Accessible Places in Louisville

Brief List of Accessible Places in Louisville

This is a non-exhaustive list of some accessible or near-accessible places that Gathering Strength’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Fust, and her friends know about. Before going anyplace, we check on the available parking, whether there is a step-free entrance, and whether the bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Some wheelchair users purchase their own portable, aluminum ramp, and keep it in their van so they can get up a step or two. Please know that many property and business owners don’t really know what is accessible to a person who uses a wheelchair, so you may want to do some reconnaissance on the location (e.g., drive by, go in, or ask very specific questions) before you schedule a get-together there.

Accessible Outdoor Locations

Iroquois Park and Amphitheater
5216 New Cut Rd, 40214

The top of the park was redesigned with input from people with disabilities. It is very nice and fully accessible with a great outlook of Churchill Downs and downtown Louisville. It is steep in areas. If you’re going to an event at the Iroquois Amphitheater, get there early to get a parking spot.

The Parklands at Floyd’s Park.
Broad Run Park.

They have wheelchair-friendly picnic tables. It was designed with input from people with disabilities. It has accessible playgrounds too.

Parts of Cherokee Park can be traversed with wheelchairs. Parking is limited. Not aware of accessible bathrooms.

Waterfront Park
Extends from east of downtown (1401 River Road) to west of downtown.

The new “playport” was added at 1105 Rowan Street was built to be accessible to all. There are small parking lots periodically, but as always, few accessible spots. So, go at an off time or get there early if you are attending an event.

New Alberta O. Jones Park and playground
744 S. 23rd Street.

Phase One (5 acres) of this new park is completed. It has wheelchair accessible picnic tables. The playground has wheelchair accessible features. Phase two (15 acres) will begin in 2025.

Waterfront Botanical Gardens
1435 Frankfort Ave.

Ample parking lot. The door to the main building is heavy. Bathrooms are accessible.

The Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way, 40213

There are two family bathrooms in the front plaza and two family bathrooms in the snow leopard overpass. There is another set of family bathrooms near the Gazebo Islands which run bigger and are more private. There are wheelchair and scooter rentals, and there are things you can access from your wheelchair at the splash pad and the playgrounds. There is even an accessible riding space on the carousel, and they put a ramp up next to it for getting on and off. It’s hilly, so if you’re in a manual chair, you may want to go with someone who can help. If you have an older power chair, you may want to bring your charger along so it can be a more enjoyable day It has a surface parking lot. It is across from Joe Creason Park.

Joe Creason Park
1297 Trevilian Way

It is across from the Zoo. It has a smooth blacktop sidewalk around the whole perimeter that is welcoming to chair users but can be steep in some areas just like Iroquois Park.

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY
(502) 955-8512. www.bernheim.org.

It is about 30 minutes south of Louisville off of I-65. It has big, accessible bathrooms. The Canopy Tree Walk is being made wheelchair-accessible. They have sought input from people with disabilities to build accessible play areas for people of all ages. See Jenny Smith’s tour of the Canopy Tree Walk on her Instagram. They have GRIT freedom chairs, which can be reserved

Fun Activities

The Kentucky Center for the Arts
501 W. Main Street

It has removable seats. The parking is limited in the parking garage and the surrounding area as is true in much of downtown Louisville. So go at an off-time or get there early for an event.

The Brown Theater
315 W. Broadway.

It has removable seats. The parking is limited.

The Kentucky Science Center
727 W. Main Street.

The parking is tricky, as with most locations downtown. It is easier to find parking, especially street parking, if you go at an off-time. If you find a parking place, you could go to multiple places during an outing.

Slugger Field and the Slugger Museum
401 E. Main St.

There are two surface parking lots – one next to and one across the street from Slugger Field. If you go when there’s a game, parking will be difficult. If you go at an off-time, parking is pretty good.

Angel’s Envy Distillery
500 E. Main Street

It is across the street from Slugger Field, so you could park in one of the surface parking lots and combine these two activities (especially at a time when there isn’t a game). There’s fairly close access to the NULU area on Market Street too.

Muhammad Ali Center
44 N. Sixth Street

It has its own parking lot which makes parking easier.

