20 Things to See and Do in and Around Louisville

Louisville may just look like a small dot in the Bluegrass state, but it's one town that shouldn't be overlooked. Located in northern Kentucky on the Ohio River, the city is filled with fun attractions and a community atmosphere. It's definitely a place you'll want to keep coming back to.

Kentucky is known for its bourbon. Driving through the state, you'll even see signs for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. But one of the easiest ways to experience the local spirit is located right on Main Street, in downtown Louisville.

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is not only included on the Main Ticket from Louisville Tourism-a pass that allows you to save money on six of the most well-known attractions in Louisville-but it is also one of the most well-known bourbons produced. Learn how the magic elixir is produced and participate in a guided tasting.

Perhaps the most well-known event in Louisville is the Kentucky Derby, raced at Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May every year. But the track is open for more than just this historic race-and at a more reasonable price. Check out their calendar for when races will be held and try your luck at becoming the next winner betting on the underdog.

If you'd rather just learn about the extensive history of the Kentucky Derby, then stop by the Kentucky Derby Museum, located right next to Churchill Downs. Be sure to wear your fanciest hat and join in all the fanfare from years past.

A great family stop, the Kentucky Science Center will intrigue everyone in your party. Spend time expanding your imagination through the power of science with hands-on exhibits. Plus this museum is located right on Main Street and is part of the Main Ticket from Louisville Tourism.

What is a Kentucky Hot Brown? Comfort food at its finest. The dish is a warm, open-faced sandwich with deli-style turkey slices and strips of bacon slathered in Mornay sauce, broiled and then topped with slices of tomatoes. Although the original recipe was created at the Brown Hotel, variations of the recipe are at restaurants throughout the city.

If there's a baseball fan in your family, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a must. Included as one of the stops on the Main Ticket from Louisville Tourism, this museum and factory covers everything from its long history as the supplier for baseball bats in the MLB to the process of selecting the right wood to make the baseball bats. What's more, you'll even get to see how bats are made now. There's also an area where visitors can see the different preferences of their favorite baseball players, like Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Joey Votto.

Looking for a one-of-kind experience? Check out Louisville Mega Cavern. This massive cave is filled with zip lines, a bike park and more. Once a limestone quarry, the Louisville Mega Cavern was mined from the 1930s to 1970s and is about 100 acres all underground.

To be a true connoisseur of bourbon, you have to be able to taste the subtle difference between brands. What better way than tasting at another local distillery in downtown Louisville that's also part of the Main Ticket from Louisville Tourism? Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. has been making bourbon for the past five generations and specializes in bourbon and American rye whiskey.

Need a little bit of a breather after hopping around the distilleries on Main Street? Head down to Waterfront Park for scenic views of the Ohio River. From concerts to BeerFests to the Great Balloon Glimmer, there's always something going on here. Check out their calendar for events happening during your visit.

Louisville is the hometown of Muhammad Ali and features a whole museum dedicated to his impact on the world. The museum is divided up into six different central values of The People's Champion-Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect and Spirituality. Even better, it's also included on the Main Ticket from Louisville Tourism.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Look no further than Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay. This amusement park and water park in one offers high-flying roller coasters and a place to cool off from the hot summer sun.

Main Street in downtown Louisville is home to multiple museums, including the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, which makes it easy for visitors to park in one location and stop into multiple places during their trip. This Smithsonian Affiliated museum is the place to learn all about the history of Kentucky. From the history of bourbon to the Kentucky Derby to the travels of Lewis and Clark, they cover it all.

The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse is Jim Beam's smaller working distillery in downtown Louisville. Complete with a bottling line, the Stillhouse allows guests to see the bourbon making process on a small scale while enjoying unique cocktails or guided tastings.

Throughout the city of Louisville you'll see painted horses, each with its own unique design and story. These horses are in response to a local community initiative known as Gallopalooza, which raised over a million dollars in 2004 and 2009.

Minor league baseball games are one of my favorite pastimes, and Louisville has a great stadium in the heart of the city for the Louisville Bats-a Cincinnati Reds affiliate. With special nights like Star Wars and Marvel theme nights, these games are entertaining while providing seating close to the action in a more intimate stadium than the larger major league fields.

Located slightly outside of downtown Louisville in the neighborhood of Butchertown sits Thomas Edison's house. Although the town name may have you questioning if you should stop for a visit, Butchertown got its name from the butchers and stockyards in the area in the early nineteenth century. Thomas Edison came to Louisville to work as a telegraph operator and there are several artifacts left in the house from Edison's tinkering.

Just over the Ohio River in Jeffersonville, Indiana is the Howard Steamboat Museum. A beautiful house filled with original furnishings from the turn of the twentieth century from one of America's most prominent steamboat families-the Howards. Steamboats used to be a way of life in the area and this museum helps bring this era back to life.

I had the pleasure of going to Cherokee Park for my cousin's wedding the last time I was in Louisville. The park itself is stunning, with plenty of trails and even an archery range. Take an afternoon out of your trip to spend time in nature in the heart of Louisville-you'll be glad you did.

Louisville is broken up into multiple neighborhoods within the city limits. Check out local restaurants like Crescent Hill Craft House in Crescent Hill or Sergio's World Beers in Butchertown. Or make your way over to Old Louisville to see the historic district in Louisville.

There always seems to be something going on in Louisville. Be sure to check out their calendar when planning your trip and make the most of your visit.