Last year, we came in third place behind parks in Cinncinati and New Orleans, but now we’re on top. | Photo courtesy of Waterfront Park
Louisville’s waterfront is the top of the pops, according to a recent ranking by USA Today.
Waterfront Park was ranked the No. 1 Best Riverwalk in the country by the 2025 USA Today Readers’ Choice award. It’s not the park’s first time on the list, either. Here’s a look at how the park has climbed the banks ranks over the years:
2021: ranked No. 6
2022: ranked No. 4
2023: ranked No. 3
2024: ranked No. 3
2025: ranked No. 1
Waterfront Park is always undergoing expansions + improvements, and has been since it was created in 1986.
One of the most recent additions was the PlayPort playground, which opened in March in collaboration with the Kentucky Science Center. It’s just one part of the park’s westward expansion. Phase IV, underway right now, highlights the area’s history as an industrial hub while improving accessibility + adding green space.
Last year, Waterfront Park celebrated 25 years since its first 55 acres were dedicated. Here’s a snapshot of how it’s making waves:
The area attracts 2.4 million annual visitors.
100,000 people walk the Big Four Bridge every month during the summer.
Waterfront Park is the most-visited location in Downtown Louisville.
Local visitors come from seven regional counties and all 26 Metro Council districts.
An Evening With Kenny G | 8 p.m. | The Louisville Palace | $53+ | This Grammy-winning saxophonist, composer, and record producer will serenade the audience with his smooth jazz.
Thursday, May 15
Women Louisvillle Networking Event | 5-7 p.m. | The Fox Den: Billiards, Bites, Brews | Free with RSVP | Expand your network or just drop by for a good time during this 21+ social soiree.
Friday, May 16
Midday Mulligan | 3-4 p.m. | Puttshack Louisville | Free with RSVP | Get a free round of mini golf while you connect with other professionals.
Old Louisville LIVE | 8-10 p.m. | C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater at Central Park | Free | Jam with Louisville band The Crashers + enjoy food trucks and a bar.
Saturday, May 17
Spring in the Pollinator Garden Walk & Talk | 9:30-11 a.m. | Farmington Historic Home | Free | Learn about early and late bloomers, as well as when and how to use annuals + dividing perennials.
McAlpine Locks Cruise | 12:30-3:30 p.m. | Belle of Louisville | $34+ | Take a journey through these river locks — you might have heard their names this spring, since the height of the Ohio is measured in the lock systems during flooding.
The 10th annual Norton Commons Art Festival is coming this weekend. More than 100 regional artists will sell their jewelry, photography, ceramics, and more from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. You can also catch live music + snag food and craft beverages from local vendors.
Kids
“Life finds a way” at the Louisville Zoo. Starting this Saturday, May 17, the Zoo will be home to 19 animatronic dinosaurs for Dinopalooza. The dinos are scattered throughout the park and will be bringing prehistory to life until Monday, Sept. 1.
Concert
Despite all this rain, it’ll be summer soon. Head to Waterfront Park for the Sailing into Summer event from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 30. Tony and the Tan Lines will provide the music, with food + drink from North of Bourbon. Tickets start at $25 and kids under 10 get in free.
Traffic
Construction has begun on River Road and the Louisville Loop between 3rd and 7th streets. Expect delays along the route as crews remove the westbound lane of River Road, install a low wall between car traffic and pedestrians, and add additional signage + lighting. (WDRB)
Coming Soon
The Algonquin Pool is on track to be open by Memorial Day weekend after a two-year closure. The upgrades include a zero-depth entry ramp, water slides, and a lily pad bridge. The Algonquin Pool, along with the Sun Valley and Fairdale pools, will open Saturday, May 24. (WDRB)
Community
Move over, 502. The Kentucky Public Service Commission will hold community engagement meetings across the region next month to discuss how to proceed as the 502 area code runs out of new numbers. The Louisville event will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 at JCTC’s Southwest Campus. (Louisville Public Media)
Sports
FanDuel has the Louisville Cardinals football team’s 2025 win total at 8.5 — will you bet over or under? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Featured Deal
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Post of the Day
The Shelby Park Community Garden announced this week it has added a 130-ft-long planting strip to nearly triple its growing space, plus added 10 new raised beds for a total of 35.
Keep an eye out for future community events, and visit the website to get involved.
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Waterfront Park might be the No. 1 Riverwalk, but the Slugger Museum just took the title belt.
World Wrestling Entertainment, or the WWE, just gifted the museum a customized championship belt. In return, wrestlers Kofi Kingston and Bron Breakker each received a customized slugger bat. I bet it hits harder than a steel chair.
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