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[figee]

I'm very excited.  Coming to a conference next week in Louisville so I'm turning to my fellow forumites for some inspiration and information.  I'll be in Louisville for nearly a week, but have one free day.  I've arranged already to go riding with a friend of a friend, but on the Wednesday I'll be all by my lonesome in the big bad world.  So, suggestions of: plasces to shop (general and specific to Kentucky) for decent clothing, bookshops, tacky souvenirs for the departmental competition, places to eat, and things I should definitely try while I'm there that we don't have down under.  I've got to get my brother a birthday pressie while I'm there as well (he's turning 29) so menswear lines I should look out for would also be appreciated.  Also, anyone in the area, who wants to hook up (I don't think any of you are there, but maybe, just maybe) that'd be cool too.

Fi

[elsie]

It's the wrong time of year for the horse races, but a visit to Churchill Downs would probably be nice. Horsey stuff would also make for appropriate tacky souvenirs.

[bibliothecula]

How about a paddlewheel ride? You can ride the Belle of Louisville on the Ohio River. There's also a Steamboat Museum and of course the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat factory (open for tours). The Thomas Edison House is also in Louisville and I've heard that the Frazier Historical Arms Museum is pretty good if your interests lie in that area.

Lexington is not a far drive from Louisville and has lots to offer. The Museum of the Horse is a fun place to visit and undoubtedly has all sorts of tacky horse stuff in addition to the tasteful and lovely DVDs and such.

If you're up for a longer drive, there's Pleasant Hill, a Shaker Village. It is gorgeous. You can watch artisans creating chairs, boxes, etc., and have a fantastic lunch. The grounds are great for strolling around.

Have a great trip!

[mtnlover]

Unless you have a car and want to head to Nashville or Cincinnati, Churchill downs or horse-related places might be about it.  If you like Bourbon, there are some great distilleries you can visit.  Please don't judge the US by Louisville - I'm not saying it is a bad city, just not much of a tourist destination.  Look for a local festival maybe.

[figee]

Thanks for your responses.  I won't actually have a car, but I am a horsey kind of person, so horse-related activities are Good Things!  I've visited the States before and always had a fantastic time, so I'm really looking forward to the trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions about good stores to visit for both mens and ladies wear?  How about decent chocolate/ candies (I wanted to write lollies) for people?  Really I'm just looking for things not available here in Oz.

Only two more sleeps...

[kiki88]

Dear Fi,

Just so happens I grew up in "The Ville" as it is affectionately known. There is racing at Churchill throughout the good weather...and the Derby Museum is dynamite. If you are looking for cool, funky, trendy, vintage clothing..."The Highlands" area along Bardstown Road is a great area for shopping, strolling and all things alternative. Lots of good places to eat in the Highlands also. If you are looking for a regional treat with Cincinnati Chili---try "Skyline Chili."

The Brown Hotel serves the authentic and original KY Hotbrown. A wonderful plate of turkey, ham, bacon on toast, w/ tomato smothered with gravy and cheese. (cardiac arrest on a plate, but mmm mmm good!).

The JB Speed Art Museum near the University of Louisville is very nice. If you go...also check out the nearby St. James neighboorhood full of gorgeous historic Victorian homes.

For more contemporary/mainstream clothing Louisville has several malls. Two, the eldest, largest and withing walking distance of one another in the east end are Oxmoor Mall and the Mall St. Matthews.

Have fun!!