Things To Do Around Louisville, KY
An endless number of Louisville area attractions await you, most within a 15-20 minute or less drive from Chateau Bourbon.
Area Parks
Cherokee Park
Cherokee Park’s main feature is the 2.4-mile Scenic Loop, with separate lanes for vehicle traffic (one-way) and recreational users. One of the original parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the park provides a pastoral setting amid rolling hills, open meadows and woodlands of the Beargrass Creek valley.
Louisville Zoo
Currently exhibiting more than 1,500 animals on 134 acres of natural settings representing zoogeographical areas, specific habitat types or special education areas including: Glacier Run, Africa, Islands, New World Exhibits , Australian Outback, the HerpAquarium and the Metazoo Education Center. The Zoo’s award-winning Islands, Gorilla Forest and Glacier Run exhibits have been recognized by AZA for their excellence and innovation.
The Big Four Bridge
The Big Four Bridge is a six-span former railroad truss bridge that crosses the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana. It is open for pedestrian and bicycle use 24 hours a day.
Waterfront Park
From the Great Lawn to the Brown-Forman Amphitheater, Waterfront Park is truly the emerald heart of this city by the river. Read about our park’s history, check out the photo galleries, or go to the maps section to get driving directions and find your way around the park once you get here.
Bernhiem Forest
Are you looking to connect with nature? Bernheim is the place to do it. With 16,140 acres of land in Bullitt and Nelson Counties in Kentucky, there is an adventure waiting for everyone. Purchased by German immigrant Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929, the land was dedicated as a gift to the people of his new homeland. Today, more than 500,000 visitors from the U.S. and abroad visit Bernheim each year.
The Parklands
Louisville grows through our parks. Our communities have long found common ground in green spaces that belong to everybody, and The Parklands of Floyds Fork is planting the seeds of the future and a better quality of life for generations to come. With four major parks covering nearly 4,000 acres, The Parklands is one of the largest donor- and visitor-supported public park systems in the country, and it’s right here in Louisville’s backyard.
Kentucky Sports
Known as the home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs Racetrack conducts thoroughbred horse racing in Louisville, Kentucky during three race meets in the spring, September, and the fall.
Kentucky Derby Museum
An American Thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs. Admission includes the Historic Walking Tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack, “The Greatest Race” 360-degree
high-definition film, two levels of permanent and temporary exhibits.
KFC YUM! Center
As the the official home of the University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball programs and women’s volleyball program, the KFC YUM! Center also serves as a great concert and sporting event venue, hosting top recording artists and shows.
Louisville Slugger Museum
Located in Louisville, Kentucky’s “Museum Row” in the West Main District of downtown, the museum showcases the history of the Louisville Slugger brand of baseball bats made by Hillerich & Bradsby, and of baseball in general. Home of the world’s biggest baseball bat.
Kentucky Thrills
A total entertainment experience in which patrons can enjoy a fun place to socialize as well as the realistic thrill of head-to-head racing. Housed inside a new state-of-the-art facility, the combination of 40 mph karts, a professionally designed track and a computerized timing system makes it like no other karting option.
Kentucky Kingdom
A Seasonal 63-acre amusement & water park with both thrill & children’s rides, plus waterslides & wave pools.
Louisville Mega Cavern
A former limestone mine offering underground attractions including underground zip lines, bike park, ropes course, historic adventure tour and gift shop. Includes history, education center, special events, photos and directions.
Kentucky Theaters
Distinguished as one of the few regional companies in the country which operates three diverse theatres under one roof.
Kentucky Center for the Arts
Louisville’s major performing arts center. Tenants include Broadway Across America, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet and Louisville Orchestra.
KFC YUM! Center
As the the official home of the University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball programs and women’s volleyball program, the KFC YUM! Center also serves as a great concert and sporting event venue, hosting top recording artists and shows.
The Louisville Palace
Synonymous with the finest in touring Broadway attractions, local, national, and international performing arts presentations, classic films, and concert engagements featuring contemporary, gospel, R&B, variety, comedy, and country artists.
Louisville Kentucky Museums
Weapons from the British Royal Armouries, other historical artifacts & daily live performances. Rotating special exhibits, including the “Spirits of Bluegrass: Prohibition & Kentucky.”
Kentucky Derby Museum
An American Thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs. Admission includes the Historic Walking Tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack, “The Greatest Race” 360-degree high-definition film, two levels of permanent and temporary exhibits.
KMAC Contemporary Art Museum
KMAC is Louisville’s premier educational contemporary art museum in historic downtown on Museum Row. Through exhibitions, education, and outreach, KMAC works to fulfill our mission of connecting people to art and creative practice.
Louisville Slugger Museum
Located in Louisville, Kentucky’s “Museum Row” in the West Main District of downtown, the museum showcases the history of the Louisville Slugger brand of baseball bats made by Hillerich & Bradsby, and of baseball in general. Home of the world’s biggest baseball bat.
Speed Art Museum
Whether you’re an art aficionado or don’t know a Dali from a Degas, you can find fresh inspiration and meaning at the Speed Art Museum. With modern architecture, expanded programming, interactive exhibits and inviting outdoor spaces, the Speed offers countless opportunities for everyone to create their own connections and experience art at their own speed.
Explore Bourbon Country
Kick off your Bourbon Country experience in Bourbon City – home to the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Urban Bourbon Trail. Louisville is the only city in the world with more than 12 distillery experiences, a bourbon cocktail & culinary trail, bourbon-themed accommodations and bourbon-centric shopping. Not into bourbon? No problem! The city abounds with history, sports, arts, and more. Old Louisville hosts the largest collection of Victorian mansions in the country. The Highlands is packed-full of eclectic shopping and dining and is surrounded by the largest of our 18 Olmstead parks and one of the country’s most beautiful cemeteries, Cave Hill – the final resting place of Muhammad Ali and Colonel Sanders.
Chateau Bourbon exceeds ALL expectations! 5+ Stars! John & Missy make the visit a memory you'll treasure. Delightful happy hour, delicious 3-course breakfast, divine home and impeccable rooms/bathrooms, welcoming porches/patios for relaxing, wonderful neighborhood with shops and restaurants...Chateau Bourbon could be your only destination except Louisville has so many other things to offer too! We fell in love with KY and crammed as much as we could into the visit, i.e. distillery tours, trolley ride, museum visits, concert, Creation Museum, and The Ark. We'll definitely be back!
- Joan