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What better way to top off the summer than a day spent at the Kentucky State Fair?
From the sights and sounds of the Thrillway to the medley of shows and exhibits, the state fair is an annual pastime among Kentuckians and a major attraction for tourists. The 11-day event includes art, craft, and agricultural competitions, the World Championship Horse Show, circus-style acts, children's activities, live music, blue-ribbon contests, and free health …
Danny Mac’s not only makes the best pizza in Louisville, it very well could be the world’s greatest. From awesome sauce and yummy toppings to hand-tossed original and crispy thin cracker crust, Danny Mac’s pizza is always hot, fresh, and scrumptious.
According to owner and manager Dan McMahon, quality ingredients are the key. “I don’t cut any corners,” Dan says. “My food costs are higher than most places.”
Location, location, location—it’s not only the single most important factor in starting a business, but also the top consideration when planning a family vacation. When visiting Louisville, be sure to check out—and check in at—the Galt House, a 25-story, 1,300-room hotel situated in the heart of downtown.
The Galt House makes for an ideal location for sightseeing, with easy access to such attractions as the Frazier International History Museum,
Looking for something to do with the kids? Dog days of summer getting you down? Check out the Louisville Science Center. Located along the city’s “Museum Row” in downtown, the museum offers a nice retreat from the blistering heat, as well as fascinating educational exhibitions that prove especially interesting to younger children.
Kentucky's largest hands-on science museum, the Louisville Science Center offers four stories of interactive fun and learning covering 150,000 square …
Photo by Sarah Lyon courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/
Where else can you design your very own album cover, see Andy Warhol’s famous American icon screen-prints, and view works by such world-class artists as Rembrandt, Picasso, and Mary Cassatt?
Louisville’s Speed Art Museum, commonly referred to as “The Speed” by locals, features an impressive permanent collection, as well as awesome special exhibitions. There are also a variety of programs geared toward children, couples, and individuals.
The ArtSparks …
When it comes to live music, nothing beats the beauty and intimacy of the Louisville Palace Theatre.
Known simply as “the Palace” to Louisvillians, the theatre’s interior features a Spanish Baroque design that adds an ethereal quality to live events. Whether you’ve come to see a rock concert, a Broadway musical, or an orchestra performance, the atmosphere and acoustics inside the 2,700-seat theatre make for an unforgettable music experience.
Besides hosting horse racing’s greatest event and producing the best-tasting bourbon on earth, Louisville is also famous for another major hit: making the official bat of major league baseball.
Before stepping inside the Louisville Slugger Museum, you’ll get a gander at the world’s biggest bat, a 120-foot replica of the one used by Babe Ruth that leans against the building at Eighth and Main streets.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun, a romantic escape, or a relaxing family vacation, Patoka Lake in southern Indiana makes a great summertime getaway.
Just an hour’s drive from downtown Louisville, the 8,800-acre body of water sprawls across Crawford, Dubois, and Orange counties, offering ample space for boating, canoeing, fishing, waterskiing, and other activities.
Patoka is surrounded by 26,000 acres of unspoiled beauty that not only provides the perfect backdrop for …
Festival-goers compete as look-alikes of “The Dude,” the film’s main character and anti-hero, played by Jeff Bridges.
Photo by Greg the Mayor courtesy of the Lebowski Fest
Fans of the cult classic film The Big Lebowski will converge on Louisville July 16 and 17 for the world-famous Lebowski Fest.
Founded in Louisville in 2002, the Lebowski Fest is celebrated in multiple cities each year and has inspired a British version, known as the Dude Abides, held in London. Festivities include a screening of the film, costume and trivia contests, bowling, and an outdoor party with bands, vendor …
If you love films without all the Hollywood glitz and glam, mark your calendar for February 18-20, 2011, and plan to be in Louisville for the third annual Derby City Film Festival.
There probably won’t be any limousines pulling up in front of the Clifton Center for this event. You won’t see starlets in sequins or famous producers in Armani suits promenading the proverbial red carpet. But what you will …
One of the museum's many tableaus that capture pivotal historic moments.
Photo by Power Creative courtesy of the Frazier International History Museum
Listen up, me hearties. If ye favor the jolly roger, gang planks, and stories of seafaring adventures, shake a leg and hurry to the Frazier International History Museum in downtown Louisville.
