Out-of-towners deserve to see the Louisville-est places in Louisville, and we’ve compiled a list of don’t-miss venues and ventures (in no particular order) that showcase our city’s character.
Although some of the best Louisville events — including anything during Derby season, the State Fair, and Louder Than Life, for example — are tied to specific times of the year, this non-exhaustive list showcases great experiences and cultural features of Louisville that you can enjoy (mostly) year-round.
Cave Hill Cemetery
701 Baxter Ave
LEO’s former investigative reporter Josh Wood dubbed this the Best Place to Bring Out-Of-Towners in our staff Best Of list this year, and he knows that that label might be a little surprising –– it is, after all, a cemetery. But he’s got a point: Cave Hill is a historic destination where you can see the final resting places of famous Louisvillians like Muhammad Ali and Colonel Sanders, and the grounds are very pretty. Enjoy a calm walk through the labyrinthine paths before the air gets too cold.
Photo by Kathryn Harrington. Kathryn HarringtonNULU
East Market St.
Our city neighborhoods are pretty special and the East Market District, while a product of development, is a fun place to hang out, eat and shop.Holiday Events
Take the family to one of Louisville’s fun holiday events like Lights Under Louisville at the Kentucky mega cavern, one of the only places where you can see twinkling Christmas lights in a cave! Lights under LouisvilleVisit A Christmas Pop-Up Bar
All November & December
Various Locations | Check individual venues for hours and details
Experience the magic of Louisville’s Christmas pop-up bars, where your favorite local spots turn into winter wonderlands, complete with twinkling lights, festive décor, and creative cocktails. This year, three new pop-up bars are adding to the fun! Click the link above to learn more.Gardens Aglimmer
Nov. 29-30, Dec. 5-8, 11, 12-15, 16, 17-23, 27-30
1435 Frankfort Ave. | Adults $12-17 | Kids $8-10
Stroll through a winter wonderland at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, where sparkling lights bring the landscape to life with snowflakes, swans, deer, and oversized flowers. Timed entry ensures a magical experience through December, with special nights for date nights and sensory-friendly visits.21C Museum
700 W Main St.
21C hosts some of the most interesting contemporary art in the city. The best part? You can easily grab a cocktail from Proof On Main while you peruse. Or make a reservation to eat afterwards.The Kentucky Science Center
727 W. Main St.
Even if you haven’t been since a fourth-grade field trip (those were the days…), the Science Center remains a cool destination in downtown Louisville for kids and adults.
Photo via Louisville TourismLe Moo Drag Brunch
If you’re looking to liven up a day with friends and family, head to Le Moo’s Drag Brunch for a mix of delicious food and fabulous entertainment. The brunch buffet has all your favorites, from French toast casserole to bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and even Swedish meatballs. Pair that with one of the best drag shows in the city, and you’ve got yourself the perfect day out.A Louisville Orchestra show
Although Louisvillians already know why music director Teddy Abrams has fully earned his international acclaim as a conductor, our friends from out of town might not. Take them to a concert (or “The Nutcracker” in December) to see what Teddy and the talented musicians of the Louisville Orchestra have to offer.
Photo via Louisville TourismThe Big Four Bridge
1101 River Road
A walk along the Big Four Bridge gives you the opportunity to see (and take photos with) the Louisville skyline, and it’s a fun way to get over to Indiana, too. At night, the bridge is lit up with colors.
Photo via Louisville TourismThe Sauerbeck Family Drive-In
3210 D.W. Griffith Lane, La Grange, Kentucky
This is a bit of a drive from most of our other tourist attractions, but no problem –– it’s a great space for cars anyway. They even host showings in the colder months.
Photo via Sauerbeck Family Drive-InA novelty bar
Thankfully, we have too many of these to list separately –– Keep Louisville Weird is a way of life, after all –– so there are plenty of options. Love dogs? PG&Js is the place to go. Total weeb? Plan a fun night at Kaiju. Pinball wizard? RecBar will help you get your fill.
Photo by Carolyn Brown.Bardstown Road
This walkable haven of local businesses is full of Louisville flavor and culture. Bring your dollars and your out-of-town guests and support the stores and restaurants that make The Highlands so vibrant.
