The weather is slowly getting warmer, the days longer, and, after a long winter, it’s time to get out of the house! If you’re looking for a little spring stimulation, you can find entertainment, outdoor activities, great food, and more at one of Kentucky’s best places to visit: Louisville!
As a team of local builders and a family-owned business, Louisville Handyman and Remodeling can give you the scoop on all the fun spring things to do in Louisville. Go for a stroll through the historic district, explore nearby caverns, sample the local cuisine, and check out the family activities in Louisville. Keep reading for five spring activities you should add to your Louisville bucket list!
1. Explore the Outdoors
Spring in Kentucky is gorgeous and there’s no better cure for cabin fever than breathing in some fresh air! Plus, whether you’re hiking through a nearby park or passing by a historic neighborhood, going for a walk is one of the most enjoyable free things to do in Louisville. You can stroll through 297 acres of Victorian cemetery and arboretum at the Cave Hill Cemetery or walk amongst the trees at the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Louisville also has plenty of public parks and caves to explore. The Mega Cavern, one of the biggest attractions in Louisville Kentucky, is another way to explore the outdoors. Located just below the Louisville Zoo, the Mega Cavern was once a functioning limestone quarry, but now offers underground zip-lining, a ropes course, a historic tram tour, and hiking excursions. And it stays a balmy 58°, so you can comfortably enjoy underground adventure year-round.
2. Learn Something New
If you want to avoid spring showers, head on over to Main Street in downtown Louisville. There you’ll find Museum Row, a dizzying collection of museums, centers, and distilleries all within walking distance of one another. You can find inspiration by visiting the Muhammad Ali Center, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, or the Kentucky Performing Arts Center; get rowdy at a Louisville Slugger’s game; explore the Kentucky Science Center — usually a hit with kids; or sample bourbon during a distillery tour. Don’t forget to hit the Kentucky Derby Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to get a taste of the local history.
3. Visit Cultural & Historical Sites
Continue your educational escapades by taking a walk down the Old Louisville Historic District, home to the largest contiguous collection of Victorian-era mansions in the United States. You can book a guided walking tour, or explore the shops, restaurants, and hotels dotting the neighborhood for yourself. While you’re at it check out Frankfort Avenue or “The Avenue” as locals call it. The avenue connects Louisville’s historic neighborhoods with a collection of unique boutiques, art studios and galleries, eateries, parks, libraries, and more. The two-and-a-half-mile stretch is also home to several attractions, such as the Peterson-Dumesnil House and the American Printing House for the Blind, and is the perfect place to get a taste of the local culture.
4. Catch a Game, Show, or Event
Whether you’re a theater lover or sports fanatic, there’s no shortage of entertainment for you in Louisville. Stop by Louisville Slugger Field to watch the Louisville Bats play, catch a thoroughbred race at Churchill Downs, or cheer on the city’s professional soccer teams — Racing Louisville and LouCity — at Lynn Family Stadium. As previously mentioned, you can lose yourself in a performance at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center, or jam out at one of Louisville’s live music venues. And we highly recommend participating in the festivities surrounding the Kentucky Derby, which takes place on the first Saturday of May. The Kentucky Derby Festival, which begins in the middle of March and goes until the derby, includes a 10-day outdoor music festival called Fest-a-Ville; Thunder Down Under, one of the biggest annual firework shows in North America; as well as a marathon, two parades, and plethora of other events.
5. Taste Kentucky’s Award-Winning Bourbon & Cuisine
There’s a reason Kentucky is famous for its bourbon. It’s a must-try for visitors new to the state and a classic for locals. Once you’ve finished walking down Museum Row, hop into the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center, which is located in the Smithsonian’s Frazier History Museum, for a tour of local distilleries. But don’t stop there! Louisville’s culinary culture is more than just Bourbon. Grab a delectable bite to eat at one of Louisville’s best restaurants, sample beverages at local breweries and wineries, or check out the Louisville Ale Trail.
Home to a wide array of activities, events, locations, beautiful homes, and people, Louisville’s vibrant atmosphere can help you shake off your winter stupor and come alive this spring. And with Kentucky Spring and the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, now’s the optimal time to visit!
