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FOR THE LOVE OF LOUISVILLE
12 top attractions in a one-of-a-kind city

There’s certainly only one Muhammad Ali--and one Muhammad Ali Center. There’s just one Kentucky Derby--held at the one-and-only Churchill Downs. There’s one top bat for ballplayers--and the singular Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where they’re made. Among Louisville’s 120+ unique attractions, many are one-of-a-kind--making it easy to love Louisville.

Located on the banks of the Ohio River between St. Louis and Cincinnati, Louisville, KY, is situated at the northern edge of the South and the southern edge of the Midwest.

The mighty Ohio is the reason for Louisville’s existence. During westward expansion, a series of falls forced settlers to portage--establishing a trading area that would eventually become the city. Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark would formally found Louisville in 1778, naming it in honor of King Louis XVI of France.

Meriwether Lewis, leader of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, met co-commander William Clark (brother of George Rogers Clark) in Louisville on October 14, 1803. They stayed in Louisville and Clarksville, Indiana, before heading west. Several area attractions, including Churchill Downs, the Falls of Ohio State Park, and Locust Grove Historic Home have connections to these historically significant men and events.

Louisville grew throughout the 19th and 20th centuries with the construction of several historic neighborhoods and entering the 21st century with a reputation for originality with locals and visitors alike. Quite simply, no other city can claim Colonel Sanders, the Hot Brown, mint juleps, Derby Pie®. There are so many must-see attractions in Louisville. Here is a sampling--12 top attractions (and a “Derby” addition) that are truly unique.

Historic Old Louisville

Visiting Old Louisville is a walk through history. With the country’s largest collection of Victorian-style homes in one area and the city’s oldest, largest, and most beautifully restored structures, this is a great place to start an exploration of Louisville (begin at the Visitors Center in Historic Old Louisville at 218 West Oak Street). Along with historic homes, there are quaint bed-and-breakfasts, varied dining options, and a number of walking and bus tours, from architecture to ghosts to the holidays.

Muhammad Ali Center

Float like a butterfly…at downtown’s Muhammad Ali Center. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville on January 17, 1942, Ali began his amateur boxing career at 12. He would become a three-time world heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medal winner, before spending the last four decades devoted to humanitarian work. The award-winning museum (plan a visit of several hours) is an international cultural and educational center guided and inspired by Ali’s ideals.

Frazier International History Museum

Also located in Louisville’s bustling Downtown District, the Frazier is the only location in North America where visitors will see an exhibit from the Royal Armouries of Great Britain. There’s more with interactive displays, multi-media presentations, and costumed interpreters leading visitors through more than 1,000 years of history, including American legends like George Washington, Daniel Boone, Geronimo, and Teddy Roosevelt.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

This museum is always a huge hit with kids and kids at heart. Featuring the world’s largest bat at the front door, a factory tour, interactive exhibits, and the opportunity to purchase a personalized Louisville Slugger, this is another one-of-a-kind Louisville home run. Just down the street, the sparkling Louisville Slugger Field plays host to the minor league Bats from April to September (but the Museum is open year-round).

The Speed Art Museum

Kentucky’s first and still largest art museum, The Speed spans more than 6,000 years of art history. Highlights of the 12,000-piece collection include 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings; 18th century French art; Renaissance, and Baroque tapestries; and significant holdings of contemporary American painting and sculpture. African and Native American works represent a growing segment of the museum's collection. The Speed also houses paintings, sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts by Kentucky artists and created for Kentuckians. Admission is free except for certain special exhibits and events.

The Belle of Louisville

The steamboat now known as the Belle of Louisville was built in 1914.The Belle now is recognized as the oldest river steamboat still in operation. Along with the 1962 riverboat, the Spirit of Jefferson, the Belle serves as the western anchor of Louisville's award-winning Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville. Both vessels offer a wide variety of tours and theme cruises.

Glassworks

This sprawling multi-use facility features galleries with artists from around the world, as well as fascinating guided and self-guided tours and glass-blowing classes and workshops. In November and December, visitors can blow their own glass ornament. Back on the streets, look for Juicy Lucy--Glassworks' new mobile glass-blowing studio.

Actors Theatre of Louisville

Another Downtown District attraction, the Tony Award-winning Actors Theatre features a wide range of year-round dramas, musicals, and comedies. Holidays productions like "A Christmas Carol" and "A Tuna Christmas" are always festive favorites, while the Humana Festival of New American plays runs from late-February to early-April.

Louisville Zoo

The 75-acre Louisville Zoo always seems to have something new. The latest news came last spring, with the birth of two endangered Addax esborn just two weeks apart. Around 250, Addax is one of the world’s rarest mammals. With more than 1,300 animals, the zoo has produced more than 50 Addax offspring over the years.

Fourth Street Live!

This downtown entertainment district always seems to be alive with people and hopping places. The city’s premier dining and entertainment area features a mix of leading national and regional restaurants, as well as nightclubs and frequent live entertainment.

Urban Bourbon Trail

Bourbon is America’s native spirit and 95 percent of it is distilled in Kentucky. Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail features eight designated bars and restaurants that stock at least 50 bourbons (some have 150+). Seven of the establishments are located downtown either along the Main/Market Street Trolley or the Fourth Street Trolley. For the final trail stop, catch a cab to the eighth location along Frankfort Avenue. Further south of the city, Kentucky's Bourbon Trail features seven varied distilleries.

Lynn’s Paradise Café

The home of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Hot Brown, and many other food icons would naturally have a number of one-of-a-kind restaurants. Lynn’s Paradise Café certainly qualifies as unique, thanks to imaginative and colorful décor (check out the “ugly lamp” collection) and creative home-style cooking including the Paradise Hot Brown--home-roasted turkey breast baked on sourdough bread, with Mornay sauce, bacon, tomato, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.

The Derby (Almost Every Day)

Though the famed Kentucky Derby is only held annually the first Saturday of May, Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum are in the winner’s circle of Louisville attractions many more days of the year. Historic Churchill Downs has live racing from late October to late November and late April to early July. In addition, the excellent Kentucky Derby Museum is open every day of the year, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Oaks and Derby Day. Though a walking tour is included with admission, those in-the-know ask about the seasonal availability of one-of-a-kind tours like the “Barn & Backside Tour” and “Behind the Scenes Walking Tour.”