Just came back from a great weekend in Louisville earlier this month, several thoughts:

--Lynn's Paradise Cafe for breakfast
http://www.lynnsparadisecafe.com/

--A hot brown in the Brown Hotel, where the sandwich was invented:

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=617

--The museum at the Louisville Slugger factory was not yet reopened when we were there but will definitely be open when you are there:

http://www.sluggermuseum.org/

--The Muhammed Ali Center is an interesting look at the life of a larger-than-life figure:

http://www.alicenter.org/Pages/default.aspx

--We did not have time for the Derby Museum but were told that the thing to do there is go early for one of their tours:

http://www.derbymuseum.org/tours.html

We also stayed at 21C, which is an attraction in itself. The Ali Center and Slugger Museum are within a couple of blocks. Lynn's Paradise Cafe and the Derby Museum will require a cab. But look into a car rental, we got $10/day weekend rental from Alamo, it was $30 all-in for a 48-hour rental from Friday to Sunday.

DancingBearMD- Thank you so much! This is really helpful. I'm going to take a look at all these links right now. Good to know those museums are so close to the hotel and we can just walk over to see them.

I wouldn't mind doing a rental car, but isn't parking at 21C about $25/day? That will really add up.

Taxi fare from the airport will probably be around $20. For some reason, our taxies are more expensive than lots of places.

The Science Center is close to your hotel, as is the Kentucky Arts and Crafts Museum. You might like a riverboat ride on the Belle of Louisville, also in walking distance. Both the KY Center for the Arts and Actors Theater are near.

Farmington is another historic house to see. It is built a la Jefferson's Monticello. Abraham Lincoln was a family friend and visited there (requires transportation). The Speed Art Museum also would require transportation.

I second Lynn's Paradise Cafe for breakfast, and we have two Wild Eggs locations that are good, too, although not near you. There is a breakfast place called Toast on Market, as well as several other restaurants on both Main and Market Streets, and Vincenzo's Italian is on Fifth; but most of the happening places are on Bardstown Road, e.g., Lilly's which wins awards all over.

I hope you enjoy your visit to my city. Hope you will let us know how it goes.

Thank you, Carolyn! I really appreciate the tips.

I'm going to look up all the sights and restaurants you mentioned. Lots of great ideas! Our friend in Louisville has mentioned Toast- that definitely rings a bell. Farmington sounds very interesting. I love historic homes.

I'll definitely be back in July to post a trip report. Thanks again!

Erin, our group's hotel rate included the valet parking. It seemed, though, like there was a fair amount of on-street parking available around the hotel on the weekend.

While I do love Lynn's Paradise Cafe I have to say my new favorite for breakfast in downtown Louisville is Toast on Market (as mentioned by Carolyn). It has been around since 2006 and just as the name says, it is on Market Street.
If you decide to go there it is open until 3pm and is only closed on Monday. Sometimes there is a line, but it is worth the wait. They also provide free coffee while you wait.
After finding out your wait time take your cup of joe and stroll Market Street taking in the various gallery's. You should also check out Muth's Candies just a few doors down. Ask to sample there Modjeska's (Marshmallows dipped in caramel), a great Louisville treat. The sample they provide will be warm and melt in your mouth but don't let it ruin your breakfast!

Also, consider Louisville Glassworks they are always doing fun events. I beleive you could find a lot of information from our local news mag LEO Weekly just go to leoweekly.com to see what's going on in the area for the dates you'll be here.

http://www.gotolouisville.com/content.aspx?id=2244 Here's a link to help you plan as well.

erin, how was your trip? I'm interested in what you did and what you would recommend after going -- looks like I may be going there in July for a day or two.

Thanks,
BeachGirl