Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Jeffersontown, KY

A southeastern suburb of Louisville, Jeffersontown was established in the late 18th century at the intersection now commonly referred to as Gaslight Square.

Every September, tens of thousands of individuals gather at Gaslight Square to participate in a lively street festival, which traditionally signifies the transition from summer to autumn in Louisville.

The city is traversed by the I-64, where the intersecting Hurstbourne Parkway serves as a commercial corridor, populated with various attractions ranging from family entertainment venues to escape rooms and multiplex theaters.

Flowing past Jeffersontown to the east and south is the Floyds Fork river, which becomes a favored waterway for paddlers during the summer, featuring numerous parks, put-ins, and rentals accessible through the Parklands of Floyds Fork.

1. Historic Gaslight Square District

Signified by striking steel truss arches, Jeffersontown’s Gaslight Square resides at the intersection of Taylorsville Road and Watterson Trail, where the first commercial establishments emerged at the end of the 18th century.

This intersection serves as the focal point for local government and a variety of quaint businesses, such as restaurants like Feast BBQ, El Nopal Mexican Cuisine, and the Gaslight Diner.

Adjacent to this area, in a former historic church building, is Jeffersontown’s craft brewery, 3rd Turn Brewing.

Nearby is the permanent pavilion for the Jeffersontown Farmers’ Market, which operates on Saturday mornings from April through October, featuring numerous local vendors.

2. Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival

For many individuals, this annual event in Jeffersontown occurring on the third weekend of September marks the commencement of fall for Louisville.

The inception of the Gaslight Festival traces back to an initiative by the Jeffersontown Restoration Society aimed at revitalizing the town square in the mid-1960s.

After the rediscovery of one of the gaslights that illuminated the square in the early 20th century during a church renovation, replicas were produced, which continue to line the renamed Gaslight Square.

To commemorate the transformed appearance, the first Gaslight Festival was held in 1970 and has continued to grow in popularity.

The festival now attracts over 200,000 attendees to the square with a variety of vendors, a parade, a car show, a 5k run, a motorcycle rally, and the memorable Gaslight Balloon Glow at Skyview Park.

3. Jeffersontown Historical Museum

Also situated in the Gaslight Square District is the local history museum, which was founded in 1972 and relocated to the library building in 1996.

While exploring these exhibits, visitors can learn about fascinating local figures such as Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Henry Watterson (1840-1921), former editor of the Courier-Journal, and Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Roscoe Goose (1891-1971).

The museum features an extensive doll collection exceeding 1,250 pieces, some dating back several centuries.

Additionally, watch for the rotating exhibit, which updates every six months. At the time of this writing, the theme focused on the archaeology of Native American settlements in the Ohio River Valley.

4. Malibu Jack’s Louisville

The highlight among the numerous attractions along Hurstbourne Parkway is this expansive family entertainment center, offering ten distinct attractions for individuals of all ages.

In summary, options include a karting track, laser tag, 18 holes of miniature golf, 16 bowling lanes, an arcade, bumper cars, a 4D dark ride, and various indoor coasters.

For parents with children under 10 years old, Bounce Beach serves as a spacious indoor play area, complete with seating provisions for adults.

Entry is complimentary, and visitors receive a “Play Card” that can be loaded with funds for different attractions or games. For dining, Jak’s offers comfort food ranging from boneless wings to burgers and pizzas.

5. Beckley Creek Park

A tributary of the Salt River, Floyds Fork winds southwest through riparian meadows and wooded areas within the eastern Louisville metropolitan region. This waterway acts as the unifying element for a series of public parks known as the Parklands of Floyds Fork, each featuring unique characteristics.

The parklands serve as a recreational haven, boasting sixty miles of hiking and biking trails along with 22 miles of paddling trails in some of the cleanest waters in the region. Blue Moon Canoe & Kayak of Kentucky provides rental services for paddling and biking within the park system.

At the northern end, within close proximity to Jeffersontown, lies Beckley Creek Park, encompassing 616 acres. This park features the expansive, 22-acre Egg Lawn, along with fishing lakes, a playground, and a splash pad for children, as well as paved and natural-surface trails along the creek.

6. Blackacre State Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead

Although much of Jeffersontown appears modern, there exists a preserved homestead dating back to the 18th century, located a short distance away. The surrounding preserve spans over 270 acres, comprising forests, streams, and rolling fields that can be explored via trails.

Children will enjoy interacting with the farm animals present, including goats, cows, and horses.

Among the historic buildings are three original structures dating back to 1790, including a stone cottage, a springhouse used for refrigeration, and a double-crib Appalachian barn constructed from locally sourced poplar, which now houses displays of historic farming tools.

The main farmhouse, the Presley Tyler home, dates to 1844 and features a visitor center for the preserve.

7. Pope Lick Park

Located south of Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Park represents yet another revitalizing public space along Floyds Fork.

With access to the Louisville Loop, a 100-mile trail system circumnavigating Louisville, Pope Lick Park serves as an ideal starting point for your walking, biking, or paddling excursion. On land, visitors can discover smaller loops within the tranquil Big Beech Woods or at Trestle Point.

