The Case for Cruising

Call me crazy, but I like my vacation a little stressful and hectic.  I love to get lost in the sights of a foreign city, to race against time and borders.  I don't get too many vacation days, so when I do go on vacation, I want to see and do as much as I can.   My husband is the opposite.  He likes to relax on vacation, to know exactly where he's going and when he'll get there.  After a crazy race across 11 cities in 17 days last year, I promised to slow down a bit and to replenish our funds.  Our usual compromise for vacation in that situation: cruising.

If you've never been on a cruise before, here's my case for cruising:

It's affordable.   Depending on the cruise line, you can easily find cruises to the Caribbean and Europe for $500 - $800 for 7 days or to the Bahamas for $200-$300 for 3 to 4 days.  Cruises are all inclusive.  This means you get to travel to exotic places for less than $100/day which includes lodging, all you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, entertainment, activities and room service.

Sample rates from Royal Caribbean

All you can eat.  Order as many appetizers, entrees and desserts as you like from a changing menu at one of the sit down restaurants. Or choose from endless options at the buffets.  Ice cream and pizza are usually available 24/7.  Free room service means you can even eat in your room.

Can't decide between the lobster or the prime rib? You can get both.

Lots of things to do on the ship.  Cruising is not just about mini golf and gambling anymore.  The ships are bigger and better, which mean a lot of fun activities on board to keep you busy.

Lots of fun water sports.

Rock climbing on the Oasis.

It's stress free.  Cruises take away the stress out of arranging hotel, transportation and where to eat.  The cruise ship drops you off at prearranged destinations, you get off to explore and return to the ship to relax and wake up in a new location.  Besides figuring out what to do on your excursion at each destination, there's not much planning involved.

You'll have time for this.

Of course the downside to all that is you don’t have as much time to explore each destination and you’re restricted by the ship’s schedule.

If you're new to cruising and are interested, here are a few pointers:

How to choose a cruise.   A big part of cruising is the ship itself since you’ll spend a large part of your trip on the ship, so choose a ship with high ratings.  I use cruisecritic.com to read about the ship's amenities and reviews from experts and previous guests.  Also, each cruise line is different, so pick one that's right for you.  Princess is for older adults (60+), Carnival for the partying crowd, Disney for children and families, Royal Caribbean is a good mix of everyone. Click here for a list of cruise lines comparison.

Choosing the right ships will mean better entertainment and food.

After going the Oasis of the Seas, the largest ship in the world at the time, it's hard to go back to the smaller ships.  For the largest cruise ships, check out the Oasis Line from Royal Caribbean (Oasis, Allure and Harmony).  Harmony is currently the world's largest.  Check out our video of the Oasis of the Seas here: https://goo.gl/photos/aXqJq83FcyMzaGDd8

Where to book your cruise.  I use aggregate sites like Expedia, Travelocity, and Cruisesheet to look for the best rate then go directly to the cruise line to book my tickets.  Or go directly to the cruise line to book, the two that works best for our budget and style (cheap and casual) is Carnival and Royal Caribbean.  If you have a Costco membership, look here first.  It can be cheaper and more than likely you’ll get on-board credits to spend.

When to book.  For cruises, the earlier you book, the better the deal. My in-laws booked theirs a year in advance on the same ship we went on, they got a better room (ocean view balcony) and a bigger on board credit, at a cheaper rate.  There are also last minute deals, but these are not as good or as frequently offered.  Consider travel off season for better prices such as: hurricane season (September – November), during the pre-holiday (first week or two of December) and the post-holiday (first two weeks of January).  If you have time to spare, look into repositioning cruises, when ships travel across the ocean to change ports as the seasons change.  The rate is great but the trade-off is you’ll spend a lot of consecutive days at sea.

Choosing a departure port.  Leaving from the right ports can mean big savings on airfare, which is not included in the cost of your cruise.  From Louisville, you can find reasonable flights ($200 - $300) year round to Orlando (cruises depart from Cape Canaveral, an hour drive from Orlando), Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and even Puerto Rico.  Consider flying from Cincinnati to get even cheaper rates on Frontier and Allegiant (details here).  Plan for weather and other incidentals by scheduling arrival to your port a day before your cruise departure date, the cruise ship will not wait for you if your flight is delayed/cancelled.

Explore tropical fruit gardens in Miami if you arrive a day early.

Choosing cruise destinations. The Caribbean is a great choice for first time cruisers, prices are cheaper and there are a lot of cruise ships to choose from.  The water is amazingly blue and warm, activities revolve around the outdoors and the water.  European and Asian cruises tend to be more expensive when you take into consideration the flight there and back but you’re treated to amazing cultural sites and glamorous cities.  Cruises to Alaska are on smaller ships and limited to the summer months.  You'll find destinations do not vary too much from one cruise line to another.

Beautiful Labadee, Haiti

Booking excursions.  There’s plenty to do and see once the ship drops you off at your destinations, the easiest and cheapest is to head to the local beach or town and spend the day exploring.  For other activities like scuba diving, guided tours, etc., you’ll have book them through the cruise ship or find your own tour operators.  There’s pros and cons for both.

Shore excursion in Italy.

