Some call Louisville, Kentucky, the northernmost point of the South or the southernmost point of the Midwest. Either way, you can call Louisville a hotspot destination. Situated on the Ohio River, the largest city in the commonwealth of Kentucky offers year-round fun, including the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky State Fair. Whenever your birthday falls, there are plenty of ways to celebrate.
It's not all about just the first Saturday in May at the world's most legendary racetrack. Sure, the Kentucky Derby just might be the best party of the year, with barbecues, mint juleps and Slip-n-slides in the infield of the track. But you can host a birthday party here anytime of year. The dirt oval track plays host to a variety of races nearly every weekend of the year, including the prestigious Kentucky Oaks. The track also offers year-round simulcast wagering, so you can throw down serious bets any day of the week. Step into the spacious amphitheater that looks like a Vegas sports book and follow races from tracks across the country. Churchill Downs offers weekly specials for this wagering, such as Free Admission Mondays and $1 draft midweek happy hours.
Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave.
Louisville, KY 40208
502-636-4400
churchilldowns.com
There might not be a more intimate atmosphere to watch tomorrow's stars shine today that at the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, which is always among the attendance leaders in minor league baseball. Sure, the roster changes when players get called up to the big leagues, but the 13,131-seat Louisville Slugger Field remains picturesque along the banks of the Ohio River. The team offers promotional nights during homestands, such as Budweiser discount happy hour and dog days, where ticketholders can bring their pets to the park. The team will flash birthday messages on the outfield scoreboard during the game, and patrons can enjoy the game, purchase a Bats hat, game program, hot dog and soft drink for only $18 as of 2010.
Louisville Bats
401 E. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-212-2287
web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t416
The ultimate downtown party destination for both young and old, Fourth Street Live! is the city's popular entertainment district between Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Liberty Street. Opened in 2004, this wide-ranging complex features an open performance area to hold up to 10,000 people, where acts such as Gavin DeGraw, the Goo Goo Dolls and Jason Aldean have given concerts -- sometimes free and open to the public. Restaurants in the area include the Sports and Social Club, Hard Rock Cafe and Red Star Tavern, which all accept birthday reservations. At the nearby Improv Comedy Club, the actors are known to invite birthday partiers up onto the stage for a set. Afterward, consider a nightcap at the world's first Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge.
Fourth Street Live!
400 S. 4th St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-584-7170
4thstlive.com
