Location: Louisville
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What to do and see in Louisville, Kentucky (KY): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Each year, horse enthusiasts hoof it to Louisville and Churchill Downs, the legendary home of the Kentucky Derby. In addition to equestrian endeavors and bluegrass roots, Louisville boasts a range of exciting attractions the whole family can enjoy. Stroll through Central Park, in the historic district, to people-watch and get a real feel for the city. Visit other nearby parks for hiking, biking and fossil finding. Baseball fans will love the Louisville Slugger Museum, a celebration of the sport's legends. The museum is easy to spot, just look for the humongous bat that leans against the building.
Restaurants in Louisville
1. Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 622 reviews
The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum is a historic, Victorian mansion located in the heart of Old Louisville on St. James Court. It is one of the finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and was the masterpiece of famed local architect Arthur Loomis of Clarke & Loomis. Surrounded by a beautiful courtyard neighborhood at the center of the largest collection of Victorian Homes in the US, "Conrad's Castle" featured all the latest innovations of its day, including interior plumbing and electric lighting. Known for its beautiful woodwork and parquet floors, this massive Bedford limestone home, covered with gargoyles, beautiful archways, and elaborate stone designs, incorporated 7 types of hardwoods and magnificent stained glass windows in the interior design, making it one of the most stunning homes in Old Louisville. The Museum has been lovingly restored to the Edwardian Age, housing a massive collection of period items including many original pieces.
Reviewed By mhume
Beth Caldwell, a great granddaughter of the second owner of the home, led our tour and it was the best home tour I have ever done, due in large part to her engaging personality and personal stories! The framing woodwork and staircase, as well as the different parquet flooring pattern in each room are remarkable examples of craftsmanship from the past. Seeing the Acousticon (a hearing aid from the early 1900s) which Grace used, her life size doll, a sewing machine from the era, mechanical pencils and tools used by the Caldwell men, the large hidden wall safe, and more were all interesting. The exterior is constructed of limestone, and with its indoor plumbing and electric light bulbs, it was one of the most remarkable homes of its day! It is a treasure to have such a beautifully preserved home to tour in Louisville.
2. Sons of the American Revolution Genealogical Research Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
The SAR Genealogical Research Library is currently closed to the public due to coronavirus. We will update this listing when we re-open. As always, we have plenty of free genealogy videos posted on Facebook/YouTube and our website to keep you busy while we are closed. Discover your family heritage at the SAR Genealogical Research Library, located in a late 19th century building in the heart of Louisville's "Museum Row". With over 55,000 items in the collection, including family histories, state records, and online databases, there is something for even the most seasoned researcher to explore! Adjoining the library is the Mary & James S. Craik Special Collections Room, a small gallery featuring artifacts from the era of the American Revolution. Admission- $5 for general public. Free for SAR, spouses of SAR, DAR, C.A.R., and SR members and Friends of the SAR Library.
Reviewed By dabollinger1973 - Radcliff, United States
My wife took me here as a birthday surprise to research family that I had suspected being involved in the American Revolution. The people that work here are fantastic and were extremely helpful in pointing me in the right direction and showing me how to use the genealogy searches they have on the computer. The “Library” they have is VERY impressive and any information they have about family heritage and genealogy is the best I’ve ever seen. To be honest, I had NO IDEA this place existed and is 45 minutes from my house! I will be back soon to do more research and fill out the forms associated with my family history to prove that my 7th Great Uncle was in fact a 2nd Lieutenant in the American Revolution. I recommend this place to ANYONE who is serious about their family heritage and love to do historical research. I could spend hours and hours in this place!
3. Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 539 reviews
Copper & Kings is an American Brandy, Gin, Absinthe & Liqueur distillery located in Louisville, Kentucky. Come see why Copper & Kings is consistently rated one of Louisville's Best Distilleries! All tastings will be safely conducted in our spacious Art Gallery or, weather permitting, in our outdoor Courtyard space. 6 Guest Maximum Capacity per Tasting Experience. To keep our guests and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, all guests are required to wear a mask when visiting the distillery. Social Distancing will be enforced throughout the entire distillery. Our Tour Guides will lead all tours wearing a mask, and we will sanitize all touchpoints before and after each experience. To keep our Production Team safe, our Tasting Experiences will not access our Production Floor or the Barrel Room for the time being. Our style of distillation and barrel maturation will be thoroughly discussed during the educational tasting. Stay safe & take care.
Reviewed By Lovestheocean789
Informative, upbeat and fun tour with Missy.Tasted samples of three different types of brandy in a colorful tasting room with cool art. Impressed with sustainability efforts (bee hive, pollinator gardens, solar panels, repurposing of wood and waste products.) Brandy products were very good-also some gin and absinthe.The sales/distilling/ownership team seems very creative with fresh perspective on whole distilling/marketing process. Tour finishes on urban rooftop bar overlooking sections of Louisville with downtown in distance. Great two hours!
4. Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 370 reviews
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company opened in Louisville, Kentucky in 2015, but the distillery's roots extend back to 1889, when their ancestor, Henry Kraver, began distilling bourbon. Corky and Carson Taylor, fourth and fifth generation descendants of Kraver, are the historic-turned-urban Bourbon makers dedicated to providing a distinctively-authentic bourbon experience with distillery tours and tastings. Visit to experience, first-hand, the Peerless Caliber that sets Peerless spirits apart.
Reviewed By brianmX4189CR - Columbus, United States
This distillery was one of the coolest places we visited during our 2.5 day trip to Louisville! Their sweet mash bourbon was extremely unique from bottle to bottle which makes them a great place to visit and taste their bourbons! The tour was perfect with just enough history and observations of their distillery. The tasting room was extremely clean and unique bars on the trail. You have to give them a visit!
5. Angel's Envy Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 813 reviews
Built in the heart of Louisville, the Angel’s Envy Distillery is downtown’s first fully operational whiskey production facility. Angel’s Envy puts you in the center of our distilling process for a unique tour experience. TOURS ARE BY ONLINE RESERVATION ONLY.
Reviewed By victoriaef2017 - Elizabethtown, United States
A classy distillery with history.... Minimalist surroundings Jimmy James was a fun & informative tour guide, answered all questions with a grin Loved having a drink In the bar reserved for those completing the tour And Kelly was a very friendly mixologist....fun to watch creating tasty as well as attractive libations A must if you are doing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail!
6. Kentucky Derby Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,298 reviews
The Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby day, is the official tour provider of historic Churchill Downs. When you visit the Museum, you will find yourself immersed in the next best thing to actually being at the Derby! As the exclusive tour provider for the track, various tours are offered throughout the year even when the track isn’t in session with live racing. General admission includes two levels of family-friendly interactive permanent & temporary exhibits, "The Greatest Race," a 360-degree immersive sound and visual experience that'll get your heart racing and emotions soaring, Historic Walking Tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack, access to the Gift Shop, Kentucky fare in the Derby Cafe Express and much more!
Reviewed By B465DMsarahc - Glenwood, United States
We stopped here on our drive through to take a break and it was well worth it. It was four of us, 10-month old, 14 year old, and my husband and I. We took the tour, watched the video, and walked around the museum. It was all well worth it and we learned a lot. We didn't get to see the entire museum because we had to get back on the road. You can stop here for a little over an hour, or spend the day....lots of options and lots of different tours depending on how long you want to stay. I will say, we got there after lunch time and the more in depth tours were already sold out, so if you want to take the behind the scenes tour that take you to the barns, etc. - you probably need to book those early. We would come here again.
7. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,521 reviews
Batter up! It takes a special place to craft the #1 Bat in Major League Baseball. At Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the actual factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. The award-winning factory tour is a highlight of the visit here, but there's plenty more to enjoy along with it. Admire the World's Biggest Bat - stretching 120 feet into the sky. Hold bats actually used by baseball superstars like Mickey Mantle, Johnny Bench, Cal Ripken Jr. And Derek Jeter. Face down a 90-mph fastball hurled by a major league pitcher. Count the homerun notches Babe Ruth carved into his Louisville Slugger bat for every home run he hit with it. Step into the batting cages and take some swings with a replica model of your hero's bat. Guests even get a free miniature souvenir bat at the end of the factory tour. You can even create a bat with your own name on it, just like the pros. They make great gifts for all kinds of special occasions, from newborn babies, to groomsmen gifts, to team trophies and more. The museum store is also loaded with lots of sporty merchandise for every budget. Be sure to swing by!
Reviewed By Vmorris99 - Saint Louis, United States
Don't hesitate...go...and pay for the tour! We toured the museum while in Louisville for a convention and visit with friends. My husband and I took our 9 year old son. We all found the museum to exceed our expectations. You can pop into the museum, and you have the option to pay for a tour of the factory. We are so glad we took the tour! Our tour guide was knowledgeable, interesting and funny. You begin with a short movie about how they own their own forest, and how trees are selected, harvested for production and conserved. It was a short and interesting film. Then, our guide lead us through the factory and stopped at key points to describe the process of bat production, labeling and painting. I found the info on how MLB players select bats fascinating. At the end if the tour, each person receives a miniature bat. Afterwards, you are able to explore the museum, which contains baseball history, actual bats of famous players, clocked pitching speed demo, and fun photo opportunities including a dugout and pitching mound where you can pose with a famous player's actual bat. For fellow smashed penny collectors, the lobby features a crank machine with four designs for your smashing pleasure! The lobby also contains a nice gift shop where custom bats, hats, keychains and other souvenirs can be purchased. The ginormous bat on the outside of the building is Instagramable!
8. The Speed Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Features paintings by Rembrandt, Picasso and Rubens, as well as contemporary art exhibits.