• Cruise ship tours: You pay an exorbitant amount of money but you’re conveniently picked up at the ship and you’re guaranteed to leave with the ship in case anything happens during your tour.  These tour companies has a special contract with the ship so they’re more reputable.
• Other tour operators:  Prices are almost always cheaper and tour options are more extensive.  But if there’s transportation issue or other delays during the tour, you risk missing the ship.  Do extensive research by reading reviews on Tripadvisoror Cruisecritic to make sure the company is reputable.  These tours are designed specific for cruise ship passengers so you’ll be okay. But it’s a small risk you’ll have to take.  

How to save money on the ship.  Asides from the basics, everything on the ship costs extra.  Beware of what they are and you will save.  If possible, skip the soft drinks and alcoholic beverages or opt to buy a beverage package; set a budget for the casino (on my last trip, one passenger can't pay his huge gambling debt and was not allowed to get off the ship);  avoid buying professional photos, they will take a lot of these;  and eat only at free restaurants.  Tipping is also not included and many ships now require a mandatory percentage added to your account for each day of your trip.  But the staff are always excellent, so don’t forget to set out extra to tip them.

Whenever I get a chance to travel, I take it.  Between every few hectic and crazy travel adventures, I slow down with a cruise and have enjoyed them all (5 of them now).  Whatever your style, happy traveling!

How to travel from Louisville to Chicago and Atlanta for only $1

Life’s an adventure and I’m always on the lookout for a new one.  My craziest, riding in the back seat of a stranger’s motorcycle sneaking into a foreign country.  A dumb thing to do, but a great story to tell.    

My new adventure, traveling to Chicago or Atlanta for $1 on a Megabus.  I usually write about things I’ve already experienced but I’m going to be an armchair blogger (think armchair anthropologist) on this one.  This means I’ll be sharing information gathered from a friend who experienced it.  With a deal this great, I just couldn’t wait to share it.

How it works

Megabus is a discounted bus service offering cheap tickets in 9 countries, 34 states and the District of Columbia.  From Louisville you can travel to Chicago, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Indianapolis, or Nashville. From Lexington your options are: Atlanta, Buffalo, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Erie, and Knoxville.  From those cities, you can then venture on to other destinations in the U.S.

Megabus does not have a physical office, everything is done online or over the phone.  To find tickets for $1, go to their website, choose a departure location, a destination and a travel date.  The site will generate a few different prices.  More than likely you will not get a $1 bus ticket on your first try, though for $5 - $40, it’s still a bargain.  Play around with your dates, travel later in the week or even a few weeks or a few months later.  The further out you travel, the better chance of scoring a $1 ticket.  Your chance of finding $1 tickets is higher if your dates are flexible.  Even if you bought a ticket and later can’t travel on that date, $1 is a very small investment!  If you see $1 tickets, buy it right away, it can go very quickly.

The bus

Inside. Source

Megabus does not have a bus terminal, so you’ll be dropped off and picked up at designated bus stops.  For Louisville, pick up and drop off is on the north side of Jefferson Street, between Roy Wilkins Ave and S. 8th St.  This means no shelter and no facilities.

It’s a double decker bus with reclining seats and seatbelts.  Bathroom is on the bus and they’ll make stops at rest areas for restroom breaks.  For today’s tech addict generation, there’s free Wi-Fi onboard and outlets for charging.

The verdict

There’s mixed reviews on this, varying from region to region but most agreed it’s good for short distance travel.  New York Times reporter Seth Kugel sums it best, Megabus is good leisure travel for the: truly flexible, comfort-be-damned, all-out budget traveler (aka me).

My friend enjoyed it better than Greyhound and never had a problem.  But here are some problems you may come across and some solutions:

• Mechanical problems & breakdowns happen - bring a lot of patience
• Toilet breaks are on the bus or at a rest area - bring hand sanitizer and wipes 
• It’s not always on time - bring entertainment
• The temperature on the bus is cold - bring a blanket or jacket
• There’s luggage restrictions - bring less baggage 
• The seats are not comfortable - bring a pillow
• Wi-Fi is spotty – bring a book
• For all other problems that arise - bring your sense of adventure.  

The bus ride itself will be an adventure but think of all the other adventures that lie ahead with this $1 investment.  When you arrived at your destination, rent a car or use public transportation for inner city exploration.  Let Megabus take you to larger cities like Chicago and Atlanta, where you can fly out to more exotic world destinations at a cheaper rate than from Louisville.

Happy adventuring friends.

Gilty Pleasures, Designer Goods from 70% to 90% Off

Fashionistas and bargain shoppers, get your credit card ready for a trip to Gilt Designer Outlet in St. Matthews for hours of Gilty shopping pleasure.   This temporary pop-up outlet offers deep discount on designer clothes, home goods, furnitures and accessories from their distribution center in Shepherdsville. Everything in the store is currently 70% off but it can go up to 90% off as the week progresses, depending on availability and stock.  This is what happened today at the VIP opening (thanks Yelp!):

A friend scored a pair of Marc Jacobs shoes, MSRP at $300+, for only $29.70.  I got a $108 dress for $12!  How can you get in on the action?  Here's the details:

• Location:  Gilt Designer Outlet
  4600 Shelbyville Road
  Louisville, KY 40207 (near Trader's Joe) 
• Dates: 7/10/2015 - 8/15/2015
• Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  Sunday: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

They restock throughout the month so come back often for great deals.  Once they close up shop on August, you can continue to buy Gilt merchandise from their online store. Keep in mind that all purchases are final so no refunds or returns.  

