Kentucky
Cultural Must-Sees in Louisville, Kentucky
- States:
- Kentucky
Discover a storied bourbon heritage, exciting attractions and diverse museums in Louisville, Kentucky.
Known for the iconic Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, Louisville also offers a unique mix of arts, culture and history worth diving into on Main Street and beyond. From Whiskey Row to Museum Row, visitors can sample handcrafted spirits and experience the historic downtown, a walkable cultural hub with new adventures at every turn.
Bourbon Distillery Tours
Step into Louisville’s Bourbon District to take grain-to-bottle tours showcasing the history of Kentucky bourbon-making. A barrel-aged, distilled spirit primarily made from corn, bourbon is a Kentucky staple. Your first stop should be the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, the first commercial distillery on Whiskey Row. It’s known for its straight bourbon whiskey and whiskey-infused blends like honey, peach and green apple. At Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery just two blocks away, visitors can take a guided tour or sip spirits at the world-class Bar at Fort Nelson. Just another two blocks down from Michter’s on West Main Street, don’t miss out on touring Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. for a behind-the-scenes peek at how they craft fine bourbon and rye whiskey.
The giant bourbon fountain inside the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Muhammad Ali Center
Dedicated to the life and legacy of world championship boxer Muhammad Ali, the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville embraces social justice through three levels of exhibits, expansive galleries and educational events. Experience multimedia presentations, historical videos and artifacts designed around the six core principles of Ali’s life: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality.
Art portraying boxing stances on the exterior of the Muhammad Ali Center
Roots 101 African American Museum
Explore the rich African American legacy through art, culture, history and people. Visitors can take an emotional journey through the Cooper Gallery – dedicated to one of the first international Black art distributors. Spend the afternoon browsing exhibits featuring authentic African artifacts and learn more about legendary African American sports figures.
Touring the Roots 101 African American Museum
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Baseball history comes to life at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Learn about the iconic baseball bat and how it influenced the sport. Explore galleries filled with memorabilia and interactive exhibits that score a “home run” when it comes to entertaining the whole family. Tour the bat factory, see the famed signature wall featuring autographs from notable players and visit the Bat Vault which houses more than 3,000 original bats once held by the likes of Ted Williams and Babe Ruth.
The towering Louisville Slugger baseball bat at the entrance to the museum and factory
KMAC Museum
Tour this contemporary art museum with exhibits featuring paintings, ceramics, woodwork, photography, film and found objects. Established with a mission to connect people to art and creative practice, the museum rotates unique exhibitions to keep the experience exciting and fresh for visitors and locals alike.
Entrance to the KMAC Museum
Frazier History Museum
DiscoverKentucky history through exhibits, artifacts and live performances that bring the state’s stories to life. Collections rotate throughout the year, but the museum features permanent exhibits with rare and surprising artifacts such as Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” and Mary Todd Lincoln’s arrest warrant. Visitors can also begin their bourbon journey here at the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center, located in the Frazier Museum.
Immersive exhibit at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center in the Frazier Museum
21C Museum Hotel Louisville
Luxury and art blend to offer a unique accommodation experience at the 21C Museum Hotel. Once a series of 19th century warehouses, the location now features plush rooms and floors of provocative contemporary art — the perfect night stay for art enthusiasts. The hotel’s art galleries are free to visit and open to the general public and rotate on a regular basis.
“David (inspired by Michelangelo)” sculpture by Serkan Özkaya at the 21C Museum Hotel Louisville
Louisville Mega Cavern
After exploring Museum Row, venture to this popular Louisville attraction and board the historic tram tour, descending 10 stories underground into a man-made cavern. You can also feel the rush of zip lining among the rocks and crags, discoverLouisville history on a 90-minute walking tour or challenge your endurance on the only fully underground aerial ropes course in the world.
Fun underground obstacles on the zip line course inside the Louisville Mega Cavern
Unfiltered Truth Collection
Learn even more about the legacy of African Americans in Louisville by visiting one or more of the attractions featuring Unfiltered Truth immersive experiences, which share the untold stories of several historically significant Black Americans. From the first Black jockey to win a Kentucky Derby to the first African American to pen and publish a cocktail book, these new tours shed light on important achievements and other evocative moments. Live actors authentically portray historic figures, while guiding you around museums, historic properties or bourbon tastings. Each of the attractions – which include the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, Frazier History Museum, Locust Grove, Kentucky Derby Museum, Roots 101 African American Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory – will offer Unfiltered Truth experiences on its own schedule, so it’s important to check their websites or call ahead of your visit.
Louisville local George Harrison portraying Tom Bullock, the first Black American to write and publish a cocktail book, at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Getting There
Fly into the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), and rent a car to explore the city.