In addition to canoe and kayak launches, Pope Lick Park includes a playground, soccer fields, picnic areas, and informative signage detailing various habitats.

Just downstream is The Strand, a lengthy linear park traversing riparian habitats, extending all the way to Turkey Run Park, which will be discussed subsequently.

8. Plainview Swim Center

Jeffersontown’s outdoor aquatic facility is situated in a residential area, within walking distance of more than 1,500 homes.

Covering eight acres, the facilities are clean, well-maintained, and offer ample options for summer family outings. Amenities include an adult lap pool, a 15-meter junior pool, a children’s pool, a diving pool, and a playground for young kids.

Additional features include a snack shack, a gazebo, and a resident DJ entertaining visitors on weekends. Plainview Park also houses Jeffersontown’s tennis center, along with the grand Tway House, built in 1923 and now available for events.

9. Veterans Memorial Park

This 25-acre park in Jeffersontown is noteworthy as the first in the state dedicated solely to veterans.

The centerpiece of Veterans Memorial Park is the Walk of Veterans, consisting of approximately 6,000 brick pavers, nearly half of which are inscribed to honor veterans as a memorial or tribute. Ceremonies for dedicating new bricks occur of Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Unmissable along the walk are several impressive pieces of military equipment, including an M-60A tank, a Huey helicopter, and two cannons from the U.S. Navy.

Additional amenities include a 60-foot flagpole and various facilities, including two playgrounds, six pavilions, a softball complex, and a basketball court.

10. Skyview Park

Renowned for youth sports, this park serves as a green haven within a light industrial sector of Jeffersontown.

The softball complex at Skyview Park has hosted significant events, such as the Kentucky High School Athletic Association FastPitch Softball State Tournament and the Little League World Series for senior league girls’ softball.

For families visiting during the summer, there is an exceptional splash park featuring 26 interactive elements and a retention basin that recycles water for the park’s athletic fields.

Moreover, a multi-use trail runs alongside the railroad corridor, along with a pavilion, playground, and a concession stand.

11. Full Throttle Adrenaline Park

Located just a minute or two from Skyview Park in Jeffersontown is an indoor karting facility housed within a warehouse.

Unlike many karting venues, Full Throttle Adrenaline Park welcomes walk-in visitors (subject to obtaining a race license) and offers a variety of karts designed for drivers aged three years and older, with a weight limit of 350 pounds. These karts are recognized for their speed, featuring Honda engines capable of reaching up to 40 mph.

If you wish to diversify your experience, there is also an axe-throwing range adjacent to the track, allowing for a combination of these activities (as well as a rage room) with a 2-hour Adrenaline Pass.

12. Countdown Louisville

Countdown Louisville, a locally-owned escape room facility, is recognized as the premier attraction of its kind in the metro area.

If you are new to this type of experience, you will enter a room and rely on teamwork and various cognitive skills to solve interactive puzzles within a designated time frame to effect an escape.

The emphasis is placed on collaboration rather than individual intellect. Countdown Louisville has garnered significant acclaim for its immersive rooms, intuitive puzzles, and the congeniality of the game master, who supervises your attempt to escape.

As of this writing, there are four rooms accommodating groups of up to eight individuals, with themes including Phobia (moderate), Manhattan (moderate), Survival (expert), and Ransom (casual).

13. Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky Inc. (RROKI)

This commendable center, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of birds of prey, was established in 1990 by a pair of volunteers associated with the Louisville Zoo.

RROKI accommodates up to 350 birds annually, including barn owls, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and bald eagles. These birds may have encountered injuries due to window collisions, entanglement in barbed wire, or accidents involving vehicles or aircraft.

As part of its educational mission regarding the various man-made threats to birds of prey, the center welcomes the public for guided tours.

Led by friendly volunteers, visitors can gain informative insights while observing these magnificent birds up close, learning about their species, personal stories, and rehabilitation journeys.

14. Activate Games

Another of the numerous attractions along Hurstbourne Parkway just off I-64 is Activate Games, which offers an array of high-tech, interactive challenges.

These activities are designed for teams of 2-5 individuals and encompass a broad spectrum of adjustable difficulty levels. There are 11 games available, and each one typically requires around three minutes to complete, challenging your team both mentally and physically.

For instance, The Grid comprises 256 pressure-sensitive tiles that light up in various colors, necessitating accurate stepping on or avoidance of specific tiles to succeed.

In another challenge, Laser requires participants to navigate a constantly shifting maze of lasers within a time limit, with points deducted for each laser tripped.

15. Turkey Run Park

Not far downstream from Pope Lick Park is another section of the Parklands of Floyds Fork, where 800 acres of land that previously accommodated a golf course and dairy farm has been opened for public use.

At Turkey Run Park, you will encounter the oldest structure within the parklands, the Ben Stout House, dating from the turn of the 19th century, currently used as an event venue.

Visitors can enjoy scenic views of the countryside from the Silo Lookout, and the accompanying Silo Center Bike Park serves as a popular destination for mountain biking, complete with flow trails, a skills loop, and pump tracks.