Louisville or Lexington for long weekend?
 

This community of travelers has been a great help in the short time I've been reading, so I hope you can help me again, please.

We have the option of visiting either Louisville or Lexington for a long weekend after a family reunion in Cinci.. Looking for history, unique & fun sites, a general feel for the area.

Have researched and find both appealing, so I should clarify that we also hope to visit nearby Mammoth Cave and Lincoln Birthplace area. If we added both the Cave and Birthplace, would it make more sense to continue our stay in Louisville or Lexington, or would it make more sense to take one night and stay a bit south, more in that area, maybe in Elizabethtown?

Would like to see as much as possible because its unlikely we'll return any time soon.

TIA for any feedback!

Are you going to any sites in Lousville or Lexington or do you just want to go to Mammoth, Lincoln, etc? The cave & Lincoln will be one whole day (we even went to Owensboro for the Bluegrass Music Museum in the same day -- note: there is a 1 hour time diffence between Lincoln & Mammoth). Lexington has some sites to see as does Louisville. That could be at least another day each.

Thank you for your reply laurieb!

We want to stay in either Lexington - OR - Louisville for 2 nights, seeing the sites in just one of the cities.

Then we want to drive to Mammoth Cave and Lincoln and stay a 3rd night somewhere. Glad to know we can do both in one day.

Now we just need to decide whether to stay in Lexington or Louisville to see their cities and sites. Haven't been to either and both sound good, but want to choose only one.

Thoughts? Is one more do-able or charming or unique or just better for first time visitors?

Both are interesting. Louisville (obviously) is closer to Ohio & a route will easily take you to Elizabethtown where you can spend the night before Lincoln/Mammoth. Lots of hotels (reasonably priced) & restaurants. Cave City is expensive & slim pickings. Elizabethtown is 10 miles from Lincoln (same time zone).

Lexington has the Kentucky Horse Park & Louisville has Churchill Downs/Derby Museum & Louisville Slugger Factory Tour & Museum.

I wish you would try to do both! We loved Kentucky.

You know what? You can probably do Lex/Louis on the same day if you are already in one or the other from the night before & you are early risers. The Horse Park is great but the program repeats itself midday. So you can definitely leave for Louisville by Noon or 1:00. You can go straight to Churchill Downs. Admission to the Museum includes a tour of the grounds. Other tours are available too. I don't think they do certain Tours on a race day. Then you can go to the Brown Hotel for dinner (get the Hot Brown -- google it, yum). Where are you departing for home from?

You just want to be sure you drive around the horse farm area in Lexington. That's where the iconic KY scene you often see is. Most are around the airport on the west side of town and northward. Old Frankfurt Pike has some of the most famous ones.

Thanks much for the feedback!

Laurieb,

I'd love to do both Lex/Louis but not sure if its possible as I also wanted to include in Lexington:
- Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate and
- Mary Todd Lincoln's home

Are they still worthy? I went as a child, probably after a family event, and have fond memories.

In Louisville, I hope to see, in addition to the Kentucky Derby Museum,
- Farmington Plantation and
- Historic Locust Grove

Is one better than the other? If we see the homes in Lexington, would that be enough?

So much to see and too little time!

Connie,
I like your idea, too. Can you give me more details about Old Frankfurt Place? Where exactly is it and how much time should we allow?

Thanks again to all for your kind assistance.

Here is a driving tour--it says it will take about an hour and 45 minutes.
www.visitlex.com/idea/dreamer.php

It's on the Lexington visitor site:
www.visitlex.com/

It's Old Frankfurt Pike and it's the old highway (just a country road now) between Lexington and Frankfurt. It's included in the above mentioned driving tour.

The horse farms are privately owned but only some give tours. I think the tours are arranged through the Thoroughbred Center (go to their website) but we didn't do that. We went to the Kentucky Horse Park. The farms are beautiful even to drive past (we did that). We did not visit any of the Estates you mentioned as we have been to the South many times & have visited other famous estates.

Farmington and Locust Grove are pretty different. Farmington is built on the order of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and its most famous guest was Abraham Lincoln who was a friend of the owner.