Reviewed By LindaKay1959 - Louisville, United States
Isabelle de Borchgrave Exhibit- Fashioning Art from Paper. Life size dresses made from paper, covering 500 years of history from Europe and around the word. Also on special exhibit is Adele and Leonard Leigh’s collection of glass. The story of how they met and the life that led them to Louisville is quite interesting. Along with these two displays are the permanent displays in the museum. Social Distancing and mask are enforced. Tickets sold in advance at a limited number per hour. The exhibits take between 2 and 2 1/2 hours to cover.
9. Muhammad Ali Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,242 reviews
Located in the heart of historic downtown Louisville, Kentucky, the Muhammad Ali Center is a cultural attraction and international education center inspired by the ideals of hometown hero Muhammad Ali. The Ali Center features 2 levels of award-winning exhibits, a five-screen orientation theater film, historic Civil Rights era media footage, video of Ali fights, interactive boxing fun, two art galleries, children's Hope and Dream wall, meeting and event space, retail store and more.
Reviewed By MDMRunner - Farmington, United States
My son (age 23) and I both enjoyed the Muhammad Ali center on our recent meet up in Louisville. This is a very well done center cover Ali's career in all its aspects. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to and came away with a much better appreciation of Ali the man. The historical context seemed to be done very fairly especially for some of the controversial parts of his career. There is a very good short film (approximately 15 minutes) that does a good job of introducing a lot of information that makes it easier to enjoy the rest of the museum. We spent about an hour and a half but you could definitely spend more time there if you wanted to.
10. Frazier History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 789 reviews
The Frazier History Museum is located in the West Main District of downtown Louisville, a part of "Museum Row on Main." The museum features Cool Kentucky, the Lewis & Clark Experience, and the KentuckyShow! in addition to temporary exhibits that focus on the state's history and culture. The Frazier also houses a Founder's Gallery of historical arms and the Stewart Collection of historical miniatures, one of the largest collections of toy soldiers on public display in the world. In 2018, the Frazier became the Official Starting Point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with the opening of the Bourbon Trail Welcome Center and Spirit of Kentucky exhibit. The museum has private event spaces for rent including the Rooftop Garden, the Great Hall, Speakeasy, Order of the Writ, Gateway Garden, and more. The Frazier is where the world meets Kentucky and seeks to ignite the human spirit with thoughtfully crafted stories to spark curiosity about who we are and our connection to the future.
Reviewed By CPGTheATeam - Fort Worth, United States
As a "Lover of History," my "Must See Attraction" during a recent visit to Louisville was the Frazier History Museum. The Museum is located in a three-story building in downtown Louisville, contains an impressive collection of historical items, and includes a large gift shop located on the Museum's first floor. The exhibits focus on Kentucky history, but also contain extensive collections of artifacts that will be of interest to residents of Louisville, tourists from Kentucky, and TripAdvisor Travelers. Among the Museum's many exhibits, my favorites were the Lewis and Clark Expedition Exhibit, the History of Bourbon Exhibit, and the Museum's World-Class Exhibit of Arms and Armor. Individual artifacts in these exhibits were impressive and included George Washington's Long Rifle, Theodore Roosevelt's Famous "Big Stick" (actually a rifle, not a stick), George Custer's Ivory-Handled Pistols, and Daniel Boone's Family Bible. In spite of the Museum's World-Class Exhibits and all the interesting artifacts in these exhibits, the favorite part of my visit to the Frazier History Museum were the "Living History Presentations" by the Museum's Teaching Artists. On the day I visited the Museum, there were five 20-30 minute "live" presentations on famous, but lesser known Americans, including local fashion icon Madame Glover, female pirate Anne Bonny, and Lewis and Clark's slave York. Unfortunately, because of time limitations, I was only able to view the presentation on "Madame Glover." Her impact on Louisville and the city's expanding fashion industry was interesting, entertaining, and skillfully presented by Melinda B. a Teaching Artist at the Museum. In appropriate attire for a fashionable lady of Louisville's Gilded Age and with an appropriate background setting, Melinda assumed the role of Madame Glover. She made an excellent presentation on this women and her impact on Louisville's fashion industry. After watching Melinda assume the role of Madam Glover and telling "her story," I wished I had had time to see other presentations and will return to the Museum for other "Living History Presentations," Hopefully, Melinda will still be assuming the persona of famous individuals and sharing their accomplishments and historical contributions with Museum visitors. My visit to the Frazier Museum was a most enjoyable educational and entertaining experience. Because of the Museum's schedule of visiting exhibits as well as its multiple and ever-changing "Living History Presentations," I am looking forward to a "return visit. Of special interest to me is the Museum's Edger Allen Poe Program presented annually in October. For TripAdvisor Travelers living in Louisville or visiting the city, I highly recommend a visit to the Frazier Museum of History and consider it to be one of Louisville's "Must See Attractions."
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