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	DESTINATION GUIDES Louisville Kentucky, United States

DESTINATION GUIDES

Louisville

Kentucky, United States

Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky and 16th largest in the United States is home to the world famous Churchill Downs where the most exciting two minutes in sports occurs each year with the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby, also known as the Run for the Roses, is held on the first Saturday of each May. The Kentucky Derby Festival is kicked off with Thunder over Louisville, an air show by day and the largest fireworks & lights display in the United States at night.

While the Kentucky Derby is well known, it only happens once a year. The city of Louisville has lots to offer year-round with over 90 attractions and something for everyone. Downtown you can check-out the Louisville Slugger Museum, home of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat. During baseball season take in a game with the Louisville Riverbats at Slugger Field. The stadium is cosy, friendly, and has some great food offerings.

New to the city is the Muhammad Ali Centre. The Centre is two and a half levels and features exhibits, a theatre and two art galleries. Here you can learn about Muhammad Ali and according to the centre's website, "embark on your own personal discovery". Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students, and $4 for kids aged 6 through 12.

There is the Kentucky Derby Museum with many exhibits and track tours. Admission to the museum is $9 and it is $6 for the track tour. Speaking of museums, check-out The Speed Art Museum. The museum is Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum and has over 12,000 pieces in its collection. The Speed Art museum is located next to University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus.

Looking for entertainment? Look no further than the newly built 4th Street Live, located downtown between Liberty Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Forth Street Live has pubs & clubs such as Parrot Beach and The Maker's Mark Bourbon House; for entertainment you'll find Lucky Strike Bowling, Felt - a high end billiard club, and Howl at the Moon has duelling piano's with an audience sing, er, howl along. Hungry? For a bite to eat try TGI Friday's, the Red Star Tavern, or Louisville's Hard Rock Cafe. Fourth Street Live also has a Borders Book Store and a variety of retail shops.

For the adventurous, there is Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is a theme park with roller-coasters and other thrill rides. Kentucky Kingdom is located near the fairgrounds where the Kentucky State Fair is held each August.

Other highlights downtown include The Waterfront Park, The Brown Hotel, Louisville Glassworks, and Actor's Theatre. Last but not least, downtown Louisville also has a new full service Marriott Hotel - a good place to end the day and get a good night sleep!

City History

Named after King Louis XVI of France, Louisville was founded in 1778. With the invention of the steamboat in the early 1800s, Louisville found its place on the map during the industrial revolution. Today, the greater Louisville area is known to the locals as Kentuckiana, as the city sits on the Ohio River with the state of Indiana directly to the north. Louisville is home to many large fast food corporations you are likely familiar with including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut (Yum! Brands) and Pappa John’s Pizza. The overnight delivery company, United Parcel Service (UPS), is the largest employer in Louisville with its primary cargo hub at Louisville International Airport.

Getting to Louisville

Louisville is about a 90 minute drive from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is located on Interstate 64 which runs east-west and Interstate 65 which runs north-south.

Louisville International Airport (SDF) is serviced by most major US carriers and has non-stop air service to most major cities in the United States including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C., among others.