Louisville, Ky., is perhaps best known for its annual blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sporting event on the first Saturday in May.
Sure, the Kentucky Derby is a great reason to visit — it’s May 7, with the Kentucky Derby Festival running April 14-May 6 — but the friendly city on the Ohio River has a lot to offer year-round, including cultural experiences, family fun, a big nightlife scene, and lots to eat and drink.
Louisville is a walkable city (take advantage of the free electric buses downtown) with plenty to discover.
Top attractions
A 120-foot replica of Babe Ruth's baseball bat "rests" against the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in downtown Louisville, Ky. Photo by Gabe Hartwig, ghartwig@post-dispatch.com
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: This spot is tough to miss. Just look for the 120-foot replica of Babe Ruth’s bat outside. Inside are more replicas, along with an archive of bats from the more than 8,000 players who have signed contracts with Louisville Slugger. You can also hold a few bats used by Mickey Mantle, Cal Ripken Jr., Johnny Bench and more. The factory tour gives a look at the bat-making process; you can even take a minibat with you when you leave. “Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Oddball,†a special exhibit running through Jan. 8, features bizarre baseball treasures. $8-$14 (free for kids 5 and younger).
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At the underground Mega Cavern complex, visitors can take a tram ride, coast on a zip line, do stunts at a new bicycle park or try the aerial ropes challenge course. Photo by Gabe Hartwig, ghartwig@post-dispatch.com
Louisville Mega Cavern: Near the Louisville Zoo — directly beneath it, actually — Louisville Mega Cavern has enough activities to easily fill a day. The cavern originally was mined for limestone from the 1930s until the ’70s and now is home to zip lines, an aerial rope challenge course, a new underground bike park and a guided tram tour of the 100-acre manmade structure. The tram ride lasts about an hour and is accompanied by a fascinating history of the creation of the structure. And bring an extra layer: The cavern is 58 degrees year-round. $8-$13.50 for tram rides (prices for other attractions vary).
Places to stay
A 30-foot gold replica of Michelangelo's "David" stands outside the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Louisville, Ky. Behind him, on the roof, are the hotel's famous red penguins. Photo by Gabe Hartwig, ghartwig@post-dispatch.com
21c Museum Hotel: The downtown museum and boutique hotel, known for its red penguins and 30-foot, golden “David†replica out front, will make for a distinctive night’s sleep. A variety of posh suites are available, including a room called “Asleep in the Cyclone,†a sculptural installation that is also a functional hotel room. The lobby and common areas are filled with kitschy art collections; those are free to visit 24/7. A swanky bar, Proof on Main, adjoins the hotel. Prices and packages vary.
Places to eat
An order of jumbo chicken wings at Shirley Mae's Cafe in Louisville, Ky., comes with two fluffy pieces of hot-water cornbread and a choice of two Southern side dishes. Photo by Gabe Hartwig, ghartwig@post-dispatch.com
Shirley Mae’s Cafe: Kentucky embraces its fried-chicken roots (you’ll spot Col. Sanders’ mug everywhere, including as a life-size figure at the visitors center downtown; you can also visit his grave at Cave Hill Cemetery). For some of the best, stop by Shirley Mae’s Cafe, a charming hole-in-the-wall that’s like stepping into Grandma’s kitchen. At the counter, you get a front-row seat to watch eponymous owner Shirley Mae Beard and members of her family hard at work shucking corn, mashing potatoes and dipping chicken into batter. For just $9 (cash only), dig into a pile of crisp, juicy jumbo fried chicken wings, two sides and two pieces of hot-water cornbread. You’ll probably end up taking some of that in a to-go container.
Wild Eggs: This is another spot where you’ll have to wait in a queue with lots of other hungry diners. But use that extra time wisely: Look over the menu, ooh and ahhh over the options, and try to narrow your selection. This hot spot for breakfast and brunch serves everything from pancakes and oatmeal to crepes and waffles. The most intriguing portion of the menu, though, is its “Wild Eggs,†where you’ll find Breakfast Nachos, a Crabby Patty Bennie, the Frito Bandito Frittata, Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict and other savory, comforting dishes. (For modern Mexican cuisine, check out Wild Rita’s, by the same owners.)Â
Big events
Kentucky Derby Festival: April 14-May 6 (with Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show April 23), multiple locations,
Kentucky Derby: May 7, Churchill Downs Racetrack,
Kentucky Reggae Festival: May 27-29, Louisville Water Tower Park,
Forecastle music festival: July 15-17, Waterfront Park,
Louisville Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival: July 22-24, Louisville Water Tower Park,
