Explore new places and make memories when you take a tour during the ACB conference and convention.
Don't think you've seen it all just because you've attended a past ACB convention in Louisville. From start to finish, the 2012 convention is packed with brand-new tours, plus a few favorites from the past.
Come early and stay late. Check out the tour ideas below, and then get right on over to the 2012 Conference and Convention Pre-registration page for more details.
Many tours have a limited number of participants; don't delay - sign up today.
Tour Calendar
Friday, July 6
6:30 AM - 11:30 AM Backstretch Breakfast & Kentucky Derby Museum
Experience the early morning at historic Churchill Downs. A hearty Southern backstretch breakfast is followed by an outdoor discussion of the Thoroughbred racing business. Stand close to the rail and you might even hear horses breezing past. Then visit the world-famous Kentucky Derby Museum for an exclusive touch tour designed especially for ACB.
8:30 AM - 5:15 PM Kentucky Bourbon Trail
the rich tradition and 200-year history of Kentucky's legendary distilleries and bourbon industry. The trail begins with a walking tour and box lunch at Woodford Reserve, Kentucky's oldest and smallest distillery that crafts the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Then learn about the bourbon-making process on a behind-the-scenes hard-hat tour at the Buffalo Trace distillery. Both distilleries include gift shop and tasting room.
Lunch options at Woodford Reserve include Chicken Pesto and Mozzarella sandwich, Spicy Bourbon Pork Loin sandwich, or Kentucky Proud Veggie sandwich
4:30 PM - 11:30 PM Stephen Foster Musical
Walk in the footsteps of young Abe Lincoln, Daniel Boone, and even exiled French King Louis Philippe. Dine at historic Talbott Tavern, said to be the oldest stagecoach stop in America. Then travel back to the 1850's as music fills the air with the story and song of Stephen Foster, America's first great composer and the author of both the Kentucky and Florida state songs. Hear great melodies such as "Oh Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "Beautiful Dreamer." The play is outdoors, but moves inside in case of inclement weather.
Dinner options include Prime Rib, Chicken Philippe, and Vegetarian Selection.
9:15 PM - 12:45 AM Waverly Hills Sanatorium
A private tour just for ACB! Built in the early 1900s, Waverly Hills was a tuberculosis hospital for children and adults. Today many people believe its long-dead inhabitants still wander the grounds. Be quiet and listen; you might even find a little boy in the hall who wants to play. Limited to 27 ghost hunters. Important: This tour includes much walking and several flights of stairs. It is very strenuous for those who have breathing issues or cannot endure harsh weather conditions. The building has no air-conditioning, electricity or working elevators; be sure to bring a small flashlight. No flash photography, headlamps or bright high-beam flashlights, or camcorders allowed.
Saturday, July 7
6:15 AM - 5:15 PM Kentucky Horse Park
Saddle up for a ride at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Attend the Parade of Breeds and a meet and greet session with trainers and their horses. Visit the gift shop after a plated lunch. Then participate in team-building and individual activities with horses at Riding for Hope. Liability waivers required and available on bus. Sponsored by the Buell Fund.
Lunch options include Pulled Pork BBQ, Marinated and Grilled Chicken, or Vegetarian Selection.
This tour has options for both inexperienced and experienced riders; be sure to select the one that fits you best.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Louisville City Tour
Whether you call it “River City” or “Derby City,” you’ll hear about Louisville’s rich 200-year history and its famous people and places of interest. No stopping.
This tour is repeated twice on Sunday, July 8.
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM My Old Kentucky Lunch Train
All aboard the historic Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown for a delicious lunch served at your table for four. The Bardstown railroad branch was built in 1860, and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad purchased it at a foreclosure sale in 1864. R.J. Corman Railroad bought the 20-mile branch from CSX Transportation in 1987, and the Dinner Train made its first run in 1988. The depot was constructed in 1860 of native limestone; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The four cars of the train were built in the late 1940's; one car was used in President Eisenhower's funeral train. This tour is not wheelchair-accessible.