Happy hunting! 

1/2 Ice Cream Today!

The weather is gloomy outside so let's cheer it up with some 1/2 price ice cream offered all day today at Sonic!

Photo Source: Sonic Facebook

Budget Travel Tips: Smart Car Rental

1.  Compare airfare
2.  Smart car rentals
3.  Hotel hustle

I love the freedom of the open roads, especially when someone else is driving (usually my poor husband)  So I try to squeeze in a few short road trips here and there when I can.  I've picked up a few tips along the way to help lower the cost of car rentals.  Check out some of my techniques, there's even a super secret deal at the end!      

Road trip in Ireland. Ballaghisheen Pass, Ireland

Use your own insurance. The one sure way to save money on car rental is to use your own car insurance.  Generally, your personal car insurance coverage travels with you to whatever car you rent (this is true with State Farm).  Check with your insurance company just to be sure.  Rental company will be very persuasive in convincing you to take their coverage, so be firm!  Keep in mind you'll be assuming the risk and it can affect your personal insurance premium.

Use your credit card.  Did you know that most major credit cards will provide secondary insurance coverage for your rental car? This means, it'll cover any cost not covered under your car insurance.  Chase Sapphire provides primary coverage, meaning even if you don’t have car insurance, your credit card should cover you.  Check with your credit card company for this and other travel perks (ours covers lost luggage too).

Take advantage of your memberships.  Your credit cards and memberships usually can get you discounts.  Costco members receive nice discounts if they book it directly at the Costco website.  Car companies also offer discounts to AAA members, veterans, and American Express card holders.

Sign up for membership. We use Thrifty and Dollar a lot because they usually offer the cheapest rate.  By spending just a few minutes online to sign up for their FREE membership and pay online, we get instant online discounts and save a lot of time at checkout.  On our last trip to Charlotte, we felt like superstars. Our shuttle called ahead to let the front desk know we were on our way.  As soon as the shuttle arrived, the rental car was waiting outside, engine on, and paperwork ready.  In Vegas, we went straight to the garage to pick our car without waiting in line like the other suckers :)

Use aggregate sites.  Like airfare, use aggregate sites to compare prices on several car rental companies at the same time.  My favorites are: Expedia, Travelocity, and Kayak.  Once I have an idea of which car company offers the best rate, I then go directly to the company's website to book my car.

Consider Hotwire.com.  I recently saved $150 on car rental with this site.  The catch: you won't know the name of the company until after you paid.  They will provide you with the essential details such as features, type of car, pick up, drop off etc.  My booking also showed a list of companies you're guaranteed to get the car from.  I was happy with the list as it contains names of all the major companies.  I ended with Hertz and very happy with the price.

Try a package deal. Booking car rental along with your flight or hotel as part of a package can save you a lot of money.  I recently added car rental to my flight and saved $100+.  Happy camper here!

Super Secret Deal.  Remember those coupon books the kids sell?  A friend shared this link that will allow you to get the same discount as those coupon books.  The link will give you a free upgrade and a few other discounts.  I'm guessing next year it will be enterprise.com/ent16.  Enterprise also offers free pick up and drop off!

Other things to keep in mind:

• Read the fine print.  Make sure you get unlimited mileage (especially important for interstate travel) and look for any other restrictions on your rentals. 
• Check your rental car for dents or any damage before you drive off the lot.  Report immediately or you might have to be responsible for them. 
• Car companies usually offer a cheaper rate if you rent for a whole week.  So play around with your dates.  You  might end up paying the same for a 3 day rental as you would a 5 day rental.  
• Book early, especially around the holidays, to save money and also to make sure you get the type of car you want. 
• Most agencies have less compact car in stock, reserve a compact car and your chance of getting an upgrade is very high.    
• Avoid filling up near the airport, the gas stations there are usually more expensive.
• If convenient, consider renting at an off airport location, you'll avoid the airport tax.  
• Search for online coupons by simply put in "coupon code" + "name of rental company". You might find some good codes to apply to your rental.  

What are some techniques you've tried? Check back next week for some tips on hotel travel!

Cheap pancakes today!

Celebrate Ihop's 57th anniversary with some cheap pancakes today!

Budget Travel Tips: Compare Airfare

Hello, my name is Thao and I'm a bit of a travel addict.  How do I cope? I find cheap ways to travel so I can do it more often.  Over the years, I’ve picked up some good travel practices that helped me plan trips without breaking the bank (too much).

I know there are a lot of articles on traveling cheap (definitely look into those), but these are tried and true techniques from my own experience.  There’s no one magical way to get a good deal, you just have to do research, plan and compare.  The key is flexibility and a lot of planning!

It’s a long article, so I’ve decided to break it down to different parts.  This week I’m focusing on airfare.

