Louisville

Why Louisville for Your Next Meeting or Event?

From bourbon and baseball to bluegrass and boxing, there’s a lot to explore in Louisville, Ken. The city also is easy to get to, as it’s within a day’s drive of more than half of the U.S. population and is served by Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Once groups arrive, Louisville has a rich history and a wealth of attractions to explore. Bourbon is a major part of the city’s identity, so tastings can be a fun activity, but planners also can build itineraries around horse racing, baseball, food, the arts and the Ohio River. Downtown attractions are close together, while neighborhoods such as NuLu and Old Louisville are worth exploring, as well.

Source a Louisville Hotel

Transportation in and Around the Area

• Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is about 7 miles from downtown.
• Transit Authority of River City operates bus routes across Jefferson County, with additional services extending into neighboring counties in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. TARC Route 02 (Second Street) provides direct service between the airport terminal and downtown Louisville.
• Shuttles: Convention Louisville Transportation, Blue Grass Tours, and Jefferson Tours and Charters are just a few of the many shuttle services provided in Jefferson County.

Home to both the Kentucky International Convention Center and the Kentucky Exposition Center, as well as more than 160 specialized venues and event spaces, Louisville has ample space to host your next meeting. 

Meeting Hotels

• The Galt House Hotel: Louisville's largest hotel has 1,310 rooms and more than 130,000 square feet of meeting space across 53 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and an exhibit hall.
• Louisville Marriott Downtown: The 616-room Marriott, which is connected to the Kentucky International Convention Center, features more than 45,000 square feet of event space, with 30 breakout rooms and a 20,000-square-foot ballroom.
• Omni Louisville Hotel: The Omni, in the heart of downtown near Whiskey Row and the convention center, has 612 rooms and 70,000 square feet of meeting space across 33 meeting rooms, including the 20,000-square-foot Commonwealth Ballroom.
• Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Ctr: With 588 rooms and nearly 50,000 square feet of meeting space, the Crowne Plaza is a great option for groups meeting near the airport and Kentucky Exposition Center.
• Hyatt Regency Louisville: The 393-room Hyatt, next to the KICC, offers more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space across 25 meeting rooms.
• The Seelbach Hilton: This historic downtown hotel — which has hosted U.S. presidents, legendary artists and Al Capone — has 308 rooms and roughly 32,000 square feet of meeting space.
• Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown: The 304-room all-suite property features about 15,000 square feet of meeting space and is within walking distance of the KICC and downtown attractions.
• The Brown Hotel: The 293-room historic hotel offers about 26,000 square feet of meeting space, including its 4,337-square-foot Crystal Ballroom.

Venues

• Kentucky Exposition Center: A major exhibition complex near the airport with multiple exhibit halls, Freedom Hall and Broadbent Arena, making it suited to large conventions, trade shows and sporting events.
• KFC Yum! Center: The downtown arena hosts large-scale meetings, receptions, concerts and other events, in view of the Ohio River and the downtown skyline.
• The Henry Clay: Built as an Elks Lodge in 1924, this historic downtown event venue has multiple ballrooms and flexible spaces for corporate events, receptions and larger gatherings.
• Mellwood Art Center: This former industrial complex has been turned into an arts and events space, with multiple rooms and galleries for receptions, meetings and private events.

Explore Museums

Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, home of the famous race. Groups can arrange guided tours and private events at the museum and track — and you can hire the bugler to play the iconic notes that start the race.

See how Louisville Slugger bats are made at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Groups can arrange guided factory tours and private events. The museum has some wonderful artifacts from baseball’s history.

Explore the Muhammad Ali Center to learn about Louisville’s native boxer through exhibits covering his career, life and humanitarian work. The center offers group tours and event spaces.

Walk Around Town

Spend time in Louisville's East Market District, known as NuLu, with its restaurants, bars, galleries, shops and public art.

Explore Old Louisville, the country's largest preserved Victorian neighborhood, on a guided walking tour of the historic homes and tree-lined streets.

Walk across the Ohio River on the Big Four Bridge, a former railroad bridge connecting Louisville with Jeffersonville, Ind. The pedestrian and bike path offers views of the river and downtown skyline.

Visit one of Louisville's many bourbon distilleries for a tour, tasting or behind-the-scenes experience. Several offer private tours and group programs.

Activities and Adventure

Take a day trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world's longest-known cave system. Groups can choose from several guided tours, ranging from shorter walks to longer underground adventures.

Head underground for zip lines, ropes courses and other adventures inside a former limestone mine. Mega Cavern offers group and team-building experiences for those looking for something more active.

Learn how to make classic bourbon cocktails through a hands-on class or private mixology experience. Local distilleries, bars and culinary venues offer options that can be tailored to private groups.

Spend a Day at Kentucky Kingdom for roller coasters, water rides and live entertainment at this amusement and water park near the Kentucky Exposition Center.