Photo via Louisville TourismThe Olmsted Parks
Multiple locations
These parks have plenty of space to walk and run with family members and friends (both humans and pets.) Take a guest to one (or all) of these when you want a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of life in the city. Louisville’s biggest and grandest are Cherokee Park, Iroquois Park and Shawnee Park.
Photo via Louisville TourismThe Speed Art Museum
2035 S. Third St.
Even if you don’t do a full tour of UofL, make sure to at least stop by the Speed. They’ve got a Supernatural America exhibit that runs through Jan. 2, plus a sizable collection of artworks from centuries past and present.
Photo via Louisville TourismLogan Street Market
1001 Logan St.
On weekends, this indoor-outdoor bazaar in Germantown is absolutely packed to the brim with dozens of vendors selling food, clothes, jewelry, home decor, and more. Try the purple ube cookie at Boba Fête, which comes from a traditional Filipino recipe and apparently tastes like vanilla.
Photo via Logan Street MarketActors Theatre of Louisville
316 W. Main St.
Louisville may not have as many theaters as other cities, but our biggest theater company is just as good as any. Snag a ticket to their upcoming productions for yourself and your guests.
Photo via Actors Theatre of Louisville, by Jonathan RobertsA local music venue
LEO loves local bands, we love touring bands, and we love anything to do with live music. The heart of Louisville’s music scene beats in places like Headliners, Zanzabar, Mercury Ballroom, and Diamond Pub Highlands. Give your guests the chance to experience it the same way that we do.
Photo by Carolyn Brown.Play Louisville
1101 E. Washington St.
Louisville’s celebrated dance bar puts on drag shows for straight and gay audiences alike. Remember to tip your performers!
Photo via Play LouisvilleA drive through downtown Louisville
Blast a local artist on Spotify, roll down the windows, and enjoy the sounds, sights, and lights. You don’t need a set destination in mind –– just make your way wherever the one-way streets allow, and let your out-of-towner guests do some people-watching.
Photo via Louisville TourismCarmichael’s Bookstore
Multiple locations
Visiting these cozy bookstores makes for a nice relaxing break in the middle of an otherwise tourism-filled vacation. You’ll be supporting a local business and expanding your literary knowledge at the same time.
Photo via Carmichael’s BookstoreDerby Dinner Playhouse
525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Indiana
Technically, this isn’t in Louisville; it’s in Clarksville, across the river, but hey, it’s got “Derby” in the name and Louisvillians in its seats. Enjoy fun dinner theater productions of new and familiar shows.
Photo via Derby Dinner PlayhouseThe Muhammad Ali Center
144 N. Sixth St.
Given how much we pride ourselves on being the hometown of the G.O.A.T., it’s only right that you should take an out-of-towner to the museum that celebrates his legacy.
Photo via Louisville TourismWalk around UofL
2301 S Third St.
A walk around UofL’s downtown campus gives visitors to Louisville plenty of space for people-watching –– almost 300 acres, in fact. Make sure to snag an obligatory photo with The Thinker. If it’s too chilly, head inside to cozy up with one of the thousands of books (and other materials) in the Ekstrom Library.
Photo via Flickr/ConspiracyofHappiness.Fourth Street Live!
411 S. Fourth St.
Petula Clark once sang that the lights downtown were so bright, you could “forget all your troubles, forget all your cares.” We can’t guarantee that’ll happen at the downtown “entertainment and retail complex” that is Fourth Street Live!, but there’s definitely a lot to do: you can ride a bull at PBR Louisville, eat dishes straight from Flavortown at Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse, or sing along with strangers at Howl at the Moon. If nothing else, you can always “linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty –– how can you lose?”
Photo via Louisville TourismAny distillery
If you and your guest have an interest in bourbon, our city has plenty of options for in-person experiences that let you learn about the distillation process and try bourbon samples yourself. The Urban Bourbon Trail is a good start.
Photo via Louisville TourismThe Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Okay, this isn’t so much a tourist destination that oozes Louisvillian-ness as some of the other places, but hey –– it’s The Zoo, you’ll see animals, you’ll get a good walk.
Photo by Kathryn Harrington.Foodie City: Let Them Eat Louisville
Everywhere
Louisville is a foodie paradise. Make sure that you take any guest visiting Louisville to one of our amazing local eateriesPhoto via Robin Garr
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