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The Louisville Slugger Museum has been manufacturing baseball bats for decades and has a stunning 120-foot steel bat in its entrance. On your trip to Louisville don’t forget to visit the Muhammad Ali Center, founded by the famous boxer to promote cultural and educational projects and inspired by his travels. The Botanical Gardens at Cave Hill Cemetery have 280 tree species and some lovely walks if you’re looking for a spot of tranquil contemplation. 

The Frazier History Museum boasts one of the world’s finest collections of arms and armour, whilst the flamboyant Conrad-Caldwell House resembles a French medieval chateau. Drop into Louisville Zoo to see wildlife from polar bears to penguins and tigers, or the Speed Art Museum for a wonderful collection of modern art. The weird and wonderful Derby Clock is a 45ft clock, completely hand-crafted and made to resemble a child’s wind-up toy. Its 5-lane racetrack features miniature celebrities from Kentucky such as Daniel Boone, President Thomas Jefferson and even the city’s namesake, King Louis XVI.

Another striking Gothic building can be found at Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Pleasure Hills Park, which is considered by many to be the world’s most haunted building. If you’re interested in spooks and shivers, join one of the regular ghost tours around the building (not for the faint-hearted).

There’s plenty to do to unwind and relax during your trip to Louisville. From the legendary Kentucky Derby Festival to the wonderfully-named ‘First Friday Trollop Hop’ there’s always some festival or event being staged every month.

Try the Mega Cavern Historic Tram Tour and explore the vast man-made cavern under the zoo, or join a Louisville Ghost Tour to explore the haunted buildings of the downtown area.

Shakespeare in The Park is the USA’s oldest free festival, and has been running for over 50 years, and in the summer you can watch outdoor and indoor movies for free. The old Farmington Historic Plantation is also certainly worth a visit.

Kentucky cuisine is like other traditional Southern cuisine and includes a lot of fried chicken, with some catfish and plenty of green beans and pinto beans.

The regional barbecue is unique to this part of the states and can be found in most Louisville restaurants. Louisville also has several signature dishes, from whitefish sandwich to Hot Brown, Derby Pie and Mint Julep, a blend of spring water, sugar, mint and crushed ice.

There are numerous small eateries in the central part of the city as well as bigger restaurant chains, so you’ll never be short of dining options in all the categories.

Those of you travelling to Louisville with shopping in mind have come to the right place, because the city is a real treat for bargain hunters and the fashion-conscious trend setter alike. The shops of the downtown district are very varied and sell everything from exquisite glass creations to delightful traditional arts and crafts.

The East End in the suburbs is home to big shopping malls. If you’re after antiques, visit Derby City Antique Mall which has numerous colourful outlets. You’ll soon see why Louisville is now regarded as the preferred shopping destination for much of the Midwest and South.