The Best Day Trips from Louisville: Nashville, Cincinnati and More!
While there is always a lot to see and do in Louisville, KY, visiting other areas within a couple of hours drive offers new and novel experiences. There are so many exciting day trips from Louisville, KY! Here at Preston Oaks, South Louisvilles premier apartment community, we love to help our residents find adventures that allow them to explore Kentucky and the greater region. Thats why weve compiled this list of our favorite day trips from Louisville.
Lexington: Horses, Landscapes, and History
The trip from Louisville, KY to Lexington, KY is generally between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes, being 75-80 miles apart depending upon your destination. Lexington is known as horse country, although the city and area have a lot of other sites to see.
Kentucky Horse Park
Set in Kentucky's Bluegrass area, the Kentucky Horse Park features horse-drawn tours, horseback and pony rides, and is home to the International Museum of the Horse as well as the American Saddlebred Museum. A must see for horse lovers.UK's Arboretum
Located on the University of Kentucky campus, its 100-acre garden, known simply as the Arboretum, is open from dawn to dusk and is designed to show off a variety of Kentucky landscapes. There is a children's garden open Wednesdays through Saturdays, from early April to November. Visit the Arboretum's website to learn more.
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Visit the childhood home of the wife of Abraham Lincoln, who was born and raised in Lexington. She shared a mutual interest in politics and supported her husband's career in becoming the country's 16th president. The Mary Todd Lincoln House is open for guided and self-guided tours between March and the end of November.
Nashville's Country Music, Plantations, and The Parthenon
If you want to check out our neighboring state to the south, it is about three hours from Louisville, KY, to Nashville, TN, and well worth the drive. You can make it a day trip for one or two destinations or enjoy a weekend away to see even more.
Country Music Hall of Fame
No place represents country music better than Nashville. To learn about its roots and cultural importance, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum operated by the Country Music Foundation. The museum, which has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1987, is reportedly one of the most visited museums in the country.
The Belle Meade Plantation
Take a step back in time to an old-fashioned plantation dedicated to preserving the history of Tennessee. Two tours are offered at the Belle Meade Plantation, including the Mansion Tour and the Journey to Jubilee Tour.
The Parthenon
You don't have to visit Athens to envision Ancient Greece. On a visit to Nashville, you can see the world's only exact-size replica of The Parthenon, located in Nashville's Centennial Park. Enjoy a tour, partake of activities for all ages, and more. Check The Parthenon's current exhibit, events, and hours before you head out.
In Cincinnati Enjoy Baseball, Museums, and the Zoo
● Cincinnati, OH to Louisville, KY is only roughly 100 miles
Known for its Oktoberfest activities, its historic Over-the-Rhine district, and home to America's first professional baseball, Cincinnati is an easy day trip location. Whether you want to catch a Reds game, visit an iconic zoo, or explore a nationally respected museum, Cincinnati always has a lot going on.
The Great American Ballpark
When it's not game time, you can book a behind-the-scenes tour to visit the home of the Cincinnati Reds, known as the Great American Ballpark. Visit the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum at the same time. And if it is the season for America's Favorite Pastime, get tickets for a game.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
For those interested in Civil War history, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center shares the stories of the Civil War era abolitionists helping enslaved Americans escape through secret routes and safe houses. The Center is open between 10 am and 5 pm, Wednesdays through Sundays. It is suggested you allow three to four hours for your visit.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Paul Simon famously wrote, "It's all happening at the zoo," and there is always a lot happening at the Cincinnati Zoo. It is home to the popular hippo, Fiona, made famous on the internet through social media, and some other 17,000 other animals representing more than 500 species. The zoo is deeply involved in conservation projects through the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW). Visit their website to learn more.
Mammoth Cave National Park is Close By
The drive from Louisville, KY to Mammoth Caves is an easy day trip down the I-65, taking about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Mammoth Cave National Park boasts the world's longest cave, with more than 400 miles explored, and more to go.
There are a variety of ranger-guided and self-guided tours to choose from based on your interests and the amount of time you would like to spend inside the caves. Ranger-led activities take place outside of the caves, too, including exhibit tours inside the visitor center, ranger-led trail walks, ranger talks on animals, plants, scientific research, area history, and more.