First things first when I think of Kentucky and especially Louisville, Kentucky. Mint Juleps! On the other hand, if Bourbon is on your menu for 2011, horse racing, or good shopping, again, look no further than Louisville, Kentucky.
As some folks from the city say, “Louisville lies just between ‘way out there’ and ‘feels like home,’ and it was named one of the top 20 cities in America to live. If you’re wondering if a place can be urban, but green; intimate, but expansive; surprising yet comforting; energetic and laid back at the same time, well, maybe so when it comes to a place like Louisville.
On a Louisville trip, you have to get it right, and by that, I mean you have to figure out the Bourbon scene. To make it easy there is an appropriately named Bourbon Trail. The trail features six signature distilleries where the Bourbon drinker gets a chance to talk to master distillers while touring the likes of Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, and Heaven Hill. Kentucky produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon at 12 operating distilleries, in that immediate area.
Some of these distilleries named as National Historic landmarks, date back to the early 1800’s, after all, bourbon is the original American spirit and
Congress named it as such in 1964.
Can’t make it out to the distilleries? That’s okay. In the city of Louisville, there is also, what is called the Urban Bourbon Trail featuring nine area bars that you can walk to, take a horse-drawn carriage to or even the local trolley. See, there really is no reason you cannot at least taste the smooth, mellow flavors of a bourbon drink or two while visiting bourbon country.
We have all heard of Churchill Downs, but have you been there? It is America’s most historic and famous thoroughbred racetrack. Founded back in 1874, Churchill Downs is the oldest continuously run racetrack in the United States.
For horse race enthusiasts you also know it is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The first Derby, actually began in 1875, and every year since, is on the first Saturday in May.
What else?
Well, two things. My own personal story, I drove out to Three Chimneys Farm where Smarty Jones currently lives, you know the winning Derby horse that remains one of the most “captivating Champions in American racing history.” In fact, he is one of just six undefeated Kentucky Derby winners, and one of four unbeaten Derby/Preakness winners. Along with seeing a number of other horse racing champions, this horse farm tour is highly recommended if you enjoy horses or horse racing at all. However, no petting is allowed since this is a working farm.
The Kentucky Derby Museum is also a must see with a 360-degree video presentation of “The Greatest Race,” and a great gift shop. For the real enthusiasts there is a historic walking tour of the track, a behind the scenes tour of a barn, and a backside tour, I took the latter.
What I saw was the more than 1400 stalls along the back of the track and many were full since it was a race day. You can learn about life at the track, and if you’re lucky you can see the next great Derby winner out for a bath, these horses are amazing.
Lest one might think I spent all my time drinking and gambling, there are many other pastimes to amuse oneself with in Louisville. Not a big zoo fan, I tried the Louisville Zoo and was impressed by the more than 1,300 animals in their natural habitats on the 134 acres of land. For kids, the African petting zoo is great and includes some education classes to make for a good day.
One of the many unique things about the City of Louisville is the number of hip shopping options too, for antique love
rs this is a gold mine of antique stores dotting the downtown area. Need some pampering? Take time out of your busy schedule and find your way to CaloSpa MD Rejuvenation Center. It is just what the name implies. The thing you’ll find unique here is that while it’s about relaxation there are also doctors on hand should you want a little more.
Because I am always searching for ghosts, my host took me to one of the scariest places I have been to in awhile; the Waverly Hills Sanatorium offers a ghost tour way into the wee hours of the night. It is a huge, now vacant place, built in Gothic style, it opened in 1926 for tuberculosis patients, and the massive sanatorium is said to be haunted. It was closed in 1980 by the state, but the ghosts supposedly continue to live on.
While there are many places to eat in Louisville, a number of places I visited and highly recommend include; The World of Swirl being on the top on my list with the owner working as a Happiness Coach in the area of Positive Psychology, her diner will show you why. Another must mention, Wild Eggs, which includes ambiance; eclectic and the food is breakfast, brunch or lunch amidst the bright and cheery hues of robin’s egg blue and pastel yellow.
As for where to stay when in Louisville, that’s easy since the 21c Museum Hotel is right downtown and just about the coolest place in the city. With unusual art hanging just about everywhere on the walls; it is urban-hip with a dose of Southern hospitality thrown in for good measure. In fact, the 21c Museum on the premises of the hotel is dedicated solely to collecting and exhibiting contemporary artists of the 21st Century, and there is over 9,000 square feet of exhibition space to do it.
For more information visit, www.gotolouisville.com, or www.justaddbourbon.com.