Family Friendly Cincinnati

Cincinnati's Top Parenting Blog

Explore Louisville and Enter to Win a Weekend Stay

By


Contest closed. Congrats to FFC reader Kellie.


Back in March we decided to head down to Louisville for a quick over night getaway. At just a little over an hour and a half drive, it was the perfect distance and place for us to head for a quick family trip. Now there is a TON to do in Louisville for families, but we only had 24 hours to spend, and that meant we were only able to squeeze in a few activities.

For our visit, we hit up the following places:  Havana Rumba, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Wick’s Pizza & the Louisville Science Center.

First up on our visit, a stop at Havana Rumba for lunch. If you like Cuban food, this is THE place to go. In a nutshell, if we could eat at Havana Rumba every week, we would. We actually stopped here before we even went to our hotel to check in. It’s that good. (My husband has had it before, which is how we knew about it).

After lunch we headed to our hotel and got ready to head to the Louisville Science Center. We traveled there by trolley, a service that is FREE in the downtown business district (score one for Louisville). There was so much to do at the Louisville Science Center. You can tell they really work hard to make science fun. There were interactive games on nutrition, and trivia and activities centered on making good decisions, as well as a really neat guitar exhibition demonstrating the science behind the music. The “air” guitar was a big hit with the boys.

After an exhausting 3+ hours at the Louisville Science Center, we headed back to the hotel for a little swim in the pool before heading out to enjoy some pizza from one of the city’s most noted pizza places – Wick’s Pizza. Here the boys are trying to take on the BIG WICK. We also LOVED the Stuffed Breadwick appetizer (loved is actually an understatement. I have had dreams about it… no lie).

The next morning after breakfast (at our hotel) we headed to the Louisville Slugger Museum. The Museum is FILLED with lots of great interactive exhibits for kids. We could have spent hours here. The boys lived out their baseball dreams posing with bats used by some of the top players in the biz. They of course picked the bat of a Cincinnati Reds player. In addition to the museum they had a theatre where you could watch a movie on the history of Slugger and baseball as well as a batting cage and a play area for the younger ones.

I have to say, I found the whole experience to be very nostalgic, yet still fun and interesting. Probably our favorite part of the entire experience was the tour of the Louisville Slugger Factory.  They take you behind the scenes and walk you through as they are making the bats. And not just bats for you and me. Bats that have been special ordered by Major and Minor League players. While we were there they were working on bats for Joey Votto!  If the tour wasn’t enough, at the end they give all of the tour attendees a miniature Slugger bat to take home!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

While we only had 24-hours to spend in Louisville, I must say that we had a BLAST! What a great city for families.  If you get a chance to get away, I highly encourage you to consider a visit to this great city.  Oh, if you do go, and you need help figuring out what to do (in addition to the places we shared), check out the site Louisville Family Fun written by our friend, Stephanie.

Want to connect with these great Louisville businesses on Twitter & Facebook to learn more?

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Now for the fun part. The folks at Crowne Plaza Louisville and at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory want to help bring you down for a visit.  Say what???  That’s right. The Crowne Plaza Louisville has given us a WEEKEND STAY at their hotel, good for the weekend of June 29 – July 1 and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory has given us a family 4-pack of passes to the Museum!

About The Crowne Plaza Louisville:

We’re located, just minutes from the Louisville International Airport (SDF) and major attractions like Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby Museum, the Louisville Zoo, and the Kentucky Exposition Center. Take advantage of complimentary shuttle service, we provide all guests with free rides to the airport and any destinations located within a three-mile radius of the hotel. Experience the difference a little extra space can make in our stylish guest rooms or magnificent suites. Featuring amenities like free high-speed wired and wireless Internet, well-lit, generously-sized work desks, flat-screen televisions, and in-room movies, they’re the perfect place to work or relax. Get a good night’s sleep, get to Louisville’s favorites hot spots, and get some assistance from your meetings director to make that on site business or social event a success – all at Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel.

About The Louisville Slugger Museum:

It takes a special place to craft the Official Bat of Major League Baseball. Since 1884, Louisville Slugger has put prime lumber in the hands of the greatest players of the game. A visit to the museum shows you how the sport has changed a bit between then and now, but the “crack of the bat” remains one of the sporting world’s most thrilling moments.