1.  Compare airfare
2.  Smart car rentals
3.  The hotel hustle

Like any big purchases, shop around and compare before you make the big move.

Start with an aggregate site

• Start with Kayak.com (another friend swears by Priceline).  Kayak lists prices for several airlines at once, making it easier to compare.  The best thing about Kayak is that you can choose +-3 days before/after your travel date.  It then generates a table with several dates and prices.  Here’s an example.

• Also, don’t forget to check “nearby airport”.  Some cities have multiple airports close by with cheaper prices (LAX and NYC are examples). From Louisville, try flying out of Lexington or Cincinnati.

Compare

• Once you find a good price for your desired time, date and airline, don’t book yet.  Go to other aggregate sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Google Flights and compare prices again using the dates you just picked on Kayak.  Those sites sometime have better rates or more time options.
• Keep in mind that rates for Southwest, Virgin America, Allegiant, Jet Blue,  Spirit and Frontier Airlines are not included on those sites, so check directly on the airline’s websites to see if they have better rates.

Book directly with the airline company

• When you’re ready to book, go directly to the airline you like from your search and book through them.  If any issue arises, it’s better to deal directly with the airline rather than through a third party. 
• If you see an airline that you’re unfamiliar with offering ridiculously low rate, do a quick Google search and read reviews.  I’ve heard horror stories about cheapoair.com for example. So always beware.

Try a budget airline

• For Louisville travelers, check out Allegiant and Frontier airlines for amazing discounts to certain cities.  They are based out of Cincinnati and Lexington, so you do have to drive there first.  Click here for my detailed blog entry on these 2 airlines.

Be flexible

• That means in when and where you go.  If you just want to get out of town, look up popular destinations and go with the cheapest one.   Google Flights now features a world map of popular destination and the prices.  Click on the city and it’ll show a bar graph of the prices for the upcoming months. Choose the cheapest one, pack your bag and just go. I’ve been on weekend trips to Puerto Rico, Cancun and Bahamas just because the tickets were cheap and enjoyed them all.

Travel light

• Almost all airlines charge for check-in luggage now.  Simply travel light and do carry-on to save money on check-in luggage.   It’s also nice not to have to lug heavy luggage all over the place and no worries about lost luggage!  About 50% of the time though, the airline will do free curbside check-in at the boarding gate. 
• Most European and Asian budget airlines are very strict on carry-on restrictions so read before you go to avoid unnecessary fees.  EasyJet in Europe, for example, will allow only ONE piece of luggage, no extra purses or small personal items.
  
  Keep these in mind when booking your flight:
• You can cancel within 24 and get a full refund (it’s the law).  If you find cheaper fair the next day, just cancel your previous reservation.
• Cheapest travel days: Tuesday & Wednesday; Medium: Thursday & Saturday.  Leaving on Thursday and coming back on Monday is usually 20% cheaper.  Here's a comprehensive study by Expedia on best days to travel.
• Have a general idea of how much tickets cost to a certain destination so you can go ahead and book your tickets instead of waiting around for the price to fall to an unreasonable rate.
• Don’t wait too long, tickets can go up and down VERY quickly.
• I always book flights at least 3 weeks in advance, more during the holidays.  Don't wait to the last minute (a week prior) and don't book too far in advance (4 or 5 months).  Many sources say the best time to book is 54 days in advance.  Here's the logic.  
• It might be cheaper to book regional flights abroad. I booked several flights to neighboring countries while in Asia and paid half as much as a fellow traveler booking the same flights while in the U.S.  It varies but worth a try, especially if you have a friend living abroad.
• *I find that the frequent flyer miles don’t work as well for me because I just go for the cheapest rate and not necessarily have loyalty to any one company. I also don’t travel enough for those points to add up. I prefer using my credit card which offers great cash back rewards.

Have any good travel advice? Let me know yours! Come back for tips on car rental next week.

FREE Blaze Pizza All Day

photo is from Pieology, but same concept

Here’s a midweek treat to help you make it to the holiday weekend…FREE Pizza all day from Blaze Pizza.  To celebrate the opening of their new location in Middletown Commons, Blaze Pizza is giving away free personalize pizza to guests.  Here are the details:

Date: Tuesday, 6/30/2015
Time: 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m
Location: 13317 Shelbyville Road. Middletown Commons (near Academy Sports & Outdoors in the new shopping center near Gene Snyder, ).
The giveaway: 11 inch personalize pizza, unlimited toppings
The catch: follow @Blazepizza on instagram, twitter or facebook

It’s a Subway style approach to pizza making that’s quickly becoming popular in Louisville.  Choose your own dough, cheese, sauces and an unlimited number of toppings for a pizza that’s uniquely yours.  Fast fired for 180 seconds and a personalize pizza is ready for you to enjoy for under $8.  I’ll see you there!

Source: Courier Journal, Yelp, WHAS

30 Area Attractions for FREE

Fun at Frazier History Museum

The hugely popular Cultural Pass is back with more attractions than before! This year, 30 area attractions will open its door to cultural pass holders for free.  What a great way to spend the summer with our little ones.  Here are the details. 

