GloriaE

We are taking our grandson (12) to southern Indiana for a family reunion the end of June. We have three days before we have to be in Indiana and would like to take our grandson to Kentucky.

We are considering Mammouth Cave, Ft. Harrod, the Corvette factory (he is a Corvett fan). Any other suggestions?

Also, any suggestion for which is the best tour of Mammouth Cave or other activities in that area?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Gekko

In Louisville, right across the Ohio River, I'm sure your grandson would enjoy the Frazier Arms & Armor Museum.

www.frazierarmsmuseum.org

Churchill Downs would also be on my list.

www.churchilldowns.com

Also the Falls of the Ohio State Park, in southern IN.

www.fallsoftheohio.org

Both Mammoth Cave and the Corvette Factory are farther south, down I-65. Both are certainly worth a visit.

Gretchen

There is a horse park near Lexington. And there is a Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill (I think_

LLindaC

Hi Gloria! I think you can skip Ft Harrod. My husband used to sing there as a teenager in "The Legend of D Boone" lol, it's cute and all, but it's not the "real" fort and it's not very exciting. Mammoth Cave is GREAT! I took my kids last year on the Grand Avenue tour- 4 miles, 4 hours. We stopped at the "Snowball Room" for lunch. It wasn't that strenuous, there are rest stops along the way. However, it is essential that you make a reservation cause the tours sell out and that would be a shame! Also, the cave temp is 55 degrees year round so please wear good shoes and take a jacket! The KY horse park is about an hour drive from Louisville in I-64. I bet he'd also enjoy the Louisville Slugger Museum- most boys love that!

GloriaE

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and information. We were in Kentucky two years ago without the grandson and really want this time to be just about what he would like to see/do.

LLindaC: Where did you stay near Mammouth Cave and did your kids get tired/bored during the four hour tour?

We were considering Ft. Harrod because my husband's family arrived there in the late 1700's from Maryland. Just trying to throw in a little family history. Do they still do the Daniel Boone outdoor play?

Haney20

We live in Western Kentucky about an hour and 15 minutes from the Corvette Museum. He will love Mammoth Cave,too. There is also an amusement Park nearby (not huge, but fun, I've heard,it is called Beach Bend, I think). You can then drive to Barkley Lodge (270-924-1131)in Cadiz, Ky about 2 hours from Bowling Green (Corvette Museum). People rent pontoon boats and jet skiis from the Marina (270-924-9954) or just enjoy a swim and the view. Grab a fishing pole and see if you can catch anything.There is an area close to the Lodge called the Land Between the Lakes with a neat Nature Center,1800's farm, Elk and Buffalo area and a Planetarium. Be sure to call ahead for reservations. Patti's 1880's Restaurant(888-736-2515),Grand Rivers,is a great place to eat and shop and not far from the Lake. Hopefully you'll have fun in beautiful Kentucky!!

Haney20

They did not have the play at Fort Harrod last year. Too bad because I loved it.

LLindaC

Gloria, what is the name of his family? My husband's family is named Sparrow and they, too, arrived in Boone county in the 1700s. Harrodsburg is the oldest town in KY.Rick sang in the show in about 1968, lol, I have pics of him with his coonskin cap! Too cute. My kids did not get bored with the 4 hr tour, not at all. They were 11 and 15 at the time. We drove down to Nashville after that and stayed at the Opryland Hotel (their favorite, it was awesome) Not too many places to stay at the park- they do have a basic lodge and rental cabins.

GloriaE

LLindaC: My husband's family eventually settled in Springville - which we visited when we were there two years ago. The family names were Shipley, Mitchell and Thompson. It seems like his cousin (a Hurst) in Bardstown was connected to a family named Sparrow. Small world, huh? I loved Kentucky when we were there before and am looking forward to being there again. We live/grew up in California. I was thinking of staying in the Hampton Inn in Horse Cave or somewhere in Bowling Green to be closer to the Corvette factory. What do you think?

Haney20: Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out. We do love water activities and the outdoors.

Gretchen and Gekko: We were at most of those places last time and I know he would love them - there is really so much to do in Kentucky! We were thinking of trying to squeeze in the Kentucky horse park on the way north.
Any suggstions for a good place to stay around Lexington?

Gekko

Near the Horse Park you'll find a "Holidome" Holiday Inn which your grandson would like. It has a big indoor playground & pool area (inside the "holidome"), as well as game rooms and an outdoor pool.

GloriaE

Gekko: Thanks - I'll check that out. It does sound like something he would like.

carolyn

I think he would like Fort Harrod. It gives the feeling of the difficulties of the early settlers.

Right up the road from Harrodsburg is the Pleasant Hill Shaker Village. It's a great place to have a meal. I especially like their version of lemon pie. It is a double crust pie with the whole lemons sliced paper thin and baked with lots of eggs and sugar. And their corn sticks, and their cole slaw, and and and . . .

GloriaE

Carolyn: I had that lemon pie for lunch last time I was in Kentucky at the Shaker Village - you're right, it was soooo good!

wsoxrebel

While in Louisville, a fun place to eat with family is the Old Spaghetti Factory near the Slugger Museum. You can request to be seated inside a tram to eat, the place is always busy, and it is no more expensive than fast food.

xrae

I second (third, fourth) Mammoth Cave. And if you need a place to stay in Cave City, check out the Wigwam Village motel, where you can sleep in a completely kitschy concrete teepee, circa 1939. Hubby and I stayed there a few years ago, and it wasn't bad.
http://www.wigwamvillage.com/ If you dig roadside type attractions, it's a must-do, or at least a must-photo.

The amusement park near Mammoth is Beach Bend, and they have a new wooden roller coaster this year designed by GCI, so it should be a pretty good ride. http://www.beechbend.com/Home%20Page.htm

kybourbon

If you are tracing roots, Harrodsburg is in Mercer County not Boone County. Boone County is in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati.

Shakertown is a few miles from Harrodsburg. www.shakervillageky.org

The horse park is about 30 miles if you stay on highway 68 to Lexington. This road is very curvy along the Ky river(similar to Amalfi coast)with steep drop-offs. www.kyhorsepark.com

Other websites for Lexington - www.visitlex.com and www.kentuckyconnect.com

ChristieP

The Holidome hotel in Lexington is the Holiday Inn North on Newtown Pike. It's very close to the Kentucky Horse Park, too.

LLindaC

OOOPS don't tell my husband I said that, lol. He LIVED in Boone County after he married. I know it's Mercer! They had lots of original "kin" in Anderson County right over the line. Beautiful country- the road from Harrodsburg to Lexington is gorgeous.The Old Spaghetti Factory? Well, it's cute inside but it's two steps below Ragu, IMO.My kids hate it. I think he'd enjoy Rocky's over in Jeff on the river for much better Italian and a view. Also on the river and kid friendly are Buckhead's and Joe's Crab Shack- loud and crazy, but kids do like it.

GloriaE

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I haven't been to Buckhead, but I have been to a Joe's Crab Shack and the Spaghetti Factory in the Sacramento area and I think he would like both. Boys that age can really eat!! I know, I had his dad . . .

I was looking at a 1/2 day water raft trip on the Cumberland near Whitley with the Sheltowee Trace Outfitters. Anyone ever tried that?

kybourbon

Haven't tried the Sheltowee rafting, but all the restaurants around Lexington use Sheltowee farm mushrooms - yum! http://www.sheltoweefarm.com/