Louisville, Kentucky is known for the Bourbon Trail, being the home of Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Spending a weekend in Louisville makes for a fun time and if you have more time, you can take several day trips from Louisville.
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Where to Stay in Louisville
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Louisville hotels here!
I recommend staying in Downtown Louisville, so you have the option to walk to all of the sites. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown which was a couple of blocks off the main street. Also check out the following options.
- Hampton Inn Downtown
- Hyatt Regency Louisville
- Holiday Inn Louisville Downtown
- Courtyard Louisville
- Residence Inn Louisville Downtown
- Hampton Inn Louisville Downtown
The Best Day Trips from Louisville (under 2 hours)
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Drive Time: 1 hour
Did you know Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky? Many people are familiar with Lincoln’s association with Springfield, Illinois, but do not realize his Kentucky ties. About an hour outside of Louisville (58 miles) lies Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville. It makes for one of the best day trips from Louisville.
To get there, head along 65 South. Then merge onto the 61 until you see the signs for the park. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is worth a day trip from Louisville, especially if you are a history lover.
Once at the Historical Park, you can view the first Lincoln Memorial. This was built in 1909, even before the one in Washington, DC. It has a similar feel to that memorial as well. Inside the building, you can view the “symbolic” birth cabin of Abraham Lincoln. Although the original no longer exists, you can view what the cabin Lincoln was born in would have looked like.
You can also visit the Sinking Spring, where the Lincoln family got their water from. There are also a couple of hiking trails in the park. A part of the park is also the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln at Knob Creek. Here you can wander the farm Lincoln grew up on.
The Bourbon Trail
Drive Time: 1 hour
The Bourbon Trail is a Kentucky must! Although some of the distilleries are located in Downtown Louisville, several of them are about an hour away, thus making it one of the perfect day trips from Louisville.
Four Roses is located in Lawrenceburg, which is about 58 miles from Louisville. It will take about an hour to get here. Four Roses is one of the best distilleries in the area. They make a basic bourbon as well as several special and limited editions. They just opened a new tasting room and have an on-site bar where you can try the different bourbons.
Another worthwhile distillery on the Bourbon Trail is Makers Mark. This is located in Lebanon, an hour and 20-minute drive from Louisville. It is easy to combine with a trip to Mammoth Cave National Park. Makers Make has a gorgeous campus and was well worth the trip. Visitors can opt to take a tour or visit the small on-site cafe where they serve food and tastings of the various bourbons they make.
Other worthwhile distilleries to visit on the Bourbon Trail outside of Louisville include Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, and Buffalo Trace. All of them have unique experiences and delicious bourbons to try.
Cincinnati, Ohio
By Lydia of Lost With Lydia
Drive Time: 2 hours
With German heritage, unique cuisine, and more, Cincinnati has a lot to offer and makes for one of the best day trips from Louisville! The relatively small size of the city will allow you to see a lot in a day, making it a perfect day trip from Louisville. To get to Cincinnati, take I-71N about 102 miles, or two hours. There may be traffic, but it is an easy drive overall.
There are so many things to do in Cincinnati. In one day you can enjoy a variety of cultural institutions, food and views. Start your day with breakfast from an iconic local bakery in the historic Over-the-Rhine district, Brown Bear Bakery. They serve a variety of both sweet and savory pastries. It’s also worth walking over to the nearby Washington Square Park for the view of Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall.
If you love trying new foods, be sure to visit Findlay Market. Findlay is the oldest market in Ohio and has a wide selection of great food, from fresh produce to BBQ. Next, drive a few minutes outside of downtown to Union Terminal. This former train station is a museum center with Cincinnati history and natural science exhibits, plus other attractions. The building is a beautiful example of art deco-style architecture, featuring an impressive rotunda with mosaic tile murals.
