Almost everyone in the world has heard about Muhammad Ali, a three-time World Heavyweight Boxing champion. But he was much more than that. Ali is such a large part of what makes up the Louisville, Kentucky. It’s only natural that the community comes together to celebrate his life every June.
June is a great time to visit Louisville and learn that he was also a global humanitarian with these six core beliefs: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.
The Muhammad Ali Center located at 144 N 6th St will be hosting a Carnival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. This free event (though tickets are required) gives you access to the Ali Center from 12- 5 pm and lets you learn more about Ali’s life and legacy.
While you’re in town, you can drive by and visit important locations like his childhood home, visit his grave site at Cave Hill Cemetery, or just find all of the murals of Ali around town.
There are some interesting locations that we’ve not included here, including a mural in the Central High School cafeteria, as it’s not appropriate for visitors to go there. You could drive by Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Expo Center, but you really need tickets to get into the arena and pay for parking. If you flew into Louisville, you likely came in via Muhammad Ali International Airport.
One other interesting location that you can visit, though there is nothing to see, is the George Rogers Clark (aka 2nd Street) Bridge.
After Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, legend has it that he was refused service at a local restaurant because he was Black. In protest, he walked out on the 2nd Street Bridge and threw the medal into the depths of the Ohio River. Of course, there is speculation that he just lost it. It was replaced during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where he was the final torchbearer.
You can walk across the 2nd Street Bridge, as there are pedestrian sidewalks. But if you want to walk across the Ohio, you might find a better experience at the Big Four Walking Bridge, an old train bridge that has been converted to a walking bridge that connects the Louisville Waterfront Park to Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Here is a map and list of most of the Ali murals around Louisville!
The Muhammad Ali Center / 114 North Sixth St
Located across 6th Street from the Muhammad Ali Center, a large, three-story, colorful mural of Ali adorns part of a parking deck structure.
Your best driving view is to head north on N. 6th Street towards River Road, but if you’re visiting the Ali Center, it’s an easy walk to see it.
Muhammad Ali Hero Banner / 3rd St & River Rd
Louisville does a good job of promoting its hometown heroes, from UofL Basketball’s Darrell Griffith to famous newscaster Diane Sawyer; you can find large banners attached to various taller buildings around the city.
Perhaps the largest hero of all is Muhammad Ali.
If you’re on foot, you can see ihis banner near the I-64 off-ramp to 3rd Street at River Road near the Yum Center.
Ali mural / 1800 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Located at 1800 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, an Ali mural is worked into the 1800 address number on the corner of the building. It also has a secondary mural, “There’s LOVE in Louisville”. Currently, a soul food restaurant, Tinos Taste of Heaven, can be found there.
Muhammad Ali’s Childhood Home / 3302 Grand Ave
Located at 3302 Grand Avenue, Ali’s childhood home has been preserved. A historic plaque stands outside the home. This is an easy drive-by with street parking available.
Chestnut St Family YMCA mural / 930 W Chestnut St
Located on the side of the Chestnut Street Family YMCA is the tallest mural dedicated to Ali, at 7 stories high. The YMCA is located at 930 W Chestnut St. Using the route mapped out above, you will come down Chestnut Street the wrong way to see the mural. Either re-route around the block to drive towards the mural or park in the YMCA parking lot and walk around, or park on Walter Barnes Way by the Western Library.
The Longest Walk mural / 812 S Preston St
Perhaps one of the boldest murals in town is a Black & White image of Ali, holding up three fingers with a grand expression, based on a photo of Ali predicting that he would beat Charlie Powell in 3 rounds, along with one of his great quotes:
Don’t count the Days; Make the days count.
Muhammad Ali
Located at 812 S Preston Street, you can find street parking or get a good driving view heading west on Lampton Street. If you want to get a good photo of the mural, park on the opposite side of Preston Street in front of the mural.
Smoketown Giants / 542 Lampton St
Located at 542 Lampton Street, on the side of the Neighborhood Food Mart convenience store, this mural features a young Muhammad Ali along with those who helped him become who he was, including the police officer who introduced him to boxing, his trainer, and more. Street parking eastbound on Lampton Street will give you the best view.
Smoketown Boxing Glove Monument / Hampton St
Around the corner on Hampton Street, you will find a small park with a monument to the boxing legend. The sculpture is shaped as an abstract pair of boxing gloves. The thumbs of the gloves will produce a heart if you look at the statue from the right angle, . Street parking is available.
Kentucky Rushmore / 1583 Bardstown Rd
The last stop on our tour is the Kentucky Rushmore mural. Located on the side of the Sweet Spot Candy Shoppe at 1583 Bardstown Road near the Doo Wop Shop. It features Ali, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Harlan T. Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) fame, and, of course, a horse.
This is in the middle of the Highlands District. It’s congested, and parking is at a premium. Hopefully, you can find street parking, likely on a tight neighborhood side street. The Highlands are one of the most walkable areas in Louisville. It’s a great place to find some unique eateries and interesting shops to visit. The Highlands is its own adventure. Capping your day here, it might be best to find a restaurant near the mural to enjoy a good meal to conclude your day. Oh, and drop in to the Sweet Spot and pick up some bourbon balls. You are, after all, in Kentucky, the bourbon capital of the world.
Ali Grave Site / Cave Hill Cemetery / 701 Baxter Ave
While not on the route map, you should conclude your Ali experience by going to visit his grave site at the Cave Hill Cemetery, located at 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204. Stop by the cemetery office to get a map of the entire cemetery and take some time to find other Louisville celebrities like Colonel Sanders, Lewis and Clark, and others or just enjoy the beautiful scenery and ponds.