Locust Grove is older and was the home of the sister of George Rogers Clark who lived out his final days there.

Both are quite interesting and worth a visit. I suppose it depends on which you have the most interest in, which I assume might be Lincoln since you plan to visit his birth place.

If you drive 31E south of Hodgenville and are close to Scottsville, treat yourself to a meal at Dumplin's. If you like chicken livers, you will think you've died and gone to heaven; and everything else is good, too--including the coconut cream pie.

THANK YOU all for your help!

Can anyone address accommodations for Louisville?

Both Homewood Suites Louisville East and Country Inn & Suites Louisville-East have similar rates and amenities. Any opinions?

We usually stay at the Embassy Suites...clean and close to everything. We have stayed at the Seelbach, this is a much older hotel (with lots of history) however the rooms were very small for our family of four. I would definately recommend the Oak Room (5 star) restaurant, amazing!

Thank ruwithme. Its totally booked for our days but we too, love Embassy Suites.

Don't think we can do a 5 star restaurant this time. Looking more for casual family places. Any other ideas?

Anyone else with feedback about Homewood vs. Country Inn Suites?

Try the Hot Brown "Sandwich" at the Brown Hotel. Lynn's Paradise Cafe is always recommended on this Board (they serve a Hot Brown also).

The Uptown Cafe on Bardstown Road is not too pricy and has wonderful desserts. For kids, you might like W. W. Cousins on Breckenridge Lane. It's a hamburger place with a bar to add most anything you ever heard of to your burgers. Also has chicken and a few other things. You stand in line to order, and they call out your name when it's ready. I ate at a similar place in South Carolina once, called Fuddrucker's.

Sorry, since I live here I don't know about the hotels.

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I'm taking lots of notes!

We're planning to begin in Lexington for 2 days and 1 night, then to Lincoln and the Cave for a night, and then to Louisville for 2 nights. Feedback?

Thanks again for your help.

Sounds perfect! There is another restaurant in Lexington (it is a local "chain") called Ramsey's. Southern food ("meat & three"). Excellent. We stayed at a Best Western in Lexington. It was located in a "hotel circle" with a bunch of other hotels. Reasonably priced.

I will reiterate the activities we liked: Kentucky Horse Park (Lex); Bourbon Distilleries (Bardstown, Loretto, Frankfort -- "Bourbon Trail"); those scenic drives showing you the horse farms (Lex); Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory (Frankfort); Churchill Downs (museum & racetrack -- Louisville); Louisville Slugger factory & museum.

We did not go to the Thoroughbred Center but you may want to take a look at their website to see if it interests you. Also, the races at Churchill are only during the day & the track is "dark" Mon-Wed.

Have a great time & report back after!

Their is a new Hampton Inn & Suites that is very nice in the same area as the Country Inn and Homewood Suites.

Frankfort is very nice as well, but there's not much open on the weekends or evenings there; most of the attractions close at 4 PM. You can spend a full sightseeing day there taking in the Kentucky History Museum, Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory tour, capitol building and governor's mansion, old state house, and a historic house or two.

One really excellent place to eat in Frankfort is Rick's White Light Diner -- a little hole in the wall (serves BBQ and Cajun food) with stunningly good pulled pork and sides and bourbon pecan pie. As good as I've ever had anywhere.

I may have missed it in your comments, but are you traveling with kids, or just adults?

Breakfast in Lexington - try Doodles. Great local restaurant in an old gas station with a fun patio. Awesome food and atmosphere.
http://www.doodlesrestaurant.com

Across the street from Doodles: Atomic Cafe - Caribbean-style with another fun patio.
http://www.atomiccafeky.com/about.php

We eat at Ramsey's a lot ... several locations around town. Good comfort food.

Great steak houses: Malone's and sister restaurant Sal's. They have built nice patios into all of their restaurants.

Lots of other great restaurants in Lexington...

Thanks for all the recommendations! Hope to try them all!

