Family Vacations: Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory Tour
Ever since Bud Hillerich created the first Louisville Slugger bat in his father's workshop in 1884, baseball's biggest stars have used these finely crafted pieces of smooth white ash. A collection of famous bats lines the walls of this factory and museum; most notable is the 1927 Louisville Slugger bat Babe Ruth used to hit 21 home runs. You can still see the notches carved by Ruth himself on the top of the bat.
The world's largest bat, a 120-foot-tall replica of Babe Ruth's, leans casually against the factory near its entrance. Take the factory tour to learn about the steps used to make the bats, from the massive beginnings to the completed varnish. After the tour, all visitors receive a souvenir -- their own miniature Louisville Slugger.
The museum is perfect for kids who can't sit still: They can climb all over a giant baseball glove and head out to the batting cage to swing replicas of bats used by stars such as The Babe, Ted Williams, and Derek Jeter. Hitters can also try out the latest line of aluminum baseball and softball bats.
Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory Tour
Address: 800 W. Main St., Louisville, KY
Phone: 877/7--SLUGGER
Hours of Operation: Hours vary
Admission: $9 adults; $4 kids
To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:
- Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Sutherland is a widely acknowledged authority on family travel and has published several books on the topic, including Best Family Ski Vacations In North America and Tropical Family Vacations.
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