Louisville Museums

(Louisville, Kentucky - KY, USA)

The city of Louisville has some good offerings in the form of museums and there is a range of historical exhibits to suit most tastes. If you are interested in tracing the city's past and heritage, head to Portland Museum and learn about the Ohio River. Sports fans should take a trip to the Slugger or Kentucky Derby museums, where they can chronicle the history of baseball and horseracing respectively.

Those who are not regular history museum-goers might like to try the Colonel Harland Sanders Museum and ensure that even if you come away from Louisville having learnt nothing about its historic value, you will at least know the origins of your favorite fast-food take away.

Colonel Harland Sanders Museum

Address: 1441 Gardiner Lane, Louisville, Kentucky KY, 40213-1914, USA
Tel: +1 502 874 8353
The Colonel Harland Sanders Museum in Louisville commemorates the man behind Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and the Colonel's success story is traced through displays and exhibits about the fast-food outlet's rise to fame. With his secret recipe now a worldwide favorite, hordes of visitors from around the globe visit this museum to learn more about the story behind KFC.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 08:30 to 16:30, Friday - 08:00 to 15:00
Admission: free

Louisville Slugger Museum

Address: 800 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky KY, 40202-2620, USA
Tel: +1 502 775 8443
The Louisville Slugger Museum is not just for sports enthusiasts and you will enjoy it whether you are a baseball fan or not. Visitors can take a tour of the museum, which includes a short feature film of Louisville Slugger bats being used, displays on US baseball heroes, a batting cage and a demonstration on how the wooden bats are made. A free souvenir mini bat is given to all those who visit the museum.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Kentucky Derby Museum

Address: 704 Central Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky KY, 40208-1212, USA
Tel: +1 502 637 1111
Tracing the history of the great Kentucky Derby, this museum complements Louisville's event of the year. Both horse racing enthusiasts and those with only a passing interest in the event will enjoy the offerings here, which include hands-on exhibits, an audiovisual display of Derby day on a big screen and a guided tour of Churchill Downs, the location of the event.
Open hours: mid-March to November, Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00; December to mid-March, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors, children under five free

Locust Grove Historic Museum

Address: 561 Blanker Lane, Louisville, Kentucky KY, 1790, USA
Tel: +1 502 897 9845
This historic landmark is set on 55 acres / 22 hectares of farmland and offers visitors the chance to experience frontier life and early Kentucky history. Educational exhibits at Louisville's Locust Grove Historic Museum allow visitors to engage in the farm's history and learn about George Rogers Clark, Revolutionary War hero and founder of Louisville. Built around 1790, the house and surrounding outbuildings are well preserved and visitors can tour the buildings along with the scenic gardens.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:30, Sunday - 13:00 to 16:30, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discount for children and seniors

Portland Museum

Address: 2308 Portland Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky KY, 40212-1036 USA
Tel: +1 502 776 7678
Chronicling the history of the Ohio River, this museum celebrates the city's river through exhibitions on the river's history and heritage, including displays about the 1937 floods and an impressive light and sound show. The Portland Museum also contains exhibits on community art in Louisville and local architecture.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children, seniors and groups, children under five free

Sons of the American Revolution Museum

Address: 1000 South 4th, Louisville, Kentucky KY, 40203-3208, USA
Tel: +1 502 589 1776
Essentially a history museum, Louisville's Sons of the American Revolution Museum contains some fascinating artifacts from the early 19th century including a flag from the War of 1812, portraits of famous patriots and a replica of the Liberty Bell. The museum also contains an excellent genealogy museum containing 40,000 books.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children