The Louisville center is approximately the area of KFC YUM Center and the area of Actors Theatre.
Louisville's climate is humid and subtropical. As such winters are relatively mild, with average lows of 27F (-3C) and average highs of 43F (6C) in January – the city's coldest month. Summers are quite humid, with average highs of 90F (33C) and lows of 70F (21C) in the peak of summer – July. As such, the shoulder seasons of spring (March – May) and autumn (late September – early December) are the optimal times to visit Louisville. The temperatures will be pleasant and the humidity relatively low, optimal conditions for exploring historic downtown by foot or a lazy Sunday stroll along the Ohio River.
Many hotels throughout the Louisville metro area participate in the discount programs that savvy travelers frequently use. The AAA discount is the most widely accepted program in the city, with the vast majority of the national and international chains offering discounts for AAA members. Make sure to note/select the AAA discount when booking and bring your discount card with you – you'll need to present it upon checking in to secure the special rate. If you're an AAA member, look out for hotels like Four Points by Sheraton, Quality Inn, Super 8, Days Inn, Fairfield Inn, Clarion Inn and any of the Marriott hotels. For senior citizens (members of AARP, etc.) many of the Marriott hotels offer discounts. Best Western seems to be the place to go for advertised Military rates. However, it is a little known secret that many hotels will give military members a special discount if they are in uniform when checking in (just like airlines allow uniform military access to airport lounges and priority boarding, regardless of their ticket status). If you're traveling in a group, the chain hotels tend to have the best group rates, especially if traveling in the off-seasons (late autumn, winter – except Christmas – and early spring).
For business travelers requiring accommodation near the airport, there are many options near Louisville International Airport. Nearly all of the large chains have an airport location, ranging from budget options like Super 8 and Howard Johnson to upper mid-range hotels such as Courtyard by Marriott and Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport. For business travelers who have a little time to kill, the metro area offers up a number of attractions that can be taken in within just a few hours. Take a stroll along the Belvedere Plaza – a public space along the Ohio River, with many dining options nearby. See a show at the Actors Theatre, one of America's premiere independent, non-profit acting troupes with an Tony award to its credit and an international reputation (1,500 performances in 15 countries since 1980). Finally, if you need a little more action in your life or would rather see a concert, head over to the KFC Yum Center, home to the University of Louisville's basketball teams and a regular US tour stop for major recording artists.
Louisville is perhaps ingrained to the national consciousness because of its sole multimillion dollar state development, the premier Kentucky Derby. Situated across the Ohio River, Louisville attracts most of its visitors - half a million of which - during May. The well-diversified and cosmopolitan industrial city still has some of the traces of the first French settlers who traveled upriver from neighboring New Orleans. Louisville is still decidedly French, as it produces at least one-third of the United States' bourbon. Tourists in the city will find a lot of Confederate statues, a sign that Louisville is a perfect place to invest a Southern business. The city boasts of an intricate network of parks, countless city-wide festivals, and an energetic arts scene. The network of recreational facilities bolstered Muhammad Ali to great heights, as Chickasaw Park saw his daily struggles of early-morning training. Riverfront Plaza, the final lunge of downtown Louisville, serves as an excellent observation and sight-seeing point for the scenic Falls of the Ohio on the opposite bank. Apart from the plaza, the Louisville Slugger Museum fascinates even non-baseball fans, as tours usually end with visitors having miniature bats of their own.
Just like him, Louisville is also a city larger-than-life. In today's time this city has earned popularity from the University of Louisville and Louisville cathedral athletic team. Despite of being little populous, Louisville metro city has maintained its green belt reserves quite successfully. It is evident through the fact that it has more than 13,000 acres in covering parks. The Louisville waterfront park located on the bank of river Ohio featuring wide open space is no less than a treat for its visitor's eyes. There are more wildlife reserves and waterfall parks to visit in Louisville city. Beside this organization of numerous festivals and events in city is something which works as magnet for its tourists.
Breckinridge Inn is a suburban cheap hotel in Louisville located just few miles away from University of Louisville and Papa John Cardinal Stadium. It provides comfortable stay with free continental breakfast and Wi-Fi service to its guests. Galt House Hotel is another Louisville hotel in the budget category which is very near to Muhammad Ali center in downtown Louisville. It is surrounded with city's best museum and theaters, such as Actor Theater of Louisville and Louisville Slugger Museum. Super 8 Louisville and Econo Lodge Downtown are two other options worth going for if one's traveling to the city on a tight budget.
Among the luxury hotels in Louisville, 21c Museum Hotel Louisville is the top rated place in the city. It also doubles up as an art museum and is just 3 minutes walk away from Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. Hyatt Regency Louisville is another option worth going for as it provides great packages to both its individual and corporate clients without compromising the standards of its services. It is just 10 minutes walk away from Muhammad Ali Center. The Brown Hotel and Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel are other two hotels in Louisville which provide its clients with the best there is to offer in hospitality industry.
Louisville city has many attractions for tourists which are worth the visit and time. It has streets where many good restaurants and stores are located and is thronged by people throughout day and night. Its Kentucky Derby Museum is horse racing museum which provides a peek into the state's famed horse racing history. Louisville Slugger Museum is another top attraction for tourists in the city. Muhammad Ali Museum pays tribute to the city's most famous and iconic person, boxer Muhammad Ali. For those seeking peace and joy at the same time can go for a ride on the Belle of Louisville boat. It is the oldest operating steamboat in the country and a major historical landmark of the city, which is very famous at the same time.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Louisville, KY excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Jefferson
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | October 31, 2026 | $164.00 | $80.00 |
| November 1, 2026 | January 31, 2027 | $120.00 | $80.00 |
| February 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | $155.00 | $80.00 |
| June 1, 2027 | August 31, 2027 | $134.00 | $80.00 |
| September 1, 2027 | September 30, 2027 | $164.00 | $80.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Louisville, KY from an actual visitor's perspective.
