Louisville captures equestrian culture like nowhere else on earth. It is the centre of its very core accented by the warmth you would expect of a Deep South location and is firmly embedded in the American national consciousness for its multimillion-dollar Kentucky Derby held each May at Churchill Downs. The Derby, known as the richest two minutes in sport, attracts 500,000 fans to this cosmopolitan and diversified city the first Saturday in May, but there is racing at Churchill Downs in April, May, June, October and November and the track is open for tours year-round. The adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum is an excellent hands-on experience and has a magnificent audiovisual display that captures the Derby Day atmosphere on a 360 degree screen.
Downtown Louisville rolls gently down towards Main Street then abruptly lunges down to the river where the historic Belle of Louisville leaves for daily sightseeing cruises. Don’t miss the Slugger Museum and Factory and be sure to sample the Urban Bourbon Trail along Whiskey Row and around town.