Louisville, Kentucky

[Cristy]

I am visiting Louisville, Kentucky the 4th week in September. Can anyone help with fun budget things to do and definitely don't miss outings in the area? Any great one of a kind restaurants? We are driving from PA, so any ideas from the eastern coast of Ohio to Louisville and surrounding area are welcomed, as well as West VA suggestions. TIA!

 

[kate0305]

Lynn's Paradise Cafe is definitely one of a kind. It is on Barrett Ave. Fun shop too. They have an ugliest lamp competition for the State Fair. Food is DELICIOUS!

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

It has been years since I've been to Louisville, but I remember always visiting The Old Spaghetti Factory, such a unique place to eat, and the food was great too!

 

[Leajess99]

It has been years since I've been to Louisville, but I remember always visiting The Old Spaghetti Factory, such a unique place to eat, and the food was great too!

My kids and now my friend's kids so love the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Other things to do in Louisville is the Louisville Slugger Museum downtown as well as the Louisville Science Center. The zoo is very nice as well.

There is also the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchhill Downs but as of yesterday it was closed due to flooding. It should be back open by then.

If you are interested in Soccer then the University of Louisville mens and womens soccer games are free or very inexpensive.

Trying to think of what else there is to do in Louisville. I do know there is also the Speed Art Museum but I have not been there yet.

Also there is Waterfront Park with things to do there.

Here is a good place to look for things to see and do. louisvilleky.gov/Visitors/

 

[daisy2jae]

It has been years since I've been to Louisville, but I remember always visiting The Old Spaghetti Factory, such a unique place to eat, and the food was great too!

sounds like a cute family thing to do

 

[jaycns]

The Falls of the Ohio is AWESOME for little kids and adults alike. It's a prehistoric ocean fossil bed that you can walk on. You cannot step without stepping on a fossil, it's huge and FREE!

The little museum there is the only thing you need to pay to get into (although it's neat, you could just explore the fossil beds themselves). It's still very affordable and pretty interesting.

Although you cannot collect fossils from the actual fossil beds (it is a protected area) they do have piles of dirt/rock from nearby that have lots of fossils in them that you can dig through. You just have to ask them where it is. My boys enjoyed this when we did it.
http://www.fallsoftheohio.org/

Another idea in Louisville that is budget would be to go for a walk along the river. There are neat walking trails and a park. Check out Waterfront Park.
http://www.louisvillewaterfront.com/

Other ideas would be the zoo there (not the cheapest, but a lot of fun).http://www.louisvillezoo.org/

The Science Center. http://louisvillescience.com/site/index/

HTH!

 

[bearzabout]

Make sure to see the 21C Museum Hotel downtown Louisville. The artwork and letter wall are unique and impressive (free). The Glassworks Factory nearby is nice (free to visit the gift shop). The Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts has some great local art in the gift shop.

My favorite restaurant is Jack Frys. It is pricey but worth it. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor. I loved the shrimp and grits and also the potato au gratin.

I also love the ribs at Marks Feed Store.

Churchill Downs is amazing. The museum is closed now due to flooding, but they still offer a free walking tour.

 

[dyna]

I'll 2nd the Falls of the Ohio just across the river from downtown Louisville, late summer or fall is best time to visit the falls more falls exposed with the river being down tho we just had a major rain fall this past week it won't take river long to go down tho.

The Belle of Louisville is an old steamboat 1 of the few in the country that is still operating an does cruises.

Tumbleweed is Tex-Mex has good food an service reasonable prices several locations in louisville with one of them being on the river front. The resturant started in New Albany In just across the river from Old Louisville in the late 70's an has several stores in the area but not to many outside of KY an IN I don't think.

Texas Roadhouse another resturant that started locally just across river in Clarksville In good steaks, ribs, chicken decent service an prices several locations in the area.

King Fish opened the 1st resturant in louisville prolly 50 yrs ago or more an is still going strong serves fish an seafood. There is 1 location on the river front a bit east of downtown. Another across river at Jeffersonville IN near the Falls of the Ohio along with a couple of other louisville locations.

