Louisville, Kentucky is best known as the site of the world’s most famous horse race, The Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs. Held the first Saturday of May each year since 1875, the Derby is the dramatic climax of the two-week long Kentucky Derby Festival featuring over 70 special events. If you want to see the largest annual fireworks display in the nation, be there opening day of the Derby Festival for Thunder Over Louisville. Although horses take center ring in Louisville, the city has some other impressive claims to fame. It is the global hub of United Parcel Service (UPS). The McAlpine Locks and Dam provide shipping lane access for over 55 million tons of commodities each year. The song “Happy Birthday to You” (originally called “Good Morning to You”) was written in Louisville kindergarten class by Mildred and Patty Hill. Muhammad Ali was born in Louisville; so was Good Morning America anchor Diane Sawyer.
Louisville is known for scientific and medical breakthroughs. The first viewing of Thomas Edison’s light bulb was in Louisville. The Louisville Slugger baseball bat, considered the best bat in the world, was created (and is still manufactured) in Louisville. The American Printing House for the Blind is the largest Braille publishing house in the world. The first human hand transplant took place in Louisville and most recently, it was the development site of the first cervical cancer vaccine.
Louisville International Airport (SDF), located seven miles from downtown, offers around 100 flights per day to 29 states, Canada, the Bahamas and District of Columbia. As the hub of UPS, it is the third largest cargo facility in North America and it is the home of the Kentucky National Guard. A rental car is the best option for getting around Louisville. If you want to park the car in the city, the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) offers county-wide bus service and the Toonerville Trolley whisks visitors around the Louisville Historic District.
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