How many cities can boast they arehome to the world's largest vampire bat and the tallest baseball bat on the planet?
Louisville can.
How do you findtheLouisville neighborhood nicknamed "Frogtown" and once you arrive will you be greeted by a colony of amphibians?
Or do you know how to find the final resting spot of thegrandfather of our sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln?Here's a hint —it is not Cave Hill Cemetery, which is where boxing legend Muhammad Ali, KFC chicken king Colonel Harlan Sandersand explorer George Rogers Clark are all buried.
From iconic tourist attractionsworth a visit like the Louisville Slugger Museumand Factory,to under-the-radar recommendations such as Caufield's Novelty,the gravesite of Abraham Linkhorn (President Lincoln's grand-dad) and over 60 unique neighborhoods that make up Louisville, there is no end to the wild and wonderful things you can discover in Louisville.
We've got you covered —fromunique boutiques and large and small art galleries to the best playgrounds and unusual features at Louisville hotels, there's a whole lot to discover about Louisville.Are you ready to get started?
I'll update this page throughout the summer with more information and links to my coverage, with occasional much-appreciated assists from fellow reporterMaggie Menderski, so be sure to check back for updates. And in the meantime, reach out to me any time at kadams@courier-journal.comor on Twitter at @kirbylouisville– we're always interested in what you have to say.
— Kirby Adams, Courier Journal lifestyle reporter
Things to do in Louisville
Take a break from the city with these 5 hiking spots within 50 miles of Louisville:If you’re looking to step away from the noise of the city, there are several spots that are just an easy drive away.Whether you're a novice or an experienced hiker, herearea few places to try.
Your guide to Louisville's food scene:What to know about must-try spots, Kentucky bourbon
Want to impress your out-of-town guests? Here's where to take them in Louisville:Here's a how to keep yourout-of-town guests entertainedfor a whole week in Louisville.
Let's play! Here are 6 of the best playgrounds in Louisville:Whether you’re looking for the perfect spot to play capture the flag, play pretend or cool off on a hot summer day, there’s a playground for that.
Here are 5 single-day outdoor excursions within an hour of Louisville:If you haven't already explored the manyMetro ParksandOlmsted Conservancy Parks, you might start there.But if you are itching to feel like you have traveled somewhere— even just 20 miles from home—we have a few family-friendly suggestions to get you started.
It's time to road trip, at last! Here are 10+weekend escapes in Kentucky:If you're looking to get out of town for a much-needed vacation, Kentucky has plenty to offer.From the world’s longest known cave system and thundering waterfalls to impressive sandstone arches and the “Grand Canyon of the South,” there's a lot to discover across Kentucky.
Kentucky's 7 best parks and recreation areas that you have to explore:Kentucky is gorgeous. You should get out and explore it! Take a look at some of the best — and most popular — parks in Kentucky.
You may like:Garden like this 'Outlander' healer: 5 herbs from the popular show that grow in Kentucky
Best lakes near Louisville? Try one of these 7 Kentucky spots for a weekend getaway:Taking a trip to a Kentucky lake may be the solution to beat the heat or to just take time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the state.Here are 8 places to hike in and around Louisville to find wildflowers:If you don’t pay close attention to such woodland dainties you might not realize how incredibly fortunate we are to live in a part of the world that provides just the right conditions —the perfect ecological niche —that allows this unique system to flourish.
From thrill rides to 5D movies, here are 9 things to do at Kentucky Kingdom:From cabanas, water rides and a sea lion show to special days at the park,hereare 9 things to do at Kentucky Kingdom this summer.
From kitties to caving: 8 great ways for kids to spend rainy days in Louisville:No matter what your budget might be, here are afew ways to stretch their minds andmuscles even when the forecast looks grim.
One day, 8 attractions: How to get the most out of downtown Louisville for $50:Think of theMain Ticketas a season pass to parts of downtown Louisville's Main Street. For about $50, the pass buys you single admission to six attractions and then suggests you visit two others that are free to the public.
5 things to try if you want to indulge in Louisville's art scene:An internationally known orchestra, a distinguished ballet company, an award-winning theater, a reputable opera company and a stunning art museum — Louisville touts itself as a medium-sized city with these five assets and more.
Kentucky-made art in Louisville: Here are more than a dozen places to find it:If you're looking to adorn your home with local art, there are plenty of places in Louisville to pick some up. Here's a list of more than a dozen spots where you can purchase local pieces andgetstarted on your quest for Kentucky-made art:
Places to explore in Louisville
Elvis' and Lincoln's grandfathers and a statue that comes to life: They're all hidden in Louisville:We joined author Kevin Gibson for a mini-tour of some of hisfavorite findings and learned that's a lot moreweird things to love about our city.
Gold rush? Dirty poem? 9 Louisville neighborhoods may not be named after what you think:There are 69 neighborhoods and 84 municipalities listed on Louisville Metro’s official map, and while many of them are named for the parks, hills, points and valleys that they’re located on or near —there’s often a lot more to it.
From ventriloquist dummies to a fork in the road, explore these 7 wacky wonders of Kentucky:Let's take a weird trip. Here are seven strange wonders of Kentucky.
A walk through Louisville's smallest park only takes about 5 seconds:At 0.03 acres, the triangular parcel issmaller than many suburban backyards, and with its two-bench setup, it's about as intimate your neighbor'sliving room.
Coolest 'gems' at Louisville's best hotels, from shiny limos to rooftop pools:Here’s a look at our four favorite things —one for each diamond earned —in each of these six Louisville showstoppers.
You may like:Louisville to get a Japanese garden created by one of the world's top designers
So, what is Geocaching? Here's your Louisville beginners guide to the outdoor trend:It's a treasure hunt for all ages that you can do literally anywhere, at any time, and it's free. Who wouldn't want to give Geocaching a try?
Weird Louisvilleoddities
10 fun (and weird) facts about Louisville you probably didn't know:Louisville is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby and boxing legend Muhammad Ali, but there's a lot more to our little big town. Here are some interesting facts about Louisville you might have missed:
Who is Cocaine Bear? Meet Kentucky's wildest, drug-fueled legend being turned into a movie:The real-life story is stranger than fiction. Back in 1985, a 175-pound black bear died from a massivecocaine overdose at the indirect hand of one of Kentucky's most notorious drug-smuggling criminals.
Ever heard of 'Florida man?' Well, 'Kentucky man' gives him a run for his money:While Florida man gets most of the attention, sometimes Kentucky manages to garner some equallyoff-beat headlines. So what has "Kentucky Man" been up to? We compiled some of the most bizarre news headlines from across the stateinto a list of nine tales that might make even "Florida Man" cringe.
6 things you didn't know about Hunter S. Thompson's life in Louisville:Each year around Kentucky Derby time, Louisville returns to the no-holds-barredcomic essay, "The KentuckyDerby is Decadent and Depraved," by Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Here are six things you might not know about the famous writer.
You may like:How a true-life 'Modern Love' story led a Louisville dating app developer to create Hinge
From 'Rain Man' to a James Bond hit, did you know these movies were filmed in Kentucky?:There are actually quite a few popular movies that have been filmed in Kentucky. For some films, like “Secretariat” and “The Coalminer’s Daughter,” the state was the obvious choice for the backdrop because of its connection to the story, but some films on the list may surprise you.
Here are 5 of the most harmful invasive plants and animals wreaking havoc in Kentucky:While more thana couple of dozen invasive species have made their way into Kentucky, there are five theKentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources considers the most threatening.
Features Editor Kathryn Gregory contributed to this report. Reach Features Reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
