Signature City Louisville

Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

The history of Louisville will be presented on the motorcoach by a local expert. We will be getting on and off the motorcoach for a memorable experience as we explore and see Louisville. We will have the opportunity to visit the Muhammad Ali Museum then the Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum, the burial site of “The Greatest.”

At the Louisville Alumni Center, we’ll be joined by U of L faculty, staff, and alumni.

Next, we’ll board our motorcoach to take an expert-led private field trip through the factory where Louisville Slugger bats are crafted with the same pride that started in 1884. Here we can mingle with amazingly lifelike sculptures of Babe Ruth; Ted Williams; Ken Griffey, Jr.; and Derek Jeter, and hold Louisville Slugger bats that were actually used by some of baseball’s greatest hitters—past and present—including Mickey Mantle; Cal Ripken, Jr.; David Ortiz; and Johnny Bench. We will see the Louisville Slugger bat Babe Ruth carved notches in for every home run he hit with it during his record-setting 60-home-run season in 1927. We’ll learn how the first Louisville Slugger bat was made in 1884.

At the hotel.

At the hotel, we’ll join our newfound Road Scholar friends for a presentation by a local expert on the History of the Kentucky Derby.

At the hotel.

Dr. James C. Claypool, professor emeritus at Northern Kentucky University, rolls out the red carpet for 39 of the most fascinating characters with ties to the commonwealth. From intrepid pioneers to noble statesmen, legendary athletes, inventors, entrepreneurs, war heroes, and a man once known as Cassius Clay, this is a comprehensive and highly entertaining presentation. After a short break, we will reassemble to walk to the Evan Williams Brewery. With an expert from the brewery, we will learn the process for making bourbon and see it being made right before our eyes with an educational Bourbon tasting.

At the Evan Williams Bourbon brewery.

After lunch, we will board our motorcoach to travel to a horse farm located about 30 minutes outside downtown Louisville. Set up just for Road Scholars, we will be treated to a world-class equine operation and Kentucky’s rich farming industry at the Hermitage Horse Farm. Purchased in the 1800s as part of a land grant, Hermitage has been a working farm for nearly two centuries. Today broodmares, foals, and yearlings graze the land that has long been recognized as some of the most fertile and productive in Kentucky. Our first stop at the farm will be the Stud Barn which houses two retired champions, Future Prospect and Dubious Miss. We will learn about the history of Hermitage Farm and be introduced to the retiree horses. We’ll then make our way through two of the barns that house this year’s newest foal crop. Depending on the time of year, we may get to see a display of sale yearlings to be offered at public auction. An expert will explain what they look for when breeding and raising foals. Open communication and questions are welcomed!

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At Churchill Downs Racetrack overlooking the practice runs.

We will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to spend a morning on a private backside field trip at Churchill Downs Racetrack. While enjoying a rail side breakfast in the Track Kitchen, we’ll also be watching the horses during their morning workouts. We’ll hear from one of the winning retired jockeys about his racing experience. Afterwards, he will mix and mingle with us, share stories, and answer the behind-the-scenes questions everyone wants to know. We’ll get an up-close-and-personal view of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and other connections who live the sport of horse racing. After breakfast, we will visit the Kentucky Derby Museum where the excitement continues during a thrilling immersive sound and visual experience called “The Greatest Race.” Then our self-directed walk through the museum continues as you delve into every stage of a thoroughbred’s life. We’ll learn about the history of the race dating back to the inaugural running in 1875 to the most recent Kentucky Derby champion. Then, on an expert-led walk of historic Churchill Downs Racetrack, we’ll learn about past Derby winners and the rich history of this location. We will walk through the property to the paddock and out to the grandstand. After a full morning at the racetrack, the motorcoach returns us to the hotel.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

On your own to enjoy local fare.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We’ll begin our day as we board our motorcoach and head to the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge that spans the Ohio River and connects Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. We'll walk 1/2 mile to the center and return the same way to our motorcoach; alternatively, you may choose to walk the full span of one mile and rejoin the motorcoach on the other side of the bridge. We’ll be able to enjoy the breathtaking views of the river, city, and Waterfront Park. We’ll then continue our travels to the Historic Old Louisville Neighborhood and Visitors Center in Central Park. The Visitors Center is located in a beautifully restored mission style building at the crest of the hill in the park. We'll walk with an expert who will showcase the highlights of Old Louisville through the great architecture built between 1880-1890.

In the historic Mayflower building in the Old Louisville neighborhood.

After lunch, we will walk with our Group Leader to the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. The Museum, one of the finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, was the masterpiece of famed local architect Arthur Loomis of Clarke & Loomis. We will take the motorcoach to the hotel where we will have a small amount of time to relax after our field trips and prepare for our evening cruise. We will board the Mary M. Miller Riverboat for a dinner cruise at 6:30 p.m.

Aboard the beautiful Mary M. Miller Riverboat, we’ll enjoy a relaxing two-hour dinner cruise on the mighty Ohio River with added entertainment as a finale to our memorable week in Louisville. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Following the dinner cruise, we will return to the hotel and adjourn for the night. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!