Clarksville, IN

After the great flood of 1937 drowned this neighborhood, Clarksville was rebuilt during the economic boom of World War II. In the past few decades, Clarksville has expanded to accommodate the rise in residents due to its proximity to Louisville.

Celebrate baseball history at the Louisville Slugger Museum, seeing how the world’s most famous baseball bats are made. Dig your toes into the floor of the batting cages, and watch factory machines carve major league baseball bats in 45 seconds flat.

Annual events include the world-famous Kentucky Derby and Abbey Road on the River, the world’s largest Beatles festival. Dress up as your favorite of the Fab Four, and form your very own quartet.

The restaurant scene in Clarksville buzzes with an independent feel. Fried food at its finest prevails at Clarksville Seafood, a tiny roadside fishery on Eastern Boulevard. Order your choice of fish, shrimp, oysters or deviled crabs, and bring your appetite for fresh fish flown in from Iceland daily, homemade cole slaw and hush puppies loaded with pepper.

Get noisy at Mark's Feed Store, a great local BBQ whose sauce will keep you coming back for more. Sip on sweet tea while waiting for Louisville's best baby back ribs. Don't leave without trying the homemade buttermilk pie at this award winning laid-back barbecue joint.

With the booming arts scene just over the river, Clarksville locals spend their nights in bars and music venues. Hear the latest local jazz and blues artists at Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar on Main Street while asking the bartender to educate you on Kentucky bourbons. This unassuming establishment caters to visitors and locals alike, promoting a healthy mix of live entertainment and customer service.

Take your first date to Derby Dinner Theatre for a hot buffet of American food followed with performances by the in-house comedy troupe. Try not to spurt free ice tea out of your nose during this ensemble’s hilarious interpretations of old-Hollywood classics. For dessert, bond with the other guests at your table between bites of hummingbird or peppermint cake.

Although Clarksville residents tend to drive around town, you’ll find walking the gentle terrain easy and enjoyable. The city affords bus lines for public transportation, taking locals from Clarksville to Louisville and back every 60 minutes.

Fly home for the holidays from Louisville International Airport, just a few minutes south of downtown. Pick up a taxi after your return flight, or hail an Uber cab, as Uber runs all the way to Clarksville.

Find available parking meters during downtown trips, with nearly 5,000 available citywide, in addition to lots and garages.

Surrounded on all sides by the 64, 65 and 264 freeways, weekend escapes to Cincinnati or Indianapolis are a cinch. Feel free to walk around in Clarksville, but be careful biking, as designated bike lanes don’t always exist.

Clarksville’s proximity to the Ohio River affords its residents no shortage of scenic views and waterways stretching hundreds of miles. Hunt for fossils at Falls of the Ohio State Park, where the water exposes the 390-million-year-old fossil bed. Walk from downtown and head west along the river bed, or take the museum tour for $4.

Bring your dog to Cherokee Park in Louisville for the scenic 2.5-mile loop full of walking paths, hiking trails and rolling hills. Families can enjoy lunches at any of the picnic tables and barbecue grills, or attend birthday parties and fundraisers at either of the two pavilions. Adventurers, park for free and search out the secret trail under the highway. But be careful: It gets spooky quickly.

Celebrate local history on Labor Day at ClarkFest: a free, full day of community activities for the whole family, complete with arts, music and car shows.

The cost of living in Clarksville tends to run lower than in Louisville, mainly due to rental prices. While living outside the city may feel slower, great deals exist on apartment rentals. For example, one-bedroom apartments in Clarksville generally cost around $538, while rentals in downtown Louisville run significantly higher.

Reach the center of Louisville via the public bus lines for $1.75. Typical pints of craft beer run between $4 and $5, while gas prices in Clarksville run about 3 percent higher than the national average.

Since large malls are not abundant in Clarksville, those on missions for specific items drive to Green Tree Mall for the latest in chain trends at Dillard’s, JC Penney, and Bath and Body Works. Those searching for boutique and home decor novelties can try their hand at places such as Revelry Boutique Gallery to choose from handmade items such as soap, jewelry, note cards and other accessories. Chat with locals selling their print art, and discuss which piece would look best in that empty space on your living room wall.

Clarksville Schwinn has been in business for over 40 years and can help you repair, improve or replace your bicycle. If you're looking for nice clothes at a cheap price, make your way to Sally's Shop, a consignment store which will leave you feeling good and look great. Shop for unforgettable Mother’s Day gifts at Block Party Handmade Boutique, selling local artists’ products such as lotions, earrings and more. Ask the owner which sections belong to which artists, and be sure to stock up on discounted inventory such as soaps and candles.

Large grocery stores like Kroger, Walmart and Aldi provide most of the food for the Clarksville communities. If you’re in the mood for bulk items and other health food, graze around at Earth Fare. This small chain provides gluten-free foods, large olive assortments, and 10 percent off specials for bulk purchases of beer. Healthy meat eaters will rejoice at the organic, grass-fed selection of beef and seafood. If you get really hungry while buying dinner, try their fresh salad bar or deli sandwich eats.