The hotel and lobby itself was nice - lobby was great.
And the City of Louisville is a mirror reflection of our experience at the Brown Hotel. Louisville is a gem with great restaurants, culture, history, museums, super nice people and very safe in every way, even walking around downtown at night. But I would have to say the people here are the Louisville's greatest asset.
Used to work for a doctor that had a box at Churchill Downs. Spent many seasons at the Derby.
Scenery.
Shops!
It's a central location for surrounding states for yearly show.
Lots to do in walking distance!
Lots to do!
I enjoy the city as a whole, many great restaurants within walking distance.
Hospital
I went directly from airport to hotel. Did enjoy the airport. It was easy to get through security and had some great shops.
Actually the location. We stay with this hotel every year returning from Florida to Ohio.
Good convention center and the 80/20 Kaelin's restaurant was fantastic. Good reasonable prices, great food and excellent staff.
4th street Live, Whiskey Row, and anything Bourbon related.
Eatery
Lots of museums, casinos, beautiful bridges crossing the Ohio River.
We had dinner at a wonderful pizza place called Lupo. It was delicious! Very nice atmosphere and staff.
I enjoyed talking to Ginger, who welcomed me to the hotel as she was checking to see about my reservation. She was very friendly and outgoing, and yet she had a professional appearance. I don't know what you're paying her but you should be paying her more. I had a difficult time getting into my room and called a housekeeper over and she readily came over to assist. She noticed that I was trying to get into room 106 and the keys were for 107. Got the door open and the room was very clean and very well organized. We had two queen beds for three people so it was great. The hotel was extremely clean. Left after we checked in and went to the Waffle House and it was OK. The girl said they had the continental breakfast the next morning and had a good meal and then went onto the funeral. So overall, I was just there overnight until 4:30 AM and they stayed and checked out at 11. A great day, a great place and great staff.
A great city. Not too big or small.
Convenient.
I love Louisville for many reasons. It seems like they have it all. Sports, museums, music venues, and the list goes on and on. And unlike a lot of big cities it's hard to find a bad area. I'm sure there are some somewhere but we couldn't find them, and we were all over the place.
The best thing was the Lights under Louisville. What a hidden gem that was.
Muhammad Ali Center Two Thai restaurant
I have previously lived and gone to school in Louisville. Love the entire city!!
Been there several times nice place to visit and I'm a Cardinal fan.
Nice attraction, visited the Christmas lights in the cave. Spinelli's pizza in Highlands is the best pizza
Stayed after a Lville football game to drive to Cincinnati the next day.
Great town!
Local bars.
Love the fact I can walk around town with no worries.
Churchill Downs. Great tour of the track.
Drake's restaurant was amazing. The convention center while massive is well planned and coordinated.
Putt-Putt mini golf, Chubby Ninja Sushi and Ramen!
The city was fabulous, especially if you enjoy art. The architecture of the older downtown buildings was beautiful and fun to look at, great restaurants, shops, and very clean. We attended the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular which was amazing. Would highly recommend it to others.
I had gone to a wedding so I didn't see too much.
Everything, it was a fun place to visit, people were very friendly. We walked a lot and loved every minute of it. Rabbit Hole is our favorite distillery but we went to a lot more on Main Street. We will be back!💜🙏🏻💜
Easy to navigate downtown.
Everything!
Went to the Churchhill Downs and the River House Restaurant.
Museums! Most of the time we were in hotel for wedding events.
Louisville Slugger and restaurants
The River Road area is beautiful! Very peaceful and scenic. Kingfish was an excellent dining experience.
Churchill Downs
Louisville has a lot to do and wonderful history representing downtown. I'll be back to explore more.
Many good restaurants & lots of recreational activies.
Easy access to Yum center.
Brian Mobley Sr is the best thing in Louisville in my opinion.
The Melissa Etheridge concert.
There were many attractions within walking distance of the hotel. Uber transportation was plentiful and cheap. Everyone we met was courteous and friendly.
There were many attractions within walking distance of the hotel. Uber transportation was plentiful and cheap. Everyone we met was courteous and friendly.
Good food, nice people.
The Historic old Louisville house walk was very interesting. It was worth seeing. The Slugger museum and factory was excellent.
The hotel was close to the hospital that I need to go to the following morning.
Friendly people
It was easy to get around.
The city was great
The atmosphere downtown was electric!
Love the neighborhood!
It was good.
Plehn's Bakery in St. Matthews!
All the history of the city.
The entire area around the hotel is very nice.. went to the Bat factory.. Excellent venue..don't miss it..ez parking, ez on and off hiway
The Mohammad Ali Museum, the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Conrad-Caldwell Mansion, and the Louisville Slugger Museum!
I ate at Malones and Amazing Thai. The steak at Malones was melt in your mouth delicious. The Thai food I got was pretty much what I had in mind. The spicy level snuck up on me but it is what I ordered.
Clean no graffiti. Restaurants and bars walkable
Food ( repel), several bars ( bourbon and non), several bourbon bars. Several tastings
Golf!
Muhammad Ali Museum