Downtown Louisville Travel Guide

Louisville
Louisville showing street scenes and signage as well as a small group of people
The cultural heart of the city beats with baseball, boxing and music, with sporting fields, live bands and a centre for Muhammad Ali, the city’s most famous son. 

Boxing and baseball are what downtown Louisville is all about. One of the city’s most famous sons is Muhammad Ali, a Louisville native. Tour a museum dedicated to the boxing star, visit art galleries and boutiques and catch a game of baseball at the Louisville Slugger Field, all in a 1-square mile (2.6-square kilometre) area.

Start your visit with a walk along West Main Street, one of Louisville’s first roads. During the early 1900s it was known as “Whisky Row” for the number of distilleries that operated along its length. Today, its nickname is “Museum Row” after the collection of museums located within a few blocks of each other. They cover art, science, history, baseball and boxing. 

Explore the Muhammad Ali Centre, an interactive museum that traces the boxer’s life and focuses on his humanitarian ideals. Tour the factory and see how the Official Baseball Bat of Major League Baseball is made at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. View works of art and catch a dance, music or comedy show at the Kentucky Centre. This major arts hub houses permanent exhibitions of local and internationally renowned artists and has three theatres. 

There are more live performances over at 4th Street Live!, an entertainment, retail and dining complex. This is downtown Louisville’s party district. Some of the bars and clubs host live bands and there are free open-air concerts on the outdoor stage.

Explore downtown’s 85-acre (34-hectare) Waterfront Park on the banks of the Ohio River. Cruise the river on the Belle of Louisville, a paddlewheel-driven steamboat that was built in 1914.

Downtown Louisville is an easy district to get around on foot. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern and the main attractions are well signposted. The Louisville Downtown Management District (LDMD) Ambassadors, clad in bright yellow shirts provide visitors with maps and directions. They also offer vehicle assistance to drivers, such as repairing flat tyres and dealing with dead batteries. The downtown area has more than two dozen information kiosks dotted around the streets.  


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Louisville

Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
4 out of 5
140 North Fourth Street, Louisville, KY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿4,560 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
฿4,560
฿5,365 total
includes taxes & fees
15 Nov - 16 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,399 reviews)
Louisville gem
"Love staying at The Galt House. Rooms are spacious, the vibe is very “Louisville,” and it’s in the perfect location downtown. My husband and I have been staying here for many years and look forward to many more."

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Omni Louisville Hotel
Omni Louisville Hotel
4 out of 5
400 S. 2nd Street, Louisville, KY
The price is ฿5,101 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
฿5,101
฿6,002 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Louisville. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,170 reviews)
"Wonderful place will definitely stay again"

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Omni Louisville Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
800 W Market St, Louisville, KY
The price is ฿3,385 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
฿3,385
฿3,982 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,372 reviews)
"I good value in downtown Louisville."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Genevieve
Hotel Genevieve
4 out of 5
730 E Market St, Louisville, KY
The price is ฿4,525 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿4,525
฿5,323 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (560 reviews)
"Great overall experience!"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Hotel Genevieve
Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
4 out of 5
501 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY
The price is ฿3,900 per night from 29 Nov to 30 Nov
฿3,900
฿4,589 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Nov - 30 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Great location!"

Reviewed on 23 Oct 2024

Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
Hyatt Regency Louisville
Hyatt Regency Louisville
4 out of 5
320 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY
The price is ฿4,555 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
฿4,555
฿5,359 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Ice location, clean rooms, it overpriced for Louisville!"

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Hyatt Regency Louisville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Louisville

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Phoenix Hill

While Phoenix Hill isn't home to many top sights, Nulu Market Place and Louisville Slugger Field are some notable places to visit nearby.

Phoenix Hill
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Smoketown Jackson

Though Smoketown Jackson may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Louisville Palace and Nulu Market Place.

Smoketown Jackson
Louisville Science Center which includes outdoor art

West Main Historic District

A noteworthy feature of West Main Historic District is its fantastic nightlife. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Louisville Slugger Museum and Louisville Science Center.

West Main Historic District
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Shelby Park

Shelby Park might not have many top sights, but Broadway Theatre and Conrad-Caldwell House Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Shelby Park
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Butchertown

While visiting Butchertown, you might make a stop by sights like Lynn Family Stadium and Louisville Waterfront Park.

Butchertown
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Highlands

While there might not be top attractions in Highlands, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Headliners Music Hall and Nulu Market Place.

Highlands

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