WANTED: ideas for 1 night out W/ 2 KIDS

We will be spending three nights in Louisville next Spring.

The tentative itinerary has us spending 1 day in Cincinnati, 1 day in Lexington (Kentucky Horse Park), and 1 day at Churchill Downs.

My wife, and I, are looking for ideas that will get us out of our hotel room after dark. Kids are ages 3 %26amp; 7. We are looking for ideas on any of the following: themed restaurants, dinner shows, evening walks, or any other unique ';Louisville'; kid-friendly experiences.

Thanks in advance for all your help. We can%26#39;t wait to visit your city.

WANTED: ideas for 1 night out W/ 2 KIDS

Greetings! I do hope that you are visiting those places before coming to Louisville and not taking day trips, right? This is very confusing. A day trip to Lexington would be fine, but a day in Cinci/Newport....you should spend the night there! The kids will like the Newport Levee and the Aquarium.

What time in Spring? The week before Derby is chock full of festival events (and higher prices) Where will you stay in Louisville? Three year olds have limited attention span, but we do have trolleys running around downtown, plus a nice river front. I hope you aren%26#39;t planning on taking kids to the Downs . Themed restaurants downtown for kids.....The Old Spaghetti Factory and Joe%26#39;s Crab Shack are very popular.

WANTED: ideas for 1 night out W/ 2 KIDS

I%26#39;d be more than happy to try and clarify my original post.

We will be in Louisville Father%26#39;s Day weekend (mid June).

We have booked our room at the Hilton Garden Inn - Airport.

We will be spending a day in Cincinnati (en route) to Louisville.

We were planning to spend Father%26#39;s Day (Sunday) at Churchill Downs WITH the kids. Never been to Churchill Downs, however we%26#39;ve been to horse tracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin and found both to be extremely family friendly. Is Churchill Downs not family friendly? No playgrounds? No kids around the paddock? No kids watching the finish line? Please let me know if the crowds and staff at Churchill Downs frown upon children, so we can reroute our trip.

The trip into Lexington would be a day trip, yes, we are willing to drive an hour, or two, each way.

I can%26#39;t seem to find any ';family friendly'; attractions that are open past 5 o%26#39;clock or so. I%26#39;m worried we may be stranded in our hotel room the three evenings that we are in Louisville.

Louisville Waterfront park downtown is a good place for familys. There are playgrounds, walking trails, fountains, sprinklers, and more. (there is a website w/more info and a map). You can rent bikes or take a carrage ride. Six Flags Ky Kingdom is a family amusement park that is fun. You could eat at King Fish on River Road ( playground and putt-putt), sit outside on a picnic table by the river. You could ride the trolly around downtown. The kids will like that. The Belle of Louisville may have some evening cruises also. Just a few suggestions. Hope this helps.

Thanks for clarifying! I didn%26#39;t mean the Downs was not family friendly, sorry. There is a wonderful Derby museum and a Derby Cafe for lunch. The paddock area is open to everyone so the kids can see the horses and jockeys. Beyond that, the races are spaced about 20 minutes apart so there%26#39;s not a lot to see and do. No playgrounds or such. Still, you could pack in a good few hours and make it fun for all

The Hilton Garden Inn is a nice enough hotel, but it%26#39;s not near anything but the airport. I wish you would reconsider and book downtown at the Marriott or Galt House. The Galt House has river view rooms and the trolley will pick you up at the door.Kingfish has pretty grounds and river view, basic fried fish so-so food. Tumbleweed on the river, much the same. Close to the enormous playground. Further down River Road are several parks and Captain%26#39;s Quarter%26#39;s restaurant with lots of outdoor seating, live music and lots of river scene for families. By the wharf is Joe%26#39;s Crab Shack- kids love it there. Waiters do crazy dances, loads of fun. The Belle%26#39; of Louisville Steamboat%26#39;s Friday night cruises are public, but they are geared to an older crowd. (music and dancing and drinks) However, it does daily lunch cruises on Saturday at 11:30 and Sunday at 1. I should be playing the loud calliope that Sunday, so if you board early I%26#39;ll treat you to a special song ;-). There are also family friendly places across the river on the Indiana bank. If you%26#39;re willing to drive a little, my young kids used to love Gattiland with the pizza/pasta buffet and loads of games. A popular place to eat downtown is the Spaghetti Factory. The pasta tastes like Ragu, but the place is cool. For authentic Italian at a good price and very family friendly, you can%26#39;t beat Melillo%26#39;s on Market Street. They have a bocce ball court and a nice fountain area which the kids love.

With your busy days, I%26#39;ll bet that 3 year old will be ready to turn in early! Have a wonderful trip and good luck with the weather.

If the Bats are in town, how about taking in a game at Slugger Field? The seats are cheap and it%26#39;s a beautiful intimate stadium. You can even bring blankets and sit in the grass on a hill overlooking centerfield. There%26#39;s a playground and a merry-go-round. Even if you don%26#39;t make it too long, it%26#39;s not that expensive.

I think a whole day at Churchill would send your family over the edge. I%26#39;d plan on a half day, preferrably the early part and then do something else later in the afternoon/evening. Don%26#39;t get me wrong, I love Churchill Downs, but even I get bored there sometimes.

My kids like the Old Spaghetti Factory, but another idea would be to eat at Rocky%26#39;s Italian Grill in Jeffersonville, IN, right across the river, and then come back over to play on the playgrounds at the Great Lawn. Tumbleweed is on our side of the river right next to one of the playgrounds, but it is usually HUGELY crowded in the evenings.

I also second a ride on the Belle if you can.