Louisville, KY Tourist Attractions
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The largest city in Kentucky, Louisville, was founded on the Ohio River in 1778 and named in honor of the French King Louis XVI. It is the headquarters of famous companies such as Philip Morris Tobacco, American Tobacco, Kentucky Fried Chicken, United Parcel and the Seagram's. Downtown Kentucky has the largest collection of cast-iron buildings outside New York. The J.B. Speed Museum has pictures by Rembrandt, Rubens, Picasso and Monet, whilst the Harlan Sanders Museum, dedicated to the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Louisville Slugger Museum, devoted entirely to baseball, are thoroughly American. River trips on the Ohio can be taken on the venerable old sternwheeler "Belle de Louisville".
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby has been held annually since 1875 on the first Sunday in May, in the exclusive suburb of Churchill Downs. This horse race, one of the most famous and remunerative in the world, is the subject of the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Kentucky Derby Museum
Exhibits at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville include racing artifacts, interactive displays and fine art. Trophies, photographs, riding silks and commemorative Derby glasses are also on display. The Kentucky Derby Museum highlights Thoroughbred racing and the Kentucky Derby.
Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center is a destination providing an international education and cultural center that is inspired by the ideals of its founder Muhammad Ali. The Ali Center features captivating exhibits and multi-media presentations, a five-screen orientation theater film, historic Civil Rights era media footage, video-on-demand of Ali's fights, interactive boxing fun, two changing exhibit galleries, children's Hope and Dream wall, meeting and event space, a retail store and more.
Louisville Slugger Museum
The Louisville Slugger Museum is located at the manufacturing plant and headquarters of the famous company. A 120-foot steel baseball bat rests against the wall of the building. Visitors can watch bats being produced on the guided tour.
Filson Club
The Filson Club is housed in the Ferguson Mansion in Louisville. It is said to be the oldest historical society in Kentucky dating back to 1884.The Filson's museum is located in the Carriage House behind the Ferguson Mansion. Exhibits include a collection of Kentucky artifacts such as handmade quilts and various Civil War items. The library contains original manuscripts, portraits, landscapes, photographs and prints, genealogical materials, printed family histories and local business records.
Frazier International History Museum (formerly Frazier Historical Arms Museum)
The Frazier Museum in Louisville, in collaboration with the Royal Armouries (Britain's oldest museum), holds in trust a world-renowned collection of arms, armor and related historical artifacts. Some of the notable items on display include the ceremonial sword of Founding Father Josiah Bartlett, the family bible of Daniel Boone, the bow attributed to Apache warrior Geronimo, and the ivory-handled Colt pistols of General George Armstrong Custer.
Conrad (Caldwell House Museum)
Designed as a Richardsonian Romanesque mansion, the Conrad - Caldwell House in Louisville was built for Theophilus Conrad, a Frenchman who made his fortune in the tanning business. Built in the 1890s the house features gargoyles, swags, massive arches and fleur-de-lis on the outside. The inside of the house features woodwork, stained glass and fixtures.
Historic Locust Grove
Locust Grove is located on 55 of the original 694.5-acre farm established by William and Lucy Clark Croghan in Louisville in 1790. Three U.S. Presidents, Monroe, Jackson and Taylor, were just a few of the distinguished visitors and it was a stopping point for famed explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The mansion has been restored and furnished to its original appearance.
Louisville Mega Cavern
Louisville Mega Cavern is a 17 mile underground attraction with tours conducted by a jeep and tram. Some of the more interesting points of this attraction lies within the history. During the 1940's until the 1970's, Civil Defense had chosen this particular cavern to use in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States. This is highlighted midway through each tour along with a short movie.
NSSAR Historical and Genealogical Library
The NSSAR Historical and Genealogical Library is housed in the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution headquarters in Louisville. The library has more than 50,000 items including records from the Civil and Revolutionary War periods. The George Washington Collection consists of the Morristown Manuscript Collection and the George Washington Papers.
Riverside, Farnsley-Moremen Landing
Built c 1837 by Gabriel Farnsley in Louisville, Riverside is a red brick Kentucky "I-House" with a two-story Greek Revival portico and an incredible river view. The Farnsley-Moremen House served as the center of a large farming operation with an active riverboat landing. The mansion has been restored to its original grandeur and is open to the public.
American Printing House for the Blind
The American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville was founded in 1858. Visitors can take a plant tour and visit the Callahan Museum which is housed in the 1883 section of the facility. Exhibits include historic, tactile books, maps and globes, and a collection of mechanical Braille writers.
Jefferson County Courthouse
TheJefferson County Courthouse in Louisville was designed by Kentucky architect Gideon Shyrock in 1836. Joel T Hart's marble statue of Henry Clay is located in the rotunda and the statue of Thomas Jefferson by Moses Ezekiel is in front of the building.
Joseph A Callaway Archaeological Museum
The Joseph A Callaway Archaeological Museum in Louisville is housed on the campus of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The museum features the Eisenberg Collection of Egyptian and Near Eastern Antiquities and the Nicol Collection of Biblical Archaeology.
Louisville Extreme Park
The Louisville Extreme Park provides 40,000 square feet of skating surface for skateboarding, in-line skating and biking opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Highlights include a 24 foot full pipe, street course, various bowls, and fun boxes.
Cathedral of the Assumption
The Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville was completed in 1852 with an interior that features Gothic arches, ornate columns and a vaulted ceiling. It is the third oldest Catholic Cathedral in the U.S. in continuous use.
Farmington
Farmington in Louisville is a restored brick Federalist style mansion. It was the childhood home of Joshua Fry Speed who was considered to be Lincoln's closest friend. The house was built in 1810 with plans from Thomas Jefferson.
Kentucky Art and Craft Gallery
The Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation in Louisville plays host to 12 exhibitions a year. The work of approximately 200 artists are on display, featuring work in folk art to furniture.
Little Loomhouse
The Little Loomhouse in Louisville is a collection of 19th C log cabins with two centuries of weaving drafts and coverlets on display as well as weaving and spinning demonstrations.
Louisville Palace
The Louisville Palace was designed by John Eberson, a prominent architect who was known for his atmospheric theaters. The Palace opened in 1928 and has been restored to feature the ornate plaster work and baroque decor.
Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo features more than 1,300 exotic animals including gorillas, lions, tigers, polar bears, penguins, and birds in their natural indoor and outdoor habitats within its 134 acres.
Speed Art Museum
Collections of 17th C Dutch and Flemish painting; 18th C French art; Renaissance and Baroque tapestries; American painting and sculpture are featured at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville which was established in 1927.
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
The Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville is home to the Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, Louisville Children's Theatre and the Louisville Orchestra. A collection of 20th C art is displayed throughout the building.
Thomas Edison House
The Thomas Edison House in Louisville was home to the inventor during his brief stay as a telegrapher after the Civil War. Some of Edison's inventions are displayed.
Whitehall
Whitehall was built in Louisville in 1855 as a two-story eight-room brick building. In 1909 the home was remodeled and expanded to a 15-room Classical Revival mansion. The grounds feature a 2-acre formal Florentine garden.
Cave Hill Cemetery
The Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville began in 1848 and is both a cemetery and botanical garden including over 280 labeled tree species.
Louisville Science Center
The Louisville Science Center is housed in a restored 19th C warehouse with hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theater.
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (closed)
Six Flags Kentucky in Louisville features seven roller coasters as well as Loonie Tunes Movie Town and Hurrican Bay water park.