Dates
May 31, 2015 - August 7, 2015

Who
Child/student ages 0 - college
If child is under 16, one parent/guardian is also admitted.  
Participant must have a library card (or be eligible to apply for one)

How
Pick up pass at your local library or Metro Parks Community Centers. 

Bonus
Children who get their pass stamped by at least eight different institutions this summer will be eligible for prizes and other incentives.

Restrictions
Only one visit per pass at each institution
Only one adult per family 

Participating Organizations:

• 21c Museum 24/7 
• Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Behind-the-Scenes Tours Saturday, July 25th and Wednesday, July 29th Call 502-584-1205 to reserve in advance
• American Printing House for the Blind M-Sa, Factory Tours available M-Th Best for Ages 6+
• Arts and Cultural Attractions Council  *KICK OFF EVENT* Arts and Culture Day 5/31 11 am - 3 pm
• Arts Council of Southern Indiana Pat Harrison Arts Center Gallery W-F 10 am - 6 pm, Sat 12 -4 pm
• Asia Institute - Crane House Thur-Fri 10 am – 3 pm
• Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest M-Sun, 9 am -5 pm
• Camp Wonderopolis An online learning opportunity!
• Carnegie Center for Art & History Tues-Sat 10 am-5:30 pm
• Frazier History Museum Sundays Only
• Gheens Science Hall/Rauch Planetarium Public shows – see schedule on website.
• Historic Locust Grove Sundays 1:00-5:30 pm & Mondays 10:00 am-5:30 pm NOT valid for special events (6/28 & 8/9)
• Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts Youth-led Audio Tour of International Art (M-F 10-5). Yoga: June 12,  July 10, & August 7 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.  
• Kentucky Derby Museum Saturday-Monday
• Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft Tuesday-Sunday
• Kentucky Science Center Sundays Only
• Kentucky Shakespeare Festival 
• Little Loomhouse Historic Tours W-F 10 am - 2 pm & Sat 11 am - 4 pm
• Local Speed | Speed Art Museum Fri 12 noon – 8 pm & Sat 11 am – 4 pm (beginning June 5) *NOTE: Corrected Friday time*
• Louisville Ballet School June 13, July 11, & July 25; 10 am - 1 pm Best for Ages 3-10
• Louisville Free Public Library Summer Reading Completion
• Louisville Youth Choir July 12 (3pm) & July 31 (4pm) @ the Ursuline Arts Center
• Louisville Zoo Mondays Only.  Parking NOT Included.
• Metro Parks & Recreation - Monday Movie Nights @ Iroquois Ampitheater Mondays @ 8pm 6/8 - 8/3
• Metro Parks & Recreation - UPS / First Tee Youth Golf Course (Seneca) Call Seneca Pro Shop (502-458-9298) for information For ages 18 and under
• Portland Museum Wednesdays
• Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing Tuesdays & Sundays
• Stage One Family Theatre Show Dates: 6/20, 7/11 & 8/1 @ 10 am
• Walden Theatre/Blue Apple Players 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6 (Thursday Matinee of The Baker Goes to War) Call 502-589-0084 reserve tickets
• Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Tuesdays 10-4, Thursdays 10-8, & Sundays 12-4

Click here for additional rules and details.  

$5 for $14 Worth of Ice Cream at Widow's Walk

Groupon is having an amazing deal right now until midnight tonight (couldn't post this earlier!).  They got some amazing items, such as canvas, memory books, accessories, etc for only $5 each.  Most value at $60 or more.  

The best local deal if you don't want to spent too much is $5 for $14 to spend on ice cream at Widow's Walk.  This beloved place is the perfect stop on a summer evening to cool off.  Grab a cone and a seat to look at the sun set over the Ohio River.  

Source: Groupon

Or grab an cold drink and head over to the River Stage a short drive or walk away (by the Big Fourth Bridge) to enjoy a nice summer concert every Friday at 7 p.m. or an outdoor movie every Saturday at 7 p.m.  River Stage also has free Yoga (Saturday at 10:30 a.m.), Jazzercize (Mondays, 6 - 7 p.m.), Zumba (Tuesday, 6 - 7 p.m.), so treat yourself after a nice work out!

Free Chick-Fil-A for a Year

Love Chick-Fil-A? Want it for free for a year?  Here’s the Cliff’s Notes version of this First 100 event happening tomorrow. To celebrate the opening of two new Chick-Fil-A locations in Louisville, the owner is giving away free meals for a year.  You just have to wait for it.

The good

• Free gift card loaded with one-year supply of Chick-fil-A for the first 100 people at the door on Thursday 6 a.m.
• That’s 52 meals (Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich, Medium waffle potato fries and a medium drink)

The bad

• If more than 100 people shows up, all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing
• As a condition, those selected have to camp out for 24 hours to secure their prize.
• Only certain zip codes qualify, check this site for a complete list. 

The details

• Location: 4925 Outler Loop
  Louisville, KY 40219
  502-969-5090
• Open Date: Thursday, 6/18/2015, 6 a.m.
• Line Forms: Wednesday, 6/17/2015, 5:30 a.m - 6 a.m. (Don’t come earlier than 5:30 a.m., it won’t increase your chance.)
• Eligibility: 18 or older, must present ID.
• Click here for official rules and details

BOGO Qdoba

Though I'm not normally a big fan of fast food but when I'm in the mood, I head to Qdoba.  If you forgot to pack lunch this work week, grab a buddy and head to Qdoba for a buy one get one free entree.

