City: Louisville, KY

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (502) 635-2240

Address: 1244 South Third St.

Description: The Crane House opened in 1987 in Old Louisville in an attempt to provide a focal point for those interested in the history, culture, food, and language of China; however, it soon expanded to include all of East Asia. Today it has a library with thousands of holdings, and regular exhibits feature Asian art and historical artifacts. Educational programs include topics such as Chinese cooking, tai chi, origami, and language classes in Mandarin and Japanese. The facility is staffed from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and they are open to the public for programs and for the Asia Experience, which involves a tour of the Crane House, including the Asia Gallery; a brief history of the Crane House; and an introduction to the ritual of Chinese tea and tea drinking. The Asia Experience is free, but reservations are required.