Old Louisville is one of America's finest neighborhoods. It is known to have some of the best examples of Victorian architecture in the entire country and walking along its charming streets is always a delight. The area roughly encompasses the area between Broadway in the north to Cardinal Boulevard at the University of Louisville in the south. Along the parallel 2nd, 3rd and 4th Streets visitors will see many preserved Italianate, Romanesque and Queen Anne homes and buildings, one of note is the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. Other gems within the district are St. James Court, Belgravia Court and Central Park, where it literally feels as if you've traveled back to 1870.
This former railroad bridge connects Louisville, KY to Jeffersonville, IN. Today, it's a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge and a great way to exercise while traversing two states in one day. It was reconverted as part of a Louisville revitalization project and both states provided funds for its new usage. The bridge can be accessed from beautiful Waterfront Park on the Kentucky side and from Riverside Drive from the Indiana side.
The historic part of West Main Street runs from 2nd Street to 9th Street and it's one of the oldest streets in Louisville. It has been here since the inception of the city in 1788 and it's quite possibly one of the most visited areas in town. Here visitors will find the Frazier International History Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Louisville Science Center and many other attractions. A walk between 6th and 9th Streets offers pedestrians architectural eye-candy with wonderful cast-iron facades on some buildings, reminiscent of those in New York City's Soho, the only difference is that parking is easier to find here.
During the mid 19th-century there was still not a proper burial site for the Louisville's deceased, so a portion of Cave Hill farm was turned into a cemetery in 1848. The garden cemetery is known throughout Kentucky for its beautiful headstones, burial vaults and monuments. Moreover, the sloping hills with traditional earthen plots placed alongside imposing mausoleums and creepy statues evoke an eerie charm from the cemetery. The staff provides group tours for a nominal fee and individual tours are complimentary if made in advance.
Thomas Jefferson designed this archetypal Federal-style mansion on the sprawling estate of slaveholders John and Lucy Speed. It was built using slave labor sometime between 1815-16 on the site of a former hemp plantation. Abraham Lincoln spent three weeks on the plantation in 1841, while courting Mary Todd. The home still contains period furniture from the early 19th Century, a stone barn, a blacksmith's shop and a museum store. Seven days a week, the staff arranges tours for tourists visiting the grounds and the visitors' center also provides a comprehensive map that is a great guide to the 18-acre estate.
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts showcases some of the biggest names in theater, dance, and music. Home of the Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, Stage One, and the Louisville Orchestra, the center's season also includes the hottest touring Broadway shows. Comprised of four theaters, from the 2,406-seat Robert S. Whitney Hall to the far more intimate 319-seat MeX (black box) Theater, the center's venues are as diverse as its artistic lineup. The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts' outreach programs work year-round to bring a wealth of arts programs to the community.
Old Louisville is one of America's finest neighborhoods. It is known to have some of the best examples of Victorian architecture in the entire country and walking along its charming streets is always a delight. The area roughly encompasses the area between Broadway in the north to Cardinal Boulevard at the University of Louisville in the south. Along the parallel 2nd, 3rd and 4th Streets visitors will see many preserved Italianate, Romanesque and Queen Anne homes and buildings, one of note is the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. Other gems within the district are St. James Court, Belgravia Court and Central Park, where it literally feels as if you've traveled back to 1870.
For a moment when you're walking along Louisville's West Main Street, don't be surprised if you're struck by a sudden Liliputian feeling. It is most probably courtesy of the over-sized baseball bat leaning out from near a building. Touted as the world's largest baseball bat, this carbon steel marvel is 120 foot (36.57 meters) tall and marks the site of the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. What's more, it is the exact replica of the legendary American baseball player Babe Ruth's Louisville Slugger bat. While you can view the giant bat for free, a visit to the associated museum requires a small fee.
Along the historic town of La Grange it is common to find freight trains chugging down the tracks several times a day. Tourists from different parts of the world come to watch this popular attraction. Along East Main Street sits the Train Observation Tower, which is the perfect place to watch these trains. This wooden tower features a staircase that leads to the top. It is also equipped with a comfortable bench. Other attractions to explore in the are the Copper Awning store and the Main Street Bourbon and Ale House.
During the mid 19th-century there was still not a proper burial site for the Louisville's deceased, so a portion of Cave Hill farm was turned into a cemetery in 1848. The garden cemetery is known throughout Kentucky for its beautiful headstones, burial vaults and monuments. Moreover, the sloping hills with traditional earthen plots placed alongside imposing mausoleums and creepy statues evoke an eerie charm from the cemetery. The staff provides group tours for a nominal fee and individual tours are complimentary if made in advance.
Situated on North 2nd Avenue Street in La Grange, Oldham County History Center is a great place to visit for history lovers in the area. Historic buildings and structures like Peyton Samuel Head Family Museum, The J.C. Barnett Library and Archives, Rob Morris Educational Building, Dahlgren Pioneer Barn and Road Warrior Sculpture are part of the Oldham County History Center complex. Visit this outdoor museum complex and learn about the county’s rich historic past. They are also known to host various activities and programs to educate visitors about the area’s history and culture.
Thomas Jefferson designed this archetypal Federal-style mansion on the sprawling estate of slaveholders John and Lucy Speed. It was built using slave labor sometime between 1815-16 on the site of a former hemp plantation. Abraham Lincoln spent three weeks on the plantation in 1841, while courting Mary Todd. The home still contains period furniture from the early 19th Century, a stone barn, a blacksmith's shop and a museum store. Seven days a week, the staff arranges tours for tourists visiting the grounds and the visitors' center also provides a comprehensive map that is a great guide to the 18-acre estate.