Win | Win | Win

Entering is easy.  Just leave a separate comment for each one you do (or already do). Only number 1 is required. The others are all bonus entries.

1) Tell us your favorite Louisville place or activity, or which of the activities/places mentioned above you think you’d like to check out.

2) Check out The Crowne Plaza on Facebook

3) Check out Louisville Slugger on Facebook

4) Subscribe to FFC’s eNewsletter

5) Come join the fun over on the FFC Facebook page

5) On Twitter? Tweet about this giveaway (or RT our Tweet about it) including @FamFriendlyCin & @Crowneplazalou $ @sluggernation

That’s it, it’s that easy.

Giveaway will close Monday, June 11 at 3pm. Winner will have 24 hours to respond. If you enter, please make sure you are able to use the weekend stay the weekend of June 29 – July 1. It CANNOT be used any other dates. Winner will be contacted via email and also be posted to the FFC Facebook page.

Good luck!

Disclosure: Representatives with the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Louisville Science Center were kind enough to provide complimentary passes to visit their venues.  The Crowne Plaza has donated the weekend stay.  Shannan lived in Louisville as a young girl and has always loved this city.


Comments

  1. Chris Klefeker says

    I really really want to take my kids to the science center! We would love to stay at the Crowne Plaza, a dream come true! What a lovely city. Here’s to hoping! 🙂

  5. Gina Patt says

    I’ve never been to the Louisville Slugger or the Louisville Science Center. We’d love to go.

  16. Theresa says

    I subscribed to FFC’s eNewsletter. I enjoy hearing about things to do in Cincinnati.

    Thank you!

  23. Claire Jones says

    My favorite Louisville activity is the zoo! My daughter is 2 and loves the animals!

  43. Angie says

    checked out the Louisville Science Center on facebook, looks like a blast my kids would love it!

  46. Robin says

    Each of the places/activities sounds like a wonderful opportunity for our family to make lifetime memories!

  73. Marianne says

    We’d love to visit the science museum in Louisville. I’m sure the kids would like the Slugger Museum too.

  81. kelly says

    We love Holiday World (Louisville near?) but would love to check it all out, especially the Louisville Slugger Museum, I’ve heard so many good things about it over the years.

  85. Theresa Moeggenberg says

    I love shopping atthe Highlands, the Mall of St. Matthew and the Oxmoor Mall! Really want to go to the Louisville Slugger museum!!!

  97. Stefanie says

    We would love to check out all of the places but the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Louisville Science Center would be a MUST!! 🙂

  100. Lisa says

    Louisville is a great city!! It’s been years since I’ve been to the Slugger museum, but I loved it, and can’t wait to take my son:)

  122. Karen says

    Would love to visit the Louisville Science Center along with the Louisville Slugger Museum! Wick’s Pizza looks awfully good too!
    Already joined FFC.

  123. Clay says

    I love to hang out down at 4th Street Live! Plus, check out shows at the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

  140. Denise Truesdale says

    The Science Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum sound awesome but a ditto of your day sounds soooo fun!

  143. Joleen says

    I would love to go to the Louisville Science Center with my boys , ages 3,6 and 9. We have never been down to visit.

  144. Brenda H says

    Would love to check out the Louisville Slugger Museum – my family would love that!

  149. Christina says

    I love visiting Louisville, and the Louisville Science Center is definitely one of my favorite place to visit with my 4 year old son. He already tells me that he wants to be a scientist when he grows up, and he loves museums, espcially interactive ones like the Science Center!

  150. Jenny says

    Have been meaning to go to the Louisville Slugger Museum for years. This is the summer!

  153. Becca says

    We loved our visit to Louisville! Our two favorite places were the Louisville Glassworks and the Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen! 😉

  164. Gina Holt says

    I love the Louisville Slugger Museum and really want to check out the Science Center.

  178. Aimee says

    We checked out the Louisville Slugger Museum a few years ago, but our youngest doesn’t remember it! Would love to show it to him again!! He loves, loves baseball and the Reds!!

  179. Aimee says

    We checked out the Louisville Slugger Museum a few years ago, but our youngest doesn’t remember it! Would love to show it to him again!! He loves, loves baseball and the Reds!!

