When I first started planning my trip to Louisville, the only things that came to mind were horse racing and baseball bats. While those certainly are highlights and worthy of the hype, there is so much more to Louisville! I found my days packed full of activities and was so pleasantly surprised. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Louisville, Kentucky!
Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum
Baseball fan or not, a visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum is a must-do! Just follow the giant baseball bat downtown on Main Street. There is a small museum and gift shop, but I’d highly recommend grabbing a ticket to their factory tour. Tours are quick (about 45 minutes) and go out regularly- an easy addition to your weekend! You’ll get to go behind the scenes into their real-working factory and watch baseball bats get made. It really is a fascinating process! Prices are reasonable across the board and it really is a unique stop. They even have batting cages!
Bet on Horses at Churchill Downs
No trip to Louisville is complete without a visit to Churchill Downs! You don’t have to be visiting during the Kentucky Derby to watch races either- they have races going constantly. I showed up and paid $10 for a general admission ticket and was able to catch a few afternoon races! With your ticket, you’ll receive a program with biographies about all the horses and their stories (and chuckle at all the horse’s names). Kick back for the afternoon, grab a frozen cocktail, and watch a few races. Afterwards, take some time to tour the grounds- they’re beautiful! There’s a small museum and gift shop, and plenty of photo ops!
I’m not a gambler, but I was hoping to put $20 or so on a horse just for the experience. Except I wasn’t able to figure out the betting process- the whole thing overwhelmed me! All the staff was helpful and tried to explain it to me, but it was just too confusing. Next time I’ll do a little homework beforehand!
Scoot Along Waterfront Park
I’ve recently discovered my love for electric scooters and now will never look back. You can imagine my excitement when I saw them lining the streets in Louisville! I snagged the first one I could find and took off, with no destination in mind. I eventually found myself in Waterfront Park and it was the perfect place for a good scoot. You can cruise along the Ohio river, going under bridges, and looking over at Indiana on the other side. The paths were smooth and wide, making it a scooter’s paradise. Plus, the breeze off of the water was a needed relief from the heat. Scooters = life!
Louisville Mega Cavern
The Louisville Mega Cavern was a last-minute addition to my weekend, and I’m so glad I made it! This place is straight up cool (literally and figuratively- it was a nice relief from the Kentucky heat!). This old limestone mine underneath the city of Louisville has been renovated into an ultimate thrill-seekers paradise. Here you’ll find zip lining, several ropes courses, and a bike park! All underground! Since my time was limited, I opted for a Mega Tram Tour, which exceeded my expectations! It was about an hour long ride deep into the caverns where you learn about their history in a really fun way. The most fascinating part for me was learning how during the Cuban Missile Crisis, they worked to convert the cavern into a fallout shelter for up to 50,000 people!
Tip: If you’re visiting during the holiday season, be sure to check out the famous Lights under Louisville where you drive your car through the caverns and light displays!
Col. Sanders’ Grave
If you know anything about me, it’s that my love of fried chicken knows no depths. When my tour guide at the Mega Cavern mentioned that the famous Colonel’s grave was right here in Louisville, I had to make a stop to pay my respects! His gravesite is located in the Cave Hill Cemetery (here is an exact link), only about 5 miles from downtown Louisville which makes it a quick stop. It’s a finger-lickin’ good addition to your itinerary!
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
Alright, while it’s actually about an hour outside of Louisville, it’s definitely worthy of a drive down! Fans of Honest Abe could spend an entire day here, while someone like myself spent around 2 hours. Here, you can see the original Lincoln Memorial, visit a replica of his one room house that he was born in, and tour the grounds. There is also a small museum where you can learn more about his life and upbringing before his family moved to Illinois. It was a nice addition to my weekend and honestly exceeded my expectations!
Bonus: On you drive back up to Louisville, make a pit stop at the Jim Beam Stillhouse!
Ice Cream at Dairy Kastle
After a long day in the Kentucky heat, I found myself Googling a place for some ice cream. Dairy Kastle kept popping up left and right, so I figured it must be worth a stop! And it was. They have a ton of variety, it has a fun retro vibe, and the prices are unbeatable. Make sure you have cash, as they don’t accept cards! I opted for a classic hot fudge sundae and was not disappointed! There is no better way to end your day.
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