The historic Louisville Palace from 1928 is a remnant of yesteryear, where once there stood several theaters along 4th Street, this extant one still stands. After its initial opening as a vaudeville palace, the theater converted itself over the years as a spot for films. It was only in the late 1994 when the theater reconverted itself back into a full-fledged performance venue. With acts as varied as ballet and bluegrass to comedy and touring Broadway shows, it's Louisville's classic hub for performing arts once again.
Reenactments, music, photography, lectures, and artifacts are just some of the many ways the Frazier International History Museum helps bring the excitement of history to a contemporary audience. This 100,000 square-foot, three-floor museum's permanent collection includes Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick," Daniel Boone's bible, and Geronimo's bow. Children and adults are sure to be entertained by various daily reenactments, while an ongoing series of historical lectures provides fascinating insights. Groups can rent designated areas of the museum, including the fifth-floor roof garden which overlooks the Ohio River.
Leaning like an all-American obelisk on its building, the Louisville Slugger Museum's signature giant-size baseball bat is recognized as the biggest piece of ash that will never see any action on the diamond. Inside the facility, visitors are treated to a baseball experience that details the history of this iconic Major League Baseball fixture since 1884. The best part is the 30-minute tour of the factory floor, where you'll see real Sluggers being crafted out of raw timber. When you enter, sign up for the chance to obtain your own signature bat, it will be ready by the time you leave.
Muhammad Ali is one of Louisville's most prodigious sons, and this stunning multipurpose facility devoted to the boxing great promotes his ethos and six core principles of "Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect and Spirituality." The building also provides event space and it offers guests an opportunity to relive the life and times of the man who was born as Cassius Clay. Some exhibits include a movie, a number of interactive video displays, and educational programs on how to become involved in social justice projects within the community.
Whether you are a whiskey connoisseur or not, if you want to try a bit of one of Kentucky's main exports, then the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is a must visit. This establishment is named after Kentucky's pioneering distiller and offers an insight into Williams' life and work. A guided tour of the distillery features an audio-visual interactive exhibition on the history of bourbon and its how distillers turn corn into this smooth swill loved all around the world. At the end of the tour, sample some different varieties as well as some small-batch versions, then take home unique souvenirs like bourbon mustard, maple syrup and toffee.
The Kentucky Derby, held annually at the fabulous Churchill Downs, is often said to be 'The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.' The museum, which is located just outside the racecourse, elaborately presents the history of this racing tradition through more than 20,000 items that have been collected since its inception in 1875. Exhibits include trophies, sculptures, photographs and paintings along with Derby souvenirs and the private collections of former horse trainers and jockeys. Tours can be made with the museum to visit the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs as well.
The Kaviar Forge and Gallery showcases award-winning sculptor Craig Kaviar's work - along with a variety of other artists and mediums. Mr. Kaviar has revitalized what was once an abandoned piece of land for his studio, gallery, and sculpture garden, and today visitors come from all over to admire the array of forged metalwork, jewelry, paintings, ceramics, glass, and woodwork. If they are lucky, from the gallery they may observe the metal being forged on the vegetable oil-fueled forge in the studio below. Special group tours are available.
Surface Noise opened its doors to the folks of Louisville in 2016 and has been a local favorite since then. Touted as the city's leading vinyl record store, their collections include albums from various eras. It also functions as a used bookstore, an art gallery, and a venue for small-scale music performances.
The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum is nestled in the charming Old Louisville neighborhood. Steeped in history, this beautiful Richardsonian Romanesque building was once the home of two Louisville entrepreneurs, Theophile Conrad and William Caldwell. Inside, the preservation society maintains a splendid collection of antiques and memorabilia that highlights the Edwardian age. Overall, it's a great opportunity to see original furnishings, exquisite paintings and ornate chandeliers that reflected the opulent life in the early 20th-Century.
The historic Louisville Palace from 1928 is a remnant of yesteryear, where once there stood several theaters along 4th Street, this extant one still stands. After its initial opening as a vaudeville palace, the theater converted itself over the years as a spot for films. It was only in the late 1994 when the theater reconverted itself back into a full-fledged performance venue. With acts as varied as ballet and bluegrass to comedy and touring Broadway shows, it's Louisville's classic hub for performing arts once again.
Reenactments, music, photography, lectures, and artifacts are just some of the many ways the Frazier International History Museum helps bring the excitement of history to a contemporary audience. This 100,000 square-foot, three-floor museum's permanent collection includes Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick," Daniel Boone's bible, and Geronimo's bow. Children and adults are sure to be entertained by various daily reenactments, while an ongoing series of historical lectures provides fascinating insights. Groups can rent designated areas of the museum, including the fifth-floor roof garden which overlooks the Ohio River.
Sample fine wines at Forest Edge Winery. This charming winery creates delicious wine, including refreshing Pino Grigio and bold tasting Cabernet Sauvignon. Make sure you check out their selection of specialty wines with options like a chocolate dessert wine and honey-infused wine. Ideal for a romantic getaway with your partner, spend an afternoon sipping some of the Kentucky Wine Trail's finest wines at Forest Edge Winery.