  182. Carolyn M says

    I love to go down to the waterfront in Louisville. We have never been to any of the places mentioned in this post but it would be awesome! My sister lives in Louisville and I haven’t seen her in months. If we win this, it would serve 2 purposes at once!

  190. Amanda says

    You must check out the Louisville Mega Cavern when you visit Louisville. I went there for the first time over the Christmas holiday to their 2 mile underground tour of Christmas Lights display. It was awesome. You stay in your car and drive through the caverns. They also have ZIP LINES and other tours. And its nice in the hot summer because it is always a cool 58 degrees!

  195. Ann Frey says

    I have a baseball fanatic husband and his little mini-me son who would live to see the factory’

  201. jim gerace says

    Love, Love, Love the Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum!
    (also like the Galt House Bourbon Bar…hehehe)

  207. Jennifer says

    We’ve been to the Louisville Science Center (actually spent the night there with my GS troop), but we didn’t have time to visit the Slugger museum so would love to go back for a weekend with my boys!

  213. Alice Stuart says

    “Liked” Louisville Slugger Museum. Have been before–it is a great place to go.

  214. Kimberly says

    We were just in Louisville last weekend for a baseball tournament and unfortunately did not have time to visit any of the attractions! We really want to check out the Louisville slugger museum 🙂

  215. Melissa M says

    Would love to take my baseball fanatic kids to the Louisville Slugger Museum! Thanks for a chance.

  221. Tika says

    Checked out the Slugger Museum on FB! Congrats to them for making the list of top 10 factory tours!

  230. Tika says

    I didnt realize how close it was to Louisville and how much fun there is to be had. I would love to make all the same stops you did and some others I found on the Family Fun site you listed 🙂 Road trip, I think yes!! Free things to do on said road trip and free place to stay, even better!

  234. Laura Perez says

    I woul LOVE to take my avid baseball fan son to see the museum!!
    And to go eat more Kentucky hot browns!!!

  235. Laura says

    I am not originally from Kentucky, but have lived here for a few years now. I would love to expand out of NKY and explore Louisville! I would love the Science Center!

  238. Nenette Seaux says

    These are all so good, I would be pleased at any of them, have a great day!

  241. Christina Z says

    I liked Louisville Slugger on Facebook have always heard everyone great reviews of it would love to visit.

  244. Kim says

    I am already a subscriber of the FCC FB page which is how I found out about this contest!!

    Thanks!

  246. Kim says

    YUM! Is all I can say about Wick’s pizza. I checked out their FB page. I love pizza and this looks delicious!!!!

  247. Kim S. says

    I checked out the Louisville Slugger page on FB. We just took our girls to their first Reds game a few weeks ago so I had to show them this page!

  248. Jennifer Johnson says

    Have liked the Louisville Slugger Museum on FB and would love to take my son. That’s some BAT!!

  249. Jennifer Johnson says

    The Crowne Plaza looks like an amazing place. Would love to stay there and have liked the FB page.

  250. Jennifer Johnson says

    I have Subscribed to FFC’s eNewsletter. So glad to have found you.

  251. Jennifer Johnson says

    Wow…that Wick’s pizza looks yummy. I have liked all on FB and twitted. Looks like a fun trip.

  252. Pamela Gillman says

    My sons favorite places are the Science Museum and Mega Cavern. Everyone who visits Louisville should check out Mega Cavern. It is a lot of fun and educational!

  254. Poorva trivedi says

    Checked out the Crowne plaza on fb. Looks soo nice……. Would love to stay there

  255. Poorva trivedi says

    We would love to take our girls to the slugger museum & the science center.

  271. Christina Lawhorn Boston says

    I love the Louisville Zoo. I have never been to the Slugger Museum and would like to visit it soon.

  272. Audrey D says

    The Louisville Slugger museum is a very unique, fun place to go. I have been there but have never been able to take my kids. Also, would live to try Wick’s Pizza!

  274. Kelley says

    I’m already subscribed to the newsletter (and I’ll double check bc I’m not sure I’m still receiving the emails *sad face*)

    • Kelley says

      I just noticed that my email was missing a letter. If I win by some awesome random chance….can you send to the email on this comment? I’m so sorry!

