May 2018, Cincinnati to St. Louis driving trip, sightseeing suggestions plz! (renting, home)

[Count David]

In May of next year, myself, my wife, and our youngest son (who will be 7), will be embarking on a trip to a small town outside of Nashville, TN for a family member's graduation.

We'll be flying into Nashville, renting a car, then returning to Nashville, and flying to Cincinnati from there. We'll be driving from Cincinnati to St. Louis, and will be flying home from St. Louis.

My initial plan has us more or less following the Ohio River going west, and going through Southern IL on the way to St. Louis. Allowing up to a week for this trip, we're planning on getting to Cincinnati on a Sunday morning, and leaving St. Louis the following Sunday afternoon.

So any suggestions on can't miss things to see or do for:
-Cincinnati/Northern KY? (already have a Reds game, boat ride)
-Louisville/Southern IN? (Slugger Factory, and Bats game if they're in town)
-Owensboro?
-Evansville/Henderson?
-Paducah/Western KY?
-Southern IL? (I've already got Cairo {to see the rivers join}, Metropolis (Superman kitsch), Garden of the Gods, will most likely stay south of I-64
-St Louis/Metro East (the Arch, possibly Busch Stadium {the Cards won't be in town}, the Ketchup Bottle, Cahokia Mounds)

Thanks in advance!

[aliasfinn]

Most people check out the museum and the free zoo when they're in St. Louis.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

In May of next year, myself, my wife, and our youngest son (who will be 7), will be embarking on a trip to a small town outside of Nashville, TN for a family member's graduation.

We'll be flying into Nashville, renting a car, then returning to Nashville, and flying to Cincinnati from there. We'll be driving from Cincinnati to St. Louis, and will be flying home from St. Louis.

My initial plan has us more or less following the Ohio River going west, and going through Southern IL on the way to St. Louis. Allowing up to a week for this trip, we're planning on getting to Cincinnati on a Sunday morning, and leaving St. Louis the following Sunday afternoon.

So any suggestions on can't miss things to see or do for:
-Cincinnati/Northern KY? (already have a Reds game, boat ride)
-Louisville/Southern IN? (Slugger Factory, and Bats game if they're in town)
-Owensboro?
-Evansville/Henderson?
-Paducah/Western KY?
-Southern IL? (I've already got Cairo {to see the rivers join}, Metropolis (Superman kitsch), Garden of the Gods, will most likely stay south of I-64
-St Louis/Metro East (the Arch, possibly Busch Stadium {the Cards won't be in town}, the Ketchup Bottle, Cahokia Mounds)

Thanks in advance!

Louisville:

Walk across the Big Four Bridge if nice out.

Eat on the river (I like Portage House)

See the city's rejuvenated historic neighborhoods (sightseeing in Old Louisville). There is a daily trolley tour that leaves from 4th and Market or Liberty (just ask at the Louisville Visitor's center). That tour is great as it takes you to obligatory Churchill Downs, too.
Walk through Cave Hill Cemetery, Cherokee Park. Do NOT leave the city without seeing the grand mansions along Cherokee Rd, Willow Ave, etc.
Eat ice cream at Comfy Cow on Frankfort Ave.
Eat in Nulu or buy a gift from a shop there. I really like Mayan Cafe.
Do an URBAN bourbon tour (Evan Williams is close to Slugger Museum and explains the city's river history days)