2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits: Attractions Around Town

by
posted on May 16, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
louisville_1605sf_big-four-bridge.jpg

The NRA Annual Meetings are a family affair, with something for every firearm enthusiast, regardless of age. But, there’s always that one restless relative itching to do a little exploring. If you know whom I’m talking about, here are a couple spots you might recommend to temporarily ditch your in-laws while in Louisville, Ky. 

The year’s premier collection of spanky hats hit the runway during the Kentucky Derby early this month, where Nyquist continued its undefeated ways on the track by giving the field a stylish whipping. Don’t let family members who’d savor attending the spectacle beat themselves up because they arrived too late for the race, though. Recommend a visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, tour of Churchill Downs or get rid of them all day Saturday by purchasing some tickets to the Preakness Stakes.

Darker relatives might enjoy the Louisville Mega Cavern. It offers a rope challenge, 2 1/2 hours of underground zip lining, tours and, finally, a legitimate excuse for bringing up commercial guano mining at the dinner table.

While on the subject of bats, get a personalized one at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. On the other hand, no need to round the bases after a belt at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

There’s so much to do this week at the NRA Annual Meetings that’s it’s impossible to list it all—visit the official website for full details. With 500,000 square feet of exhibit space, seminars, sessions, auctions and more, …well, with the exception of that one person we’re embarassed to introduce as “family.”

Latest

Armed Citizen Podcast John Lott 1
Armed Citizen Podcast John Lott 1

Why the Murder Rate Quickly Fell to a Likely Historic Low

If the gun-control Left is to be believed, then the murder rate in the U.S. should be going up. After all, gun sales and ownership rates have been rising for the last few decades and anti-gun groups claim that gun ownership is the cause of violent crime. This, of course, is nonsense.

16 New Bolt-Action Rifles for 2026

From cutting-edge precision rifles designed for competition or hunting to traditionally styled guns that emulate designs from yesteryear, 2026 saw the introduction of an incredible array of bolt-action rifles.

Review: Chiappa Rhino 60DS 10 mm Auto

The Italian-designed-and-manufactured Chiappa Rhino remains unique today as the only current revolver with the barrel mounted at the bottom of the frame, firing from the chamber at the 6-o’clock position.

5 New Large-Format Pistols for 2026

There's been a huge surge in the large-format pistol category, and 2026 continues to showcase new models answering the wants and needs of today's firearm owners.

Short & Powerful: The EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 mm Super Short Riflescope

EOTech's ultra-compact 3-9x32 mm Vudu was a popular addition to the company's variable-powered riflescope line, and the new 4-12x36 mm Vudu ups the ante with new features in a still-compact package.

The Armed Citizen® May 11, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.