21 U.S. Destinations to Visit in 2021: Louisville, Kentucky

Home to the “greatest two minutes in sports,” the Urban Bourbon Trail, Louisville Slugger bats, and enough things to do to require a return trip, Louisville has a little something for everyone. There really isn’t a bad time to find yourself in the largest city in Kentucky, but if you happen to be there in late April, come dressed to impress for Derby Week at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Oaks® is scheduled for Friday, April 30, followed by the 2021 Kentucky Derby® on Saturday, May 1. You can definitely crash the party, purchase a last-minute ticket, and have a blast, but we advise booking everything in advance, including lodging, restaurant reservations, and a few of the Derby Experiences organized during the event at Churchill Downs. Fingers crossed that the 147th running of this epic sporting experience goes off without a hitch!

A trip to Louisville any other week of the year allows you to embrace the city and experience the museums and attractions, sample the culinary scene, and enjoy the hidden gems in each of the neighborhoods with a few less people around town. Check into one of the boutique historic hotels or go with contemporary and upscale if that’s more your style. There are also a handful of world-class museums nearby, so plan a few days for visits to the Mohammed Ali Center, The Fraser History Center, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and the Speed Museum of Art. No trip to Louisville is complete without a visit to a few of the bourbon distilleries— a great place to start is the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Whiskey Row before heading to a few of the others in the Bourbon District. The trendy NuLu neighborhood is another must-visit spot! Grab a hot chicken sandwich and a slushie at Royals and spend a few hours popping into the cool boutiques before dinner at one of the restaurants to spend the evening like a local.