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Savor a Long Finish in Louisville

Extend your stay after Maritz Activate wraps and enjoy Bourbon City at your leisure.

June 05, 2024

Your meeting may be over, but the best of Bourbon City is just getting started. Extend your stay in Louisville and let the city’s rich layers unfold—one sip, stroll, or story at a time. Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur, a die-hard sports fan, an art aficionado, or a history buff, there’s more to explore beyond the boardroom. From world-class distilleries and iconic museums to championship moments and vibrant cultural experiences, Louisville offers a long, rewarding finish that’s well worth savoring.

For the Bourbon Connoisseur

Visit

  • The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center on the first floor of the Frazier History Museum to plan your Bourbon Trail Experience and pick up your Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide
  • Visit any or all of Louisville's urban bourbon distilleries or tasting rooms - ten of which are within walking distance of each other downtown

Eat

  • Bourbons Bistro, an official stop along the Urban Bourbon Trail
  • Watch Hill Proper, boasting the world's largest selection of American whiskey, complemented by an elevated dining experience
  • Monk's Road Boiler House, a premium bourbon tasting with an upscale chophouse experience in the heart of Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row

After Hours

  • Hell or High Water, where you'll need a reservation and a keen eye in order to enjoy the speakeasy experience

For the Sports Fan

Visit

  • Churchill Downs, historic racetrack and home of the Kentucky Derby
  • Kentucky Derby Museum, located at Churchill Downs, offers an immersive experience into the history and traditions of the Kentucky Derby, featuring interactive exhibits, a 360° film, and guided tours of the iconic racetrack
  • Muhammad Ali Center, a dynamic cultural institution celebrating the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali through immersive exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs that highlight his six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality
  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, an immersive journey into the history of baseball's most iconic bat, featuring interactive exhibits, a guided factory tour, and the chance to hold game-used bats from legends like Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter
  • Lynn Family Stadium, home to LouCity FC and Racing Louisville FC

Eat

  • Wagner's Pharmacy, a Louisville institution since 1922, offers a nostalgic diner experience just steps from Churchill Downs, where horsemen and visitors alike gather over hearty breakfasts amid walls adorned with racing history
  • Merle's Whiskey Kitchen, steps away from Louisville Slugger Field and the KFC Yum! Center, Merle's is a lively bourbon hall on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row, offering Southern comfort food, hand-crafted cocktails, and live music in a vintage setting

After Hours

  • Derby City Gaming, with 500 gaming machines, a Race & Sports Book, and upscale bars like the Trophy Bar Bourbon & Cigars
  • Pin + Proof, located inside the Omni Louisville Hotel, this speakeasy-style bar and lounge features a vintage bowling alley

For the History Buff

Visit

  • The Belle of Louisville, a National Historic Landmark built in 1914, is the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in the U.S., offering scenic cruises that immerse passengers in the rich maritime heritage of America's inland waterway
  • Conrad-Caldwell House & Museum, a stunning example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Old Louisville. Built in 1895 by architect Arthur Loomis, this limestone mansion features intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and period furnishings, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Progressive Era
  • Filson Historical Society, founded in 1884 and housed in the historic Ferguson Mansion in Old Louisville, is Kentucky’s oldest privately supported historical society, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history and culture of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley
  • Locust Grove, a circa 1790 Georgian mansion in Louisville, Kentucky, that served as the home of William and Lucy Clark Croghan and hosted notable figures such as George Rogers Clark, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark
  • Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, a 300-acre historic site along the Ohio River in Louisville, featuring the 1837 Greek Revival Farnsley-Moremen House, reconstructed outbuildings, and archaeological exhibits that illuminate 19th-century farm life and river commerce
  • Roots 101 African American Museum, an immersive exploration of the African American journey—from African origins through the transatlantic slave trade to contemporary contributions
  • Thomas Edison House, a preserved 1850s shotgun duplex where a young Thomas Edison is believed to have lived while working as a telegraph operator in the 1860s

Eat

  • Buck's Restaurant, where you can enjoy a walk through the nation's largest collection of Victorian mansions before you dine in the historic Mayflower building
  • The Brown Hotel Lobby Bar, home of the original Hot Brown, served beneath stunning hand-painted ceilings since 1926
  • Jack Fry's, established in 1933, is a Louisville institution that began as a sportsman's hangout and has since evolved into a fine dining establishment and local favorite

After Hours

  • The Old Seelbach Bar exudes Gatsby-era elegance - famous for being frequented by F. Scott Fitzgerald and said to inspire scenes in The Great Gatsby, it remains a historic spot to sip classic bourbon cocktails
Revolutionary War reenactors at Locust Grove

For the Art Lover

Visit

  • 21c Museum, contemporary art museum in downtown Louisville showcasing rotating art installations
  • KMAC Museum, located on Museum Row, features rotating exhibitions showcasing contemporary art from Kentucky and around the world
  • Speed Art Museum, Kentucky’s oldest and largest art institution, offers an expansive collection spanning 6,000 years
  • Stoneware and Co., established in 1815, is one of the oldest stoneware manufacturers in the United States, located in Louisville's Paristown Pointe neighborhood
  • 20+ Art Galleries

Eat

After Hours

  • The Last Refuge, housed in a restored 19th-century church it features an 800-bottle whiskey collection, craft cocktails, and a dramatic setting with stained glass windows and ornate woodwork