  283. Kelley says

    I tweeted 🙂 (twice b/c I didn’t get the link in the first time”..but I figured the exposure couldn’t hurt!)

  285. Christa Robinson says

    I LOVE going to check out a Bats baseball game or being on the Belle of Louisville.

    I have checked out the Crowne Plaza and Louisville Slugger on Fb. 🙂

  287. Kelley says

    My kids would love the science center and my husband would go gaga over the hotel. He needs a vacation from work in the worst way!!!

  290. Patty Cottengim says

    We would love to go to the Louisville Slugger Museum and catch a Louisville Bats game.

  291. Cheryl Poole says

    I would LOVE to take my boys to Louisville to the Slugger Museum. The trolley around town would be icing on the cake. Would love to explore the city. Something my family has wanted to do for quite awhile.

  296. Karen Vanover says

    I am a fan of the crown plaza fb site and the Louisville slugger museum site would LOVE to surprise Dad with this trip!!! Would love to check out everything Louisville has to offer!!!

  301. Angela Weaver says

    4. I signed up for the FFC’s eNewsletter- and am excited to know there is a comparable resource to LFF there to help us plan our getaways.

  305. Angela Weaver says

    3. I liked the Slugger Museum on facebook- and was surprised I had not already!

  312. Karen Vanover says

    My Father has wanted to visit this museum for years and just spent 5 1/2 weeks in the hospital with his heart. He is on the mend and this would be a perfect little get away for us!!

  315. Billie Fetz says

    I have lived here all my life and I would love to finally visit The Slugger Museum. It looks awesome.

  328. Katy says

    Everything you did sounds great but that pizza looks fantastic, I’d go there and the slugger museum would be cool too!

  335. Amanda Clarke says

    I checked out Louisville Slugger—makes me want to go! Love that big bat!

  337. Amanda Clarke says

    #1- I would LOVE to check out the Louisville Slugger Museum. I grew up in Louisville, but I haven’t been to the museum since I was a child.

  348. Alex Hoog says

    Check out the Thunder Over Louisville, an awesome air show that kicks off Derby festivities, around the second Saturday in April. Our favorite activity was tracking down as many Gallapalooza horses as we could around the city. There is one in front of the Galt House, one on 3rd St., one in Jeffersonville, IN, just across the river from Louisville, and a couple on Fourth St. There is a beautiful one very close to the Slugger Museum. They are all individual and really cool to see!

  350. Cindy says

    Love the Old Spaghetti Factory and going for Thunder over Louisville. Would love to take the kids to the Slugger Museum!

  355. Betsy Waters says

    Thanks for the FB link for the Crowne. I’m staying there later this month for a conference!!

  357. Amanda says

    Hi! I’m so glad I stumbled onto this via a friend’s “like” on FB! We are going to Louisville for a little getaway next weekend – I actually have to go to a few meetings, but my husband and 1-year old are going to join me for swimming at the pool, lunches out, maybe the zoo… and I was debating if I thought my little one would get anything out of any of the museums…?? What do you think? Is there anything at the science museum for a 1-year old? Are there other good places for little ones?
    Thanks 🙂

  358. Betsy Waters says

    I’d love to take my boys to the Lville Slugger Museum. They just finished their season of Wee Ball/Tee Ball and I think they’d love it!

  360. Kim s says

    We moved here from Michigan and haven’t been to Louisville yet. I woul love to go to the Louisville slugger museum!!!!

  364. Michelle says

    My husband and I have gone to louisville before, but we have never taken our kids. We love the slugger museum and I think they would love to go!

  365. Michelle says

    I love the Family friendly Cincinnati facebook page! I look at it pretty much everyday.

  369. Winona says

    We go to Louisville every Memorial Day weekend for Abbey Road on the River – an amazing, all-ages, family-friendly music festival celebrating the music of the Beatles and more! We also enjoy the Science Center (for free as Cincy Museum Center members) and the friendly staff at the Hard Rock Cafe.

  373. sharon says

    I have never been to Louisville so I don’t have a fave place yet, but would love to take my son to the slugger museum.

Editor’s Picks: