Louisville

The Belle of Louisville is America's oldest still-serving sternwheeler riverboat, plying the Ohio River from Louisville's waterfront to give visitors memorable sunset cruises, sightseeing excursions and Saturday night party cruises.The historic boat, powered by two steam engines and boasting 32 whistles, was commissioned in 1914 and originally named the Idlewild. She served as a packet boat for many years, carrying passengers and freight on America's inland waters.In 1962 she was purchased by the Jefferson County authorities and refurbished, being declared a National Historic Landmark. Now, public sightseeing cruises depart from the 4th Street Wharf in Louisville.

Address : 401 West River Road

Website : www.belleoflouisville.org

Telephone : 502 574 2992

Admission : $35 adults, $25 children 3-12; other concessions available.

The Cathedral of the Assumption is the fourth oldest public building in Louisville as well as the third oldest Catholic Cathedral in the United States in continuous use. Designed in the neo-Gothic style by William Keeley and Isaiah Rogers, the Cathedral was completed in 1852.The steeple rises 287 feet (84m) above the Louisville skyline, and upon its completion, was North America's tallest spire. The chancel window is one of the oldest surviving examples of hand-painted stained glass in the country.The Cathedral of the Assumption is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an active, urban parish with 1,500 registered families. Audio tours are available and docents conduct guided tours by appointment only.

Address : 433 South Fifth Street

Website : www.cathedraloftheassumption.org

Telephone : 502 582 2971

Opening times : The Archdiocesan History Center is open 10:30am-2pm on Sundays.

The home of the most famous horse race in America, Churchill downs is full of tradition and amazing stories. It opened in 1875, and has hosted the Kentucky Derby ever since. The track also hosts the Breeders Cup.Races are run from May to July, and October to November, and visitors to Churchill Downs can see live races in addition to learning about past winners in the Kentucky Derby Museum, which is open year round.

Address : 700 Central Avenue

Website : www.churchilldowns.com

Telephone : 502 636 4400

This US Army fort, located an hour south of Louisville, is world-famous as the home of America's largest stockpile of gold bullion. However, the repository is closed to visitors. A popular attraction is the General George Patton Museum of Leadership.It has exhibitions of US Army artefacts going back to 1775. Adjacent to the museum is Keyes Park, offering pleasant picnic areas and a playground for children to run around in. The museum store sells a whole array of gifts and mementos.

Address : 4554 Fayette Avenue, Fort Knox

Website : www.generalpatton.org

Telephone : 502 624 3391

Opening times : Museum: Tuesday to Friday 10am-4:30pm; Saturday 10am-5:30pm. Closed Sundays and major holidays.

Admission : Free

The capital city of Kentucky, history-rich Frankfort is situated about 50 miles (80km) east of Louisville, about 50 minutes drive from Louisville International Airport. It boasts a vast array of architectural styles, famous landmarks, museums and enjoyable shopping precincts.Among the interesting attractions in the city is the Old State Capitol, a Greek Revival building dating from 1830 with a unique self-supporting staircase held together by precision and pressure.Other architectural sites include the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Zeigler house, dating from 1910, and the Switzer Covered Bridge, a beautifully restored Howe Trussed bridge dating back to 1855 that offers a lovely place for a picnic.Besides numerous historic houses and buildings, Frankfort boasts a fascinating History Center, historic sites, war memorials and scenic wildlife reserves. Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman, is buried in Frankfort Cemetary, overlooking the city.The Buffalo Trace Distillery has been operating for over two centuries, and offers guided tours. The city also offers many active pursuits, including golf, horseback riding, canoeing, and hiking.

Website : www.visitfrankfort.com

Even those who aren't horse racing fans can experience the thrill of the sport at the museum and through tours offered at Churchill Downs. Established in 1874, it's one of the world's oldest and most famous tracks, hosting the annual renowned Kentucky Derby.The Museum contains exhibits that bring the pageantry and excitement of the Derby to life, including high-tech computerised hands-on displays and video graphics. A video entitled 'The Greatest Race' shows on a 360-degree screen every half hour from 9am to 4:30pm and from 12:30pm on Sundays.Museum tour guides take groups of visitors to see the Churchill Downs' stable and infield areas, as well as through the historic Edwardian grandstand, finish line, and winners' circle.

Address : 704 Central Avenue

Website : www.derbymuseum.org

Telephone : 502 637 1111

Opening times : Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm (opens 8am from 15 March to November), Sunday 11am-5pm.

Admission : $15 adults and $7 children aged 5-14. Other concessions available.