Lunch options include Prime rib open-faced au jus, Kentucky Hot Brown (toasted bread topped with roasted turkey breast, Mornay cheese sauce, bacon and tomato; baked until bubbly and golden brown), or Vegetarian Tortellini
Sunday, July 8
8:45 AM - 4:45 PM Huber's Family Farms
Everyone's family at Huber's. Take a hayride around the farm. Enjoy down-home cookin' served family style: southern fried chicken, honey ham, chicken and dumplings, southern-style green beans, mashed 'taters and gravy, fried biscuits and apple butter. Save room for homemade fruit cobbler. Visit the orchard and winery; you might get to pick peaches or other crops if Mother Nature cooperates. End your day in the country at the Farm Market and Bakery where you can purchase fruits and vegetables, jellies and jams, homemade cider, candies, fresh baked goods and crafts.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Louisville City Tour
Whether you call it “River City” or “Derby City,” you’ll hear about Louisville’s rich 200-year history and its famous people and places of interest. No stopping.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Louisville City Tour Same as above.
Monday, July 9
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM Stained Glass and Stoneware Tour
Shop at world-famous Louisville Stoneware for beautiful dinnerware, bakeware, serving pieces, and collectibles that will be cherished for generations. At Glassworks stained-glass studio, founded in 1875, browse the galleries for unique creations from prominent national and international artists. A shopper's dream!
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM APH Factory and Museum Tour
Discover how braille and large print books are produced and where your favorite narrator reads magazines and Talking Books. Includes a short visit to the APH Museum.
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM NABT Educational Products Tour
Especially for teachers. Visit APH to check out new products and get tips for using them in the classroom.
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM APH Museum Tour
Explore the history of the education of the blind through fun and interactive exhibits. You'll find raised letter and tactile alphabets that preceded and competed with braille. Learn about Louis Braille, Helen Keller, first schools for the blind, and early educational materials for math, geography, science and more.
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Bargain Bash Shopping Tour
Clothes, shoes, purses, toys, gifts, records and CD's - you never know what you'll find at the Louisville ACB Thrift Store. Shop till you drop and bring home the deals and steals; you might find some extra luggage to pack up all your bargains.
Tuesday, July 10
12:30 PM - 2:45 PM Sweet Tooth Tour
Schimpff's Confectionery in Jeffersonville, Indiana is one of the oldest, continuously-operated, family-owned candy businesses in the United States. Opened in its present location in 1891, it comes complete with a '50s soda fountain, old-fashioned candy jars and cases, and turn-of-the-century equipment. Schimpff's is famous for its cinnamon Red Hots, hard candy fish, Modjeskas and chocolate turtles; lots of other old-fashioned favorites and sugarless candy, too. Limit 20.
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM Louisville Mega Cavern Tram Tour
Board the SUV-pulled tram for an underground tour rich in history, geology, recycling, and green building technology. The 4,000,000-square-foot man-made cavern with its 17 miles of corridors lies under the Louisville Zoo and all ten lanes of I-264, and is the largest building in Kentucky. An all-weather attraction, the temperature inside the cavern is 58 degrees year round; bring a jacket. Capable of shrugging off a 260-mile-per-hour tornado, state officials in the 1960s planned to house 50,000 people in the cavern in case of nuclear attack. Originally a massive limestone quarry, it is now a green commercial storage facility housing everything from buses to movies, potato chips and sand. There's even an earthworm recycling and tasting room. Limit 30.
12:30 PM - 5:15 PM Louisville Mega Cavern Zip Lines
A high-flying zip line adventure and the only underground tour of its kind. A thrilling and exhilarating exploration into the secrets of this man-made cavern. Learn about the geology and history of this unique attraction. 5 zip lines through 17 miles of passages under the city of Louisville. Guaranteed to keep your heart racing and the adrenaline pumping. You MUST sign a liability waiver in order to participate; forms available on the bus. Not wheelchair-accessible. Guide dogs cannot accompany you on the zip line; make arrangements for them in advance. Limit 15.