Genuine treasures and artifacts, including touchable components and games, are on display in the museum’s special exhibition, “Pirates: Treasure & Treachery,” which runs through September 7.
Visitors learn all the legends and lore associated with the pirate’s life, …
Inflatable games are among the many children's activities offered during the festival.
Courtesy of Waterfront Park Independence Festival
Summer is off to a steamy start in Louisville, and the National Weather Service predicts more humid, hot weather in the weeks to come.
What better way to spend the Fourth of July holiday than in the cooling spray of Waterfront Park’s water playground? While there, you’ll want to check out the Waterfront Park Independence Festival, a two-day event featuring free music, activities, and a fireworks display.
Sometimes the best things in life really are free.
Take Shakespeare in Central Park, for example. Produced by the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, the event gives lovers of the performing arts something to look forward to every summer: free admission to the world’s best loved plays, presented under the stars at Louisville’s Central Park.
This year, which marks the 50th season of Shakespeare in the Park, audiences will be treated …
Taylorsville Lake is not only a popular fishing spot in the summertime, but offers a lovely setting for year-round activities.
While there are plenty of spots off the banks of the Ohio River and free fisheries located within the Louisville Metro Parks System, a lot of local folks head to Taylorsville Lake State Park for serious fishing.
An easy 30-mile drive from Louisville, the park’s main attraction is the lake, which covers 3,050 acres and offers bass, bluegill, and crappie. Anglers may cast their reels from the banks or bring their own …
The first time I ate a flower was at Jack Fry’s, a comfy upscale restaurant on Bardstown Road in Louisville’s eclectic Highlands neighborhood. It came on a dessert that had been drizzled with some type of chocolate sauce. The dish was so delectable, I turned to the group I was lunching with and asked whether nibbling the lovely lavender petals would be improper etiquette. My companions shrugged.
Nestled in the woodlands of My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the Kenny Rapier Golf Course features bent grass greens and Bermuda grass fairways and tees.
The 18-hole course is located 40 miles south of Louisville in historic Bardstown, the site of vintage trains, Civil War museums and Federal Hill, where Stephen Foster was inspired to write “My Old Kentucky Home” in 1852. The rolling bluegrass and peaceful surroundings of
Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, one of the headliners at this year’s Forecastle Festival.
Photo by krissikes courtesy of http://www.creativecommons.org
The Smashing Pumpkins is the latest band added to a sensational lineup of musicians set to take the stage for the 2010 Forecastle Festival in Louisville.
The annual three-day event, to be held July 9-11 on the Riverfront Belvedere, has become one of the nation’s top music festivals, attracting more than 20,000 fans. The Forecastle Festival includes a symposium for environmentalists, as well as visual art exhibits and workshops.
Stepping inside the Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville is practically like stepping into another world. From its stunning hand-painted ceilings to its lovely marble floors, the Brown provides the perfect backdrop for a fairy-tale wedding.
The hotel’s majestic appearance is among many features that make the Brown one of the city’s most desirable wedding venues. Mahogany, chandeliers, and lavish décor all help to create a romantic ambiance unlike any other in the …
Perhaps the most popular exhibit at the Louisville Zoo is Gorilla Forest, a four-acre habitat that offers several opportunities for viewing the largest members of the ape family.
The exhibit takes visitors through a jungle-like setting on a “wildlife highway” where hikers will find the hoof prints of pygmy hippos and other mammals. Along the trail, you’ll catch glimpses of gorillas and, if you’re lucky, the hippos, although I’ve …
Ever wanted to pet a live shark or see a jellyfish up close? Then check out the coolest aquarium on the banks of the Ohio River, 100 miles northeast of downtown Louisville: the Newport Aquarium.
In addition to the shark-petting area, aquarium visitors can get an intimate view of sea life from around the world via 200 feet of acrylic underwater tunnels. You’ll see zebra sharks and southern stingrays, as well as …
VK8: Spicy rice noodles with a special sate sauce, bean sprouts, broccoli, peanuts and tofu.
Photo by PJ Chmiel
If you think you don’t like Asian food, try Vietnam Kitchen, a comfy and casual award-winning restaurant located in Louisville’s South End.
