Louisville Champions Park – Area Bucket List

Louisville Champions Park in Louisville, Kentucky, is an ideal place for events of all kinds. It regularly hosts huge festivals, such as Bourbon & Beyond. This massive three-day event includes food vendors, big-name musical performers, and, of course, bourbon.

But Louisville is best known as the host of the world-famous Kentucky Derby. This event alone brings in thousands of visitors each year. Louisville has a lot to offer in addition to the Kentucky Derby, which can make it hard to decide where to start. The bucket list below outlines the main attractions in Louisville to ensure your visit to Derby City is one for the books.

Muhammad Ali Center

Not only is Muhammad Ali one of the most famous boxers of all time, he was a charitable activist dedicated to improving the lives of others. The Muhammad Ali Center explores both sides of him through memorabilia, videos, and various exhibits.

In addition Ali himself, the museum goes into the civil rights movement to contextualizes his charitable work and activism. From bringing unprecedented grace to the sport of boxing to hand-delivering food and medical supplies, there is a wealth of information to learn about Muhammad Ali. Head over to this inspiring museum, just a five-minute drive from Louisville Champions Park.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Ask any baseball fan; the Louisville Slugger is the most iconic baseball bat in the sport’s history. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory celebrates the bat’s history through a museum and a factory tour.

The building is easy to spot, as the largest baseball bat in the world is right outside their door. This 120-foot-tall structure is modeled after the Louisville Slugger used by the famous Babe Ruth.

Visitors can visit the museum for free to learn a bit about the company’s history, but true baseball fanatics will definitely want to tour the factory. On the tour, guests explore exhibits to see where the wood comes from, learn how the bat is made, and hold the Sluggers used by some of the world’s most famous baseball players.

Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a great place to stop, and it’s only six minutes from Louisville Champions Park.

Big Four Bridge

One of Louisville’s most iconic structures is only six minutes from Louisville Champions Park. The Big Four Bridge is a former railroad bridge converted into a pedestrian walkway. Along the bridge are signs and photos regarding the history of the structure, which was built in 1895.

Pedestrians walking across the Big Four Bridge enjoy beautiful views of the Ohio River and the city skyline. In addition, the bridge is beautifully lit up in various colors each night. One of the most interesting parts of the Big Four Bridge is that it allows you to walk to a different state, as Indiana is right across the river.

Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse

Jim Beam, one of the most famous bourbon manufacturers in the world, considers Kentucky to be the “birthplace of bourbon.” For this reason, anyone visiting Louisville Champions Park should check out Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, located only seven minutes away.

There, guests will learn a lot about bourbon as they journey through Jim Beam’s history and enjoy a tasting at the end. The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse also includes a bar, where you can try an expertly-made cocktail, and a small bottling area, where guests can label and cork their own bottle of Jim Beam.

Those in the mood for a drink after visiting Louisville Champions Park will definitely enjoy a taste of the “World’s #1 Bourbon.”

Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum

A trip to Louisville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Churchill Downs, home of the iconic Kentucky Derby. This racetrack is only 12 minutes from Louisville Champions Park, making it easy to swing by. The complex offers tours of its grounds as well as the Kentucky Derby Museum, which contains a wealth of information about the race.

This two-floor museum is home to interactive, family-friendly exhibits, including a high-resolution film played on a 360-degree screen. Afterwards, visitors can take a 30-minute guided walking tour of the racetrack at Churchill Downs. There, visitors are introduced to a thoroughbred horse and its companion pony. 230,000 people visit the Kentucky Derby Museum each year, making it one of the city’s biggest attractions.

Louisville Mega Cavern

Thrill seekers will love a visit to Louisville Mega Cavern, an incredible zip lining experience located in an enormous, underground limestone quarry.

At Louisville Mega Cavern, guests can enjoy zip lining, obstacle courses, and a rugged tram tour through the quarry. There are multiple zip lines of different sizes, providing guests with hours of fun. As guests fly through the air, they get an amazing view of the huge cavern, lit up with colorful lights.

You can also participate in a rope obstacle course or take it easy and enjoy the Historic Tram Tour. For this tour, guests pile into a cart towed by a rugged, four-wheeling jeep. The guide then takes them through the cavern, which goes on for miles. The tour teaches guests about geology, mining, recycling, and green energy efforts. This tour is the perfect choice for young families, as kids can sit safely while exploring the cavern.

Louisville Mega Cavern is the most unique attraction in the area, so head over and experience it for yourself.

There is even more to see in Louisville; this list is only the beginning! Louisville Champions Park is located in an ideal area, close to all the main sights. After visiting Churchill Downs, learning about Louisville Sluggers, and taking a shot of bourbon, you’ve had a true Louisville experience. Once your event at Louisville Champions Park is through, the fun has only begun!