Fourth Street Live! Pictured Above

Spring Vacation Ideas in Louisville

Get in on all the excitement at the biggest event of the year in Louisville, the Kentucky Derby. The fun begins weeks before the big day with festivals, parades, parties, balloon races, and fireworks. Read more about the Kentucky Derby on our May Vacation Ideas page.

The Kentucky Derby Museum, located at Gate 1 of Churchill Downs, is a must see for all horse lovers. Two floors of exhibits with an expanded look into Thoroughbred racing and the Kentucky Derby. View film footage of the Derbys, mount a simulated horse, see all the Derby winning horses and learn more of the jockeys and the interesting behind the scenes facts. Many interactive exhibits for young and old alike.

Take the tour at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, recently renovated and open to the public. You can't miss it. Look for the 6 story bat leaning against the building at 800 West Main Street. See how bats are made in the factory, then stop at the museum to view all the baseball memorabilia and new interactive exhibits. Lots to see, informative and fun. Reviews show visitors pleasantly surprised whether you're a sports fan or not. Call 877-775-8443 for more information.

Summer Vacation Ideas in Louisville

Take the fascinating Downtown Ghost Walking Tour from May through November on Friday nights. You'll hear haunting tales of the Brown Hotel, Brennan House, Palace Theater, Seelbach Hotel, the Belle of Louisville, and much more. Feel the history around you and decide for yourself on the authenticity of the hauntings. Call 502-689-5117 for information on all the available tours.

From Memorial Day through December you'll have the opportunity to cruise the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville and The Spirit of Jefferson, 401 W. River Road. Choose from lunch/dinner sightseeing tours, steamboat racing tours, special events cruises for holidays such as Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Eve. They even offer Bingo Lunch cruises. Call 866-832-0011 for complete information.

You'll find plenty to do at the Kentucky State Fair. Read about it on our August Vacation Ideas page.

Fall Vacation Ideas in Louisville

Bring the family to the Bluegrass Balloon Festival September 24 - 26, 2010. Over 75,000 attendees enjoy this three day event with 8 ballooning events, live music, fireworks, kids play center, and plenty of food and beverages at the Bowman Field.

Have fun with the family at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in nearby Bardstown.

Year Round Vacation Ideas in Louisville

Kids will enjoy the Louisville Zoo at 1100 Trevilian Way. Friendly staff, clean cages, good walking paths, water sprinklers to cool off the kids on hot days, inexpensive, and lots of free parking available. But, best of all, the zoo is always adding new animals, the last count was 1,300. Their award-winning gorilla exhibit is one not to miss. You'll see monkeys, alligators, seals, flamingos, lions, reptiles, a butterfly exhibit, and pigmy hippos. Watch the informational shows, ride the ZooTram around the park, and stop off at the antique carousel. During the month of October, the younger set is treated to 14 nights of non-stop Halloween fun in a non-scary atmosphere with costumed characters, storybook scenes, trick or treating, and the Halloween Express Train Ride. 502-459-2181

Take a look back in history at the Farmington Historic Plantation Museum, 3033 Bardstown Road in Louisville, home of Abraham Lincoln's best friend, Joshua Speed. Built in 1815, this 14 room Federal-style home is now undergoing major restorations. The restored plantation, springhouse used for refrigeration, barn, summer kitchen, blacksmith shop, formal gardens, apple orchard, and remnants of outbuildings sits on 18 acres of land and is open for tours. 502-452-9920.

More Louisville Museums and Attractions

• Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
• Louisville Science Center
• Louisville Waterfront Park
• Muhammad Ali Center
• Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
• Speed Art Museum - Visiting the University of Louisville? Right next door you'll find the Speed Art Museum at 2035 S. 3rd. Street. Lots to see with over 13,000 works of art that includes modern and old master paintings, sculptures, European tapestries, decorative art, and American Indian and African cultural exhibits. Museum admission is free.
• Fourth Street Live! (pictured above) for shopping, entertainment, and dining.