Louisville offers a wealth of options which are guaranteed to keep even the most active of kids occupied. There are educational attractions which make learning fun as well as theme parks, water parks and a much-loved zoo.
Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium
This attraction offers a variety of interactive displays and impressive shows. The most popular features are the astronomy and laser shows. The centre will take you on a trip around the world and further on through the universe. Explore the wonders of the sun, the solar system and the stars. While the space centre has something for everyone, some shows may not be suitable for younger children.
Phone: +1 502 853 5667; website: www.louisville.edu/planetarium
Louisville Science Center
This Louisville Science Center focuses on our world and offers a wide array of interactive exhibits which are guaranteed to appeal to every child. There are also educational displays on science, technology and maths, while the IMAX theatre projects exciting films onto a four-storey high screen.
Phone: +1 502 561 6100; website: www.louisvillescience.org
Louisville Zoo
The city’s impressive zoo is home to over 1,300 captive animals as well as some remarkable features such as the Gorilla Forest and Lorikeet Landing. It is possible to get close-up to exotic birds, watch gorillas in a natural habitat and see a rare white alligator. There are also a number of educational exhibits where children can learn about animal welfare and conservation.
Phone +1 502 459 2181; website: www.louisvillezoo.org
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
Six Flags is a nationwide chain of theme parks which are hugely popular with children, and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is no exception. A trip to this theme park is guaranteed to be fun-filled and it is a great place to simply relax and enjoy. Attractions include a number of rides suitable for any age including; Greezed Lightning, an adrenaline pumping rollercoaster; Hurricane Bay Water Park; restaurants and a souvenir shop. There is also daily entertainment, with live bands performing on stage.
Phone: +1 502 366 2231
Surprisingly, the city of Louisville is home to a great number of cultural activities. While the city isn’t associated with an abundance of museums, you will find museums to suit every taste, a choice of cathedrals and countless art galleries. History, art and culture buffs are all well catered for, as are sports fans, with a number of museums dedicated to local sport.
Cathedral of the Assumption
This stunning cathedral features impressive stone arches which are protected by a ceiling, which is decorated with 24-carat gold stars. The church was constructed in 1789, and was the first diocese in America. Renovations began in 1985, which have enabled it to become one of the oldest cathedrals in continual use in America.
Phone: +1 502 583 3100
Colonel Harland Sanders Museum
This museum honours the man behind Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) by tracing the Colonel's success story through exhibitions and displays. There is also much information about the fast-food industry and about KFC’s rise to fame. This museum is popular with visitors from around the world, as is the famous chicken.
Phone: +1 502 874 8353
Kentucky Derby Museum
This fascinating attraction details the history of the famous Kentucky Derby. Regardless of whether you are a horse racing fan or not, you are sure to enjoy the interactive displays and the guided tour of Churchill Downs.
Phone: +1 502 637 1111; website: www.derbymuseum.org
Kentucky Museum of Art Craft
This museum hosts changing exhibitions as well as a permanent collection of art, which is sure to impress any art-lover. The museum was founded in 1981 and aims to conserve Kentucky's history of art through education as well as support from the local community. The souvenir shop is ideal for arty souvenirs and gifts for those back home.
Phone: +1 502 589 0102; website: www.kentuckycrafts.org
Locust Grove Historic Museum
This farm is a city landmark, offering visitors the chance to experience what life was like early in Kentucky’s history. Educational exhibits enable visitors to discover the farm's history and learn about George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville. The house was built in 1790, and has been very well-preserved with. There is the option to tour the scenic gardens.
Phone: +1 502 897 9845; website: www.locustgrove.org
Louisville Slugger Museum
This Slugger museum is not purely for baseball fans. It is a fascinating insight into the founding and making of the world-famous Slugger baseball bats. It is possible to take a tour of the museum and watch a short film of Slugger bats being used, while information on Baseball heroes is displayed. A free souvenir mini bat is given to all those who visit the museum.
Phone: +1 502 588 7228; website: www.sluggermuseum.org
Portland Museum
This museum exhibits the Ohio River’s history and heritage. There are numerous displays detailing the 1937 floods as well as an impressive light and sound show. As an added bonus, visitors will also find exhibits on community art in Louisville.
