Kentucky’s Biggest Outlet Mall Is Just Outside Louisville

One of my best and oldest friends lives in Cleveland, so I've traveled Interstate 71 through Ohio more times than I can count.

It's a fairly uneventful drive, unless you're navigating traffic around Cincinnati or Columbus. My advice? Go around them. I don't care how many extra miles it adds.

However, there's one stop along I-71 that I always enjoy making, and it has nothing to do with sightseeing. I love outlet malls, especially when I can find a good deal on big-and-tall clothing.

The Largest Outlet Mall in Kentucky

Fortunately, Kentucky has a massive outlet shopping destination of its own, and it's much closer to home. In fact, it's just east of Louisville, right along Interstate 64.

The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass in Simpsonville covers more than 428,000 square feet, making it Kentucky's largest outlet shopping center.

The massive open-air shopping destination features more than 80 stores, including Nike, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Polo Ralph Lauren.

And because it's an open-air shopping center, it's also the kind of place where you can spend a beautiful fall afternoon browsing, walking, and occasionally convincing yourself that something you don't really need is too good a bargain to pass up.

I know how that works.

The Largest Outlet Mall in the U.S.

Now, if 428,000 square feet sounds enormous, consider what awaits shoppers at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Florida.

The nation's largest outlet shopping destination covers more than two million square feet and features more than 320 stores and dining establishments.

That's not a shopping trip. That's an expedition. And you'd better wear comfortable shoes.

Of course, you don't have to travel to Florida to enjoy some serious outlet shopping. Kentucky's own massive shopping destination is an easy addition to a Louisville-area getaway.

And with the holiday shopping season approaching, I suspect plenty of bargain hunters will be making their way to Simpsonville.

Are you an outlet mall shopper, or would you rather do all your holiday shopping online?