South Louisville Attractions
The Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse
race, has been run at Churchill
Downs the first Saturday in May since 1875. Enjoy the
thoroughbreds from the enclosed clubhouse $3.50-$5.50, or the
grandstand $2 (1999 schedule; 700 Central Ave, 502/636-4400,
handicapped accessible).
The Kentucky
Derby Museum, next to Churchill Downs, captures the
thrill of the Kentucky Derby every day in an exciting 360-degree
multi-image show. The museum has exhibits, computerized hands-on
displays, memorabilia and art to delight all ages. A resident
thoroughbred is stabled outside. Walking tours of Churchill Downs
are available. Restaurant ($6 ages 12-55, $5 ages 55 and older, $2
ages 5-11, under 5 free, daily 9-5, 704 Central Ave, 502/637-1111,
handicapped accessible).
Churchill Downs Sports Spectrum offers ITW thoroughbred
racing from major U.S. tracks ($3, call for post times, 4520 Poplar
Level Road, 502/962-2200, handicapped accessible).
The Colonel Harland Sanders Museum at KFC
international headquarters chronicles the Colonel's great
success story (free, M-Th 8-4:30, F 8-1, 1441 Gardiner Lane,
502/456-8353, handicapped accessible).
John and Lucy Speed built Farmington, an 1810 Federal
mansion, from a design by Thomas Jefferson. Abraham Lincoln visited
here in 1841. Your guided tour features octagonal rooms, a hidden
stairway, blacksmith shop and a 19th-century garden ($4, M-Sat
10-4:30, Sun 1:30-4:30, last tour 3:45, 3033 Bardstown Road,
502/452-9920, handicapped accessible).
Ride horseback through beautiful 739-acre Iroquois Park,
Taylor Boulevard & Southern Parkway ($12 hour, daily 10-8pm,
502/363-9159). Historic, outdoor Iroquois Amphitheater, home of Music
Theatre Louisville, is also at the park. Professional casts
and a full orchestra perform two plays throughout the summer
$12-$15, 8:30pm, 5216 New Cut Road, 502/589-4060, handicapped
accessible).
Examples of American weaving from the past 200 years are
displayed at the Little Loomhouse, three historic
board-and-batten cabins. You can try your own hand at weaving or
watch demonstrations ($3, T-Th 10-3:30, 328 Kenwood Hill Road,
502/367-4792, not handicapped accessible).
The Jefferson County Memorial Forest is one of the largest
wilderness areas adjacent to any major city in the U.S. Enjoy 35
miles of hiking trails, fishing, horse trails, primitive camping,
picnicking and playgrounds on 5,000 acres of pristine forestland
(daily till dark, New Cut Road south to Mitchell Hill Road,
502/366-5432, handicapped accessible fishing pier & hiking
trail).
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is located at the intersection of
I-264 and I-65 adjacent to the Kentucky
Fair & Exposition Center. It features Mile
High Falls; Thunder Run, ranked the "world's most terrifying
roller coaster;" The Giant Wheel; and T2- Terror to the Second
Power - a suspended looping roller coaster that will turn you upside
down and inside out! Then challenge yourself to Chang, the world's
longest, tallest, fastest and most inverted stand-up roller coaster,
and the largest vertical loop and the largest dive for any coaster!!
And for a different thrill, step to the rear and drop to the bottom
on Hellevator, a 15-story freefall ride! Or attempt two maniac
rounds of pure coaster adrenaline on Twisted Sisters, the world's
first dueling coasters. Tropical Hurricane Bay is a 7-acre
water park including a 750,000-gallon wave pool, children's activity
area, water slide complex and an action river tubing adventure. And
coming in late spring, new to the park is The Batman Thrill
Spectacular, a heart-pounding action-packed stunt show featuring
state-of-the-art pyrotechnics, motorcycle madness and daredevil
stunts. And right behind Batman, of course, his arch nemesis
Penguin. Penguin plans to freeze the park this spring with The
Penguin's Blizzard River, and adventurous rafting trip down wild
rapids. In all, there are more than 70 rides and attractions for all
ages (General Admission $28.99; children under 48" & age
55+ $14.50; children under three are free, parking $3/day; Grand
Opening is April 2-11, then open weekends only April, May, Sept,
Oct; daily June-August, 800/SCREAMS, 502/366-7508, 1-264 Exit 12,
some rides not handicapped accessible).
You'll find the Louisville RiverFrogs hockey team at the
Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center's Broadbent Arena,
October-March (502/367-9121, handicapped accessible).
The Louisville
Motor Speedway has NASCAR stock racing and more,
April-mid Sept ($8 , F-Sat 8pm, I-65 Exit 127 1 mile west, 1900
Outer Loop, 502/966-2277, handicapped accessible).
Located on 73 rolling acres, the Louisville
Zoo is home to 1,300 animals representing 371 species
living in open, natural settings. The Islands exhibit recreates
fragile island habitats and includes orangutan, siamang, Sumatran
tiger, Aldabra tortoise, black-footed penguin, babirusa, Malayan
tapir, lesser flamingo and tropical birds. You'll also enjoy the
HerpAquarium with a walk-through rain forest and 100 species of
reptiles, amphibians and fish; the arachnid exhibit of spiders and
centipedes (the only one of its kind in the U.S.); the polar bear
pool and more. One-third of the animals you'll see are species
threatened in the wild. Restaurant, picnic area ($7; June-August
Sat-Sun, Tues & Thurs 10-5, Mon, Wed & Fri 10-8;
September-May daily 10-4; 1100 Trevillian Way; 502/459-2181;
handicapped accessible).
Nearby, the Louisville Nature Center conducts
environmental educational programs and manages Beargrass
Creek State Nature Preserve, a 41-acre forested
wetland popular for bird watching (daylight hours, 1297 Trevillian
Way, 502/458-1328).
Tour Riverside, the Farnsley-Moreman Landing, a
19th-century Ohio River farmstead with a spectacular two-story Greek
Revival portico. Visitors can also enjoy the heirloom gardens,
restored windmill, special events, visitor center video and gift
shop ($3, W-Sat 10-4:30, Sun 1-4:30, 7410 Moorman Road at Lower
River Road, 502/935-6809, handicapped accessible first floor &
visitor center). The Spirit of Jefferson sternwheeler
excursion boat departs from the Greenwood Road boat dock, 4 miles
away ($9; July-August F-Sat 7pm, F-Sun 1:30; Sept Sat-Sun 1:30pm,
Sat 7pm; Oct Sat 7pm & special Sunday cruises; 502/574-2355).
And while in South Louisville, spend the day a Broad Run
Vineyards, where grapes are grown and wine is produced and
bottles. Call ahead for a tour and directions, 502/231-0372.
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