Parking & Local Attractions

We are excited to be hosting the 2024 Optimal Aging Conference at the Brown Hotel, a Louisville landmark luxury hotel. The Brown Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Louisville, close to many restaurants and local attractions.

Parking (see above map for locations): 

• At the Brown Hotel: Parking is available at a cost of $26.00 (plus tax) per night for self-parking and $30.00 (plus tax) per night for valet parking - attendees of the Optimal Aging Conference receive a 20% discount for self-parking. The Brown Hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. There are several other garages and surface parking lots nearby. 
  
  
• Accessing nearby attractions: The Transit Authority of the River City (TARC) provides complimentary transportation throughout the downtown area with their LouLift, an all-electric bus with zero emissions, traveling to many of these terrific attractions.

Restaurants (see above map for locations):

• 

  Brown Hotel Restaurants: J. Graham’s Café & Bar, the English Grill, the Lobby Bar

• Nearby Restaurants: Theater Square Market Place, Bluegrass Brewing Company,  Brazeiro’s Brazilian Steakhouse, Bourbon Raw, Eddie Merlot’s, Hard Rock Café, Jim Beam Urban Still House

Explore Local Attractions (see above map for locations):

• Whiskey Row features the coupling of historic, ironclad buildings located on Main Street in downtown Louisville and was the birthplace of the bourbon industry in Kentucky.  Now home to many local restaurants and attractions, Whiskey Row remains the center of bourbon tourism.  The Evan William’s Bourbon Experience just walking distance of Whiskey Row, provides tours and tastings seven days a week. Additionally, you can find the following distilleries within a 2 mile radius of The Brown Hotel: Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, Old Forester Distilling, Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole, Copper and Kings and Kentucky Peerless Distilling. 

• 4th Street Live! is Louisville’s premier dining and entertainment district located in the center of Downtown Louisville. You will find a blend of leading national and regional restaurants, retail shops, nightclubs and live entertainment satisfying everyone’s desire to have a “fun time!”

• Churchill Downs is America’s most historic and famous Thoroughbred racetracks.  Established in 1874, it is the oldest continuously operated racetrack in the U.S.  The first Kentucky Derby was held in May 1875 and has been run every year since on the one-mile oval track.  It continues to be held every year on the first Saturday in May.  Live horse racing can be experienced every day during the spring and fall race meets at Churchill Down. 

• The Kentucky Derby Museum is the world’s largest equine museum and a wonderful venue.  Your guests will see preparation for Derby from start to finish.  The museum features an award-winning presentation that captures the spirit of breeding and training of thoroughbreds leading to the legendary “greatest two minutes in sports.”  Meeting attendees often identify the city with this famous sporting event and a trip to the museum is always memorable.

• “NULU” is a hotspot for local cuisine, art and unique shopping. “New Louisville” is a restored, historic district that is bursting with life and culture. Located a short distance from the hotel, guests can enjoy many local “must see” attractions including Mayan Café, Feast Barbecue and local oddity shop, Why Louisville?

• The Muhammad Ali Center is an international, cultural and educational institution that is guided and inspired by the ideals of Muhammad Ali as they relate to our individual lives. Visitors will experience a non-traditional museum experience that parallel Muhammad Ali's steps to "personal greatness"--goal-setting, training, motivation, and humanitarianism. His biographical storyline--from his Louisville roots to his boxing career, to his societal and religious convictions--will come alive through both integrated and stand-alone experiences.

• Frazier International History Museum takes you through an unforgettable journey through history that spans 1000 years and two continents.  Thanks to a unique collaboration with the Royal Armories (Britain’s oldest museum); the Frazier will displace the arms and armor of knights and kings, and other rare and wonderful pieces from Europe dating back a thousand years.  In addition, the museum features magnificent displays of American artifacts from the colonial era to the early 1900s.  Along with the priceless collection, the museum has multi-media and interactive displays and costumed interpreters performing live demonstrations.

• The Louisville Slugger Museum, home of the official bat of major league baseball, is also located downtown.  Learn how the bats are made and view the history of baseball and the many legends of the game all in one building.  Tour the factory, enjoy interactive exhibits, and order your very own personalized bat.

• The Belle of Louisville and the Spirit of Jefferson, located on the Ohio River, are two of the finest Riverboats in operation. Take a mid-day sail up the Ohio or enjoy dinner and a cruise on either of the ships.
  
  
• Waterfront Park is an 85-acre municipal park adjacent to the downtown area of Louisville, Kentucky and the Ohio River. This is a great area to explore with its many walking paths, including a pedestrian bridge leading into Indiana.
  
  
• 21C Museum and Hotel, located on historic West Main Street, is a multi-venue contemporary art museum, an award-winning 91-room boutique hotel, and home to acclaimed Proof on Main restaurant.