Itineraries Things to do in the Louisville, Kentucky Area September 8, 2025 Louisville, Kentucky has an abundance of activities to check out, from bourbon to baseball, horses to history, and so much more. Known worldwide as the home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is a hub of culture and entertainment in the Bluegrass state. Start planning your visit to Derby City and the surrounding area with a list of some of our favorite spots to tour, eat and explore in a day to enjoy the best that Louisville has to offer! Visit Churchill Downs Experience the tradition of racing at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. Live racing takes place at Churchill Downs for a few months each year, with meets in May, June, September and November (the full racing calendar can be viewed here). Tours of the racetrack and barn area are available through the Kentucky Derby Museum. The Derby Museum is open year-round and is dedicated to sharing the stories of the Kentucky Derby, with fascinating exhibits and memorabilia from many champion racehorses. Tour a Horse Farm Take a short drive to Prospect (about 15 miles), to enjoy Kentucky’s bluegrass hills and meet some of its equine residents. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Sanctuary Farm at Chestnut Hall is home to 11 retired racehorses who enjoy their days as ambassadors for the Thoroughbred breed. Just next door is Second Stride, a leading equine adoption organization that focuses on providing professional retraining, rehabilitation and placement for Thoroughbreds of all ages. At both farms, you’ll learn about the day to day lives of these horses, how they are cared for, and the opportunities for Thoroughbreds once they retire from the track. Experience Downtown Louisville Downtown Louisville has a wide array of activities to check out when visting the area. Some of our favorite spots in downtown include the Frazier History Museum (the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail), the Louisville Slugger Museum and various distilleries. Eat Local Whether you’re on the hunt for an upscale meal, or looking for a local dive, Louisville has lots of great options for food. A few of our top choices include Wagner’s (great breakfast, located just across the street from Churchill Downs), The Post (pizza & wings), and Market on 42 (located less than five minutes from Second Stride and TRF at Chestnut Hall). For an in-depth list of restaurants in the Louisville area, be sure to check out our friends at Go To Louisville. Churchill Downs hosts live horse racing throughout the year. Second Stride and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at Chestnut Hall both offer tours, just a short drive from Downtown Louisville. The Frazier Museum in Downtown Louisville, the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Distillers Association. Note: This itinerary is a suggestion only and is based on a sample of what tours may be available in spring and summer of 2025. Each Horse Country tour requires that guests be ticketed in advance. Tickets are available for purchase at www.visithorsecountry.com or by calling 859-963-1004. Though this info has been researched & is being shared in good faith, tour availability is subject to change.
