Kentuckiana is packed full of unique local attractions offering everything from thrill rides, world-renowned museums, and an old school drive-in. Here are a some local favorites that everyone in and around Louisville should visit at least once: 

Belle of Louisville Riverboats
401 W River Rd
Louisville, KY 40202
belleoflouisville.org

Cruise down the Ohio River on the iconic steamboats, Belle of Louisville or Mary M. Miller, to see landmarks highlighting Louisville's 200+ years of history while enjoying lunch or dinner during your sightseeing tour. 

Big Four Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge
Connects downtown Louisville, KY & downtown Jeffersonville, IN
ourwaterfront.org
gosoin.com

Stretching over the Ohio River this attraction was once a railroad bridge serving for the "Big Four Railroad" (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis). It was recently renovated and converted into a pedestrian and cyclist pathway that opened in 2014. Indiana and Kentucky residents can now cross each other's state borders on foot or bike 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Frazier Kentucky History Museum
829 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
fraziermuseum.org

The Frazier Kentucky History Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, documents and reinterprets stories from history using artifacts, exhibitions - both permanent and special, and live interpretations written and performed daily by the staff.  It is also the starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Georgetown Drive-In
8200 State Road 64
Georgetown, IN
georgetowndrivein.com

Opened in 1951, the Georgetown Drive-In features two screens, concession stand, and a well-maintained kids playground. The drive-in is open on weekends during April through October.

Holiday World and Splashing Safari
452 East Christmas Blvd
Santa Claus, IN 47579
www.holidayworld.com

Located about an hour from Louisville off I-64, Holiday World and Splashin' Safari is a combination theme park and water park. From top-ranked coasters and one of the world's largest water parks, park goers can enjoy all kinds of rides, live entertainment, games, and attractions all summer long. 

Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant
2421 Engle Road
Starlight, Indiana 47106
joehubers.com

In an atmosphere that reminds you to appreciate family, homemade products, and the beauty of the country, Joe Huber's Family Farm makes for a fun and wholesome day trip. Visitors can take a tractor ride through the pumpkin and strawberry fields, apple orchard and more, explore the winery, visit the market, and have a true country-style meal at the restaurant.

Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Ave
Louisville, KY 40208
derbymuseum.org

Celebrating the tradition and history of the world-renowned Kentucky Derby, the museum features two floors of interactive exhibits, a 30-minute guided historic walking tour at Churchill Downs Racetrack, and the 18-minute signature movie, "The Greatest Race" on a 360°, 4K high-resolution screen.

Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay
937 Phillips Ln
Louisville, KY 40209
www.kentuckykingdom.com

Open seasonally, this amusement park is a popular area attraction for families and thrill seekers of all ages. The park offers a variety of roller coasters, thrill rides, kid friendly attractions, and several attractions in its large water park, Hurricane Bay.

Kentucky Science Center
727 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
kysciencecenter.org

Fun for the whole family, the Kentucky Science Center gives you every opportunity to play, tinker, explore, and experiment with science.  Guests can explore 3-floors of interactive exhibits and films on a 4-story screen making science exciting and entertaining.  

Louisville Distilleries
gotolouisville.com

Kentucky is known for horse racing, baseball bats, and bourbon!  Visit Main Street in downtown Louisville to kick off your Bourbon Country experience and check out distilleries such as Evan Williams, Angel's Envy, and Old Forester just to name a few.  If you want the full Kentucky Bourbon experience, be sure to check out the Kentucky Bourban Trail.

Louisville Mega Cavern
1841 Taylor Ave
Louisville, KY 40213
louisvillemegacavern.com

This underground adventure zone is truly a one-of-a-kind attraction! This 100-acre limestone cavern offers visitors a chance to experience the history and science of the underground world with tram-guided tours, the world's only fully underground zip line course and aerial ropes course, and even an underground bike park. Plus, each year during the holidays the public is invited to drive their own vehicles through the Mega Cavern to ride through a spectacular underground holiday light show.

Louisville Slugger Museum &  Factory
800 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
sluggermuseum.com

The tour begins with a thrilling movie that transports you to the forests and mills where every Louisville Slugger bat begins.  Following the movie you'll get to see history in the making as you take a guided tour through the working factory and see each step of the bat-making process as bats are being crafted with the same pride that started in 1884.  Visit the museum galleries filled with memorabilia, including many items from Johnny Bench's personal collection, and entertaining interactive exhibits...and don't forget to get your picture with the Big Bat out front!

Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, KY 40213
louisvillezoo.org

One of the region's most popular family attractions, the Louisville Zoo exhibits more than 1,500 animals on 134 acres of natural settings. Zoo-goers journey through representations of zoogeographical areas and habitats to see the world's wildlife in action. With its own share of lions, tigers, and bears the Zoo also features award-winning exhibits—Islands, Gorilla Forest and Glacier Run—a petting zoo, a train, a carousel, education programs, and more. Various events are also held throughout the year at the Louisville Zoo including the annual "World's Largest Halloween Party" in October.

Mammoth Cave
1 Mammoth Cave Parkway
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
www.nps.gov/maca

With over 400 miles explored, Mammoth Cave is the world's largest known cave system. Visitors to Mammoth Cave can enjoy cave tours, surface hikes, canoeing on the Green River, horseback riding, camping and more.

Marengo Cave
400 East State Road 64
Marengo, IN 47140
marengocave.com

Located in Southern Indiana, Marengo Cave is a U.S. National Landmark offering an adventure for any level cave explorer. From easy walking tours through huge rooms decorated with stalagmites and stalactites, to wet and muddy excursions through undeveloped, natural cave seeing only with the lights you carry. Canoeing is also available on the Blue River.

My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
602 North 3rd St, Bardstown, KY
150 Oliver Lewis Way, Lexington, KY
kydinnertrain.com

Operating year-round, passengers aboard a beautifully restored 1940's vintage dining car will be served a delicious meal and taken on a scenic excursion through the stunning Kentucky countryside.

Caesers Southern Indiana
Resort with hotel, slot machines, table games, restaurants, shows, concerts, and more!

11999 Casino Center Drive
Elizabeth, IN 47117
www.caesars.com

Churchill Downs
Live thoroughbred racing in the spring and fall for the most authentic Louisville experience you can get.

700 Central Ave
Louisville, KY 40208
churchilldowns.com

Fourth Street Live!
Premier dining and entertainment destination located in the heart of historic downtown Louisville.

400 S 4th St
Louisville, KY 40202
4thstlive.com

Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium
Multi-sensory astronomy presentations in a dome with a 360 degree projected view of the night sky. Special events, laser shows, and children's programs held throughout the year.

University of Louisville
106 W Brandeis Ave
Louisville, KY 40292
speedmuseum.org

Iroquois Amphitheater 
Outdoor theater that hosts a variety of performing arts and cultural programs.

1080 Amphitheater Rd
Louisville, KY 40214
iroquoisamphitheater.com

Kentucky Exposition Center
Large multi-use facility for a variety of conventions, sports, performances, cultural      activities, and more.

937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209
kyexpo.org

Kentucky International Convention Center
The largest meeting space in downtown Louisville used for a variety of conventions, trade shows, gatherings, cultural activities, and more.

221 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40202
kyconvention.org

KFC Yum Center
A premiere concert and show venue that's hosted artists such as Taylor Swift, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, and Jimmy Buffet.  The KFC Yum Center is also the official home of the the University of Louisville men's and women's basketball programs.

1 Arena Plaza
Louisville, KY 40202
kfcyumcenter.com

Louisville Palace
Theater in downtown Louisville offers live entertainment, concerts, musicals, movies, shows, and more.

625 S. 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40202
louisvillepalace.com

Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere
Along the Ohio River this elevated event space is commonly used for festivals and other downtown events.

Between Fourth & Sixth St, Downtown Louisville
ourwaterfront.org

Waterfront Park
Venue of many large events throughout the years including music and cultural festivals, public concerts, fundraisers, and more.

River Road
Louisville, KY
ourwaterfront.org

Louisville and the surrounding area has a rich performing arts scene with various outlets for any music, dance, and drama-enthusiast. From national professional productions to children's education and workshops, here are a few highlights of the community's performing arts organizations, theaters, studios and schools. 

