Speaking of Bardstown Road ......... Bardstown is only about 45 to 50 minutes away from Louisville and has a few nice attractions of its own.
1. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train (
http://www.kydinnertrain.com/ ): take a 2.5 hour train ride in a passenger/dining car while eating good food.
2. The Rickhouse Restaurant and Lounge (
http://www.therickhouse-bardstown.com/ ): excellent steaks, excellent drinks and excellent atmosphere (dark wood, exposed brick, exposed beams, old wine barrels, etc.). It's located in the basement of a very old and historic building that began as a religious school in the 1800's, was used as a hospital during the Civil War then later became an orphanage. Make a reservation to be sure you get a table. The service isn't speedy like a fast food joint; instead the pace is southern, leisurely and very amenable to good conversation with friends. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant.
3. Old Talbott Tavern (
http://www.talbotts.com/html/history.html ) Very old tavern with lots of interesting history. I've never eaten here but my dad is relatively local (lives in Frankfort) and says it's worth the drive down from his home. In addition to the food you can expect good bourbon; you're in an ancient tavern and you're in bourbon country.
