Juan

I'm going to Kentucky in July. I want to know how the city is like and how are the people. What are some oof the good restaurants. What are the attractions? Any help is appreciated.

Angela

Moved from Louisville 3 years ago but I can still tell you a little bit. Non-chain restaurants whih are tops in my opinion are Jack Fry's and the Jupiter Grill as well as Del Frisco's for steaks and Vincenzo's for Italian. I would guess ea. place to be about $30-$40/person. Vincenzo's is downtown and Del Frisco's is on the east side in the St. Matthews area. Both Jack fry's and Jupiter Grill are on Bardstown road which is a somewhat trendy area with lots of hip restaurants and bars up and down the strip. For cheaper eats, try Wick's pizza and Ditto's Grill still trendy but good. Then there are the usual chains like Ruth chris steakhouse, Jillian's, Garrett's etc. Fun things to do would include a trip to the newly built baseball field for a minor league game and definitely the Louisville Slugger Museum and factory. Going for a tour of the famous Churchill Downs and visit to the Kentuky Derby Museum would be good as well. Louisville also has a nice science museum and IMAX theater as well as a pretty good zoo. What interests do you have and what part of town will you stay in?

don

The weather in July is hot and humid. You didn't say how long you would be in Louisville, but a nice day trip would be to Bardstown, a kind of quaint historic town where you will find My Old Kentucky Home. It is less than an hour drive. In Louisville, the previous person mentioned the Louisville Slugger Bat Museum downtown, and Churchill Downs, where you will find the Derby Museum. As far as restaurants go, Lilly's and it's chef get a lot of national attention, and it is very good, but my favorite is the Cafe Metro. Both are kind of upscale trendy and are on Bardstown Rd. For something more casual, Lynn's Paradise Cafe is different and very good. The place has the 50's type metal tables and are decorated with all kinds of stuff that looks like it came from the flea markets (ugly lamps, salt and pepper shakers, cheap kids toys). I know it sounds weird, but it somehow all works. It's fun and the food is good. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Bill

Louisville is a great small city! The people are friendly and it is very clean and easy to navigate. I visit at least every other year. Attractions? Churchill Downs (of course). Don't know if the racing season ends by the time of your visit (if not, go to the races), but a must see is The Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill. You even get a tour of the revered Churchill Downs Grandstand and get to meet the resident race horse. There's 6 Flags Kentucky Kingdom amusement park. I recommend The Old Kentucky Home State Park in nearby Bardstown, the outdoor musical at the park, some of the historic homes (I enjoyed Farmington), for an eerie (yet finger licking good) experience visit Colonel Sander's elaborate gravesite at Cave Hill Cemetery (and also ogle at the amazing other gravesites in this picturesque and historic cemtery). Restaurants I like are Harpers on Hurstbourne Lane and Kingfish (which is a chain). The best Kingfish is the one on River Road, which overlooks the Ohio River. However, I must warn you the service at this restaurant can be poor, but the seafood is very good! Service at Harpers and the food are very good. Be sure to stop in at A Taste Of Kentucky at Mall St Matthews or on Shelbyville Road to sample some authentic Kentucky delicacies. And remember, bourbon is the drink of choice in Kentucky! Try a mint julep and you'll be right at home in Kentucky! Have fun!

rob

One thing you might try is a ride on the Belle of Louisville, a historic paddlewheeler, if you like that type of thing. As far as restaurants go, you can find most anything you would like along Bardstown Road in the highlands. It is a very competitive area, so usually if it's not good it doesn't last long. My personal favorites are the Cafe Metro for upscale, the Bristol Bar and Grill (bistro with everything from burger to some really nice entrees) for casual, and the Jicama Bar and Grill, a newer place serving South American cuisine (some really great seafood from macadamian-crusted Chilean seabass to some of the best calamari I have ever had). Also, if you are going to be in Louisville on a Sunday morning, let me suggest the brunch at the Sealbach Hotel downtown. The Sealbach is a lovely historic hotel, and the brunch is wonderful. It cost aproximately $20, but is very upscale in a beautiful dining room, with everthing from omelets to entrees to a table of salads, shrimp, oysters on the half shell, caviar and cheeses to a dessert table to die for. Definately worth the bucks. Enjoy!!