If the weather is nice, visit one of the Cincinnati hills to get a view overlooking the city. One of the best ways to see the skyline is from Devou Park in Kentucky. Finally, don’t leave without enjoying some iconic Cincinnati food. Cincinnati chili is a popular dish served over spaghetti and you can find it at a Skyline Chili, Camp Washington Chili or a number of other spots. If you save room for dessert, enjoy a cone of Graeter’s ice cream, which is known for having gigantic and delicious chocolate chunks.
Frankfort, Kentucky
By Trijit of Budget Travel Buff
Drive Time: 1 hour
Located just 50 miles drive away from Louisville is a wonderful Kentucky attraction, Frankfort. You can rent a car from Louisville and it will take less than an hour to get to Frankfort. The capital of Kentucky is filled with many museums, restored mansions, and historic buildings, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright-Zigler House, the liberty hall historic site, and many more.
Visit the Old State Capitol which served as the Government seat of Kentucky from 1831 till 1910. Later it was reconstructed and converted into a museum. Guided tours are available for history enthusiasts. The Capital City Museum is a small museum located in downtown Frankfort. It has a great collection of historical artifacts of the past two centuries.
Also, make sure to visit the New Capitol Building of Frankfort which was built in 1910 as a replacement of the previous 1830 Capitol. The interior of this gorgeous building is decorated with white Georgia marble, dark green Italian marble, and gray Tennessee marble.
Nature lovers must visit Cove Springs Park which is filled with wetlands, streams, forests, and waterfalls. There is no entry fee to explore this 240-acre nature preserve. You can also enjoy the 3 miles of scenic hiking trails which are very easy to hike. Wear your hiking shorts and discover these connected trails. 17 mile long Elkhorn Creek is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. There are several campgrounds on the bank of the stream, a perfect place for adventure junkies. No matter what, Frankfort one of the most fun day trips from Louisville.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Drive Time: 2 hours
Indianapolis, Indiana is another one of the best day trips from Louisville. It will take about 2 hours to drive the 113 miles to Indianapolis. To get there, take the 65 North until you hit Indianapolis.
Indianapolis is a fun city to visit and is worth a day trip from Louisville, especially if you want to visit all 50 states. There are many museums to visit in Indianapolis such as the Children’s Museum, the State Museum, and a museum dedicated to President Benjamin Harrison. In the area are also several state parks, which have a ton of fantastic hiking trails.
Make sure not to miss the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world’s largest auto racetrack. You can also tour the capitol building as Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana. If you have more time to spend in Indianapolis and Indiana, you can always head north to Indiana Dunes National Park. No matter what, there are a ton of things to do during a day in Indianapolis.
Lexington, Kentucky
By Kat of World Wide Honeymoon
Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
While Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby, Lexington is the “Horse Capital of the World,” making it an ideal and one of the best day trips from Louisville for those who love horses! Located about an hour and a half away, or about 80 miles, via I-64 W by car, spending a day in Lexington, Kentucky is well worth it.
For some unique things to do in Lexington, head over to the Kentucky Horse Park, which is an equine theme park, to learn about horse racing, see some incredible horses, and discover how Kentucky became the center for horse racing.
If you want to continue with the horse theme for your trip, definitely go to Keeneland, especially if you’re visiting in April or October during the spring and fall horse racing meets. And if you want to meet baby thoroughbreds on a working horse farm, checking out Sun Valley Farm is a must.
Aside from visiting horse-related attractions, why not check out what Kentucky is also known for in Lexington? The Bourbon Trail! Town Branch Distillery, Bluegrass Distillers, and Barrel House Distilling Co. are right in town. Be sure to check out some great breweries in the area as well like Country Boy and West 6th!
Top off your visit with some tasty places to eat around the city! Bourbon n’ Toulouse and Josie’s have you covered with southern cooking, and the Seafood Lady and Taco Time offer scrumptious local-favorite food.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Drive Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the best day trips from Louisville. This National Park is located an hour and 15 minutes from Louisville or 88 miles. To get there, you will need to take the 65 South to the 55 West.
It is worth visiting Mammoth Cave as it is the longest cave system in the world. You can opt to take a cave tour as well as hike around the park. I recommend the Historic Tour for people who want a longer tour and full experiences. For those with mobility issues and families, the Frozen Niagara is the perfect tour to go on. Make sure to book the tickets online ahead of time as the tickets do sell quickly, especially in the summer season.
