Downtown Louisville Travel Guide

Louisville

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The cultural heart of the city beats with baseball, boxing and music, with sporting fields, live bands and a center 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


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
The price is ₹11,018 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹11,018
₹12,964 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,471 reviews)
"Great property and location"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

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 ₹13,758 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
₹13,758
₹16,187 total
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,524 reviews)
"The property is expansive. A bit much for my taste but the staff was friendly. What I didn't care for is paying for Wi-Fi, which is usually included during one's stay. Their notification system needs upgrading. We happen to leave our room at 9:30a and took off the DND sign off our door. On the way ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Omni Louisville Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown by IHG

2.5 out of 5
800 W Market St, Louisville, KY
The price is ₹8,642 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
₹8,642
₹10,168 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,490 reviews)
"Location cleanliness"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown by IHG
Tempo By Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu

Tempo By Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu

3.5 out of 5
710 E Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY
The price is ₹10,945 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹10,945
₹12,878 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions KFC Yum Center and Fourth ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (664 reviews)
"The hotel was very clean and comfortable. The front desk staff were friendly and professional. The food in the restaurant on the top floor was excellent but a little pricy. The only problem during my stay was that 6 cars were broken into in their parking garage. Nothing stolen, vandalism only. Luckily ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Tempo By Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu
Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row

Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row

3 out of 5
120 SOUTH FLOYD ST, Louisville, KY
The price is ₹10,247 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹10,247
₹12,057 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Will stay here again"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row
Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown

Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown

4 out of 5
501 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY
The price is ₹10,945 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹10,945
₹12,878 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Breakfast and Fitness was great! Homeless around, but property was safe"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
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 Thomas Edison House are some notable places to visit nearby.

Phoenix Hill
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East Market District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in East Market District and surrounding area, you can visit Nulu Market Place and Thomas Edison House.

East Market District
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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 Frazier International History Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum.

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 Thomas Edison House.

Butchertown


Downtown Louisville Travel Guide