Actor's Theatre
316 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
actorstheatre.org

CenterStage Theater
3600 Dutchmans Ln
Louisville, KY 40205
jewishlouisville.org/jcc/centerstage

Derby Dinner Playhouse
525 Marriott Dr
Clarksville, IN 47129
derbydinner.com

Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
501 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
kentuckyperformingarts.org

Kentucky Opera
708 Magazine St
Louisville, KY 40203
Performances at various locations
kyopera.org

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
616 Myrtle St
Louisville, KY 40208
Performances in Central Park
kyshakespeare.com

Louisville Ballet
315 E Main
Louisville, KY 40202
Performances at the Kentucky Center
louisvilleballet.org

Louisville Orchestra
815 W Market St, 3rd Floor
Louisville, KY 40202
Performances at various locations
louisvilleorchestra.org

StageOne Family Theater
315 W Market St, Ste 25
Louisville, KY 40202
stageone.org

The Stephen Foster Story
411 E Stephen Foster Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
stephenfoster.com

UofL Theater Arts
2314 South Floyd Street
Louisville, KY 40292
Patrons may buy tickets to shows in person or over the phone.
louisville.edu/theatrearts

Youth Performing Arts School
1517 S 2nd St
Louisville, KY 40208
ypas.org

Dozens of events and festivals take place in the Louisville area every year. Festivals could be a celebration of local history and culture, or a showcase of fine arts and music, or themed for a specific holiday. Here a few of the unique and popular events held annually throughout the community:

Abbey Road on the River
An annual festival held on the Belvedere celebrating the music and honoring the spirit of the Beatles.
arotr.com

Forecastle Festival
One of the country’s most anticipated summer festivals held on the Waterfront showcasing music, art, and activism.
forecastlefest.com

Gaslight Festival
This festival has become a Jeffersontown tradition. Centered in the small-town ambiance of Gaslight Square the 8-day festival includes a variety of attractions including a golf scramble, parade, balloon glow, car show, and more.
jtownchamber.com/gaslightfestival

Harvest Homecoming Festival
Voted Indiana's top Fall Festival, the Harvest Homecoming Festival offers craft and food booths, rides, a parade, music, and many free activities for adults and children in downtown New Albany, IN.
harvesthomecoming.com

Home, Garden & Remodeling Show
Every year tens of thousands of people attend the annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show at the Kentucky Expo Center. The show features the latest products and services from hundreds of vendors and thousands of ideas that are designed to improve you home.
homegardenandremodelingshow.com

Homearama
Held at different sites each year, the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville's "Homearama" gives visitors the opportunity to tour hundreds of homes showcasing the unique and professional talents of builders, interior designers, craftspeople and landscape architects.
homearama.com

 Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Every October in Iroquois Park a walking trail is lined with 5,000 professionally carved pumpkins that are illuminated at night for an art show that is sure to get you in the Halloween Spirit.
jackolanternlouisville.org

Kentucky Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby Festival is one of the most anticipated events across the region, attracting over 1.5 million residents and tourists every year. Held at various sites throughout Louisville, the festival takes place during the two weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby and includes over 70 special events including Thunder Over Louisville, Great Steamboat Race, the Pegasus Parade, and more.
kdf.org

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
During June and August the non-profit, professional theater company, Kentucky Shakespeare, offers free performances at the amphitheater in Old Louisville's Central Park. 
kyshakespeare.com

Kentucky State Fair
For 11 days at the end of summer local and regional residents head to the Kentucky State Fair. The fair showcases the state's finest products, organizations, agriculture livestock, and more. It promotes education and fun with special exhibits, concerts, shows, and carnival rides.
kystatefair.org

Lights Under Louisville
During the holiday season, the Louisville Mega Cavern is transformed into the world's only underground holiday light show. Visitors are able to drive their own vehicles through the cavern to experience a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacular. 
lightsunderlouisville.com

St James Art Show
Held in Old Louisville during the first full weekend of October, this annual art fair has become a regional favorite. Over 750 artists from North America showcase a wide variety of fine arts and crafts.
stjamescourtartshow.com

Thunder Over Louisville
Thunder Over Louisville is considered the official kick-off to the Kentucky Derby Festival.  It's one of the largest annual fireworks shows in North America and features one of the nation's top air shows.
thunderoverlouisville.org

WorldFest
As one of the region’s largest international festivals, Worldfest incorporates international food, music, dance, culture, and education, bringing a unique experience to Louisville. Held at the Belvedere for 3 to 4 days every year, Worldfest showcases Louisville’s diversity giving visitors a chance to explore and celebrate the many faces and cultures of our own city.  
worldfestlouisville.com

World's Largest Halloween Party
Throughout the month of October, the Louisville Zoo invites families for a magical Halloween experience. Extravagant decorations and costumed characters transform the Zoo, bringing your favorite storybook scenes to life. Various activities are held each night including trick-or-treating for the kids.
louisvillezoo.org/halloween