Free Movie Screening: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Here's a treat for your Friday, a free movie screening!  Follow this link to grab your tickets. Do it quick as free screening tickets go fast (this movie is less well known so you might be okay!)

• Movie: Me and
  Earl and the Dying Girl
• Date: Wednesday 6/3/2015, 7 p.m. 
• Location: Regal New Albany Statidum 16
  300 Professional Court
  New Albany, IN 47150

What is a free movie screening and how to get it? Read my post on how to never pay for movie tickets again here.

Derby Dinner Play House for 50% Off

Want dinner and a show for half the price? I’ve got you covered.  Derby Dinner Play House across the river is offering an amazing buy one get one free tickets in celebration of the Hometown Tourist Month.  Tickets include an all you can eat buffet and a show.  Here’s the detail:

• Dates:  May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27 only (Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
• Location: 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, IN 47129
• Currently showing: Social Security, a Broadway comedy
• Price: $37 (Wednesday) - $42 (Tuesday)  
• Other restrictions:  Limit 2 per person.
• Another great deal: Student Rush Tickets available for $10.00 at 7:30pm every evening, if not sold out!

The stage is set at the center surrounded on all sides by tables and seats.  There’s really no bad spot as you can see the stage from anywhere.

Stage set up for Bonnie & Clyde

The all-you-can-eat buffet offers salads, traditional meat dishes such as fried chicken, baked chicken, fish, roast beef, etc.  They have a special dessert and drink menus, but you do have to pay extra.
You dine first and watch the show after dinner.  Desserts are usually brought out during intermission, the waiters will walk on stage with a preview of the desserts so you know what treats to order. Plenty of free parking!

From the salad bar

Some of the main dishes & sides

Dessert at intermission

Most of the patrons are older and they're trying to appeal to a younger crowd.  If you enjoy live theatrical performances you'll like the show here, no matter your age.

Check here for other great discounts during the month of May in Kentuckiana.

45 FREE & Cheap May Festivals

Do not despair, Derby Season may be over, but the month of May brings scores of reasons to celebrate. May is the official month for the Hometown Tourist Celebration (5/4/2015 – 5/31/2015) so over 80 area businesses are offering special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops, hotels and activities. Warmer weather also means local fairs and festivals are popping up everywhere.  Whatever your hobby or interest, May is one of the best months for fun, free or cheap things to do in Louisville.

Here’s a list of the May events going on around town:


5/4/2015 – 5/31/2015
1. Hometown Tourist Celebration 
80+ local businesses are offering special discounts and programs in May to encourage locals to explore their hometown.  Here’s a sample: Schimpff’s is offering free ¼  lb of Cinnamon Red Hots, free desserts at Joe Huber Family Farm, buy 1 get 1 free at Derby Dinner Play House (buffet & a show),  $2 off zoo admissions, $4 off at Sky Zone, etc.

5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/2 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2. Sidewalk Sales
Louisville Visitors Center (4th & Jefferson)
Discounts on a variety of Louisville souvenirs.

5/7/2015, 6/4 | 12 p.m.
3. The Mayor’s Music and Art Series
Metro Hall, 527 W. Jefferson Street
This series feature performances by local artists and musicians during lunch hour at Louisville Metro Hall.  Performances are usually 45 minutes and open to the public.


5/8, 5/22, 5/24/2015 | after Bats baseball game
4. Big Four Bridge & Fireworks 
These three days are perfect for a late evening stroll after dinner on the Big Four Bridge and Waterfront Park.  You will live longer because of the exercise, and will get a spectacular view because of the fireworks at the end of baseball game (varies, game starts around 6 p.m.)

5/8/2015 | 4 p.m.
5/9/2015 | 9 a.m.
5. Mt. Washington Spring Festival
Downtown Mt. Washington
Fish fry, carnival rides, live entertainment, craft booths, drawings, and parades in this small town a short drive from Louisville.

5/8 -5/10 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
6. 20th Annual Gardener’s Fair
Locust Grove
$6 admission
Come to the historic former home of Louisville’s founder George Roger Clark to view the exhibits, buy plants and flowers, and chat with experts on all things garden.

5/8/2016 - 5/29/2015 | time varies
7. Tim Faulkner Gallery
Tickets starting at $5
Venture to Portland to this really neat Gallery to enjoy local bands, dance groups, comedy routines, and art work.  Check their website for information on shows. On May 16, "A World of Dance in the Bluegrass" will introduce you to different genres of dance including ballet, precision clogging, Bollywood, modern, hip hop, ballroom, and classical Indian as well as live music.

5/9/2015 | 11:30 a.m.
8. Bridge to Beer 
Red Yeti Brewing Company
256 Spring St
Jeffersonville, IN
A fun free 5 mile (round trip) beer walk via the Big Four Bridge visiting 4 beer companies. Beer and foods available for purchase.

