Downtown Louisville, KY

Louisville
Louisville showing signage and street scenes 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 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 kilometer) 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 “Whiskey 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 Center, 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 Center. This major arts hub houses permanent exhibitions of local and internationally renowned artists and has three theaters.

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 tires 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


Downtown Louisville Hotel Deals

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 $119 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
$119
$140 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,033 reviews)
Bourbon Trail Trip/Stay in Louisville, KY
"The room was great - with a living room area, bathroom and large bedroom. Nice to have that kind of space when staying at a hotel for several days. LOVE the valet parking service, so highly recommend if you can swing it. I would stay here again!"

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2024

Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
4 out of 5
501 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY
The price is $143 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
$143
$168 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,027 reviews)
"The room is spacious, beds are comfortable, and shower is clean. Did noticed several leaking spots a along the hallway that had a catch bucket."

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024

Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown
Omni Louisville Hotel
Omni Louisville Hotel
4 out of 5
400 S. 2nd Street, Louisville, KY
The price is $199 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
$199
$234 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Louisville. Enjoy 3 restaurants, 3 bars/lounges, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,122 reviews)
"Great experience!!! The receptionist were very super helpful and sweet . Inspite of the circumstances of experiencing the system down, THEY REMAINED PROFESSIONAL."

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2024

Omni Louisville Hotel
The Brown Hotel
The Brown Hotel
4.5 out of 5
335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY
The price is $179 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
$179
$211 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this luxury hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (979 reviews)
"Beautiful historic hotel"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

The Brown Hotel
Hotel Genevieve
Hotel Genevieve
4 out of 5
730 E Market St, Louisville, KY
The price is $158 per night from Apr 18 to Apr 19
$158
$185 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 18 - Apr 19
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (235 reviews)
"We seriously loved everything about this hotel--so nice and friendly and unlike other chain hotels--rooftop bar has great views and food and service; nice rooms with great views; interesting decor. Fun, interesting neighborhood."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024

Hotel Genevieve
Hyatt Regency Louisville
Hyatt Regency Louisville
4 out of 5
320 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY
The price is $129 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
$129
$152 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Convenient to downtown"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 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 neighborhoods 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

While there might not be top attractions in Smoketown Jackson, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Louisville Palace and Nulu Market Place.

Smoketown Jackson
Louisville Science Center featuring outdoor art

West Main Historic District

West Main Historic District is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Frazier International History Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum.

West Main Historic District
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Shelby Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Shelby Park and surrounding area, you can visit Shelby Park and Broadway Theatre.

Shelby Park
Built in 1865, by a German immigrant, this house survived a flood in 1937 and was set to be razed 1953 to make room for the expansion of the city dump.

The facade was saved and now is plopped in the middle of a road.

Butchertown

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

Butchertown
Famous #BloodyMary #TheOutlookInn :~)

Highlands

Highlands might not have many top sights, but Headliners Music Hall and Nulu Market Place are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Highlands

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Downtown Louisville, KY

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