Introduction to Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky is the largest city in the state and the sixteenth largest in the country. The city was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark and named after King Louis XVI. It lies on the Ohio River near the border with Indiana. The metro area is widely referred to as "Kentuckiana," and residents of Louisville are known as Louisvillians. The city is best known for the Kentucky Derby, the most popular event in horse racing and known as the "most exciting two minutes in sports."
Louisville Culture
The four most popular attractions Louisville has to offer are the Louisville Slugger Museum, with the world’s largest bat; the Louisville Science Center, which now has a $7.6 million human body exhibit; Glassworks, a space housing works from 50 glass artists; and the Frazier Historical Arms Museum. The downtown area is alive with performing arts venues, such as the Kentucky Center, which hosts local and national theater programming. The East Market Street Neighborhood has become an attraction due to its restaurants and art galleries. There are many charming neighborhoods in the city, including Old Louisville with its 19th-century charm.
Louisville Sports and Leisure
There are many spectator sports to enjoy in Louisville. The 13,000-seat Slugger Field is home to the Louisville Bats, the Cincinnati Red’s top minor league affiliate. The field is known as one of the best in minor league baseball and the Bats have an impressive record. The University of Louisville’s men’s basketball team plays at Freedom Hall. Churchill Downs is the site of the Kentucky Derby, the most famous horse racing event in the country. The Valhalla Golf Club is located in Louisville and hosted the 1996 and 2000 PGA Championships. The city has one of the best skateparks in the country, the Louisville Extreme Park. High school sports enjoy a high degree of popularity in the city, with schools like Trinity, St. Xavier, and Male winning an impressive number of titles.
Louisville Outdoors
Louisville’s outdoor scene starts with the city’s waterfront, which provides relaxing moments amid the busy downtown days. The city has 122 parks that span more than 14,000 acres, including the Louisville Waterfront Park on the banks of the Ohio River. The Jefferson Memorial Forest is the largest urban forest in the U.S. and is designated as a National Audubon Society wildlife refuge. Otter Creek Park offers visitors a scenic view of the Ohio River and the chance to participate in mountain biking on its trails. It is easy to get out of the city and see some of the beautiful countryside that surrounds Louisville, including fence-lined pastures and waving fields of bluegrass.
Louisville at Night
Louisville comes alive at night with all sorts of entertainment opportunities. The city is full of theaters, blues clubs, and dance clubs. Many nationally-recognized concert entertainers visit the city, making the city an exciting place for entertainment. Venues like the Blue Moon Saloon, Millenium, and A1A sandbar and grill create many nighttime options for fun. John Michael Montgomery, Montgomery/Gentry, and many other notable performers call the city home.
