Old Louisville just might be one of the grandest old neighborhoods in the South -- if not the world. Ancient mansions and ancient oaks line ancient boulevards and avenues, and they all lead to one place: Central Park. It's a square block shrouded in shade and filled with neighbors enjoying their sunny afternoons. Kids play in the fountain, adults hone their backhand on the tennis court. All enjoy the pathways and shaded picnic spots. During the summer months, an amphitheater draws crowds, and they're kept safe by the on-site branch of the Louisville PD.

Jim Beam is one of the most cherished American whiskeys, and thus its unique history is one worth celebrating, and the Jim Beam American Outpost is the place to do it. Your visit begins with a screening of a short film telling the Beam story. Then you tour past some historic buildings and machinery. Then you make it to the tasting room where somebody pours you a couple tastes of bourbon. Then it's over to the gift shop for a souvenir Jim Beam sweatshirt.

The Maker's Mark Distillery Tour is touted as one of the best even by some of its fiercest competitors, noted for a laundry list of qualities that set it apart. Maker's makes one product and one product only, unlike other distilleries that sometimes produce whole ranges of different bourbons. This focus lends an unparalleled quality to their bourbon, and makes for a distillery tour that goes down easy -- with a smooth finish. Furthermore, Maker's Mark is a family-style operation in many ways. The distillery grounds are beautiful but modest in scale, and are staffed by a small but extremely dedicated workforce. The tour itself is a thing of beauty in and of itself. Visitors are invited to see firsthand each and every step in the distilling process, from cooking and fermentation to aging and bottling. Charming and informative tour guides explain the intricacies of the processes and act as very human windows into the one-of-a-kind culture that is the Maker's Mark family. At tour's end, it's time to taste! Here, visitors are treated to an opportunity to sample the finished Maker's Mark product right alongside the unfinished bourbon-eligible distilled spirit (or BEDS), essentially the unaged moonshine that eventually becomes whiskey. Finally, the gift shop has its own wax station, where any citizen can strap on some gloves and goggles and dip their own bottle of Maker's into a vat of the company's signature bright-red sealing wax. Never in the history of civilization has there been a better tour souvenir.

Explore Louisville Mega Cavern with a Historic Tram Tour where you ride through part of 17 miles (27 kilometers) of underground passageways beneath the city of Louisville. Learn about the geology, history, mining techniques, recycling, and green business technology. See where 50,000 people would have been invited to stay during the Cold War Era. You can also go on Mega Zips the adventure tour featuring five underground ziplines, three challenge bridges including dual racing zips, and over two hours of adrenaline. Another great tour only offered from November through December is Lights Under Louisville an all underground holiday light show. Drive through a part of the of underground passageways beneath Louisville as you see and hear the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

Located inside the vast Iroquois Park, Iroquois Amphitheater is bustling with several art, dance and music events throughout the year. It is the official amphitheater of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and plays host to many of the city biggest events. Many popular bands, singers and musicians have come alive on this stage. Events here also include youth orchestras, dance performances, art exhibitions and so on. Famous bands like Wilco and U2 are also said to have performed here. Thus, this modern state-of-the-art place is a haven of sorts for many music and art lovers.

Iroquois Park is a veritable outdoorsman's playground, located within minutes of Downtown Louisville. It's home to something of a mountain, from the top of which visitors get a panoramic look at the whole region. Why, on a clear day, one can see all the way to Indiana! Other park amenities include an archery range, basketball courts, disc golf course, fishing lake, miles of trails, horseshoes, picnicking, playground, tennis courts and more. On a cool Kentucky morning, one can set off up a narrow trail and quickly find one's self lost in the woods -- in a good way -- away from civilization, away from one's cares. And yet civilization and cares are just a few minutes away.

The Louisville Zoo is quite possibly one of the finest unsung zoos in the world. Though somewhat modest in size, in is nonetheless home to a solid bevy of beautiful beasts. Highlights include camels, baby elephants and the MANED WOLF, a creature seemingly ripped from the pages of some kind of fantastical, mythical fairybook! Tiger feedings are another must-see attraction. Guests are also invited to come within mere feet of the animal as it feeds on its lunch through a mesh-covered opening in its glass enclosure. Jaw-dropping fun! See website for complete list of animals and attractions, as well as news items, conservation effort info and more.

The Keswick Democratic Club is a fairly popular cultural venue in Louisville that has been entertaining the people for quite some time now. The interiors have been refurbished, and are now more suitable to large scale events. Call for upcoming shows.

Looking for a music venue in Louisville? The Brewery Thunderdome is a popular venue where you will come across the best music talent. It is a great place to enjoy rock, pop, punk and other genres. The spacious place comes alive with rock fans and musicians alike on show days. Come be a part of the rock scene at Thunderdome. Call ahead for hours and other details.

Louisville Extreme Park is one of the foremost action sports facilities in the country. Pro athletes from around the world travel from far and wide to show off their skills at this expertly designed concrete mecca. While many skate parks feature a half pipe, this one features a full pipe! Other features include bowls, fun boxes, banks, ledges, rails, and a vert ramp.