hi! last minute getaway plans to louisville this weekend. never been there. staying downtown with hubby and 18 mth old. thinking about lou. slugger museum, derby museum, belle steamboat (skip this?), anything artsy there....like a nice artsy area of town to walk around and see galleries, boutiques, cafes? we are not that into kitcshy (sp.?), but like some of the finer things...just need a quick getaway as a family. restaurants (family friendly), sites, etc. greatly appreciated. staying at res. inn downtown.

thank you!

also wanted to add a PS - we'd like to stop at maker's mark or a distillerie...thanks!

don't know what you enjoy, adn I"m not sure hwo your baby would complicate this, but there was an article in the NYT today about the Humana new plays festival there this month.

thanks youngtom, but plays are out with a toddler. thanks for thinking of us, though. we'd otherwise love to go!

The Derby museum is fantastic and very worthwhile! I highly recommend it. Downtown is nice by the riverfront, though I don't know much more...
KY: known for it's beautiful horses and fast women...J/K!

It's going to be cool this weekend, but head over to Lexington to Keeneland ... the races start Friday, and you won't find a prettier horse track anywhere. Also, another great distillery is Woodford Reserve. Beautiful setting with a great visitor's center and a fun tour.

The weather prediction is for cool days and cold nights the rest of this week, so I wouldn't think a ride on the Belle would be much fun. The drive up River Road by car is pleasant. The waterfront is interesting, but, again, it will be cold on the river.

Louisville Live on Fourth Street is pretty live--maybe too much for your little one. Cunningham's Restaurant on Fourth up near Broadway has Sunday brunch every week. Since this is Easter, if you are interested in that you might want to call for a reservation or go early. Toast on Market serves breakfast all day, plus other food. Lynn's Paradise Cafe on Barrett Avenue serves a good breakfast in a funky restaurant.

The Maker's Mark Distillery is nearer Bardstown than Louisville. Check on Brown-Forman. They used to give tours.

The Speed Art Museum on Third Street on the edge of the U of L campus serves lunch most days. Again, you might want to check. If you are staying downtown, there is a trolley hop on Friday nights up Frankfort Avenue. Your hotel will give you details.

There are several churches near downtown. The Cathedral of the Assumption is on Fifth Street; it's quite beautiful.

I hope you have a good time.

If it's warm enough to stroll, head out to Baxter Ave and Bardstown Rd. There are lots of interesting shops and restaurants. If you make it out that way, be sure to go to the Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen. Their desserts are out of this world!(www.piekitchen.com)

many thanks to all. all great ideas!
we have done keeneland, the races and the experience many times. have LOVED it and we love lexington! but, not good with a toddler - keeneland, that is. A hot brown and bourbon are musts.

thanks again for all of these great ideas.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListDet...e_for_the.html

I created that for tripadvisor, hope it helps. Melillo's restaurant on Market is a great little family style Italian restaurant. Too bad it's cold, they have a nice outdoor area. The Belle of Louisville doesn't start public cruising till next month. We have a Joe's Crab Shack by the river...I don't know how much a toddler will get out of that. There's enough stimulation in the Derby Museum to keep baby happy. Lynn's Paradise cafe is a fun spot. Art galleries and neat shops galore on Bardstown Road, also Frankfort Ave. Very close to downtown.

Oh yes....the first friday trolley hop is this Friday and it's downtown, not on Frankfort Ave. Google "Louisville KY first friday trolley" and it will take you to the web page. It's a blast!!

Since you mentioned hot browns and bourbon, a cafe named J. Graham's in the Brown Hotel is where you will find the original hot brown, and Bourbon's Bistro on Frankfort Ave. offers a good selection of bourbons and bourban drinks. And the food is excellent too. Bardstown Road, throughout the Highlands is a road with all types of shops and the such. As someone else mentioned, the trolley hop would be great if you are visiting Friday night. Also, while visiting the slugger museum, you might want to walk around the block to Glassworks. They have tours that show you the glassblowing. as well as galleries full of beautiful glassware.

wanted to thank all for recommendations. quick trip report - stayed at residence inn/marriott downtown. new, great place and nice with a tot - plenty of room. ate at lynn's paradise. food awful. service good and atmosphere fun. 18 mth. old loved the train on our table. went to slugger museum (not to be missed/factory tour was great and i am not into bball, but hubby is), derby museum, missed the paddock, etc, tour at church. downs due to snow/cold, but museum was good. ordered pizza from Wick's. seriously, one of the best pizza's we have ever had. FABULOUS! also ate at melillo's. excellent service, great atmosphere, Italian family, warm, kind and very hospitable, food was superb. highly rec'd. get there early. the place was packed on sat. nt by 6pm! due to weather, missed out on a lot. record breaking cold. thanks to all for the info and planning. oops - also checked out the 21c museum hotel. contemporary art and decor. would stay there with no children if boutique, artsy is your thing (it is ours). THANK YOU again to all.

oops....also went to pie kitchen. fun!

Very cool! Glad you had fun....sorruy about the food at Lynn's. It can be hit or miss. I will pass the compliment to melillo's- I've known them for many, many years and play music down there often for the trolley hop. They really have a friendly familty restaurant and the food is always yummy and plentiful.