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Home of the prestigious and celebrated Kentucky Derby, Louisville throws a bash each year like few other cities, attracting visitors from all over the world for the weeks-long Kentucky Derby Festival.

The city is more than just horseplay though. Facing the Ohio River on the Kentucky-Indiana border, Louisville offers old-town charms like the Victorian architecture of Old Louisville and steamboat rides along the river. The city is also known for its eponymous brand of baseball bats, Louisville Slugger, still manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby on downtown's Main Street. Scenic parks dot the area as well, many of them designed by the mastermind behind New York City's Central Park, Frederick Law Olmstead.

Downtown Louisville is centralized and quite walkable, but public transportation is also available via buses and trolleys operated by the Transportation Authority of River City (TARC). The Main & Market Street trolley runs east-west through the city near the waterfront, while the Fourth Street trolley runs from the river southward. Both cost 25 cents. Bus routes serve the Greater Louisville area, including southern Indiana, and fares are $1.

Louisville International Airport is five miles south of downtown and is served by TARC bus route No. 2. Cab fares for a ride into the city are approximately $15-$20.

Party at the Kentucky Derby Festival
Louisville's signature event is no mere horse race; it's a three-week festival of parades, concerts, athletic events and parties that culminates on the first Saturday in May with "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports." Held annually since 1875, The Derby draws an eclectic crowd to Churchill Downs for the first leg of the Triple Crown, with wealthy socialites strutting along Millionaire's Row and wild, mint julep-swigging revelers packing the infield.

Catch Horse Racing Fever Year-Round
Even if you're not in Louisville during Derby time, you can still enjoy Churchill Downs and horse racing history. The thoroughbred track holds races during the spring and autumn, and the Kentucky Derby Museum — "the world's largest equine museum" — allows visitors to check out footage of the event from as far back as 1918 among a wide variety of other exhibits.

Visit Baseball's Most Famous Toolmaker
Featuring the world's largest bat (120 feet tall and 34 tons) leaning against the building, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is easy to spot. The museum, also the company's headquarters, presents the history of its legendary brand of baseball bats with interactive exhibits and takes visitors on a stroll through the factory for a look at the process of crafting a bat from start to finish.

Join the Cardinals Fans at Freedom Hall
Louisville doesn't have a pro sports franchise, so the University of Louisville enjoys a large, dedicated following, particularly for its hoops teams. The heated basketball rivalry between the Cardinals and the University of Kentucky divides the state, and it grew even more contentious when former Kentucky coach Rick Pitino took a job at Louisville in 2001.

Enjoy Minor-League Retro with the Bats
Louisville was a step ahead of San Diego's Petco Park when it built Louisville Slugger Field, incorporating an old railroad car depot — the Brinly-Hardy warehouse — right into the architecture of the stadium. The structure now serves as the main entrance to the park as well as the main offices for the Louisville Bats, triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Inside, spectators are treated to spectacular views of both the field and two bridges spanning the Ohio River.

Muhammad Ali Center
144 N. Sixth St.
Louisville, Ky. 40202
You'll come here with the intent to celebrate Ali the athlete. You'll leave with an appreciation of what he considers his greatest work: teaching others the ingredients -- such as respect, honor and dignity -- that define a true man. Among the exhibits in the 2 1/2-level space are a re-creation of Ali's Deer Lake, Pa., training camp, a full-size boxing ring in which you can shadow box and a video archive of Ali's greatest fights. But his story is told within the context of issues such as tolerance, respect and conflict resolution.
http://www.alicenter.org/

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
800 W. Main St.
Louisville, Ky. 40202
This place is hard to miss: Outside the museum is the world's largest baseball bat, 120 feet high. Inside, you'll see bats swung by Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Ted Williams, among others. Step inside a batting cage using replicas of their bats, and experience what it's like to face a 90-mph fastball. Then tour the factory next door, where the bats are still made.
http://www.sluggermuseum.org/

Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Ave. (Churchill Downs grounds)
Louisville, Ky. 40208
Think you could ride 1,200 pounds of locomotive power? See the history of the Derby and Derby horses through film clips, artifacts and memorabilia. Also take a guided tour of Churchill Downs, through the Jockeys' Quarters, Millionaires' Row, the stable area, finish line and the winner's circle.
http://www.derbymuseum.org/

Belle of Louisville
401 W. River Rd.
Louisville, Ky. 40202
Built in 1914, the Belle of Louisville is the oldest operating steamboat on the Ohio River. A national landmark, for years it transported passengers and goods along the Ohio to the Mississippi River. Now it offers river tours around Louisville. Even the original onboard calliope has been restored.
http://www.belleoflouisville.org/

Speed Art Museum
2035 South Third St.
Louisville, Ky. 40208
This is Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum. It is known for its 17th-century Dutch and Flemish collections, its 18th-century French art, and Renaissance and Baroque tapestries. Don't miss its African-American and Native American artworks.
http://www.speedmuseum.org/

1986 University of Louisville basketball (defeated Duke University, 72-69)
1980 University of Louisville basketball (defeated UCLA, 59-54)