Car Hire Louisville - Mini guide to Louisville

Known for bourbon and horse racing, Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and boasts a complete range of attractions and facilities for tourists. While many of the attractions revolve around the world famous Kentucky Derby, there is plenty here to make a visit at anytime of year worthwhile.

The Kentucky Derby is one of the world's premier horse races, with Derby Day being held on the first Saturday in May, at the end of the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival. Since 1875, punters have descended on the city, indulging in an orgy of betting and beer while waiting for the two-minute million-dollar race to be run.

All the decent seats are sold out months in advance, so you’ll want to book early if watching the race firsthand is your primary reason for visiting the city. Thoroughbreds also race at Churchill Downs, 4.8kms south of downtown, from May to July, and October to November. Next to Churchill Downs is the excellent Kentucky Derby Museum, which features enthralling exhibits about the great race.

The Louisville Slugger Museum provides excellent insight into one of America’s favourite sports. Frequent tours start with a short, emotive movie featuring prominent shots of Louisville Slugger bats being used to good effect. You’ll also see displays honoring key players (including Babe Ruth), a batting cage that gives you an idea of just how rapid a 95mph fastball really is, and a working bat factory, explaining all the processes involved in the manufacturing of wooden bats. The trip ends with everyone getting a souvenir miniature bat.

Nearby, the Speed Art Museum hosts travelling exhibits and has a small, but interesting, permanent collection of art and sculpture from medieval to modern times, featuring works by Rembrandt, Monet, Rodin and Henry Moore. Other museums of interest include the Muhammad Ali Center and the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage.

Downtown Louisville rolls gently down towards Main Street, then abruptly lunges down to the river where there is an 11-kilometre waterfront RiverWalk. Riverfront Plaza is a prime observation point for the natural Falls of the Ohio, which can also be viewed from the deck of the Belle of Louisville, a 1914 steam sternwheeler.

Besides a lively arts scene and lots of citywide festivals, Louisville boasts an unrivaled network of public parks, many designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Kids will love the extensive Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom amusement park.