5/9/2015 | 9 am. – 3 p.m.
9. Festival of Flowers
Southern Parkway & Woodlawn Ave
Check out the flowers, plants, herbs, crafts, pottery, jewelry, etc. from this neighborhood spring fest.

5/9/2015 - 7/20/2015| 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show

10. Iroquois Amphitheater Free Movies
"Frozen" will kick of the free movie series at this lovely amphitheater.  Come back all the Saturdays and Mondays after that for other great showings.

 
5/9, 5/16, 5/23 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
11. Hometown Quest Scavenger Hunt 
One of my favorite Hometown Tourist activities, this scavenger hunt/amazing race experience will have you mad dashing through downtown to solve puzzles or do activities with the ultimate prize waiting at the Louisville Visitors Center after the allotted hour.

5/9/2015 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
12. How-To Festival
LFPL - Main Library
301 York Street
This is my absolute FAVORITE.  You can learn to do 100+ things in 5 hours in 15, 30, 45 or 60 minute sessions from local experts and enthusiasts.  Learn to write with a quill pen, arm a Samurai, sing opera, graduate from college debt free, square dance, play the guitar and the list goes on.  Sessions range from the silly, fun, wacky, to practical. Complete list here.

5/9/2015 | 10 am - 5 pm
13. Cedar Lake Art Fair
Cedar Lake Lodge
3301 Jericho Road
LaGrange, KY
This free family-friendly event includes arts and crafts for sale that are handmade by the residents of Cedar Lake Lodge, as well as hourly door prizes, food, games, and children’s activities. All of the proceeds will support Cedar Lake Lodge art program.

5/9/2015 | 12 p.m. - 5 pm
14. Nulu's 2015 Spring Fling Shopping Event
600 - 800 Block of East Market Street
Nulu businesses are offering great discounts on home decor, clothes, foods, etc. at this annual post-Derby event.


5/9/2015 - 5/10/2015 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
15. May Flea Off Market
1007 E. Jefferson St.
A popular monthly flea market with over 100 vendors selling hand-made items, local arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, accessories, antiques, etc. The many food trucks will keep you full and the live music will keep you entertained.

5/10/2015 | 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
16. Louisville Art Affair
Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center
A juried art show with works for sale including painting, jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass & photography.

5/11/2015 | 4:30 p.m.
17. Chef Maria's Bistro - Free cooking Class
107 Oak Street
Come and learn how to make baklava from Greek Chef Maria, owner of Chef Maria's Bistro.  Just bring walnuts, honey, a pastry brush and unsalted butter.

5/14/2015 | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
18. GAMEology
Kentucky Science Center
727 W. Main St.
$15 - $20
A unique 21+ game night featuring life size board games, science theme game shows, and a 4-story video games.

5/15/2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
19. Best Bloomin' Arts & Crafts Festival
Blackacre
3200 Tucker Station road
Free with donation to Dare to Care or $5 to Blackacre
A community arts fair centered on green living with concerts, classes and workshops.


5/15/2015 | 5 p.m. - 9 pm
5/162/015 | 10 am - 9 pm
20. 4th Annual Old Louisville SpringFest
1200 - 1300 Blocks of 1st Street
Food vendors, businesses, arts and crafts, and live music take over the charming streets of Old Louisville at this annual spring fest.



5/16/2015 | 10 am - 11 pm
21. St Matthews Street Festival
St Matthews Chamber of Commerce
Frankfort Avenue
A fun neighborhood festival featuring St. Matthews' local businesses with freebies and giveaways.  Lots of activities for kids, street food vendors, and live music.

5/16/2015 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
22. Touch a Truck
Big 4 Station Park
Jeffersonville, IN
A kid friendly event with inflatables, train rides, face painting and food truck.  This event provides kids with a unique opportunity to explore all types of vehicles, including public service, emergency, landscaping, transportation, delivery, etc.

5/16/2015 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
23. Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
HWY 245
Clermont, KY
$5/car
Celebrate spring with a faerie parade, food vendors, live music, garden lectures, plant sales and other kids friendly activities.  Also check out the beautiful grounds and gardens of Bernheim Forest.

5/16/2015 | 10:30 am - 7 pm
24. Forest Fest
Jefferson Memorial Forest
$10 parking
Food trucks, craft vendors, kids' activities, workshops, field camping, and local music at the beautiful Jefferson Memorial Forest.

5/16/2015
25. 31st Annual Bar-B-Q Pitt Festival
Pitt Academy, 6010 Preston Highway
Satisfy your bbq cravings with pork, mutton, and chicken slow cooked over natural wood pits. Expect delicious burgoo and traditional side dishes.


5/16/2015 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
26. Glendale SpringFest
Glendale, KY
Take the hour drive down this cute town for their wide array of crafts, antiques, gifts, live music and food.  Stop by the famous Whistle Stop for a great lunch.

5/16/2015 | 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
27. Highlands Beer Festival 2015
ValuMarket Mid City Mall - Parking lot
1250 N. Bardstown Road
Come taste a seemingly endless varieties of beer (for a fee) at this popular local event.

5/16/2016 | 11 am - 7 pm
28. Cross the Tracks 
3701 Frankfort Avenue, 40207
Masonic Homes of Kentucky
Family friendly event with food trucks, games, farmers market, plant sale, local artists, antiques and collectibles.


