Louisville
Back to Kentucky
Louisville
Internationally renowned Louisville is home to the legendary Kentucky Derby horse race in May each year. The race itself takes just two minutes to run, but there is plenty more in Louisville to keep you in the city for days!
At any time of year, you can tour Churchill Downs were the Derby is run, visit the museum with memorabilia and tributes to all the past Derby winners, as well as history on the race. The city is also home to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where you can take a tour to see baseball bats being made. The Muhammad Ali Center is an inspiring and thought-provoking museum dedicated to this Louisville native.
Great dining is available throughout the city and in some of the eclectic neighbourhoods. Don’t miss a ‘Hot Brown’ still served at the historic Brown Hotel, originally devised in 1926 to satisfy late night dancers and revellers from the hotel’s theatre and ballroom. Found at restaurants throughout the city you can try different chefs’ interpretations. Or for a different kind of sampling, take the Urban Bourbon Trail and discover the many labels producing this Kentucky staple.
If festivals are your things then why not head to Louisville this year? Play all day on world-class rides at Summer Blast in July. Louder Than Life, one of the USA’s largest rock festivals occurs in September. Bourbon and Beyond, also in September, will host more than 100 bands on five stages over the course of four days, spotlighting some of the finest bourbons and food Kentucky has to offer. In October, visit the ‘Bourbon & Belonging Week’. This is the first week-long LGBTQ+ festival celebration in the US. Events take place across the state of Kentucky.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate the arts, music, bourbon, horses, fried chicken, or goetta – Louisville has a festival for you!
Suggested Itineraries
Suggested Accommodation
Fairfield Inn & Suites DowntownModerateFrom £104 per room per night
This downtown hotel is located just minutes away from many of Louisville’s popular attractions including the Muhammad Ali Centre.
The recently renovated rooms have televisions, coffee makers, air conditioning and wireless internet. There is also an onsite fitness centre and indoor pool.
Galt House HotelFirst ClassFrom £151 per room per night
This elegant waterfront hotel is located close to great restaurants, museums and entertainment.
The rooms are beautifully furnished and have flat screen televisions, coffee makers and air conditioning. Onsite, there is also a fitness centre, outdoor pool and several dining options to choose from.
Holiday Inn Express DowntownModerateFrom £140 per room per night
This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Louisville with easy access to I-64 and located only 12.87km away from Louisville International Airport.
The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi and full breakfast and onsite there is a fitness centre. The room amenities include iron/ironing board, hairdryer, mini-fridge, flat screen TV and coffee/tea maker.
Hilton Seelbach Deluxe
From £154 per room per night
The Seelbach’s downtown location means it’s in walking distance or a short ride from all the top things to do in Louisville. Restaurants, shopping, music and theatre are all within walking distance of the hotel.
Onsite there is a newly renovated fitness centre, two restaurants, bar and café. Room amenities include an iron and ironing board, hair dryer, high-speed Internet access, an in-room safe, TV and coffeemaker.
The Brown HotelDeluxeFrom £139 per room per night
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Brown’s prime location offers easy access to many of Louisville’s most in-demand destinations, including the Brown Theatre (across the street), the Palace Theatre (half a block) and the Kentucky International Convention Center (seven blocks). There is also opportunities for golf, biking and hiking nearby.
The room amenities include flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, refrigerators, iron/ironing board, coffee/tea maker and hairdryer. Onsite there is a fitness centre, two restaurants, bar, shop and gallery selling artwork by local artisans. The hotel also offers a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle and transportation to downtown businesses and attractions.