Weekend in Louisville, Ky.

Stay

Comfort Inn Louisville, which opened in late 2008, is near the Louisville Zoo and Churchill Downs. The hotel offers a complimentary continental breakfast, wireless high-speed Internet access, an indoor heated pool, a hot tub and sauna. Rates start at $89.99 per night; www.comfortinn.com/hotel-louisville-kentucky-KY148; 4444 Dixie Highway, 502-447-2096.

Eat

Wagner's Pharmacy at Churchill Downs has been a unique Louisville tradition since 1922, when it was the meeting place for horsemen and racing writers. Today it's a tourist must-see for the historic building with a pharmacy, a package store (for beer to soda to racing forms) and the turf goods section, where you can buy jockey silks and accessories for your horse. Open for breakfast ($2.25-$8.50) and lunch ($2.25-$7.50); www.wagnerspharmacy.com, 3113 S. Fourth St., 502-375-3800.

Experience

The pastoral setting of Central Park in downtown is home to the Shakespeare Festival, a free community theater event held since 1960. Performances run from June 16 to July 18; www.kyshakes.org/SICP, Fourth and Park streets, 502-637-4933. The mission at the Ali Center is to preserve and promote the legacy of Muhammad Ali, which is to inspire hope, respect and understanding among all peoples. $9 adult admission; closed Monday; www.alicenter.org, 144 N. Sixth St., 502-584-9254.

MODERATE

Getting there

Round-trip rates to Louisville start at $340 with 21-day advance; $400 with a two-week notice. Valid on Delta, nonstop.

Stay

The finest accommodations at the Brown, a historic Four Diamond, AAA hotel in downtown Louisville, are rooms designated as the Club, with a private lounge, afternoon snacks, evening hors d’oeurves, beer, wine, soft drinks and continental breakfast. Accommodations feature oil paintings, armoire, marble bathrooms, posh bedding and linens. Guests receive complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access and airport transportation. Rates start at $224; www.brownhotel.com, 335 W. Broadway, 502-583-1234.

Eat

Varanese is an eclectic Mediterranean spot located in a hip gallery, dining and shopping area (great for after-dinner strolls). Al fresco dining and live music set the tone for upscale entrees at value prices from $10 to $22; www.varanese.com, 2106 Frankfort Ave., 502-899-9904.

Experience

Take a one-hour "Barn and Backside Van" tour of Churchill Downs and visit areas normally closed to the public ($10 adults). Learn about track life and see the racehorses during training. Tour prices are in addition to the entrance of the newly renovated Kentucky Derby Museum, although the $12 adult admission fee includes a short guided walking tour; www.derbymuseum.org, 704 Central Ave., 502-637-1111.

SPLURGE

Getting there

One-way walk-up Business Class rates to Louisville start at $466 each way. Valid on Delta, nonstop.

Stay

21c is a boutique hotel and museum dedicated to 21st-century art. Readers of Conde Nast Traveler voted 21c the No. 1 hotel in the U.S. in the 2009 Readers' Choice Awards. Expect Southern-style hospitality, award-winning decor and art (including a number of red house penguins) in elevators, hallways, courtyards, public restrooms, on the roof, and in the restaurant and bar. The "Kentucky Culture" package, which starts at $450 per night, based on a two-night minimum stay, includes breakfast and lunch for two, a horse farm tour for two, two tickets to KentuckyShow! and two mint julep cups; www.21chotel.com, 700 W. Main St., 502-217-6300.

Eat

Kentucky's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant is the Oakroom. Award-winning chefs savor New American cuisine with traditional preparations, seasonal local ingredients and international specialties. Choose a la carte entrees from $28 to $45 or from three- , five- or seven-course tasting menus ($65, $95, $125); www.theoakroomlouisville.com, 500 Fourth St., 502-807-3463.

Experience

Take a luncheon cruise aboard the Steamer Belle of Louisville, a National Historic Landmark in her 95th year. The Belle once carried passengers and goods along the lovely Ohio River. Experience steamboating, live entertainment, narration by the riverboat captain and lunch. Saturdays from May 29; Sundays from May 30 and Fridays from June 4; $29 adults; www.belleoflouisville.org, 401 W. River Road; 502-574-2992.