LouisvilleLouisville is world-renowned for being home to America's most exciting two sporting minutes each year when the
Kentucky Derby is run at the famed
Churchill Downs racetrack. The thundering of the hooves of thoroughbred racehorses, however, is not all this lively city on the banks of the
Ohio River has to offer.
Kentucky's largest city also offers scores of fine restaurants and a diverse arts community, and boasts some of America's most beautiful parks and renowned art and science museums.
Louisville is definitely a city of good taste, with more than 2,500 restaurants
serving an astounding variety of cuisines, ranging from quiet cafés and coffee houses to ethnic restaurants and gourmet palaces. The city is big on the national sporting map, too, being the home of the famed
Louisville Slugger, and baseball fans flock to the downtown museum dedicated to the 'Official Bat of
Major League Baseball'. This, together with some exciting attractions like an indoor forest, a restored old sternwheeler river boat, an excellent zoo and a thrilling amusement park, makes Louisville a perfect family holiday destination, set in the very heart of America. The local tourist authority boasts that the city is within a day's drive of more than half the population of the
United States.
Getting Around: Louisville is regarded as one of the most accessible cities in the United States, having excellent road and rail links in addition to its international airport. Once in the city, it is best to make use of the frequent and efficient bus service or the Toonerville II Trolley, which serves the hotel and shopping district. Some routes operate as late as 2am, and downtown trolleys run from 7.30am to 6pm. Taxis are also easy to find, and some hotels run their own complimentary shuttle services between the airport, the downtown area and other main points. Louisville has a strong cycling tradition, and there are several on-road bike lanes downtown.
Climate: Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. Summers are hot with cool evenings so bring along a light jacket or coat. Spring and summer are the wettest seasons, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round, and snow usually falls in winter, allowing for winter sports. Winter temperatures range from 27°F to 43°F (-3°C to 6°C) and in summer it varies between 66°F and 86°F (19°C and 30°C).
