Navigating Around Louisville, Kentucky: A User's Guide
Lounging around in Louisville, the heart of Kentucky's unique spirit culture and the epicenter of the Kentucky Derby, is a breeze, my friend! This charming city, affectionately known as Loo-a-vul by the locals, offers a surprising amount of walkable attractions. But the real fun lies beyond its bustling downtown core. With Louisville's excellent transportation options, navigating this city as smooth as its famous hooch is a no-brainer. Let's dive into a guide to getting around Louisville.
So long, parking troubles – find your way to Churchill Downs
During the Kentucky Derby, hop in your whip or take a rideshare to Churchill Downs, but don't forget to book your parking months in advance if you want a prime spot or check shuttle options for a more distant parking area. Parking spaces, including ADA areas, are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Access the track via the Paddock Gate, Clubhouse Gate, or the Infield Gate.
Rideshares are a fine pick, but be warned that the exit will take time, regardless if you're driving or hitching a ride.
The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) serves Louisville and southern Indiana with over 220 buses. Routes 4, 6, and 29 will whisk you off to Churchill Downs. To snag a ride, feast your peepers on the TARC website or use Google Maps and hit the transit icon.
See downtown Louisville on foot, by scooter, or with a helping hand from Lime or Bird
Many of Louisville's celebrated attractions, like the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Kentucky Science Center, the KMAC Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and the Frazier History Museum, all sit within half a mile of each other downtown. Called Museum Row, this compact cultural corner in the South is one of the country's most interesting areas and boasts one of the largest collections of cast-iron facades in the United States.
There are numerous other walkable attractions within four blocks of the center, including Whiskey Row (the bourbon-making industry's former hub), which lures you along one block north of Main Street, following East Main Street and the Ohio River. The downtown area swarms with bars, restaurants, distilleries, and other cultural hotspots, all snugly nestled in this tight-knit core. In addition, you can easily find Lime and Bird rides City-wide for those quick dashes.
Cruise Louisville with your hooptie or motorcycle – no sweat
Downtown Louisville sits on the Kentucky-Indiana border, sliced by Interstates 65 and 64, which intersect near Waterfront Park and the pedestrian-only Big Four Bridge, providing easy access to the city center. Guzzle up gas – there's an online map charting alternative fueling stations (biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and electric charging stations) in Kentucky.
Parking chargers reign from 7 am to 6 pm - you'll be charged $2.25 for the first two hours and $3.35 for each additional hour (with a limit of one to four hours of parking, as indicated on street signs). On-street parking in metered areas is free after 6 pm Monday through Saturday and throughout the day on Sundays. There are also 15 parking garages and two surface lots downtown. In areas outside the downtown hub, nabbing some free street parking won't be a hurdle.
A tale of caution for travelers darting between Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville: The RiverLink, which handles the electronic-only toll system for the Ohio River Bridges Project, charges double for drivers not sporting a pre-registered account (yep, that includes you). A bill of $4.42 will tag along for the ride, as opposed to the $2.21 locals fork out.
Investigate Louisville's historic neighborhoods using the mighty TARC bus
TARC, Louisville's bus transportation system, is a wallet-friendly and efficient way to traverse the city. In 25 minutes, bus 43 can transport you from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to Monnik Beer Co. in the hipster neighborhood of Germantown. Single ride cash fares cost $1.75 on local buses and $2.75 on express buses. To save some clams, invest in the stored-value contactless MyTARC smart card ($5) and receive a $0.25 discount per ride with free transfers within a two-hour window. TARC'sreal-time trip planning via Google Maps is a breeze.
Summon a rideshare for more libations and less driving
Like most U.S. cities, Uber and Lyft rule the roads in Louisville, alongside traditional taxi companies. According to Louisville Tourism, Uber tends to be the more popular pick, but Lyft might have lower rates at times.
Time-saver alert – ditch the traffic by hopping on the Louisville Loop
The Louisville Loop, a 100-mile mixed-use trail system eventually circling the city, offers a fab way to travel sans four wheels. At the time of writing, nearly 50 miles of trails are already in use, including a 24-mile stretch on Louisville's west side along the river. When the Loop is complete, it will link many of the city's historic neighborhoods, museums, attractions, and green spaces. The finish line for this project is still undetermined, but sections like the Floyds Fork trail by The Parklands and Big Four Bridge Trailhead to Shawnee Park or Southern Indiana make for stellar journeys between some of the best natural attractions Kentuckiana has to offer.
Embrace the spirit – take a bourbon tour, hands-off the Lewis!
Embarking on Kentucky's Bourbon Trail, sampling the nectar of the gods brewed at the state's historic distilleries, is every traveler's dream… but what about the designated driver dilemma? The peril of sipping one too many Old Fashioneds without a designated driver looms. Adding to the challenge, bourbon boasts a hefty proof, making it easy to tip after a taste or two.
To savor the city's distilleries securely, without shelling out a small fortune on taxis or rideshares, hit up Mint Julep Experiences, which offers tours to historic and craft bourbon distilleries east and south of Louisville. Cheers to a fun and safe journey!
What's my pick for getting around Louisville? Rideshares – hands down!
Louisville is a city that knows how to throw back a drink or two. Whether you're aiming to visit highlights like the Kentucky Derby Museum and a mint julep cocktail or jumping from one atmospheric bar, restaurant, brewery, or distillery to another in hip neighborhoods like Germantown and Butchertown, it's best to let someone else take the wheel. Rideshare apps strike the perfect balance between affordability and convenience when exploring Louisville!
- Rideshares, such as Uber and Lyft, can be used to navigate smoothly to Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby, but it's essential to plan parking in advance or consider shuttle options.
- Louisville's walkable attractions, like the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, are conveniently located within a short distance of each other downtown.
- For those exploring Louisville by car, alternative fueling stations like biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and electric charging stations can be found using an online map.
- TARC, the Transit Authority of River City, offers affordable and efficient public transportation throughout Louisville and southern Indiana, making it a great option for visiting Louisville's historic neighborhoods.
- For a unique traveling experience, consider using the Louisville Loop, a 100-mile trail system, to explore the city's green spaces, museums, and neighborhoods without the need for a car.
