This page includes the tools, booking links, and planning resources referenced in the Louisville: 3 Days, 3 Ways guide. Everything is organized below to make planning simple.

Interactive Route Map

View the full loop with pinned stops, national parks, and overnight cities.

View the Interactive Map

Lodging Resources

Explore lodging options for the primary overnight cities below (availability and pricing vary by season).

  • Downtown Louisville Hotels - all within easy walking distance to downtown activities

    • Iconic downtown Louisville: The Galt House Hotel

    • Upscale boutique: Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection

    • Indoor pool + complimentary breakfast: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Louisville Downtown

  • Wigwam Village No. 2

National Parks & Attractions

  • Mammoth Cave National Park

  • Churchill Downs

Books & Movies

Books for Younger Kids (Elementary–Middle)

  • “Who Was Theodore Roosevelt?” – Roberta Edwards

  • “The Camping Trip That Changed America” – Barb Rosenstock

  • National Geographic Kids: National Parks Guide U.S.A.

  • National Geographic Kids: Weird But True! Wild Animals

  • “Little House on the Prairie” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Books for teens

  • “The Big Burn” – Timothy Egan

  • “Mornings on Horseback” – David McCullough

  • “The Worst Hard Time” – Timothy Egan

family movie night

  • Ken Burns: The National Parks - America’s Best Idea (documentary)

  • Night at the Museum 2 (Mount Rushmore tie-in)

  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Devil’s Tower - for older teens)

Travel Planning Tools

Grab my road trip packing list + travel planning tools here:

  • Packing List (Free Download)

  • Travel Planning Tools (Coming Soon)

Planning This Loop?

If you’d prefer a fully structured 7-day plan with pacing, lodging strategy, and detour notes already organized, you can access the complete Great Plains Road Trip Itinerary here.

Get the 7-Day Itinerary
 
 

Last Updated February 2026.