Attractions
Belle of Louisville
- Built in 1914 and originally named the Idlewild. Over the next few decades she
operated as a passenger boat, hauled cargo, and was outfitted to push barges
during World War II. Renamed the Avalon in 1948, she became the most
widely traveled river steamer in the United States. In 1962 she was in
disrepair and was sold at auction. She was bought and renamed the Belle of
Louisville. After much work, she began giving public river cruises.
Today, the Belle of Louisville is the oldest river steamboat still in operation.
Louisville Zoo
- Our zoo covers 133 acres and has over 1300 animals. The animals are kept
in natural surroundings so in one trip you can visit the Australian Outback, the
African Savannah, a rainforest, and a gorilla forest (opening June 2002.)
Farmington - Constructed
in 1810, the plans were taken from plans by Thomas Jefferson. You can tour
the house, garden, stone springhouse and barn, cook's quarters and kitchen,
blacksmith shop, and apple orchard.
Locust Grove - Built
around 1790, this was the last home of George Rogers Clark, founder of
Louisville.
Falls of
the Ohio - Interpretive Center and the 220 acres of naturally exposed fossil
beds. This is really in southern Indiana, but worth the trip.
Events - A
month by month calendar of area events.
Performing Arts
Actor's Theater
- Tony Award winning theater and home to the Humana Festival of New American
Plays. It houses three stages and produces a variety of plays.
Louisville Ballet
- The State Ballet of Kentucky, it has been host to Mikhail Baryshnikov and
Margot Fonteyn.
Kentucky Opera
- Founded in 1952, it is the twelfth oldest opera company in the United
States. Most performances are accompanied by the Louisville Orchestra.
Louisville
Orchestra - The only orchestra in the United States to have its own
recording company, First Edition Recordings.
Museums
Speed Art Museum
- Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum. The collection has over 12,000
pieces spanning 6,000 years of art. It includes works by Rembrandt,
Rubens, Tiepolo, Monet and Picasso
Louisville Science Center
- Hands-on exhibits for all ages. Also houses the only IMAX
Theater in Kentucky.
Louisville Slugger Museum
- A tribute to baseball and the most famous bat in the world, the Louisville
Slugger. The largest bat in the world (six stories tall) is in front.
Sports
Churchill Downs
- Home of the Kentucky Derby, there has been horse racing here since 1875.
Churchill Downs has a Spring and a Fall Meet with races run on a dirt and a turf
track. Don't forget to visit the Kentucky
Derby Museum when you're there.
Louisville Fire
- Arena football team.
Louisville Bats - Triple A
affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Recreation
Six Flags
- Amusement park and water park near the Kentucky Fair and Expedition Center.
Parks
Olmsted Park System
- Covers 2000 parkland acres and 15 parkway miles. These areas were
designed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of Central Park in
New York City and the U.S. Capital Grounds. The parks here are considered
the ultimate park system of his career.
Tom Sawyer Park
- Located in eastern Jefferson County, it has an activities center, swimming
pool, hiking trails, model airplane field, a BMX track, and other recreational
facilities.
Extreme
Sports Park - New park providing skateboarding, rollerblading, and biking
opportunities.
Music:
Louisville is a strong supporter of live music. Check out some sites of local bands and Louisville area venues.