Frazier History Museum
829 W. Main Street

There are surface parking lots behind it near the river. There is also street parking. If you go at an off time, you may be able to find street parking closer to the museum.

Lynn Family Soccer Stadium
350 Adams Street, 40206

Home of men’s (Louisville City FC) and women’s (Racing Louisville FC) professional soccer teams. New stadium and quite a few accessible seating options. Multiple parking lots, but for a game, get there early to get and accessible spot.

Copper & Kings brandy distillery
1121 E. Washington Street, 40206

There is adjacent surface parking lots and some street parking available. Restaurant for dinner on the top of the building. It is close to the parking lot for the Butchertown Market. Also close to upcoming Brough Brothers Distillery on River Road.

Butchertown Market
1201 Story Ave.

Some of the retail spaces are tight, but much of space is easy to navigate. Surface parking lot adjacent. It is located on a one-way street so there is limited street parking in front.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. 

528 W. Main Street. Several different types of tours. 

Across from the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Parking is always tricky, but if you go at an off-time and find a place to park, you can visit multiple fun spots in a day.

21C Museum and Proof on Main. 

702 W. Main Street. 

The 21C hotel has an exhibit space and a restaurant. The parking is tricky as are most of the places downtown. But if you find a parking space, you could visit multiple places at once.

The Speed Museum. 

2035 S. Third Street.

The building itself is very accessible, but the parking is very limited. There are few accessible (even fewer van-accessible) parking spots. So go at off-times and take a friend in case you need help parking in a non-accessible spot. 2035 S. Third Street, 40208. It’s near the University of Louisville campus.

Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum. 

704 Central Avenue, 40208. 

If you go at an off-time, the parking lot is large and you can usually find an accessible spot. The Derby Museum is accessible. If you know a member who has access to the Jockey Club or other suites, they are very accessible to get in and through to see the track.
Restaurants: (there are many reasonably accessible restaurants. Call to ask questions before you go. Below are just a few that I and my friends like).

Mussel & Burger Bar. 

113 S. 7th Street, near corner of Main and 7th Street. 

Parking is tricky as with all downtown locations. If you go at an off time it is easier to find street parking or accessible spots in surface lots.
Bristol Bar and Grille Downtown. 614 W. Main Street. Parking is tricky as with all downtown locations. If you go at an off time it is easier to find street parking or accessible spots in surface lots.

Noble Funk Brewing Company. 

922 S. Second Street, 40203. 

It is a large space and easy to navigate with a wheelchair. A lot of people with disabilities frequent this business, so they are pretty familiar with out needs. There is a good amount of parking in the parking lot. If you go on a weekend, you can use adjacent Spalding University parking lots. It’s good to call and ask which parking lots you can use.

Los Aztecas. 

445 E. Market Street. 

There is a surface lot across the street. The front doors are heavy, but side door has automatic opener. The tables are not too close together. The staff is friendly and accommodating.

O’Shea’s Irish Pub. 

956 Baxter Ave, 40204. 

There is some parking off the alley behind this location and some street parking on and around side streets. If you go at an off-time it will be easier to find parking. The owner is a friend of one of my friends who uses a wheelchair and the staff is very accommodating. They have a large accessible bathroom.

West Sixth Brewing. 

817 E. Market Street. 

It’s in the NULU area. The parking can be difficult because it is mostly street parking. If you go early or at an off-time, it’s easier to find street parking. It is quite accessible with a large courtyard. If you find a parking place, there are a number of other businesses in the NULU area that you can enter and exit very easily.

Combination outings:

Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery (1121 E. Washington) plus Butchertown Market (1201 Story Ave). 

There is a parking lot between these locations. Take a tour of the brandy distillery and do some shopping (include a lot of local items). The Ten20 Brewery is also close by at 1020 E. Washington Street, if you want a beer and pizza instead.

West Sixth Brewing at 817 E. Market Street in NULU plus many other businesses and galleries in that area. Enjoy dessert at Louisville Cream at 631 E. Market.

Slugger Museum at 401 E. Main Street and go across the Street to Angel’s Envy Distillery. You could also go up a block to Market Street and go a block or two to hit the NULU area.

Frazier History Museum plus the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and a meal at the Mussel & Burger Bar.
The Kentucky Science Center plus the 21C museum and a meal at Proof on Main.