Louisville, Kentucky

[Leajess99]

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.

The Patton Museum is at Ft Knox not in Louisville. It is like 45 minutes from Louisville but still not a bad place unless you spend a everyday for a couple of weeks there as a tour guide. lol

This has been interesting as I live in Etown and have yet to try or visit some of these places. Shoot I haven't heard of a couple of them. lol

 

[Cristy]

Nice to see that there is a good variety of things to do. It's just me and DH. Any other input? TIA.

 

[annagirl]

If you want to shop, St Matthews Mall is good. And it's right next to another mall - Oxford Mall (not quite as good).

 

[PinkRhombus]

If you want to shop, St Matthews Mall is good. And it's right next to another mall - Oxford Mall (not quite as good).

Oxmoor.

I don't know about either of them being better than the other, though.

Oxmoor has the Disney Store, Gymboree, Justice, plus Macy's, Coach, Gap, Sears, Von Maur, Pottery Barn Kids, Brighton.....lots more. California Pizza Kitchen (yum) There is a Kohl's right beside the mall.

St Matthews has JCPenneys, Dillards, Children's Place, Crazy 8, Pottery Barn, Justice, Williams Sonoma......more.....plus Cheesecake Factory and Red Robin.



If you want great hotel rooms for next to nothing....go to betterbidding.com and see the Priceline wins for downtown for the Galt House. We've been getting them for $40-$50 a night on weekends if the husband and I want a great night out. Great spot. Just redid it a few years ago. The atrium area and the bar there (fish tank)...it's so pretty. 4th Street Live is just a couple of blocks from there (easy walk) and they have a Hard Rock Cafe, plus lots of other restaurants. Nice Borders store there.


There is a casino riverboat about a 20-30 minute drive from downtown over in Indiana. It was a Caesar's property but was taken over by Horseshoe Casino a year or two ago. Couple of good restaurants there.

 

[madge]

If you want to shop, St Matthews Mall is good. And it's right next to another mall - Oxford Mall (not quite as good).

I'm a fan of The Summit

 

[PinkRhombus]

I'm a fan of The Summit

I was just up there yesterday!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Oxmoor Mall also has an Apple Store if you're into Apple gear. Bought my new 3Gs there last week.

We are spoiled in Louisville with some excellent local restaurants. Many folks have already mentioned Lynn's which is a great experience with some excellent food. Breakfast is good there as well as dinner. Old Spaghetti Factory is a good one to do with the kids, as others have mentioned.

Some other favorites of ours:

Ramsi's Cafe On The World on Bardstown Road (I highly recommend the Antipasti Feastival and the dates stuffed with goat cheese);

Baxter Station on Payne Avenue close to the Bardstown Road area (great patio to sit and have some appys and a beverage, or you can sit inside and watch the toy train circle the restaurant);

The Bristol, with locations on Bardstown Road, Hurstbourne Lane and others (great Shrimp and Grits, but they have a pasta dish called "Theresa's Sweet Chili Linquine" that's off the menu and to die for);

 

[merekc]

Thanks to the Dis....

When we went to Cincinnati and Louisville last year they turned us on to Graeter's Ice Cream. It was very good. I'm almost positive there were locations in Louisville because we first had it in Cincy and seems like we made sure to hit it again (I think in Louisville).

 

[Deb in IA]

I grew up just outside of Louisville, and still miss it a lot!

There are a lot of good suggestions already. I agree with staying away from chain restaurants - try something unique!

Here are some more suggestions:

For Chinese/Dim Sum, go to Jade Palace. I think the Dim Sum is only on weekends, but it is really good.

The other Chinese restaurant we like is August Moon. It is close to Cave Hill Cemetary, if you want to see where a lot of famous Kentuckians are buried, including Col. Sanders.

An Asian-fusion style restaurant is Asiatique. I've not been there yet, but have heard great things about it.

For fine dining in classic, historic downtown hotels, try The Oakroom at the Seelbach, or the English Grille at the Brown Hotel. J. Graham's Cafe is a more casual option at the Brown, and the place for you to get the original "hot Brown" sandwich.

In Shelbyville, there is the Claudia Sanders Dinner House, founded by the wife of Col. Harlan Sanders, and serving traditional Southern and Kentucky fare - don't be fooled by the name, you'll get much more than just fried chicken here.

As for attractions, I would recommend many things that have already been mentioned - Churchill Downs, the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Belle of Louisville paddleboat. The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts may have some shows going on - I believe both the Louisville Orchestra and the Louisville Ballet perform there. And Actor's Theater of Louisville is a nationally-known Tony winning regional theater that frequently premieres new American plays.

Have a great time!

 

[madge]

I was just up there yesterday!

coming from E'town, it's very handy to hit The Summit & Costco .. it's awesome! I've heard rumors of a Supertarget on Westport? I'd be so happy if that's true!

of course, it would be nice if this stuff was all on the Outer Loop end of town, but I'll take what I can get!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

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/

The Speed Art museum is a very nice art museum. They have good exhibits, cost is minimal. Donation at the door and a few dollars for parking. It is on the U of L campus, so if you like you can wander around.

Like others have said, Louisville Slugger is fun.
The Frazier museum has interesting exhibits. Glassworks.
All those are in the same general area.
We haven't been yet, but would like to visit the Muhahmed Ali Center.

If you don't mind driving a couple hours south, there are all the caves of central KY.
Mammoth cave has different tours. Hidden River Cavern is interesting, Lost River Cave is cool too.
Also Kentucky Down Under if you guys like animals.
They have a cave tour right there also.

Across from Louisville in Indiana is the Falls of the Ohio state park. The park is one giant fossil bed, with fossils hanging out of the rock ledges. Very cool.

 

[Deb in IA]

Just remembered the Hadley Pottery Factory as well. This place produces unique stoneware that is free-hand painted with whimsical designs. This is onle of their most famous, the pear and grape.

It is a fun tour of the factory, and you can pick up some really different pieces.