1:45 PM - 4:45 PM APH Museum Tour
Same as Monday museum tour.
2:00 PM - 5:15 PM Louisville Mega Cavern Tram Tour
A second section of the Tram Tour above.
3:15 PM - 5:30 PM Sweet Tooth Tour
Another chance to buy those yummy candies!
Wednesday, July 11
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM APH Factory and Museum Tour
A repeat of the Factory and Museum tour from Monday.
12:30 PM - 2:45 PM Sweet Tooth Tour
Another visit to Schimpff's for all those wonderful candies.
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM Slugger Factory & Museum Tour
See the world's largest bat and a 17-ton ball glove crafted from Kentucky limestone. Swing replicas of bats used by American baseball greats such as Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Thrill to great plays as called by famous broadcasters. Handle experimental bats from the past and observe the production of the bats from their bulky beginnings to their polished lacquer finish. Receive a miniature Louisville Slugger at the end of the tour.
1:45 PM Sweet Tooth Tour
Your last chance to buy all those great Schimpff's treats.
Thursday, July 12
12:15 PM - 5:30 PM Raft the Elkhorn Creek
Spend a lazy hot July afternoon rafting cool, slow-moving Elkhorn Creek. 4-mile guided trip on 4-person inflatable rafts on Class 1 water down the most secluded section of the creek. For beginner and experienced adventure seekers. The 35- to 90-foot-wide creek is full of wildlife; it runs over a rock bottom through a series of ripples, small rapids, and calm pools, and passes through a scenic, wooded valley scattered with rock beaches. All equipment included; led by experienced sighted guides. Limit: 20. Signed liability waiver required; available on bus. Guide dogs cannot accompany you on the raft; make arrangements for them in advance.
12:15 PM - 5:30 PM Clark Kentucky History Museum
Explore Kentucky's diverse heritage through comprehensive and innovative interpretive programs. This guided tour provides connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. Limit: 25.
12:15 PM - 5:30 PM Toyota Factory Tour
Observe the assembly process of the Camry and the sub-assembly of its components on this guided, narrated tram tour of the Toyota plant at Georgetown, Kentucky. A short movie will also help you understand how and why this popular car is built here. Due to factory safety requirements, guide dogs will not be permitted on the tram. Please make arrangements for them during this tour.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM APH Factory and Museum Tour
Last chance to visit the American Printing House Factury and Museum. See Monday for complete tour description.
5:45 PM - 10:45 PM Louisville Bats Dinner and Game
Family friendly Triple A baseball at its best! The Louisville Bats (Cincinnati) are playing the Gwinnet Braves (Atlanta) in one of the premier minor league ballparks in the country. ACB President Mitch Pomerantz is throwing out the first pitch, and ACB member Bradley Mann is singing the national anthem. Your ticket includes a two-hour all-you-can-eat dinner of traditional ballpark food in the air-conditioned Hall of Fame pavilion. ACB will be recognized on the scoreboard; bring your radio for the play-by-play on 790 AM.
Saturday, July 14
6:00 AM - 5:30 PM Amish Country Tour & Lunch
Travel to Montgomery, Indiana, the heart of Amish country. Learn about this interesting way of life. Visit a buggy shop, a quilt shop, an Amish bakery, and a general store. You're invited into an Amish family home for a lunch fit for a king; loosen your belt for three or four meats, all kinds of vegetables, and homemade desserts. A day in the country you won't soon forget!
6:15 PM - 9:30 PM Spirit of Jefferson Dinner Cruise
Dress casual and relax after a week of meetings. Enjoy a finger-lickin’ good buffet-style dinner while cruisin’ up the river in air-conditioned comfort. Stay in the cool for after-dinner dancing, or sit out on the deck and sip mint juleps. Alcohol sold separately.