Icons of Louisville

Discover the beating heart of Kentucky in Louisville, with its rich bourbon history, irresistible culinary delights, and electrifying festival scene.

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Discover Bourbon City

With 12 distilleries, six of which are located within walking distance of each other, Louisville has helped shape America’s Bourbon heritage. Previously nicknamed the ‘Wall Street of Whiskey’, Whiskey Row has recently welcomed a new selection of Bourbon-related experiences.

Embarking on a walking and drinking tour of the area guarantees an amazing sensory Bourbon experience. As well as learning about the distillation process, the distilleries offer plenty of drink samples along the way, with additional bars if you wish to extend your visit.

Frazier History Museum is the welcome centre for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Named after Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first licensed distiller whose distillery was along the banks of the Ohio River in 1783, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience was the first Bourbon distillery to open its doors back on Louisville’s Whiskey Row in 2013. Guests are immersed in Louisville’s 200+ year history of Bourbon Whiskey while getting to enjoy tastings of the distillery’s variety of products.

Whilst the chic Angel’s Envy distillery offers guests a fresh look at Bourbon production using its unique double-maturation process.

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Take a Bite out of Bourbon City

Continue your sensory experience at some of the finest restaurants in Kentucky state.

Louisville has become the epicentre of Southern cuisines as its innovative chefs put a unique local twist on dishes. Menus often change with the seasons due to farm-to-table movement, ensuring only the freshest and locally sourced ingredients are used.

You’ll find an eclectic mix of restaurants in the NuLu district which pushes the boundaries as chefs experiment with the famous Bourbon flavour. Its rich, smoky notes are found in sauces, spices and even desserts.

Bourbon Soy and a host of other bourbon-infused products such as curry powder, nuts and salt and pepper are on sale at from Bourbon Barrel Foods if you wish to continue the bourbon explosion at home.

However, perhaps the most famous dish in Louisville is the Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey bacon and cheese sauce sandwich which was born at the historic Brown Hotel, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

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Echoes of Louisville’s Past

Nestled along the graceful curves of the Ohio River, Louisville is steeped in the echoes of its past. Visitors to the city can expect to find a captivating blend of history and heritage that helped to shape a nation.

Watch Louisville’s story unfold as you explore cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and beautifully preserved landmarks. Why not delve into the city's rich heritage in the historic district of Old Louisville, where stately mansions and tree-lined avenues transport you to a bygone era.

Louisville Waterfront Park is a testament to the city's commitment to revitalisation, offering a blend of green open spaces and waterfront vistas.

With the sweet scent of bourbon in the air and ever-welcoming warm Southern hospitality through every door, Louisville invites you to embark on a journey through time, where the threads of history weave seamlessly into the vibrant fabric of its present-day charm.

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The Legacy of Ali

Embark on an immersive exploration of Muhammad Ali's life at the Muhammad Ali Center, nestled in Louisville’s vibrant West Main district.

This exceptional museum provides a close-up look at the journey of the Louisville-born man who ascended to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World and a globally recognised icon. Award-winning exhibits, footage of Ali's iconic fights, interactive boxing experiences, and a captivating display of memorabilia contribute to a comprehensive understanding of his extraordinary life.

Beyond his prowess in the ring, Ali's legacy as a global humanitarian and advocate for peace, civil rights, and social justice is celebrated. The centre’s education further honours his legacy by offering courses to inspire the next generation of social changemakers.

As an exciting addition to the Ali experience, don't miss the upcoming Ali Musical set to premiere in late 2024 / early 2025. This musical promises to be a captivating celebration of Ali's life, adding yet another dimension to the rich tapestry of experiences Louisville has to offer.

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The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Derby Festival is one of the premiere events of its kind in the world and a proud five-time winner of the International Festivals & Events Association award. The festival sees Louisville play host to over 70 special events before more than 160,000 race-goers descend on the city for ‘the most exciting two minutes in sport’.

A favourite race of Queen Elizabeth II, the Kentucky Derby is considered the longest continually run annual sporting event in the United States, with the inaugural running taking place in May of 1875. This year saw the 150th running of the iconic Run for the Roses horse race which took place at the historic Churchill Downs; a National Historic Landmark.

Missed this years’ Derby? Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, one of the region’s premier attractions, where ‘Every day is Derby Day’ whilst also start planning for next year’s Derby in early May 2025.

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The Big Bat

Gracing the hands of baseball legends including Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, the Louisville Slugger bat has been an emblem of excellence for more than a century.

Get a unique and immersive experience into the artistry behind these legendary bats at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where you’ll find an extensive selection of bats used by legends of the game and even be able to see the world’s largest baseball bat; nicknamed appropriately ‘The Big Bat’. Standing 120 feet high and weighing 68,000 pounds the bat is a to scale replica of Babe Ruth's 34-inch Louisville Slugger.

The Slugger factory continues to produce the bat of choice for many of today’s best baseball player and MLB teams, with near 4000 baseball bats made daily. Take the factory tour and see exactly how this icon of America’s pastime is crafted before taking home your own piece of baseball history in the form of your own mini–Louisville Slugger.

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