From rice vermicelli to fine seafood dishes, Vietnam Kitchen offers an extensive menu designed to pique the interest of even the most timid diner. For starters, try a bowl of pho—noodles in beef broth served several ways, each warm and delicious and described in plain English on the menu. For the vegetarian, …
Reggae music, authentic Jamaican food, and a Caribbean market are part of the Memorial Day weekend celebration in Louisville.
Courtesy of Bisig Impact Group
If you’re looking to celebrate Memorial Day outdoors, grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head to the Louisville Water Tower for the Kentucky Reggae Festival May 29-31.
The festival has become a Memorial Day tradition with reggae music, authentic Jamaican food, and a Caribbean market serving as the main attractions. The family event also includes children’s entertainment, such as corn hole. Market vendors will offer arts, crafts, jewelry, beads, and incense, …
Musician Daniel Martin Moore will be among the artists performing at the event.
Photo by Jonathan Willis courtesy of Sub Pop Records
Louisville’s independent retailers will join Kentuckians for the Commonwealth to host a special street party and concert on Bardstown Road at Longest Avenue.
The second annual Louisville Loves Mountains Festival will be held Friday, May 21, from 4 to 10 p.m. and will feature music by Daniel Martin Moore, the Potluck Ramblers, Nora Ben and Eli, Appalatin, and other artists. Food, drinks, books, …
Tulip Tree Trail is among one of the easier, paved hiking trails at Jefferson Memorial Forest.
Photo by John Knouse courtesy of http://www.creativecommons.org
Nestled in towering oaks and rich beds of fern lies the loveliest local setting for camping, just 20 minutes from downtown Louisville.
Jefferson Memorial Forest is a camper’s paradise and a nature lover’s dream. Located on more than 6,000 acres, the park is the largest municipal urban forest in the United States and one of 124 parks in the Louisville Metro system.
Visitors will find Jefferson Memorial Forest ideal for tent …
Members of the Louisville Orchestra gather for a group shot before departing for New York to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Courtesy of the Louisville Orchestra
A documentary film that tells the inspiring story of the Louisville Orchestra premiers May 20 in Louisville. “Music Makes a City” follows two visionaries, Louisville Mayor Charles Farnsley and orchestra director Robert Whitney, as they lead the ensemble on a journey to worldwide prominence.
Known today as the cornerstone of the Louisville arts scene, the orchestra is the resident performing group for the Louisville Ballet and the
Since Greek and Roman times, people have practiced bathing regimens that closely resemble the services offered at a modern-day spa. From hot springs to saunas to massages, assorted therapeutic procedures were used in ancient civilizations as a means to heal and refresh both body and spirit.
Louisville’s most popular place for a full range of body and spa treatments, as well as cosmetic care, is Z Salon & Spa. Of its three …
Musician Leigh Ann Yost will be among dozens of performers scheduled to take the stage at this year’s Hootenanny in Willow Park.
Photo by Laura Roberts
Those who missed the April 22 events will have at least one more chance to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with the Mighty Kindness Hootenanny in Louisville.
The annual festival, now in its third year, will take place Saturday, May 8, at Willow Park in the Highlands. The free festival brings together performers, artists, agencies, farmers, businesses, and individuals working to build a circle of sustainability.
When it comes to warm weather and outdoor gatherings, nothing tastes better than good old-fashioned barbecue.
So if you’re planning a birthday party, a family picnic, or a graduation celebration, be sure to check out Bootleg Bar-B-Q for the best Louisville has to offer.
Locally owned and operated, with locations in Fern Creek and Okolona, Bootleg offers dining in, carryout, full-service catering, and everything in between, including …
Louisville’s hippest and most happening hotel also happens to be a museum. But there’s a lot more to love at 21c Museum Hotel than the contemporary art.
Located on the corner of West Main and Seventh streets in downtown Louisville, the cultural civic center consists of five historic 19th-Century tobacco and bourbon warehouses renovated into a 90-room boutique hotel, art gallery, award-winning restaurant, and full-service spa. The buildings, easily identifiable by the …
Jockey Calvin Borel beams aboard 2009 Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra.
Photo by Craig L. Duncan courtesy of http://www.creativecommons.org
As the sister event to the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks has become the third-most-popular stakes race in North America, with attendance averaging over 100,000 in recent years.
Held on the Friday before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, the Oaks features a field of 3-year-old fillies running a 1 1/8 mile track for a $500,000 purse and a garland of lilies.
You don’t have to be a boxing fan to be wowed at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali Center. Children and adults alike, whether or not they’re sports lovers, will find plenty of interesting history, fun interactive exhibits, and all-around inspiration at the Ali Center.
Billed as a cultural attraction and international educational center, the two-and-a-half-level facility aims to preserve the legacy of Ali, a three-time World Heavyweight Champion and Louisville native. The center is …
If the weather cooperates, dozens of gigantic hot air balloons will rise with the sun on Saturday, April 24, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
The sights and sounds of the U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race lure an average of 50,000 onlookers every year, despite the uncertainty of the launch.
Winds must be calm for the brightly colored balloons to take to the skies, and often the race …
No matter where you are in Louisville on Saturday, April 17, after dark you’ll be able to hear, if not see, the largest annual fireworks display in North America.
Thunder Over Louisville, the annual kickoff event of the Kentucky Derby Festival, culminates in a fireworks show so massive it can be seen from anywhere in downtown Louisville and along the Southern Indiana waterfront. In fact, Thunder fans report a dazzling …
As a child, I loved the vast playground of Bernheim Forest with its flowering trees, duck ponds, and the nature center where I first took an interest in learning bird songs. Today Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest remains one of my all-time favorite places to visit.
From the color beds at the park’s entrance to the aquatic plants and various perennials of the Garden Pavilion, Bernheim is a garden-lover’s dream. Near the …
Not only will horse lovers start converging on Louisville in late April, but art lovers will also make their annual pilgrimage to the city for the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair on April 24-25.
The art fair, which will be held the weekend before the Kentucky Derby, takes place in one of Louisville’s most scenic neighborhoods. Located in the Highlands just east of downtown, Cherokee Triangle is known for its …
At the corner of Sixth and St. Catherine streets in Old Louisville’s Limerick neighborhood stands an old stone gothic church that’s sure to stir a sense of awe in the most casual observer.
Not only is the exterior a sight to behold—with its looming bell tower and tall windows—but when I first set foot inside St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church nearly 10 years ago, I gasped at both the beauty and the …
From vegan soaps to garden art, a variety of handcrafted items will be featured at Every Woman’s Arts & Crafts Spring Festival in Radcliff.
The one-day annual event will be held at the Colvin Community Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, just in time for Mother’s Day.
The show will feature local and regional artisans with a variety of fine art and handcrafted items. There will …
Whether it's the charm of grand old style architecture or the allure of luxury accommodations, the Seelbach Hilton is a great place to sleep and play when visiting Louisville.
Stepping inside this historic hotel is like stepping back in time. You’ll want to hang out in the lobby, waltz along the mezzanine, and gaze at the giant murals.
Built in 1905, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic …
Nothing beats the nostalgic thrill of live baseball like a trip to Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats.
Named after the popular Louisville Slugger baseball bat, the ballpark beckons young and old alike, sports fans and even non-fans with its retro-classic design and intimate hometown feel.
Slugger Field sits on the lower horizon of the Louisville skyline near the banks of the Ohio River, a 13,000-seat stadium …
If you want to experience life in the slow lane, head to New Castle, Kentucky, for the 28th annual Spring Fling on Saturday, June 12.
Located 35 miles northeast of Louisville, New Castle prides itself on the fact that the Henry County seat hasn’t changed much in the past 200 years. With a population of 919—up from 755 in 1970—New Castle is one of Kentucky’s smallest towns and is certified in the …
The festival sampler precedes the Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting and Gala, held annually in September.
Courtesy of Kentucky Bourbon Festival
The world’s best bourbon and complementary Southern foods will be served up for the 11th Annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler in Bardstown, Kentucky, on Saturday, April 24, 2010. The festival sampler precedes the Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting and Gala, held annually in September to celebrate the history and production of Kentucky bourbon.
Area restaurants and participating bourbon makers will offer tastes of food and drink from 6:30 p.m. to 9 …
An outdoor bar and cozy courtyard make O’Shea’s Irish Pub on Baxter Avenue Louisville’s best bet for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
The highlight of the holiday is an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which marches past the popular pub, located on the east edge of downtown Louisville in the Highlands. The weekend will kick off on Thursday, March 11, with “a pre-parade blessing of the beer and keg-tapping,” beginning at …
Theatre lovers and critics from around the world are converging on Actors Theatre of Louisville for the 34th Humana Festival of New American Plays, which opened Feb. 21 and runs through April 11.
Hailed as the future of American theatre, the annual festival showcases new theatrical works and, since 1976, has brought to the stage some 400 plays by 200 playwrights.
If you’re looking for a place with “school spirit,” check out Spalding University, nestled on the southern edge of downtown Louisville.
Spalding offers a positive learning environment and a strong tradition in nurturing the hearts and minds of students. Embodying the university’s spirit of support, Tori Murden McClure was recently named president.
A model of perseverance and achievement, McClure became the first woman and first American to …
Experience life aboard the ill-fated Titanic through 150 authentic artifacts and recreations of the famous ship’s rooms. “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” runs through March 7 at the Louisville Science Center, located at 727 West Main Street.
“Passengers” who take the tour receive a replica boarding pass with information about a real passenger aboard the ship and learn how the Titanic was built. The tour includes viewing the actual dishes and menus used …
For a taste of Kentucky’s varied and distinct music, mark your calendar for Friday, Feb. 26, when critically acclaimed natives Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore will take the stage at the Brown Theatre in Louisville.
The duo will be performing from their new album, Dear Companion, produced by another Kentucky native, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk. With the new release, …
The Chevy Camaro depicted in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” will be on display. (Photo courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures)
Cool cars and hot stars will pack in the crowds at the Kentucky Exposition Center Feb. 19-21.
The annual Carl Casper’s Custom and the Louisville New Car Show features muscle cars, green machines, street rods and the largest new car selection from all auto manufacturers. As part of this year’s show, the Chevy Camaro depicted as Bumblebee in the hit movie “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” will be on display.
Best known for the Kentucky Derby, Louisville lies along the Ohio River in north-central Kentucky. The city is rich in history and scenic beauty, and offers some of the nation’s most interesting architecture and museums, as well as an array of visual and performing arts venues.
Louisville is a mecca for all seasons. In the spring, there are plenty of fun things to do. From Waterfront Park, you can witness the largest annual fireworks …
Voted best nightclub in Louisville 18 times, Phoenix Hill Tavern offers a variety of entertainment options in a sprawling old building located on the eastern edge of downtown at 644 Baxter Avenue.
With three stages, there’s always plenty of great live music playing at PHT. The bar is noted for its live music showcase, which includes local as well as national acts. Check the calendar for upcoming concerts.
Louisville's first annual Mardi Gras Festival will take place at Fourth Street Live on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Dan Dry / Courtesy of Greater Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Get ready for a New Orleans-style party. Fourth Street Live is bringing Bourbon Street escapades to downtown Louisville for the city’s first annual Mardi Gras Festival on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Fourth Street Live promises the event will be the city’s biggest Mardi Gras party, featuring the traditional beads, jambalaya and King cake. The entertainment and retail complex is located on Fourth Street in the heart of downtown Louisville, between Liberty Street and Muhammad Ali …
Neither roses nor chocolates nor heartfelt poems can match a Valentine’s gift created from your very breath.
And for a limited time, Glassworks in Louisville, Ky., is offering lovers ages 7 and up the chance to do just that. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or simply hopeless over finding the right gift, you’ll come away from the downtown glassblowing studio with a memorable experience and a kiss-shaped keepsake.
BW3's is a big crowd-pleaser on Super Bowl day, offering plenty of big screen TVs and Louisville's best wings.
If you’re in Louisville on Super Bowl day, you’ll want to head over to Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar in the Highlands to watch the big game.
Whether it’s the team rivalry, the star-studded halftime shows or the cool commercials that liven up your game, BW3’s at 1055 Bardstown Road is the city’s hot spot for Super Bowl junkies.
What makes BW3’s so special? Yummy wings, great beer and plenty of big screen …
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Bobbi Buchanan has lived in and around the Louisville area for almost 40 years. She… more
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