Phone: +1 502 776 7678
Sons of the American Revolution Museum
This museum displays artefacts from the American Revolution. Important exhibits include a flag from the famous war, portraits of famous patriots and an impressive replica of the Liberty Bell. The museum also houses a genealogy museum which contains 40,000 books. Phone: +1 502 589 1776; website: www.sar.org
Louisville is home to a whole host of restaurants, offering American, Continental and Oriental cuisine. Dining out is popular in Louisville, with many families eating out at least once a week. This is reflected in the number of restaurants which are found across the city.
Downtown Louisville offers an extensive selection of eating establishments, with prices varying as much as the menus. This is where most of the city’s restaurants are found, with some exceptional outlets that are also exceptionally expensive. Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue house the highest number of restaurants, pubs and bars in Louisville, most of which are very reasonably priced, with quality dishes and live entertainment.
A number of traditional diners can be found throughout the city. Diners can serve everything: from pancakes to fried eggs and bacon to French toast. Many people choose to have breakfast at a diner, although some prefer to have their morning coffee at one of the many quaint little coffee shops selling fresh pastries and cakes.
Whether you are looking for a meat feast, seafood or pasta, the city centre boasts some of the best restaurants. You will find atmospheric restaurants full of ambience as well as riverside pubs, bistros, steak houses and international eateries. If you are looking for something a bit more traditional, the surrounding suburbs are home to many restaurants serving up American cuisine. Local favourites include anything with chicken; broiled squab; roasted quail and a range of fritters.
The thriving metropolis of Louisville houses some excellent shopping outlets, where even the fussiest shopper will find a range if items they simply can’t do without. There is a selection of shopping malls, street-side shops, alleyway boutiques and large department stores.
One of the city’s most popular shopping sites downtown is 4th Street Live, which houses dozens of retailers. The shopping facilities are greatly complemented by a wide array of dining and entertainment establishments. Bashford Manor Mall has recently undergone a three-million dollar transformation and is now home to every shop imaginable.
For those looking for something a little bit more authentic, Louisville Antique Mall is the state’s leading antique’s establishment. The building itself dates back to 1889 and is a renovated cotton mill.
If you are holding out for something ritzier, you will find it at St Matthew’s Mall. This centre is home to a number of top of the range department stores as well as a small selection of designer outlets.
With Louisville being located near to many woodlands and forests, there is ample opportunity to enjoy some scenic walks in a park or a hike up a hill so that you can enjoy the views. For those who prefer not to get quite so active, there is also the opportunity to sit back and watch the local Bats do their thing at the famous Slugger Field.
Baseball
The Louisville Bats are the city’s home baseball team, and they play in the International League. The Bats play their home games at Louisville Slugger Field and can always be seen using the city’s very own Slugger bats. Crowds come out in force for the home games, and if you can pick up a ticket, a trip to one of the games will be worth every penny.
Cycling
Louisville is a great city to cycle around, as there are many cycle paths and trails. One of the most popular is the Levee Trail, which is a bike and pedestrian trail in the southwestern area of the city. It runs for approximately six kilometres, starting at Riverview Park and running to the Farnsley-Moremen House. Along the way, you will find plenty of natural beauty spots, some of which are well worth taking the time to stop and enjoy.
Hiking and Trekking
Like cycling, hiking paths are in abundance within the city. During the summer months, you may find that it is too hot and humid to enjoy a real hike, but in spring and autumn, the weather is ideal.
The Jefferson Memorial Forest is the largest urban forest in the United States and can be found in southwestern Louisville. The forest offers keen hikers a range of hikes in which it is guaranteed to find one to suit your level of fitness and expertise. The forest was initially created as a tribute to Kentucky's war veterans as well as being a national Audubon Society wildlife refuge.
The Tuliptree Trails are popular hiking trails which offer unique views over the city’s downtown area. For those tired and in need of a rest after (or during) their hike, a stop at the Wallace recreation centre, which is home to the stunning Wallace Lake, can be the perfect break. There are a number of smaller nature trails which are ideal for families in search of a bit of adventure. The kids will love getting back to nature and are sure to see an abundance of varied wildlife.
Iroquois Park
This park is home to one of Louisville’s more rugged terrains. There are many wooded hills and scenic paths which are perfect for a morning stroll or jog. At the top of many hills, you will find stunning views across the city, which are well worth the trek up. Regardless of whether you walk, run or cycle round the park, it is a perfect way to enjoy a bit of solitary exercise and peace.
