What's Good To Do In Louisville, KY?

[camberne]

We're going to be spending a few days just outside of Louisville, KY in mid-April (the week after Easter). We'll be getting there the evening of Wed, April 11th and will have a full free day on the 12th. My son and I will have the 13th to ourselves, we'll all be at the MG Shoot on Saturday, and we're leaving on Sunday. There are a few things that I've found online that look interesting (my son & I might go to Six Flags on Thursday); but thought I'd ask anyone who's been there or lives there what the really good attractions are.

My husband was asking about the Louisville Science Center. Mind you, we've been to several science-oriented museums (Smithsonian Museums, Franklin Institute, VA Air & Space, NASA/Cape Kennedy). If it's just mediocre, I don't want to waste my time.

Ideas? Suggestions? Warnings of what to stay away from?

[camberne]

Anyone?? Anyone at all??

[HeatherFL]

I haven't spent much time there, but the Tom Swayer Park (http://parks.ky.gov/stateparks/ep/index.htm) and the Louisville Slugger Museum (www.sluggermuseum.org) were both neat. The zoo (http://www.louisvillezoo.org/) there gets a lot of good reviews, but I haven't been to it personally.

~H.

[Sherb]

Something a bit unusual...check out Flame Run Studio and Gallery. You can see one-of-a-kind glass art pieces being made by some of the best glass artists in the US.
www.flamerun.com

The Louisville Slugger Museum would be fun also. My little brother loves to go there.

You could also go a bit out of town and tour a bourbon distillery like Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, etc.

And there's always Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum.

[Chile]

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[nylons73]

I was just there and I have to say that you should definitely try to eat at 'Lynn's Paradise Cafe.' It's a great restaurant and she has truly decorated it in her own unique style (chinese laterns, x-mas lights, unusual lamps at every table, different salt and pepper shakers for every table, crazy art.) When you walk in, there are usually some fake giant animals greeting you. :)

It's worth it for the awesome food (she was on 'Throwdown with Bobby Flay') and for the super crazy decor! :)

I also second the suggestion for the Louisville Slugger museum. It is neat! I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Muhammed Ali center. It's a wonder to look at, and I hear it's neat to visit. Unfortunately I was there for my DH's business related travel, so I didn't really get to do all of the things I would have liked. Also, Fourth Street Live (I hear) is really fun at night! (for you and DH I mean.)

[camberne]

Oooh, thanks for the dining suggestion!! We'll definately check that out!

We'll probably go the the Louisville Slugger museum, because I want a personalized bat! :) I don't follow pro-ball, but I kept book and did stats for my high school, college and then the LFTC marine corps baseball teams before I had my son. I only like baseball when I personally know people who are playing!

We don't drink, so we'll most likely pass up the bourbon distilleries.

My mom *loves* Muhammad Ali, so that would probably be a really good place to get a Christmas present for her!! I love the idea of the glass place, too!!

Thanks for the ideas!! Four more weeks until vacation!! :D

[coquelicot]

Dang, wish I'd seen this thread sooner, as I'm a Louisville native...

The suggestions are all good ones. Definitely go to the Derby Museum. Haven't lived in Louisville since the Ali Center opened, and I've never been to the Slugger Museum (I think it opened while I was away at college?), but my dad seemed to like it when he went.

Let's see if I can throw in a few more suggestions:

- If science hasn't burned you out yet, try the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium (http://louisville.edu/planetarium/), located on the University of Louisville campus. I haven't been there in years, so I can't vouch for the quality.

- If the weather's nice, head down to Waterfront Park (http://www.louisvillewaterfront.com/) directly on the Ohio River downtown. They have a massive lawn there, so if you just want to kick back and relax for a while, that might be a good spot to do so.

- You said that you're getting into town the evening of the 11th. If you get there in time and aren't worn out, the Louisville Bats (http://www.batsbaseball.com) are playing Columbus at 7:05 at Slugger Field. They don't play the next day, and play away games after that, so that would be your only chance to watch a baseball game.

- Take a cruise on the Ohio! The Spirit of Jefferson (http://www.belleoflouisville.org/schedule/) offers cruises that time of year. The Belle of Louisville is a better-known boat, but judging by the website, their public cruises may not be up and running in April.

You're getting lucky on Six Flags; since it's Spring Break, they're actually open during the day that week. That time of year, they're usually only open on weekends.

Hope these help you!

[JenInAZ]

I have no suggestions for places to visit, I've only been once briefly to visit my future IL's, but I do have one suggestion if you go to the slugger museum and get your own bat, you have to pack it in your checked luggage... The airport has displays of confiscated mini-bats... They were so sad to look at! I'll ask FH his recommendations since he grew up there and be back with his thoughts :)

[camberne]

I do have one suggestion if you go to the slugger museum and get your own bat, you have to pack it in your checked luggage... The airport has displays of confiscated mini-bats... They were so sad to look at!Ah, good to know! No worries here, though, as we're driving on this trip! I'll ask FH his recommendations since he grew up there and be back with his thoughts :)Awesome! Always good to get the locals' opinions on what's a "must see" thing.

[camberne]

Dang, wish I'd seen this thread sooner, as I'm a Louisville native...Glad you finally found it!! :)
The suggestions are all good ones. Definitely go to the Derby Museum. Haven't lived in Louisville since the Ali Center opened, and I've never been to the Slugger Museum (I think it opened while I was away at college?), but my dad seemed to like it when he went.I would love to go go the Derby Museum, but not sure if anyone else is interested (meaning kid and hubby). If I can convince them that it would be interesting, then I'm there!- If science hasn't burned you out yet, try the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium (http://louisville.edu/planetarium/), located on the University of Louisville campus. I haven't been there in years, so I can't vouch for the quality.Never "burned out" on science, and I love planetariums. I'll have to do a little research on that one! Thanks!- You said that you're getting into town the evening of the 11th. If you get there in time and aren't worn out, the Louisville Bats (http://www.batsbaseball.com) are playing Columbus at 7:05 at Slugger Field. They don't play the next day, and play away games after that, so that would be your only chance to watch a baseball game.Oh we have LOTS of baseball in our life. We have AAA ball here and the Mets come and do a game every season against the Tides. Then we occasionally do Spring Training down in FL (my parents are doing a week of that as we speak!). I'm really only interested in baseball if I personally know the people playing... I'm weird that way.- Take a cruise on the Ohio! The Spirit of Jefferson (http://www.belleoflouisville.org/schedule/) offers cruises that time of year. The Belle of Louisville is a better-known boat, but judging by the website, their public cruises may not be up and running in April.Yeah, I looked into the Belle of Louisville, which I really wanted to do; but it's not running when we'll be there. *sigh* We have "Spirit of Norfolk" here, so that wouldn't be as much fun.You're getting lucky on Six Flags; since it's Spring Break, they're actually open during the day that week. That time of year, they're usually only open on weekends.The kid is excited about this one. If we pay the extra pennies for a season pass, we can use it to go to both Baltimore & Jersey Six Flags this summer... so we'll probably do that. :) Now that I've had gastric bypass surgery and am half the size I was 10 months ago, I can enjoy amusement parks again!! Hope these help you!Definately!! Thanks for all the input!!