Louisville has steadily become one of the hottest travel destinations in the U.S – as evidenced by the city being named one of the “10 coolest U.S. cities to visit in 2018” by Forbes. From its booming bourbon renaissance, to its culinary jewels, to its one-of-a-kind attractions, the city offers a menu of things to see and do all wrapped within its hallmark Southern charm. Urban distilleries, culinary artisans, burgeoning neighborhoods, classic cocktail bars, great places to eat and iconic attractions and events make Louisville a top destination.

With more than 120 attractions Louisville has something for everyone to see and do. The iconic Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby Museum pay homage to the thoroughbred horse – a symbol of what makes Kentucky so special. The bat of most major league baseball teams is made at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. The Belle of Louisville is the oldest operating steamboat still in existence. And, Louisville’s native son, Muhammad Ali, is now remembered with a self-guided tour of “Ali’s Footsteps of Greatness” which includes his boyhood home, the Muhammad Ali Center and his final resting place in Cave Hill Cemetery.

Museum Row on Main Street is a must on your first visit to the city. Make sure to notice the original cast iron building facades that have been preserved since the late 19^th century. On this brief walk, you will see the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Frazier History Museum, the Kentucky Science Center, KMAC Museum, a few bourbon distilleries and tons of restaurants.

Another hallmark of Kentucky – bourbon – has taken center stage as a “must do” when visiting the city. The Urban Bourbon Experience is comprised of nine distilleries within the city limits that are open for public tours and tastings. The Urban Bourbon Trail boasts over 35 bars and restaurants with more than 50 bourbons and bourbon-inspired culinary delights – so grab a passport, collect your stamps and enjoy a special prize at the end.

If the arts are more to your liking, Louisville is one of only a handful of U.S. cities with a professional full-time orchestra, opera, ballet, children’s theatre, dinner theatre and Broadway Series. The Speed Art Museum and the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft both recently underwent renovations. These, plus a zoo, amusement park, breweries, historic homes, confectionaries, parks and music festivals comprise the fabric of Louisville’s cultural scene.

Speaking of festivals, visitors are likely to run into one of many of the city’s festivals during their visit, from the world-renowned Forecastle Music Festival, Bourbon and Beyond Festival and Kentucky Derby Festival to the neighborhood gems like Old Louisville Springfest, St. James Court Art Show and Downtown’s WorldFest.

Louisville’s growing food reputation is putting the city on the national culinary map. And it’s not just the city’s eclectic, innovative and award-winning restaurant scene, but also locally made products that are setting the city apart (with and beyond the bourbon!). The accolades continue to grow, from Saveur’s recognition as a Notable City in its Culinary Travel Awards to Southern Living magazine’s “Top 10 tastiest towns in the South,” to Zagat naming Louisville “one of the top eight ‘awesome foodie getaways in the world’”.

Louisville’s also easy to get to. It is within a day’s drive of nearly half the U.S. population and the Louisville International Airport is serviced by nearly every major airline with non-stop service to 23 destinations and convenient connections to cities worldwide.