How to Visit Louisville, Kentucky Without Making Plans

Believe it or not, sometimes the best way to travel is by throwing caution to the wind, filling up the gas tank and hitting the road. This was the case for me recently when I visited Louisville, Kentucky to shoot some video for my blog. With just a couple of days notice, I was invited to cover a story at the Louisville Science Center. In desperate need of an assistant who would run camera for me while I conducted an interview, I recruited my mother. A two hour car trip with my mother to a city I've never visited? Seems like a recipe for disaster.

But Louisville welcomed us with open arms and easily navigable streets. So I feel the need to share our accidental finds in Louisville. The following eateries and attractions are all on Main Street, and all day parking was affordable. (Less than ten dollars for all day Sunday just one block from Main Street.)

The Louisville Science Center. I would be remiss not to mention this colorful children's museum that fills up a few stories of an antique-looking building right on Main Street. The day we visited they were running "Star Trek: The Exhibition" which means Mom and I were in geek heaven. Aside from their travelling exhibits they have an Imax theater, a built-in Subway restaurant and all the fun little gadgets and curiosities that captivate both kids and adults alike. (I have to say that last part about "adults alike" to make myself feel better about being so enamored of every children's museum I visit.)

Proof On Main. We stumbled over to the restaurant Proof On Main during our lunch break and before the video I needed to gather. We knew nothing about it, but our questions as to its name were immediately answered. Over fifty varieties of Bourbon graced the well lit wall behind the bar. The restaurant is bright and packed full of quirky works of art, fitting since Proof is connected to a gallery.

If you should need to use the restroom when at Proof you will be treated to a walk-through the mini-museum, and even the bathroom itself is full of installation art. The food is gourmet and therefore more expensive than your average lunch at Subway. But reasonable considering the home-cooked, inventive dishes they serve that also strive to work with sustainable ingredients.

One of the best ways to get acquainted with a new city is to visit a local restaurant. Not a chain, but something unique. By doing this, we felt we were able to connect with Louisville through the literal flavors of the food. By browsing the menu, you'll realize very quickly that Southern food, that signature Bourbon and a little decadence are important to Louisville culture.

The Ohio River. It's a simple and soothing sight to take in, and hey, it's free. We strolled a few blocks down to a walkway that lead to a paved area overlooking the flowing Ohio River. With plenty of picture opportunities and some wide open spaces, we enjoyed the breeze and the peaceful little inlet that got us off Main Street for a moment.

Mrs. Potter's Coffee Lounge. Near the end of the day, we were feeling sapped of energy. The first truly hot day we had spent outdoors this summer and all the running around had us feeling ready for a nap. With a big drive home and a little footage left to gather, we needed a pick-me-up. So we headed across the street to Mrs. Potter's Coffee Lounge. This charming little spot with brick walls and café tables seemed perfect and it was. I grabbed a shot of espresso and we snagged some incredibly rich chocolate truffles from the bakery case. Each truffle was flavored with espresso or coffee and the combination of thick sugary chocolate and rich espresso perked us right back up.

All of this is not to mention the leafy greens and antique exteriors of Main Street, the statues and works of art that literally lined the sidewalks and the polite citizens we ran across. If you want to get out of town for a day, no matter where you live, head to a nearby capital city and just let yourself spend a day wandering the main thoroughfare. Enjoy the local businesses, take in the sights at a slow pace and just disconnect from life back home. I lived in Indiana my whole life and had never bothered to drive the couple hours to the home of Bourbon and the Lousiville Slugger. After our brief trip, I'm sorry I waited so long.