Louisville is located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River and has recently merged with Jefferson County. While the city is associated more with the Kentucky Derby than with tourism facilities, visitors are starting to realise the city’s charm and elegance. It is the ideal destination for those who want to escape their nine-to-five routine and enjoy good food, company and impressive sights.
The city is home to an important river port and because of this; Louisville has always been a wealthy city. This wealth has allowed for an excellent tourist infrastructure to develop. Tourism has become an important part of life in the city and the industry is many residents’ main source of income.
Louisville has a wide array of popular tourist attractions including the Science Center, Louisville Zoo, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and Gheens Science Hall and Planetarium. If you prefer natural to manmade attractions, you will find a number of national parks and historic caves, all of which are worth exploring, especially when the weather’s right.
There is an enormous selection of hotels to choose from, varying in style, price and standard. The hotels are spread out throughout the city, with pockets of business hotels, family hotels and luxury hotels dotted around.
Mid-range hotels and accommodation options are abundant in the city as well and include many chain hotels. Most mid-range hotels can be found on Embassy Square Boulevard and East Gaulbert Avenue.
If you are looking to stay in luxury, the most glamorous tourist areas are 4th Avenue, West Broadway and Blairwood Road. While these magnificent hotels may be somewhat pricey, you will be treated to a stay of pure indulgence, with a number of facilities on offer as well as exceptional service.
Louisville has a rich history that spans hundreds of years. The first settlement was founded in 1778 by Colonel George Rogers Clark. Today, Colonel Clark is recognised as the founder of Louisville, and you will find several landmarks which are named after him.
In 1780, just two years after Colonel Clark arrived; the Virginia General Assembly approved the town charter of Louisville. It was named in honour of King Louis XVI of France, as French soldiers were helping the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
The town achieved early growth, which was largely due to the fact that boats had to be unloaded at the town’s docks before being moved down river on smaller craft. By 1828, the population had grown to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city, which grew rapidly.
In early 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the Ohio River Valley caused the Great Flood of 1937. Approximately 70 per cent of the city was left underwater and 175,000 residents had to be evacuated. This flood saw fundamental changes to residential areas as well as leading to an economic slump.
Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s. Highways were built in the 1950s, which aided residents in moving out to the suburbs and therefore the downtown area went into decline both structurally and economically. In 1974, a major tornado hit Louisville. It covered 34kms and destroyed several hundred homes, although luckily, it only caused two deaths. This force of nature led to another exodus of residents out of the city
Since the 1980s, Louisville has made significant efforts to revitalise its downtown area as well as other districts in the city. In recent years, luxury condominiums have been constructed and entertainment areas have been created. Louisville’s metropolitan area is growing at a considerable rate and is gaining economic strength every year. While it is not one of the most popular US destinations for tourists, the city has seen a vast increase in the number of visitors in recent years.
The city of Louisville enjoys warm springs, hot summers, cool autumns and brisk winters. Visitors are welcome year-round, allowing you to choose your preferred season. Unfortunately, the hot sun comes with rainfall, while cooler temperatures can often see snow.
If you visit Louisville in the spring or summer months, you will experience the hottest temperatures, but also the wettest weather. Temperatures reach their peak in July and August, when daytime temperatures often reach highs of 31°C.
During the winter months, Louisville's climate can drop to below freezing at night. The coldest months are December, January and February, which see daytime temperatures at an average of 5°C, although the mercury occasionally drops to below freezing. Snowfall can occur during the winter months, especially in January or February, and this allows for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
Autumn sees pleasant weather with temperatures cooler than they are in the summer, but not as cold as they are in winter. Many people prefer to visit in September and October, as these months offer ideal temperatures for sightseeing and you can still pick up a tan.