Any great Mexican restaurants in Lexington, Louisville or Elizabethtown? They don't have to be totally 100% authentic, just tasty :)

And in Louisville, the Fourth Street Live! area. It looks like a blast. Any specific recommendations?

Thanks everyone!

I am partial to Louisville since I used to reside there....I'd also consider Bardstown over Elizabethtown. Even if you are not a bourbon drinker these also merit a stop - www.makersmark.com, www.jimbeam.com

SanParis2, I was just checking into the bourbon tours. There seem to be so many in addition to those you mentioned and reviews are mixed for all of them. Which do you think is the best tour?

Hi ! I live in Louisville. I suggest you go to www.tripadvisor and pull up the Louisville page. I have a "golist" with many good ideas (it also won an award!) The Lincoln birthplace has some interesting things, but it is by no means "real". The cabin is a replica. Kind of disappointing, IMO. Mammoth Cave, however, is loads of fun. Research the tour you want to do the make a reservation. If you don't, you have about 0% chance of getting in. Bardstown and My Old KY Home are definitely worth a visit. The Ky Horse Park is easily doable as a half day trip from Louisville. Try to stop off at Midway along the way (I-64). It's a quaint little town with some VERY good restaurants! When will you be here? On Sundays our historic steam paddlewheel boat, The Belle of Louisville, has really fun Bluegrass cruises. She also cruises on Saturday afternoon (with a DJ) and Friday nights. I play the calliope while people board. We often have festivals downtown on the Belvedere and on the giant waterfront lawn.
How many of you? I think you'd enjoy staying in downtown more than off Hurstbourne. The traffic out there is horrible. If you use priceline and bid $50, you will get either the Galt House, Marriott or the Hyatt. If you want to do something REALLY unique, take a look at 21C Hotel.
For restaurants, there are dozens of gems here. We have some of the best anywhere. Uptown is a good choice, so is North End Cafe on Frankfort Ave. Both of those are on "restaurant rows" of Bardstown and Frankfort Ave. August Moon is good for Pacific Rim. Varanese for splendid food and jazz.

Makers Mark is the best, because they do everything by hand + it is out in 'God's Country'. Jim Beam is the polar opposite but I think they do the best job of any of the big distillers. I have a barrel @ Maker's Mark w/my name on it as a member of their club, lol. Too bad they don't give those away.

www.shakervillageky.org Something to add to your list, couldn't recall the name.

Thanks for the continual information all, I appreciate it!

LLindaC, the tip about making cave reservations early was very helpful. We got some of the last tours available!

Getting excited for this trip. Keep the tips coming. Thanks again!

Chiming in from Lexington.

I don't think anyone replied about Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, and Mary Todd Lincoln's home. Ashland is very good with well-done tours. Unless you are a big Lincoln/history fan (and you may be, if you are going to the birthplace), you'll probably find the MTL home small and a little bare.

A nice distillery near Lexington/Frankfort is Labroe & Graham where Woodford Reserve is made. It also has the advantage of being set in the middle of tons of horse farms, so the trip out is much more scenic than to Maker's Mark, in my opinion. That would combine well with a lunch stop in Midway.

Two recommendations for Mexican in Lexington - Celito Lindo on Main St. and Jalapeno's on Broadway/Harrodsburg Rd. However, you may not be aware that Lexington has a boatload of sushi places (courtesy of the Toyoto plant in Georgetown). If you like sushi, you'll be surprised at the quality.

Also, Keeneland, Lexington's racetrack, is well worth a visit, even if it isn't running. You can watch a morning workout at any time of year (call for approximate times), but you have to be an early riser. It is really a beautiful track with a nice setting.

BTW, Lincoln's boyhood home isn't too far from the birthplace, if you'd like to complete the Lincoln circle.

If you are traveling as a couple, I'd second the vote for 21c Hotel in Louisville. My fave hotel there - no contest.

Skeddadle,
I didn't see your post until after we returned. We loved Ashland and Mary Todd Lincolns home. We loved the entire northern part of KY. We enjoyed many places in the area. I will write some sort of a trip report that might help future travelers to the area.