Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, daily, some closed on Sundays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, some open at weekends
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

The United States is a highly developed country and as a tourist destination, Louisville is regarded as a very safe city. While violent crime is rare in the city, petty crime does exist, especially in tourist hotspots. You are advised to keep hold of your belongings and try to avoid carrying large amounts of cash around with you. If you have to carry a lot of cash, never flash it around in public. Keep your valuables such as expensive jewellery in your hotel safe or at home to minimise the risk of theft or loss.

The currency used throughout the US is the US dollar. Notes come in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, while coins can be found in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.

The majority of shops and businesses take credit cards, but it is still recommended that you carry some cash on you - just in case. If you need to exchange currency, you will find exchange bureaux at the airport and you will also find many banks in the city, where you can also exchange traveller’s cheques.

ATMs are widespread throughout the city and withdrawing money from an ATM is fast becoming the most popular way to exchange funds. Many international bank cards can be used, with the most popular being Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Cirrus. Money wiring services are available, but there are usually very high service charges involved.

If you are arriving in Louisville from outside of the US, you will have to complete a customs declaration form when you enter. The duty-free allowance is: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars; one litre of spirits and personal gifts with the maximum value of $100. Fresh food and agricultural products are banned, as are any products from North Korea, Cambodia, Libya and Cuba. There are strict regulations on firearms and drugs, and pornographic material is strictly prohibited.

110V AC, all plugs are two-pronged

The people in Louisville are extremely friendly and laid back. You will find that people across the city will stop to say hello. This is the norm in Louisville, so if you have time, you should always engage in a short conversation. The dress code is relatively casual, unless you are attending a formal event, while business attire consists of smart suits for both men and women.

You will find that as with social etiquette, there are no formal rules for dining. If you dine out at a restaurant, usual formalities apply such as waiting until everyone has sat down before starting your meal and pausing from eating when a toast is being given. It is regarded as good manners to compliment to your host if you are dining at someone’s house. If you invite friends to dine with you, they may think that this means that you will be paying for the meal.

There are no specific vaccinations required for holidays to Louisville, but you should be up-to-date with standard vaccinations such as tetanus. Tap water is safe to drink and restaurants all have to follow strict food hygiene procedure.

If you suffer from any health problems or an unfortunate accident while you are in Louisville, you will be in safe hands, as the city is home to excellent medical facilities. It is vital to have medical insurance, as medical bills can work out to be extremely high, especially if surgery is required. All minor treatment will be charged upfront, so you must keep hold of receipts if you want to make a claim on your insurance. Emergency treatment will be given first and charged for later.

Louisville University Hospital: +1 502 852 1877

Louisville is an English-speaking destination and while you may come across other languages being spoken, English is the language of business and socialising.

Louisville has a tourist information centre which can be found at Third and Market streets, Louisville, Kentucky (KY), 29577, USA. They can be contacted by calling: +1 502 582 3732. The offices are open Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00; Saturday, 09:00 to 16:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00.

European Union nationals need to fill out a form requesting a visa at least 72 hours before they plan to travel to the US. You may need to show evidence of funds and an onward ticket. Canadians also require a passport to enter the US.