Two weeks of exciting events preface the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Kicked off by the Thunder Over Louisville, the nation's largest fireworks display, these events include concerts, the Great Balloon Race, the Derby Ball, the Great Steamboat Race and numerous other activities for kids and families. For more information, please visit the Kentucky Derby Festival at www.kdf.org.

Kentucky Derby Museum

Presenting racing-related exhibits with interactive displays, fine art and artifacts, and offering tours of the track, the Kentucky Derby Museum is located at Gate 1 at Churchill Downs. 502-637-1111

Louisville Slugger Museum and Bat Factory

Learn how the famous Louisville Slugger is made and used through exhibits and media tours. Celebrating Louisville's best contribution to America's favorite pastime, the museum and gift shop are not to be missed! 800 W. Main St. in Louisville. 502-588-7228

Thomas Edison House

Located at the duplex where Thomas Edison stayed while working as a telegrapher for Louisville's Western Union office, it houses a variety of his inventions, including kinetoscopes, working cylinder and disc phonographs, incandescent light bulbs and business phonographs. 729-731 E. Washington St. in Louisville. 502-585-5247

Lucky Strike

A cutting-edge entertainment complex, Lucky Strike Lanes combines 14 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a full service restaurant and multi-media art. There is also a private room available for large and small events that includes 4 lanes for bowling. 4th Street Live in downtown Louisville. 502-560-1400

Glassworks

Louisville Glassworks is a state-of-the-art studio that continues the traditions of glass blowing in Louisville and showcases local artists works. 815 W. Market Street in Louisville. 502-584-4510