Each year on the first Saturday in May, the eyes of the sporting world are transfixed on Churchill Downs in Louisville.
It is here where the famous Kentucky Derby takes place. The Run for the Roses is watched by tens of thousands of revelers in person and millions on television around the country and the world.
While it may be known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, in the end, the race does only last a couple minutes. So if you are visiting, what are you going to do during the rest of your stay?
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
If you play word association with 'Louisville', 'Slugger' is destined to be one of the first responses that come to mind. These iconic wooden baseball bats have become a symbol of the city far and wide.
Right in the heart of downtown, you can visit the place where nearly two million of them are made each year. In addition to seeing how they are made, there is an enthralling onsite museum that details the story of the Louisville Slugger and how it came to be in the first place. Oh, and if you have trouble finding the museum, just look for the 120-foot-tall bat out front.
Historic Old Louisville
This gorgeous neighborhood just south of downtown is an architecture-lovers dream come true, as it is home to the largest contiguous collection of Victorian buildings in the United States.
Walking tours of the 45-square- block neighborhood are offered May to October, and you'll be treated to more opulent architectural styles than you could imagine.
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21c Museum
Shorthand for '21st Century', the 21c Museum is home to more than 9,000 square feet of artwork, all of which has been created this century. 21c was the first museum in the United States to be solely dedicated to 21st Century artists, and this steadfast dedication to striking, up-to-the-minute modern art has made it a must see.
Waterfront Park
The city of Louisville owes its very existence to its prime location on the Ohio River, and a stroll through the riverside Waterfront Park is a great way to appreciate the water's grandeur.
There are plenty of walking and cycling paths to explore, a stoic statue of Abraham Lincoln (he was born in Kentucky) to contemplate, and even a cool LED-lit pedestrian bridge to cross. The highlight is likely the chance to take a cruise on the Belle of Louisville, the oldest still-operating paddle steamboat in the country.
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Muhammad Ali Center
Perhaps Louisville's 'greatest' native son, Muhammad Ali blazed a trail in activism and athleticism that made him a global icon. At the Muhammad Ali Center, you will learn all about the man and his impact on the world through authentic artifacts, fun interactive exhibits and plenty of sporting memorabilia.
The Crazy Daisy
Since you are going to want to take home a souvenir or two from your trip to Louisville, why not make it a unique one? That's precisely where The Crazy Daisy comes in, as this antique mall is home to more than 80 dealers and 150 booths overflowing with rare finds-many oozing Louisville's signature brand of Southern charm.
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