The Kentucky Science Center in historic West Main Street, founded in 1871 as a natural history collection, has experienced more than a century of growth to become Kentucky's largest hands-on science centre, visited by more than 550,000 people each year.A highlight of the centre is a 12,500 ft2 (1,161 m2) permanent exhibit known as The World Around Us, featuring more than 40 interactive stations that challenge visitors of all ages to make use of their creativity and problem-solving skills.The centre also has a four-story digital movie theatre, a gift shop and restaurant. The Science Center isn't just for kids, providing lectures and events for adults after hours.

Address : 727 West Main Street

Website : www.kysciencecenter.org

Telephone : 502 561 6100

Opening times : Sunday to Thursday 9:30am-5pm; Friday and Saturday 9:30am-9pm. Closed Derby Day, Thanksgiving, and December 24-25.

Admission : Exhibits: adults $13, and $11 for children aged 2-12; movie passes and combination tickets available.

Louisville Glassworks is America's first complete centre dedicated to the art of glass, from architectural glassworks to the finest glass jewellery and ornaments. Located in Louisville on the corner of 9th and Market Streets in the historic Snead Manufacturing Building, visitors can watch glassblowers, flameworkers, cutters and designers at work, creating glass art in the open air and studios.Renowned resident glassmakers are Mark Payton and Brook White, but Louisville Glassworks also plays host to visiting glasssmiths. Visitors have the opportunity to work one-to-one with an artist to create their own glass art. This is by appointment only. Guided tours are also available.

Address : 815 West Market Street

Website : www.louisvilleglassworks.com

Telephone : 502 992 3270

Opening times : Guided tours every Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Self-guided tours may be undertaken Monday to Friday 10am-3pm.

Admission : Guided tours: $7.75; self-guided tours: $5.75, concessions available.

The Mammoth Cave National Park near Edmonson in southcentral Kentucky boasts the longest cave in the world, with 350 miles (563km) of cavers and passages having so far been explored. According to experts, there's 'no end in sight'.The cave has been promoted as a tourist attraction since 1861, making it America's oldest attraction. Encompassed into a national park in 1941, its cave system and scenic valleys of the Green and Nolin Rivers remain preserved.The park offers camping, cave tours, hiking trails, hotel accommodation, canoeing, and horseback riding. There are a variety of expeditions on offer, with varying levels of difficulty and sightseeing options, run to different schedules.Visitors should request a brochure and book in advance, as tours cannot be booked on the day.

Website : www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm

Telephone : 270 758 2180

Opening times : Visitors Center: November to March 8:30am-4:30pm; March to June 8am-6pm. Various different tours on offer daily.

Admission : Mammoth Cave Passage Tour: $7 adults, $5 children 6-12. Other tours range from $13-55. Concessions available.

Fans of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali can see and experience all aspects of the life of the man dubbed 'The Greatest' at this huge multi-media, interactive exhibition centre, which features 10 theatres and more than 50 interactive stations.Ali's story, including his boxing career, global humanitarianism, and societal and religious convictions, is presented in thematic displays, according to the six core values he has encompassed: confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, spirituality and giving.The inspirational centre also includes displays of memorabilia, a retail store, and cafe.

Address : 144 N. Sixth Street

Website : www.alicenter.org

Telephone : 502 584 9254

Opening times : Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm. Closed Monday. Last admission at 4:15pm.

Admission : $12 adults, $7 children 6-12; children under five are free. Discounts for students, pensioners and groups.

Thomas Edison, inventor of the incandescent electric light bulb, lived in the house on East Washington Street in 1866 when he was only 19 years old and had yet to receive acclaim for his many inventions.When Edison lived in Louisville, he worked for the Western Union as a telegraph operator on Second and West Main Street, a few blocks from the house. Today, the simple cottage, built around 1850, has been restored as a museum housing interesting artefacts.These artefacts in Thomas Edison House include things such as cylinder and disc phonographs, a kinetoscope, the first home motion picture projector, numerous versions of the light bulb and other creations patented by the famous inventor.

Address : 729-31 East Washington Street

Website : www.edisonhouse.org

Telephone : 502 585 5247

Besides horses, Kentucky is famous for its bourbon history. Numerous distilleries are open to the public. But the oldest still operating is the Woodford Reserve Distillery, nestled between lush horse farms in Woodford County on McCracken Pike.Bourbon was first distilled here in 1812, when it was known as the Labrot & Graham Distillery. The site of the beautiful limestone buildings is a National Historic Landmark, restored to its original condition.It's the only bourbon distillery still using copper pot stills, the traditional method of distillation. A visitor's centre provides displays and videos on the history of bourbon and guests can watch how bourbon is distilled in the traditional manner. The distillery offers several tours and tastings.

Address : 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles

Website : www.woodfordreserve.com

Telephone : 859 879 1812

Opening times : Monday to Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday 1pm-3pm.

Admission : Distillery tours: $15