Waterfront Park Louisville: Where Louisvillians Go to Play

From all over the city, residents come to Waterfront Park Louisville, a verdant downtown oasis, to watch the firework extravaganza of Thunder Over Louisville, relax on a blanket on Waterfront Park Louisville's Great Lawn, take a stroll or enjoy the play areas. 

Each year more than 1.5 million people flock to the 85-acre park. And why not? Waterfront Park has everything you could ask of a park: a spectacular view of the Ohio River, the Adventure Playland, the Brown-Forman Amphitheatre, Kentucky’s own Lincoln Memorial, miles of walking paths, picnic areas and the 14 acres that make up the Great Lawn — great for lounging on lazy afternoons. Many concerts and festivals are also held on the Great Lawn. And, of course, it’s the prime viewing area for Thunder Over Louisville each April.

Waterfront Park, of course, includes the Wharf, where the Belle of Louisville and the Spirit of Jefferson dock. The park also boasts the Brown-Forman Amphitheatre and the Festival Plaza, where some events are held. There’s often something going on at the park.

Special events or not, Waterfront Park is always a great destination for children. Younger kids frolick at the children’s play area and splash at the Adventure Playland. Youths love scampering through the linear fountains, located in the park’s western stretch. Teenagers love Waterfront Park because of its free wireless internet. It’s the largest park in the United States to offer the amenity.

But art lovers will find balm for their souls at Waterfront Park. Not only is the park home to internationally renowned artist Ed Hamilton’s sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, but the park also boasts quite a few other works, among them the sculpture Tetra by Charles Perry, the gargantuan abstract sculpture Gracehoper by the late Tony Smith and a flock of the late folk artist Marvin Finn’s birds — appropriately called a Flock of Finns!

HelloLouisville Tip: The Blue parking lot adjacent to the Wharf provides easy access to the Festival Plaza, Great Lawn, Overlook, Belle of Louisville and Joe’s Crab Shack. There’s a charge for parking in the Blue lot. Those who turn right at Witherspoon and follow the road around Waterfront Park can easily access Linear Park and the children’s Play Area, walking paths, Adventure Playground, Brown-Forman Amphitheater, picnic areas, parking and Tumbleweed on the river. Parking in the Green, Orange, Purple, Silver, Tan, Turquoise and Yellow parking lots is free.

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