2025 Louisville City Guide Released

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 07, 2025) Louisville Tourism has released the most recent edition of its annual Visitor Guide, a 100-page magazine highlighting some of the city’s top places to visit, unique neighborhoods, and popular cocktail and culinary traditions. Published following a monumental tourism year for Louisville, the 2025 guide features a cover commissioned by local Louisville artist Bri Bowers, depicting the Waterfront Botanical Gardens and downtown Louisville skyline.

Located in the Butchertown neighborhood, the Waterfront Botanical Gardens tells a unique trash-to-treasure story of transforming a former landfill into an urban oasis. In 2024, Waterfront Botanical Gardens completed Phase 1 of its Master Plan and celebrated five years since its public opening. Thousands of visitors seek out Waterfront Botanical Gardens each month, including for signature seasonal events like Fascinator Affair, Bonsai Weekend, Kaleidoscope Family Festival, and the annual holiday tradition — Gardens Aglimmer.

"We are honored to be featured on the cover of the 2025 Visitor Guide,” said Philip Koester, President & CEO. “This recognition reflects Louisville's growing reputation as a destination where nature, culture, and community converge. We invite visitors and locals alike to experience the beauty and inspiration that Waterfront Botanical Gardens brings to our city."

The gardens are open year-round and are currently free to visit, but guests can also support the nonprofits’ growth with a $10 suggested donation at the entrance. With three remaining phases of development to go, the Gardens’ story is just beginning with a Japanese Garden, Visitor Center, and Conservatory just some of the planned settings for future development.

The 2025 Louisville Visitor Guide cover artist Bri Bowers is widely known for her popular depictions of Louisville-area restaurants, bars, and landmarks. Most recently Bowers collaborated with Louisville native Jack Harlow, helping design merchandise and artwork for his annual No Place Like Home show. Bowers’ illustration on the front of the Louisville Visitor Guide highlights one of the many outdoor spaces being revitalized around Louisville, including Waterfront Park’s PlayPort, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens’ Castle Gardens Project, and the Speed Art Museum’s outdoor Art Park, all making their debut in 2025.

“Being asked to illustrate the cover of the Louisville Visitor Guide for a second time was an honor,” said Bowers. “I have so much pride in Louisville and knowing that my work may be someone’s first impression of our city is really powerful. My career was built from the people in this city fiercely supporting me and it’s an honor to represent it to locals and visitors alike.”

Additional highlights of the 2025 Louisville Visitor Guide include stories showcasing Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Experience, Muhammad Ali, century-old local businesses, A Gatsby’s Guide to Louisville, and a timeline of the Kentucky Derby over the past 150 years.

The free guide is available at the Louisville Visitor Center (301 S. Fourth St.), select Louisville hotels and attractions, and Welcome Centers throughout the state. A total of 150,000 copies of the guide were printed and will be distributed worldwide to help inspire travel to the city.

Interested parties can order a 2025 Louisville Visitor Guide or browse its 100 pages on the Louisville Tourism website: gotolouisville.com/travel-tools/visitor-guide

To learn more about cover artist Bri Bowers and to see more of her artwork visit https://bribowers.com/.

Learn more about the Waterfront Botanical Gardens and future phases of the project here: https://waterfrontgardens.org/