pm
10:00 pm- Let Loose and dance the night away!
Enjoy the Derby City nightlife! Head over to the Howl At the Moon (434 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States) for live entertainment. It host dueling piano shows; listen to your fav song while sipping a few drinks! Or spend the night dancing, singing and drinking at The Marquee Bar KY (432 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States).
A Map Guide on Day 2 Tour in Louisville
