How to Find Cheap Hotels in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky, is most famous as the home of the renowned Kentucky Derby. A horse-breeding state, Louisville is the mecca for breeders and fans alike. The month of May of every year turns Louisville into a Mardi Gras type of environment, full of hundreds of thousands of visitors to this historic city. Louisville is also home to the Louisville Slugger Museum of baseball, bluegrass music and a stunning Central Park.

Instructions

Book Cheap Accommodations

1. To book accommodations, contact Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau at (888) LOUISVILLE or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Look for hotels off of I-265 for highway close deals and overnight stop. Rates are typically well under $100 a night.

3. Experience the city's only 4-star hotel, the Seelbach Hilton downtown. Within walking distance of art galleries and the riverfront, this hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features early 20th century architecture and art mixed with modern wi-fi Internet access and advanced meeting rooms. This hotel also features the state's only 5-diamond restaurant, The Oakroom.

4. Ask about airport shuttle service. With so many hotels near the airport in Louisville, there are plenty of resources for quick and cheap (often free) trips to and from your accommodations.

5. Book your hotel accommodations and Derby tickets together. Many area hotels offer combination packages that provide significant discounts.

6. Look for cheap accommodations near the centrally located airport, where moderately priced chains are more than amply available. Prices are usually well under $200 a night.

Find Things to Do

1. Take a picture in front of the gigantic six-story Louisville Slugger bat that leans against the museum of the same name.

2. Take a tour of the museum to see actual bats in production. You can also have your name imprinted on a special bat to take home at the end of your tour.

3. Visit Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby, during the off-season. Here, a mere $2 gets you in (children under 12 are free!) to the track to explore the gift shop and see horses in all their glory.

4. Enjoy modern science made simple at the kid-friendly Louisville Science Center.

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy free trolley rides during the Fat Friday Trolley Hop. Held on the last Friday of every month, this trolley takes passengers up and down Frankfort Avenue to all the shops, galleries and boutiques that extend their hours of operation from 5pm to 9pm at this time.

• Book Kentucky Derby accommodations well in advance, and know that rates can be up to three times as much during this period in May.

• The Louisville Slugger Museum and production plant does not make any bats on most Sundays throughout the year, so visit during the week if you want to see this phenomenon.