Top 5 Must-see Kentucky Museums

Kentucky Derby Museum

One of the most popular attractions in Louisville, the Kentucky Derby Museum seeks to educate visitors about the iconic Kentucky Derby and its long history in the area. The museum offers special exhibits throughout the year highlighting an interesting aspect of the Kentucky Derby.

The museum has resident horses and ponies that guests can visit as well. There are two floors of family-friendly interactive exhibits that make visiting the museum fun for all ages. If you get hungry during your visit, you can stop by the Derby Cafe express and pick up breakfast or lunch. There's even a full bar.

No visit to Kentucky is complete without stopping by the Kentucky Derby Museum and learning more about the horses and jockeys who've made the Kentucky Derby world famous. The museum is open from 8am to 5pm weekdays and Saturdays, but opens at 11am on Sunday.

Creation Museum

Created by the group Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum walks visitors through the creation of earth as written in Genesis. The museum features nearly 150 exhibits from animatronic dinosaurs to talking bible heroes.

The Creation Museum also features a 200-seat special effects theater, planetarium, petting zoo, nature trails, and plenty of other great attractions that are fun for the whole family.

The Creation Museum is more than just a display of history; it seeks to help visitors answer difficult questions about science and our relationship with God. The Creation Museum has a sister attraction called the Ark Encounter, which is a life-sized replica of Noah's Ark. Visiting is a great way to connect with a Bible story in a new way!

The museum is open 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 1pm to 7pm on Sundays.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

This museum is all about exploring baseball's past, present, and future and Louisville Slugger's part in it. Baseball is one of America's most popular sports and has been a pastime for well over 100 years. Even those who aren't huge fans of baseball will be amazed at the interesting stories and unique machinery of the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.

Louisville Slugger has been making baseball bats since 1884, when Frederick Hillerich's son Bud made the first bat at his father's woodworking business for a player on his baseball team.

Visitor's will also enjoy a glimpse into the cutting edge procedures and technologies that help keep Louisville slugger one of the biggest names in baseball. Check their website for the latest info on events and exhibits.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 3pm, and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.

Conrad-Caldwell House Museum

Known as Conrad's Castle, the Conrad-Caldwell House was built by Theophile Conrad and completed in 1895. The Conrad family lived in their home until 1908, when Mrs. Conrad sold the home to family friends, the Caldwell family.

The home has since been restored to its original glory, full of period appropriate furniture and furnishings. It stands as one of the most beautiful examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and distinguishes itself, even among the Victorian houses in the area.

The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum hosts special events and programs throughout the year, so be sure to check which events and programs will be available during your visit. Guided tours are available each weekend from noon until 3pm.

Mary Todd Lincoln House

Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of the sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln, spent her childhood in a quaint brick house in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Her home has since become a house museum, the first one in the country, to honor a great First Lady.

This historic building was originally built between 1803 and 1806 to serve as an inn, and became the home of the Todd family in 1832. The family remained until 1849 when Robert Todd died of Cholera.

The museum has been restored to its former glory and filled with family portraits and furnishings from the families of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln to pay tribute to the president and equally impressive First Lady.

The museum offers guided and walking tours Monday through Saturday. Call for reservations.

Come Stay With Us...

Want to experience even more history? There are plenty of historic inns and bed and breakfasts in the area for you to choose from. Museums won't let you stay the night, but our innkeepers will!

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