From its beginnings as a fort in 1778 through the time it was named for Louis XVI of, Louisville developed as a portage place around the Falls of the Ohio River and as a river port and major commercial center. Currently Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and is known for the famous Kentucky Derby. When you come to town, splurge and stay at The Seelbach. It dates from 1905. It's decorations include period antiques to give patrons a sense of its history. The Camberley Brown Hotel, almost equally old, dates from 1923. Both of these hotels have top-flight contemporary amenities, but carry on a fine old tradition of comfort not found in newer hotels.

Eat at Vincenzo's, which is Italian for "eat at Joe's." Seriously, though, it's a downtown restaurant that succeeds on the four-star restaurant level. New restaurants pop up regularly along Bardstown Road in the Highlands and Frankfort Avenue in Crescent Hill. Hotel concierges may help you make a good choice for an evening. Of course, many of the usual chains are here, too. Plus, Fourth Street Live has many restaurants that serve a crowd that likes music.

Since 1875, Churchill Downs has been the location for The Kentucky Derby, "the greatest two minutes of sports." (Yep, and all day of horsin' around.) The well-attended Derby is preceded by a two-week long festival, kicking off with Thunder Over Louisville, the largest annual fireworks display in the nation.

Go see a six-story bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum and much more. You'll see your own mini-bat made and a movie on baseball history as well as the museum history.