A VERY popular local resturant that is not part of a chain an a 1 an only is Mike Linnings located on River Road this place has been in biz more than 50 yrs you can eat inside if you can get a table or outside they have MANY MANY tables most in shade, also little screen houses just big enough for 1 family. Playground for kids Very casual place an ppl expected to hang around awhile after eating. It's a park like setting. Serves fish an seafood at reasonable prices.

White Castle Hamburgers are good fast food if you never had one give them a try with many locations in Louisville. Simular to Krystal burgers but White Castles are much much better.

If you like horses the Kentucky Horse Park is a nice stop out near Lexington KY about an hour east of Louisville off I64 an from the horse farm you could either go north up I75 into Ohio or on out east to WVA on I64 very pretty drive out to Lexington an on into WVA esp if the leaves are starting to turn yet which by the 4th week of Sept they could just be starting to turn color.

 

[kydisneyfans]

The Slugger Museum, Science Center, Zoo, Falls of Ohio and other local attractions are all great. There is a smaller Six Flags park in town too with deeply discounted tickets. CHeck the exposition center for events, I think the last weekend in September is a HUGE flea market if you are into that stuff.

We ate at the Old Spaghetti factory last weekend and LOVED it. The food was good and very inexpensive. Bread/salad/drink/entree/ice cream was less than $10 in many cases. You can take a carriage ride after eating for $20-25 if you want.

My wife and I went on a quick getaway last weekend, we are spending 2 more days there now for the Street Rod Nationals.

As for the drive coming in on 64, there are many scenic areas, but not too much else.

 

[dawson5]

I'm not sure if you will have time for it, go by it or what it costs or if anyone in the family (besides dad ) will want to go but the NFL hall of fame is in Canton, Oh. We were going to take the boys on black Friday and I think they had some deals going then, look online. (this is on eastern side of Ohio, not too far from Youngstown)

Also, in Louisville there is the George S. Patton museum. This is free and it also has other things in there, part of the Berlin wall, a one of a kind tank and his letters. My kids and husband are big history nuts, this was actually pretty interesting. Patton was one of a kind, definitely a character and they come through in his letters.

I remember when I was a kid, we used to drive to Memphis and once we stopped at Mammoth Caves. I don't know if that is along the way or not either but it still sticks in my mind.

 

[Poohlovr]

I'll second Lynn's Paradise Cafe-funky and unique. http://www.lynnsparadisecafe.com/

As a PP mentioned, the science center (And IMAX theatre) are a lot of fun and a good way to spend a day
http://www.louisvillescience.org/

The Patton Museum is not actually in Louisville, but is about 45 minutes away in Fort Knox. In Louisville, there is a cool museum that features local history as well as weaponry from the distant past (Culloden, anyone?)
http://www.fraziermuseum.org/

Along with the Belle of Louisville, there is another, smaller steamboat, the Spirit of Jefferson. If one's not available during your visit, the other may be.
http://belleoflouisville.org/aboutus/?pageid=ourvessels

We have always enjoyed trips to the planetarium, located on the campus of the University of Louisville (a side note -GO CARDS!).
http://louisville.edu/planetarium

Venturing outside of Louisville (Within an hours drive) I suggest My Old Kentucky Home, in historic Bardstown,Ky. It's an interesting home, where Stephan Foster visited and it may have been the inspiration for the song of the same name. Beautiful park and the tours of the home may make you want to go back in time and live there.
http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/mo/

In the same area is my favorite place in the whole state, Bernheim Forest.
I can't begin to descibe this place, but it is like heaven on earth to me.
Take a frisbee or a ball and glove and pack a picnic lunch. Enjoy.
http://www.bernheim.org/

Wherever you end up spending your time, I hope you enjoy our city and will want to visit again.

 

[dawson5]

We drove through on our way to hubby's family in Radcliff/Vine Grove and we hit Patton one day and were going for LS museum the next--on a Sunday.

I thought about MOKH too. Too bad Monticello is so far east, that is beautiful also.

 

[kellia]

Subbing! We are going to be in that area for Thanksgiving.

 

[mafibisha]

I love some chains but when on vacation, try to do places that are not chains.

Soo....

The Old Spaghetti Factory is a chain www.osf.com and you can visit it anywhere. IMHO I would go places that are unique to the area.

We love Lousiville, too. Definitely do Lynns Paradise Cafe, super unique and fun. Downtown has a covered area for shopping, entertainment and dining called "Fourth Street Live!" which offers many options including a Hard Rock Cafe and food court. The atmosphere / vibe is fun.

The Louisville Slugger Museum is fun, and you get a free bat(not really free, as there is an admission charge).

There are historic mansions to explore, called Farmington, Locust Grove and Riverside, all with lots of unique character.

And we did one of the Paddlewheel boat tours too, not sure which one it was, but was an hour long, very relaxing.

Have fun!

 

[h518may]

A few other thoughts for food( that aren't to expensive).

W. W. Cousins--great hamburgers

Bootleg BBQ--smoked BBQ, they have wings called sticky hot wings( not to hot) but they have to be ordered 3 hours early, well worth it.

And for a outdoors fishing/camping fan the second largest Bass Pro shop is across the river in Clarksville about 20 minutes from Louisville, if that.

 

[madge]

I'll second Lynn's Paradise Cafe-funky and unique. http://www.lynnsparadisecafe.com/

As a PP mentioned, the science center (And IMAX theatre) are a lot of fun and a good way to spend a day
http://www.louisvillescience.org/

The Patton Museum is not actually in Louisville, but is about 45 minutes away in Fort Knox. In Louisville, there is a cool museum that features local history as well as weaponry from the distant past (Culloden, anyone?)
http://www.fraziermuseum.org/

Along with the Belle of Louisville, there is another, smaller steamboat, the Spirit of Jefferson. If one's not available during your visit, the other may be.
http://belleoflouisville.org/aboutus/?pageid=ourvessels

We have always enjoyed trips to the planetarium, located on the campus of the University of Louisville (a side note -GO CARDS!).
http://louisville.edu/planetarium

Venturing outside of Louisville (Within an hours drive) I suggest My Old Kentucky Home, in historic Bardstown,Ky. It's an interesting home, where Stephan Foster visited and it may have been the inspiration for the song of the same name. Beautiful park and the tours of the home may make you want to go back in time and live there.
http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/mo/

In the same area is my favorite place in the whole state, Bernheim Forest.
I can't begin to descibe this place, but it is like heaven on earth to me.
Take a frisbee or a ball and glove and pack a picnic lunch. Enjoy.
http://www.bernheim.org/

Wherever you end up spending your time, I hope you enjoy our city and will want to visit again.

There are all good suggestions!

The Abraham Lincoln national park in Hodgenville is also a nice place to visit.

And I triple echo the suggestion of Bernheim. It is amazing. love it.

 

[Inigo]

Do you like history? The Frazier museum is across from the Slugger museum, and is a lot more fun to me. (I don't do baseball.) They had an exhibit from the Royal Armory of Great Britain, and it was neat to see all the weaponry and armor.

 

[Kycha]

And for a outdoors fishing/camping fan the second largest Bass Pro shop is across the river in Clarksville about 20 minutes from Louisville, if that.

There is a BPS real close to the OP in Central PA.

OP, if you want to head east, there is a Sorghum Festival in West Liberty, KY on Sept 25, 26, 27. Featuring live music, arts & crafts, a parade, etc. It's about 15 miles South of Morehead, KY. Also nearby, Cave Run Lake for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking. Or Daniel Boone National Forest.

For the adults, there is a casino in Charleston, WV with live greyhound racing...
http://www.tristateracetrack.com/racing/default.aspx

There is a ton of other stuff to do in Charleston as well.


ETA: Oh, and the best Kentucky fried chicken I have ever had is at a place called Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. I've only ever been to the one in Morehead, KY. But, I know there are a bunch of them throughout the state. Delicious! I'm drooling here just thinking about it.

 

[kate0305]

WW Cousins (which was mentioned previously) has kids eat free on Mon and Tues after 4 pm....great burgers and a fixin's bar which the kids LOVE!

 

[annagirl]

The Kentucky Horse Park is more than an hour from Louisville. Frankfort - the state capitol - is about an hour from the heart of downtown Louisville and Lexington is about 30 minutes further.

If you venture to Frankfort you can visit the capitol building free. Locally, check out the Buffalo Trace Distillery (free tour) and Rebecca Ruth Chocolates (minimal fee tour).

If you venture to Lexington, don't miss Keeneland Racetrack.