When hiking, opt to stop at the Historic Entrances, the River Styx, Dixon Cave, and the Green River Bluffs Trail. All of these take you to some cool spots throughout the park and you get a good sampling of the area. None of the hikes are too long or strenuous, so plan on just spending an hour or so hiking.
Note that Mammoth Cave National Park has lots of bugs in the cave. If you do not like bugs, this park is not for you.
Red River Gorge
By Ashley of Jetset Jansen
If you are looking to get out in nature, a great place for one of the best day trips from Louisville is the Red River Gorge. This National Natural Landmark is located to the southeast of Lexington and is about 128 miles (a two-hour drive) from Louisville.
The Red River Gorge is full of hiking trails, cliffs, and natural bridges. It also happens to be one of the best places in the United States for rock climbing. Rock climbers flock to the sandstone cliffs to explore the many routes and areas that make up this climber’s paradise.
If you aren’t a rock climber, the hiking trails are well worth exploring. The trails lead to natural arches and windows, rock formations, and overlooks. The Sky Bridge trail leads you right up to a natural bridge where you’ll get a great view of the gorge. Continue along the trail and you’ll find yourself underneath the bridge. Each trail leads you to beautiful areas in the gorge.
Apart from hiking and climbing, you can get out on the river for a kayaking tour through an underground cave or take to the skies for a ziplining tour. There are a lot of fun things to do at Red River Gorge and it’s definitely a great day trip to take!
The Best Day Trips from Louisville (over 2 hours)
If you have more time than a day trip from Louisville, check out these places. I recommend making these a weekend trip as they are a lot to get to in a day.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
By Taylor of Nomads in Nature
Drive Time: 2 hours, 41 minutes
Cumberland Falls is 2 hr 41 min or 178.8 miles from Louisville. To get there, take I-64 E then I-75 S to US-25W S/Cumberland Falls Rd in Corbin, KY. Stay on Cumberland Falls Rd for 15.4 miles until you reach the Visitor Center.
Cumberland Falls State Park is a hikers paradise with over 17 miles of trails winding through the densely forested state park with waterfalls present in almost every hike, including the majestic 125 foot wide Cumberland Falls also known as the “Niagara of the South”
You can’t miss the star of the show: Cumberland Falls! While it’s stunning to see the waterfall during the day, the real treat is when you can see the “moonbow,” a (lunar rainbow) that appears in the base of the waterfall during a full moon with a clear night sky.
Additionally, you can go fishing in the Cumberland River, where there is an abundance of bass, catfish, panfish, and roughfish. Schedule a horseback ride or guided rafting trip along the Cumberland River. During those hot summer months, take a dip in the Olympic size pool at the Dupont Lodge.
Visitors can book a campsite at Cumberland Falls State Park from April 1-November 15 or reserve a room at the Dupont Lodge. Although it is a further drive, Cumberland Falls can be one of the best day trips from Louisville.
Nashville, Tennessee
Drive Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Although it would be a bit of a long day trip from Louisville, Nashville, Tennessee is always worth a visit. To get to Nashville, it will take about 2 hours and 40 minutes. To get there, just keep driving on the I-65 south. After 176 miles it will take you to Nashville.
Nashville is such a fun and unique city to visit. As a big area of country music, Nashville has tons of music-related things to do. Make sure to take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. You will also want to visit the Gaylord Opryland Resort. This property is gorgeous to walk around and it contains a golf course and is one of the largest hotels in the world.
Nearby is also the Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson. You can also visit the capitol building and check out some of the local music venues. Make sure to check out the local distilleries as well. Nashville even has a replica of the Parthenon in Greece.
There are so many fun day trips from Louisville. If you have more time, make sure to head south to explore Tennessee or North to explore Indiana and Illinois. Chicago is always a fun Midwest stop. You can also head to St. Louis for a weekend of fun.