5/17/2015 | 12 p.m. - 6 pm
29. 2015 Buy Local Fair
Louisville Water Tower (River Road)
Free, $5 to park (Park over at King's Fish and walk over for free)
Louisville Water Tower Park
Another one of my favorite fairs, featuring local only  businesses, foods, arts and crafts, organic goods, arts, and all thing local.  There's even an Iron Chef-ish cooking competition.  Try the kettle corn, so good!

5/17/2015 | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
30. National Astronomy Day Celebration
Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium
106 Brandeis Ave
$0 - $5
An afternoon of presentations, shows and astronomy related activities for astronomy enthusiasts.


5/18/2015 | 7 p.m.
31. Yelp's International Supper Club
Queen of Sheba
2804 Taylorsville Road
Want to try new international food every month with other enthusiastic foodies around town? Join Yelp this month at their inaugural event and all the months after that for a taste of Louisville's ethnic eateries. There might be a local expert in the group to help better appreciate and understand these cultures!

5/21/2015  - 9/2015| 7 p.m.
Every third Thursday
32. Rye Back Porch Session
900 E. Market Street
A free summer concert series to introduce local artists to the community.  It's a celebration of music and food.

5/21/2015 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
33. Wave 3 New Concert Series at the KFC Yum! Center
Yum! Center
A monthly free concert series highlighting up-and-coming local artist during Thursday's lunch hours.  Food trucks on site.

5/22/2015 - 9/7/2015 | 7 p.m.
34. RiverStage Summer Concert Series 2015
Jeffersonville Riverstage (waterfront by Big 4 Bridge)
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers to enjoy a rotating schedule of live bands every Friday at the Riverstage with the Ohio River as your back drop. Beautiful music, view and atmosphere.

5/23/2015 - 9/12/2015 | 7:30 p.m.
35. Riverstage Twilight Cinema 2015
Jeffersonville Riverstage
Bring your little ones to see family friendly movies on the Jumbo screen every Saturday after dark.  Come early at 7:30 for fun kids-centric entertainment that will have the kids moving and winning prizes.

5/22/2015 – 25 | 12 pm - 11 pm
36. WAVE 3 Abbey Road on the River
Belvedere Festival Park & Muhammad Ali Center
$20 - $199
Lots of bands on lots of different stages playing tribute to the music of the Beatles all weekend long.

5/22/2015 - 5/24/2015

37. Kentucky Reggae Festival

Louisville Water Tower
$12 before 6 p.m., $16 after 6 p.m.; kids under 10 free
Raggae music and spicy flavors of Jamaican food reign at this annual festival.

5/23/2015 | All day
38. Fleur de Flea Vintage Urban Market
Waterfront Park
An open air market for lovers of vintage clothing, books, records, primitives, antiques, repurposed, recycled & collectibles.

5/4/2015 | 4 p.m.
39. Arts Reach Showcase
Brown Theatre
315 W. Broadway
A free annual performance arts showcase for participants of the Kentucky Center for the Arts' Arts Reach project.


5/25/2015 | 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
40. Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle
Louisville Waterfront Park – Great Lawn
Another one of my favorites and a biannual traditional for me. Thousands of people come over to bike, hike and paddle.   The city closes the streets for cyclists, maps a hiking map at the waterfront, and give free kayak tour (or you can bring your own) in the Ohio River.  Come early to check out the health-centric booths and get some free swags.

5/27/2015 | 5 p.m.–10 pm
41. WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Concert 
Waterfront Park, Big Four Lawn
Civil Twilight, Matthew E. White and Small Time Napoleon
Bring a blanket and a friend(s) to relax and enjoy beautiful music on the last Wednesday of every month. A young and lively atmosphere with a beautiful view of the Ohio River in the background.

5/29/2015 | 6 p.m. – 10:30 pm
42. F.A.T. Friday Hop
Frankfort, Mellwood & Story Avenue
Hop on a trolley every last Friday of the month to explore the shops and restaurants along Frankfort Avenue. Appetizers, discounts, music, and friendly people can all be found here.

5/30/2015 | 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
43. Festival of Ale & Wine
St. Anthony's of Padua
320 North Sherwood Ave
Clarksville, IN 47129
A craft beer festival raising money for WHAS Crusade for Children featuring over 100 + breweries, 7 craft beer distributors, 250 crafts and import beers, wine, food and more.

5/30/15 - 7/5/2015 | 10 a.m., Sat & Sun only
44. 2015 Highland Renaissance Festival
Festival Space
Eminence, KY
$5 - $70
If you love the romance and customs of the Renaissance period, the Renaissance Festival is the perfect place to be a part of it.  Lots of fun to be had with period costomes, jousting, games, food and fun.

5/30/2015 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
45. Clarksville Chalk Walk 
Clarksville Community Center
2311 Sam Gwin Drive
Clarksville, IN
$5 to enter competition.
Bring out your artistic side with the chalk art competition or simply browse the lovely artwork.  Food and entertainment aplenty.  Rock climbing, laser tag, video game, and other activities are all free!