Here is a fun outing to do with a friend or two or out-of-town guests. This combines a celebration of baseball and a choice of three ‘bases’ to enjoy a satisfying lunch.
Outing:
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
800 W. Main St.
877.775.8443
sluggermuseum.com
Check the website for the most current exhibit
A great outing with friends and out of town guests is to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory at 8th and Main. You can’t miss the huge, 120-foot baseball bat out front marking the entrance to this bit of fascinating local history.
Take the factory tour and see bats emerge from planks of northern white ash or maple. Touch the The Great Wall, which features the signatures of famous Louisville Slugger swingers such as Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, or Sparky Anderson. Batter Up and take a swing in the indoor batting cage. Perhaps best of all is a chance to hold a bat used by the greatest hitters (I swooned when I picked up a bat swung by Mickey Mantle). Finish your visit with a browse through the museum store. If you need another baseball cap or T-shirt featuring your favorite team’s logo, this is the place to find it. Play Ball!
Great Lunch Choices:
First Base
Proof on Main
702 W. Main St.
502.217.6360
Second Base
Mussel & Burger Bar
117 S. 7th St.
502.749.6451
Third Base
Bristol Bar & Grille
614 W. Main St.
502.582.1995
For a meal a little bit classier than your basic baseball stadium fare, try the art-filled Proof on Main in the 21c Museum Hotel. To accompany your lunch, quench your thirst with a summery Lavender Lemonade or Proof Ginger Ale, both made with house syrups. For a tasty burger, what better place than Mussel & Burger, where you can choose appropriately named ‘sliders’ to round out your baseball experience? The Bristol Bar & Grille is a long-time Louisville institution. Here, in honor of baseball great Ty Cobb, try the Bristol’s Cobb salad.
You won’t strike out at any of these restaurants. All are a short walk from the famous Big Bat.
By Lucy M. Pritchett
P.S. Also enjoy a fun outing in Butchertown.
Leave a Reply