OT: Overnight Trips & Dining

Hi all, back again with another question for my fellow Louisville foodies. My wife is pregnant and has cabin fever, which means that my continued health may rely on getting her out of town for a night of child-free entertainment. Our original plan was to go to Belterra next weekend, but apparently some band is playing and everything is booked.

So... what are some other fun overnight trips we could take from Louisville? She's really set on leaving town (I tried to sell 21c, but no luck), but doesn't want to wander too far (ie, French Lick is a shade too far). Admittedly this is a very narrow request, but refer back to wife being 8 months pregnant.

Also, for whatever overnight trip you might have in mind, where is a good place to dine in said area? What can we do for entertainment? I'm terrible at planning trips and appreciate any advice folks can offer.

The wife and I had a nice overnight trip to Cincy a few weeks ago.

Priceline - The Westin for $80

Ate at Nada (Walking distance from Westin 1/2 mile)
http://www.eatdrinknada.com/main.html

Contemporary Arts Center (Walking distance from Westin 1/2 mile)
www.contemporaryartscenter.org/

Cyclones hockey game (Short drive or cab - 1 mile)
www.cycloneshockey.com

Jungle Jims
www.junglejims.com

I agree. Cincinnati is a nice place to go; or even Newport,KY just outside the city. Go to the aquarium. There is Newport on the Levee. http://www.newportonthelevee.com/ and a few other places to visit.


"The following hotels are close to Newport on the Levee. These hotels feature exciting and popular Newport on the Levee added-value packages that include special values from Levee restaurants, stores and entertainment venues.

Hotels listed below with an asterisk ( * ) are accessible via the Southbank Shuttle between their location and Newport on the Levee. Check with the concierge service at these hotels for shuttle hours of operation and pick-up/drop-off points."

http://www.newportonthelevee.com/visitors/hotels.aspx

Bloomington isn't that far, and a nice drive through the country if you take back roads. Lots of good food there, and some nice B&B's....

I agree with Justin and Kyle on Cincy. Our family loves going there, it is actually our go-to every summer. We stay in Florence, KY at the Hyatt, nice rooms for our rather large family.

Chris keep in mind just a little bit longer for her. Pregnancy takes a toll on EVERY aspect of a woman's body AND life. Also, Cincy is not a long trip so she will not be too uncomfortable, i made the trip while pregnant a few times.

Have you heard of the Creation Museum? It is really cool and has some beautiful gardens.

Many nice bed and breakfast operations between here and Lexington in "horse country."

Cincy...with a side trip to Jungle Jim's

Story Inn just outside of Nasville IN is cool.
http://www.storyinn.com/
When I went the food was ok. Not great for the price but pretty good.

If French Lick is a tad too far (1 hr. 9 min. - 57.4 miles), then Newport (1 hr. 40 min. - 99.6 miles) and Cincinnati ( 1 hr. 43 min. - 105 miles) are way too far. Lexington is too far also ( I hr. 29 min. - 87.2 miles).

Nashville is 2 hr. 53 min. away; Bloomington is 2 hr.2 min. away.

Madison, IN is 1 hr. 7 min. - 57.7 miles away. Milton, KY is 1 hr. 1 min. - 55.9 miles away. I especially like Richwood Plantation, a bed and breakfast just outside Milton and, for dinner, Bistro One in Madison. However, there are plenty more B&B's in both Milton and Madison and plenty more restaurants in Madison.

We've done that every two months for 25 years now! Among our favorite places:

Jasper Indiana - farther than French Lick, but on highways so takes less time to get there - eat at Schnitzelbank, drive thru Amish country, lunch at one of Amish buffets

New Harmony IN - two different utopian societies - New Harmony Inn is very nice, and has "deals" with their restaurant (3-4 star place) - 2 hour drive - lots of history - nice walks, great sights, some galleries

Nashville IN - 75 minute drive (?) - lots of B&B's, most with hot tubs - decent (not wonderful) food - lots of art galleries & craft places - little Opry burned down, so not much happening at night (tho is a theater during Spring & Summer)

Lexington - hotels at all price ranges, and restaurants from super-deluxe to very inexpensive - similarly, head to Midway for the Inn or other (with decent restaurants)

Madison Indiana (about an hour) has a lot of history, some good sightseeing, decent restaurants.

Any of the KY state parks are nice; most have decent restaurants (NOT gourmet), and within 15 miles or so from each are exceptional local places

Bowling Green (admittedly farther away) has history (Jeff Davis birthplace), caves, Corvette museum, falls down on restaurants

If you dec ide to try farther, Nashville TN always good . . . similarly for Chattanooga TN (stay in Choo Choo hotel, see aquarium of the South, decent food)

http://www.groupon.com/louisville/

Today's Deal: $60 for a One-Night Stay and Breakfast at Market Street Inn Bed & Breakfast (Up to $209 Value)

Market Street Inn Bed & Breakfast
www.innonmarket.com

330 W Market St.
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130

• Bardstown (bed & breakfast inns, restaurants & things to do)
• Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Forgot about Pleasant Hill/Shaker Village - good suggestion! Only problem: climbing into those high beds may not be easy, depending how pregnant she is!

I was also going to suggest Bardstown. I grew up in Nelson County. There are quite a few B&Bs in all sorts of styles:

http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&h ... CB8QtQMwAA

I wouldn't say there's any world class dining in town, but there are plenty of restaurants.

From keeping track of what's going on back there, Kreso's seems to be one of the best in the area: http://kresosweb.com/ (I haven't been there in years though). Schnitzel has a prominent place on the menu for German foodies.

There's also lots of nice little shops downtown (which unfortunately close early, say 5 or 6 pmish--there's a big debate going on out there now about these early closing times), and it's picturesque if nothing else.

And close to the bourbon distilleries!