Downtown Louisville

Louisville

Louisville showing street scenes and signage as well as a small group of people
Louisville featuring signage
Louisville showing outdoor art, a city and a statue or sculpture
Louisville showing a city
Louisville which includes a garden

The cultural heart of the city beats with baseball, boxing and music, with sporting fields, live bands and a centre for Muhammad Ali, the city’s most famous son. 

Boxing and baseball are what downtown Louisville is all about. One of the city’s most famous sons is Muhammad Ali, a Louisville native. Tour a museum dedicated to the boxing star, visit art galleries and boutiques and catch a game of baseball at the Louisville Slugger Field, all in a 1-square mile (2.6-square kilometre) area.

Start your visit with a walk along West Main Street, one of Louisville’s first roads. During the early 1900s it was known as “Whisky Row” for the number of distilleries that operated along its length. Today, its nickname is “Museum Row” after the collection of museums located within a few blocks of each other. They cover art, science, history, baseball and boxing. 

Explore the Muhammad Ali Centre, an interactive museum that traces the boxer’s life and focuses on his humanitarian ideals. Tour the factory and see how the Official Baseball Bat of Major League Baseball is made at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. View works of art and catch a dance, music or comedy show at the Kentucky Centre. This major arts hub houses permanent exhibitions of local and internationally renowned artists and has three theatres. 

There are more live performances over at 4th Street Live!, an entertainment, retail and dining complex. This is downtown Louisville’s party district. Some of the bars and clubs host live bands and there are free open-air concerts on the outdoor stage.

Explore downtown’s 85-acre (34-hectare) Waterfront Park on the banks of the Ohio River. Cruise the river on the Belle of Louisville, a paddlewheel-driven steamboat that was built in 1914.

Downtown Louisville is an easy district to get around on foot. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern and the main attractions are well signposted. The Louisville Downtown Management District (LDMD) Ambassadors, clad in bright yellow shirts provide visitors with maps and directions. They also offer vehicle assistance to drivers, such as repairing flat tyres and dealing with dead batteries. The downtown area has more than two dozen information kiosks dotted around the streets.  


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Louisville

Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
4 out of 5
140 North Fourth Street, Louisville, KY
The price is S$213 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$213
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,436 reviews)
"A beautiful property. Loved staying there"

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Omni Louisville Hotel
Omni Louisville Hotel
4 out of 5
400 S. 2nd Street, Louisville, KY
The price is S$240 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
S$240
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Louisville. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,502 reviews)
"We loved the cleanness of the hotel, room and bathroom. It was nice to have an outdoor pool for use during the hot weather we had over the 4th of July. Lot of things around the hotel and it was close to many things to do in Louisville. We were 2 blocks from 4th Street Live."

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Omni Louisville Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown by IHG
2.5 out of 5
800 W Market St, Louisville, KY
The price is S$125 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$125
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,478 reviews)
"Front desk staff was nice. Bathroom could have been cleaner. Didn’t feel safe to walk at night; during the day was fine to walk."

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Louisville Downtown by IHG
Tempo By Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu
Tempo By Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu
3.5 out of 5
710 E Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY
The price is S$190 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$190
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions KFC Yum Center and Fourth ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (633 reviews)
"I loved this hotel! Stopped spur of the moment traveling and really enjoyed my stay. Great staff and accommodations. Will definitely stay next time I stop in Louisville."

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Tempo By Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu
Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row
Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row
3 out of 5
120 SOUTH FLOYD ST, Louisville, KY
The price is S$183 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$183
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
Best
"This is now my favorite hotel"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row
Homewood Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown, KY
Homewood Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown, KY
3 out of 5
635 W Market St, Louisville, KY
The price is S$167 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$167
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
Good location and clean
"Good place to stay downtown. Located near Mitchners and Evan Williams. One block from Louisville Slugger museum"

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Homewood Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown, KY
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Louisville

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Phoenix Hill

While Phoenix Hill isn't home to many top sights, Nulu Market Place and Thomas Edison House are some notable places to visit nearby.

Phoenix Hill
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East Market District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in East Market District and surrounding area, you can visit Nulu Market Place and Thomas Edison House.

East Market District
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Smoketown Jackson

Though Smoketown Jackson may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Louisville Palace and Nulu Market Place.

Smoketown Jackson
Louisville Science Center which includes outdoor art

West Main Historic District

A noteworthy feature of West Main Historic District is its fantastic nightlife. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Frazier International History Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum.

West Main Historic District
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Shelby Park

Shelby Park might not have many top sights, but Conrad-Caldwell House Museum and Louisville Palace are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Shelby Park
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Butchertown

While visiting Butchertown, you might make a stop by sights like Lynn Family Stadium and Thomas Edison House.

Butchertown

Downtown Louisville