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Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY

Photo: Nolanwebb, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsRainy-Day PickHistory Buff

Speed Art Museum

2035 S Third St · Louisville, KY

Why you should go…

The Speed Art Museum was founded in 1927 by Hattie Bishop Speed in memory of her husband, the businessman and collector James Breckenridge Speed. Its collection runs from ancient and classical art to modern and contemporary work, with pieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet and Brancusi. A 2016 North Building nearly tripled the gallery space and added a 150-seat cinema, and the free Cressman Art Park surrounds the museum.

  • #art museum
  • #louisville
  • #european art
  • #contemporary art
  • #art cinema

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Speed Art Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Kentucky Derby Museum

    Under $25

    Explore two floors of Kentucky Derby history, watch a 360-degree film and join a guided track visit at Churchill Downs.

    1.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Churchill Downs

    Under $25

    Watch Thoroughbred racing beneath the Twin Spires at the track that has hosted the Kentucky Derby since 1875.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Kentucky Kingdom

    $25–$50

    A theme park with six roller coasters, family rides and the Hurricane Bay water park beside the Kentucky Exposition Center.

    1.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

    Under $25

    Tour the factory where Louisville Slugger bats are made, hold bats swung by legends and pose under a 120-foot bat.

    2.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Frazier Kentucky History Museum

    Under $25

    Explore Kentucky history exhibits on Museum Row and start the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at its welcome center.

    2.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Louisville Zoo

    Under $25

    A 134-acre zoo where you see polar bears, gorillas, orangutans and snow leopards across themed zones from Africa to the arctic.

    3.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions