Strolling Through the Streets of America’s Possibility City
I’m willing to bet that when you think about top travel destinations in the United States the city of Louisville is not on your radar. In fact, I’m willing to bet Louisville doesn’t even make your top 100.
It’s not Louisville’s fault. The United States is a big country, loaded with awesome destinations like the Grand Canyon, New York City, the Colorado Rockies, Alaska and Hawaii. With outstanding natural beauty and some of the world’s most exciting cities, it’s no surprise that Louisville gets lost in the mix.
When I tweeted that I was boarding a flight to Louisville I received several confused replies. “Why Louisville?” was the general theme.
Well, I didn’t visit Kentucky’s largest city because it boasts epic outdoor adventures or cosmopolitan flare. Nope, I visited Louisville for the first time because of a work related conference. I rarely talk about my day job on this blog, but I do have a career that I enjoy and sometimes it takes me on the road (to places like Fort Lauderdale).
I must confess, when I learned that my next work trip was to be in Louisville, I wasn’t exactly jumping for joy. I didn’t even bring my camera because, to be honest, I really didn’t think I would need it. I wasn’t far off with that assumption, however I did bring my trusty iPhone and it took some decent pictures.
I saw this sign in the Louisville airport while waiting to collect my luggage. I don’t know why, but it cracked me up, so I had to take a picture. I can’t decide what’s more comical, the cheesy fake smiles or the tagline “ideally situated 738 miles from Wall Street”.
I’m still scratching my head. How can anything be ideally situated 738 miles away?
After checking into the hotel, my colleague and I decided to get outside and see what Louisville was all about. I noticed several signs hanging from street light poles, claiming that Louisville is “America’s Possibility City”.
Possibility City? I was confused. Was this an award or an insult?
While I didn’t have enough time to really get to know the city, it didn’t take long for me to understand the meaning behind the title. Louisville has potential and it’s trying hard to be a player, but it’s just not quite there. And I’m not so sure it ever will be.
But Louisville does have charm. You just have to look a little harder.
I did enjoy Louisville’s old heritage buildings. You can see that it was once a bustling trade city with promise and “possibility”.
Heritage buildings in downtown Louisville
The Kentucky Derby – The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports
And the award for “Most Out of Place Statue” in Louisville goes to…
My favourite part of Louisville was the Louisville Slugger Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame stretches from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory on West Main Street to Louisville Slugger Field on East Main Street.
Bronzed bats and home plates honor some of baseball’s greatest players that used Louisville Slugger bats during their career. It’s a cool idea that brings out the little boy in every baseball fan.
The Legend! One of my favourite players growing up.
The World’s Biggest Baseball Bat in front of theLouisville Slugger Museum
A tour group visiting the factory in the Louisville Slugger Museum
There’s no shortage of statues in downtown Louisville. This statue of General George Rogers Clark, considered to be the founder of Louisville, sits on the shores of the Ohio River in the heart of the downtown core.
The steel George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge stretches over the Ohio River
Bourbon Barrel Ale. It sounds better than it tastes.
Kentucky Ale. Not very good, but when in Rome…
Fourth Street entertainment district. This is the “before” shot…
and this is the “after” shot. It was quite the street party!
Louisville skyline at sunset
Louisville is Derby country
Slow-roasted pulled pork smothered in bourbon BBQ sauce – sloppy but tasty!
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Have you visited Louisville? What did you think?
Share your experience in the comments section below
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Interesting! I’ve never thought about what Louisville looks like but those historic buildings are quite nice. And that sign in the airport is priceless.
Isn’t it a funny sign?
Louisville does have some beautiful architecture in the downtown core. It’s a very walkable city, but you don’t need more than a day.
Louisville looks quite nice. You brought something back to me… My old desire to attend a Derby at some point 🙂
Cool! Thanks for the positive feedback Izy.
Now, start making plans to attend next year’s Derby… 🙂
Love the Wall Street ad. Good to see they have a sense of humor about themselves in Louisville 🙂
It’s quite funny, isn’t it? Though I’m not entirely convinced it was meant to be funny… at least not directly.
Louisville is a great city, especially if you venture past downtown. There’s a thriving small business community, it’s slowly becoming a foodie haven (especially in the farm to table arena), and though the local beer might not be great- you can’t beat the bourbon! Louisville will never be New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, but it’s a small city with a lot of charm and character, especially right beneath the surface.
Also, the ad was knock at Wall Street. No one wants to be close to the scum, kind of thing.
Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to sample the bourbon. There was plenty to choose from and I hear Louisville serves some of the best – I wouldn’t know though because I rarely touch the stuff.
I do get that the sign is meant to knock Wall Street brokers, but the irony (at least to me) is that the guys in the sign look exactly like the guys they’re trying to distance themselves from. Wouldn’t it be great if they were throwing up the double gunner with an eye wink?!
Thanks for the great article-I enjoyed it immensely. Another really underrated city destination. Some great photography too. Louisville is on the list for Roadtrip 2013!
I love Louisville! We visit all the time…its really a fantastic city that has a lot to offer, much of which is unknown to many. You got to see a lot of the top sites, and your photos are really amazing!