Family Friendly Travel Guide: Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville may be known for bourbon, gambling and horse racing, but there is a wealth of family friendly activities in Louisville as well. Here are some of the best family friendly things to do in Louisville, Kentucky.

Animal Attractions
Animal lovers should head over to the 134-acre Louisville Zoo, which also features tons of non-animal related fun activities. Home to over 1,300 exotic animals, the zoo also features a splash water park, playgrounds, a carousel, a train and a snazzy motion simulator.

The Louisville Nature Center is a must see in Louisville for those enjoying the great outdoors. The Nature Center features an outdoor nature preserve, butterfly and dragonfly gardens, wildlife exhibits, an indoor museum, hiking trails that wind through Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve and tons of children’s learning activities.

Fun with Water
Looking for a unique way to explore the Ohio River? Then book a trip on the Belle of Louisville. Built in 1914, the steamboat is owned and operated by the city and is moored at the downtown wharf next to the Riverfront Plaza. The two-hour cruise to Six Mile Island and back is the perfect thing to do in Louisville with the whole family; adults will love the historic evening dinner cruises and kids will love the music and the thrill of coasting over the open water.

If you’re looking to beat the heat in Louisville, try the Clarksville Family Aquatic Center. The center features a zero depth pool, plunge pool, interactive water features, a lap pool, 154 ft. water slide and sand play areas.

Sports Attractions
Louisville is chock full of family friendly sports attractions. While Churchill Downs is best known for gambling and the Kentucky Derby, during the week it is a great place to bring the kids. Kids will love to watch the horses parade around the stables and run practice races. Make sure you stop by the Kentucky Derby Museum adjacent to Churchill Downs and take a peek at the rich history of the Kentucky Derby and thoroughbred horse racing. Don’t miss the documentary film of the Derby shown in the 360 degree theater. Kids won’t want to miss Riders Up which simulates the ride of a jockey during the famous race.

If you are visiting Louisville in the spring or summer, while away the afternoon by catching a game of the Louisville Bats, the city’s minor league baseball team. Aside from the excitement of the game, the Bats hold tons of family friendly promotions such as meet and greets with the team, fireworks, magic shows and a kids base run.

West Main District Downtown Area
At the top of the list of things to do in Louisville is a visit to the West Main District. One of five districts in downtown Louisville, the West Main District has no shortage of family friendly activities. You can take the kids to a performance of Kentucky Show, a 32-minute historical film shown in the 100-seat theater at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Stroll the sidewalks and marvel at the largest collection of cast iron facades outside of New York’s SoHo district. Visit Fort Nelson Park or let the kids run around the grassy areas of the Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere.

Museum Row
The West Main District also contains Museum Row, which features an eclectic collection of museums and some of the oldest structures in Louisville. There is no shortage of things to do in Louisville’s Museum Row.

If your family is science minded, a trip to the Louisville Science Center is a must see. Featuring over 150 interactive exhibits, the kid-friendly center will thrill kids with chemistry, physics, engineering, telecommunications, technology, health and life science exhibits as well as a four-story IMAX theater.

At the Museum at the American Printing House for the Blind, kids are encouraged to touch the exhibits in order to gain a better understanding of the experiences of the blind.

No discussion of things to do in Louisville would be complete without mentioning the famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats. The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is a fun combination of history and manufacturing. Adults will love seeing the baseball history exhibits, while kids will love to watch as Louisville Slugger bats are made. The best part: every visitor gets to take home a small Louisville Slugger bat as a souvenir.

While you’re there, don’t forget to grab a snapshot of the six-story bat that stands next to the museum. Dubbed “Largest Bat in the World,” the free standing hollow steel bat weighs an amazing 68,000 pounds and is a must see for any baseball fan. Also, make sure you take a short trip down the street to the mural which faces the Louisville Glassworks. The mural is of a huge ball, comparable in size to the enormous bat, shattering a window.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *