OT:Going to visit Kentucky

[RJ Schuff]

Hi everyone,

SHMBO, 3 teenagers and myself are heading for KY in a few weeks for some R&R. We have never been to these parts before and am planning to be around Louisville and Lexington. Anyone have any suggestions regarding sites to see or off the beaten path things not to be missed?
Thanks.
RJ

[Matt Meiser]

The Pleasant Hill shaker village in Harrodsburg, KY is very close to Lexington. http://www.shakervillageky.org/

If you are camping, the Kentucy Horse Park state park in Lexington is very nice.

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by RJ Schuff
Hi everyone,

We have never been to these parts before and am planning to be around Louisville and Lexington. Anyone have any suggestions regarding sites to see or off the beaten path things not to be missed?
Thanks.
RJ

R.J.
Yes - I have several places to visit that should be of an interest to you and your family. (I lived in Lexington 3 different times)

1. Shaker Village in Harrodsburg (just South of Lexinton) where you can see a lot of Shaker furniture, buildings, way of life exibits, etc. and an excellent resturant (call for reservations ahead)

2. Berea Kentucky South on I75 from Lexinton has a wealth of shops displaying all types of wooden furniture and other wood crafts. Most of which are produced by students at Berea College. There is a [u]super]/u] resturant in the heart of Berea (I believe it is in the Berea
Hotel -- don't remember the name - just ask anyone.)

3. Of course if you have the time there are lots of thoroughbred horse farms in and around Lexinton (horse racing capital of US).

4. Visit Manny's Woodworking Store on S. Broadway in Lexington. You may discover some bargains there.

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

The Corvette museum in Bowling Green is supposed to be worth the trip, tho I've never been. The Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger) plant used to have tours when it was across the river in Indiana...I suspect they still do now that it's back in Louisville where it belongs.

The Belle of Lousiville used to be a pleasant boat ride, but it may be a casino now.

If you're into watching the ponies run, there's a couple places in Lousiville, and I'd suspect Lexington, too.

Lots of beautiful country to just look at up and down the highway, particularly between Louisville and Lexington.

KC

[Jim Young]

RJ, The suggestions so far are great. As a woodworker I would pick pleasant hills as my first choice and the Louisville Slugger plant second. The Louisville Slugger plant is easy to find, just drive to downtown Louisville and look for the 150' (yes, feet) bat. They even give you a miniature bat as a souveneer (sp?).

Ex Louisvillian

[Jason Roehl]

I don't remember much else from the area other than Churchill Downs or Louisville Downs, and the Shaker village. I just wish I had been old enough at the time to truly appreciate the Shaker village, but I was around 11 or 12 at the time, so I just thought it was my folks dragging me around on some more boring sightseeing. I'll probably do the same to my kids someday...

[Dan Bundy]

All good suggestions.

If you're a history buff, I would suggest my place of employment -- The Kentucky History Center in downtown Frankfort (about halfway between Lou & Lex). Not a great deal of woodworking, though there are a few niece pieces. My favorite is a single poplar board the size and thickness of a door. Our campus also includes the Old State Capitol and a Military History Museum. Be aware that our museums are closed on Mondays.

Oh yeah, if you're coming after June 7, this might be of interest. We are opening a new temporary exhibit on musical instrument makers. It's a Smithsonian traveling exhibit and looks like it will be pretty cool. Mostly photos, but we will be putting in a few pieces from our collections.

All of our exhibits are FREE.

Louisville and Lexington both have minor league baseball teams and indoor football teams.

Hope you enjoy your visit to the Bluegrass. DB

[RJ Schuff]

A 1000 thanks
RJ

[Tom Stover]

When you come to Kentucky one thing too see is the aquarium in Newport Ky. It's near Cincinnati. If you're into country music theres the country music highway(US23). Butcher Hollow, Loretta Lynns birthplace.Western Ky. has some of the best B-B-Q anywhere. I hope you enjoy your trip. Ky. has 120 counties and my wife and I have taken pictures of all the county courthouses. Tom

[Mark Hulette]

Originally posted by Ken Salisbury
Berea Kentucky South on I75 from Lexinton has a wealth of shops displaying all types of wooden furniture and other wood crafts. Most of which are produced by students at Berea College. There is a [u]super]/u] resturant in the heart of Berea (I believe it is in the Berea
Hotel -- don't remember the name - just ask anyone.)

RJ- Ken has steered you right as far as WWing in KY goes. Berea is a hotbed- Kelly Mehler & Brian Boggs just to name a couple. Ken mentioned a restaurant in Berea- that would be Boone Tavern. Make sure you get the "Spoon Bread"! Awesome.

As far as other eating places with a KY favor that hasn't been mentioned yet- On U.S. 60 between Frankfort and Louisville just outside Shelbyville is Claudia Sander's Dinnerhouse. Yep, same Sanders as in Col. Sanders and Ky Fried Chicken but don't be mistaken, it's not fast food. Relaxed atmosphere with wonderful southern-style food served family style (brought to the table where each item is passed in bowls and you can take as much or as little as you like). Plus it's a pretty wide menu choice that's not limited to chicken; the country ham is excellent. Highly recommended.

Right now the Ky Horse Park (just outside of Lexington off of I-75) has an exhibit named "All the King's Horses" concerning the royal equestrian history of England.

If you have any questions, let me know and I'll try to find the answers for you.