This is our first visit, and we have 5 days. I do plan to go to the Louisville Slugger Museum, as well as the Kentucky Derby Museum, and get to a couple bourbon distilleries. What else shouldn’t we miss, and, what restaurants are recommended. Any help is appreciated. Also, there are flood watch alerts. What is that status?

We enjoyed Louisville Mega Caverns. The riverfront area is very nice, with waking trails.
Take a trip to Mammoth Cave.
Buffalo Trace is a great distillery to tour.

How far a drive is it to Monmouth Cave?

i am seeing flood warnings. Does anyone know the status of that?

It's a bit under 1.5 hours to Mammoth Cave. Not sure on the flooding.

Louisville KY trip report -- attractions and food

Includes both attractions and food.

Be careful that Louisville is right next to a time zone border. I had tours at Mammoth Cave and a start time at Mega Cavern on the same day, one morning, one afternoon to give myself time to drive. Didn't take into account that the time would change from between Mammoth Cave and Louisville, so I ended up rushing to Louisville to get there on time. Mega Cavern was, at the time I went (don't know about now) extremely strict on not letting you change your reservation time. That being said, when I got to Mega Cavern, they let the people in front of me change reservation times because people in their party were coming late. I raised hell about that when they wouldn't let me change my time to a later time over the phone (so basically even though they were in line ahead of me, I had asked first) but they let them change, and I just looked on their website and don't see this policy mentioned there anymore. So I dunno. I wonder if my complaining had anything to do with that. As for Mammoth cave, those tour times are of course unchangeable, those are just the times those tours start, but don't get screwed up by the time zone.

Thanks for pointing out the time zone issue. I would not have thought of that!

There are flooded roads in Louisville right now, mostly along the river (River Road area). That said, when you go to the Slugger Museum which is on Main Street a block away from River Road, stay away from the exit off I-71 that takes you to Third/Fourth Street. There's several parking lots (paid) on both corners of 8th Street at Market which are close to the museum.

If you love horses, I'd recommend visiting the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington - about 70 miles east of Louisville: Home | Kentucky Horse Park

Definitely visit the Mega Caverns...a unique experience!

As far as restaurants, Louisville has a LOT of non-chain restaurants that are fabulous. Check out the ones along Bardstown Road (in the Highland neighborhood) or on Frankfort Avenue (in Crescent Hill neighborhood). But it really depends on the kind of food you like and how much you want to spend. I would suggest going to tripadvisor or Yelp and finding the categories you like and start from there.

Hopefully the weather will clear up for your trip.

If you like art, I heartily recommend the Speed Museum. "Speed" was the surname of the benefactor---nothing to do with racing! Speed Museum

At one time, eating at the Brown Hotel was a major treat. I can't say if that is still true. My DH's Kentucky family were all about Hot Brown sandwiches and Derby Pie (not sure if there is an actual restaurant--they always ordered the pies). I loved the Museum at Churchill Downs (is that the one you mentioned above??).

Some years ago, we had a spectacular lunch at Science Hill: Science Hill Inn | Shelbyville, KY Others should say if it is still a special place.

When you go to the Slugger Museum, make a stop across the street at the Frazier Museum. It is small enough to visit while it doesn't take a full day but it's one of the best museums in the city. There is a wonderful toy soldier exhibit and an exhibit on the first woman to be named "Best Dressed." So many great restaurants in Louisville. Second suggestion for eating at Brown Hotel. It's very classy and will make you feel as if you are a celebrity at Derby.