When the company I once worked for announced their plan to open a new location in Louisville Kentucky I was intrigued…
Originally, born in bread in West Virginia, I am a girl who is no stranger to the rural way of life. I grew up swimming in rivers, exploring the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoying bond fires on chilly nights as thousands of fireflies danced around. While this lifestyle suited me for a while, as I got older I craved more and dreamed of living in a city where life moved faster, opportunities were greater, and I could meet people from vastly different backgrounds instead of constantly being surrounded by people who also constantly surrounded me in high school. Following that craving I found myself starting my post-college life in Dallas, Texas.
A few years into my new city life, I had a thriving career in the hospitality industry, a husband who’s passions mimicked mine, and a pudgy 1-year-old who completed me in ways only being a parent could. Still, with my rural roots feeling more and more distant, I began wondering if my baby should have a childhood like mine - wild and wonderful.
Enter now, the opportunity to relocate to Louisville Kentucky as my employer builds a beautiful new hotel downtown. It seemed like the perfect marriage of both city and country lifestyle. I researched and explore online, but one never really knows a place until they venture out, explore in person, and feel its vibrations. In only one weekend, with my husband by my side and the help of the Local Guide program, I was able to absorb the essence of Louisville.
Because relocation was possibly the end game, we started by exploring some of the suburbs of the city. After all, like many who work in Lousiville, we would most likely live in Indiana in a close suburb such as Jeffersonville or Clarksville. The weather was beautiful. We hit up Clarksville where we had a clear view of Louisville, only a short drive away.
After checking in with Google, I knew exactly where we should start our journey. We went to the Widow’s Walk Ice Cream Shop. This place looked like it fell out of a storybook. The sundae we shared was delicious! We agreed that we should take advantage of the gorgeous weather and rent bicycles to further explore the area.
So close to Louisville from Clarksville, even the snap chat filters say Louisville!
Next, we hopped over to another Google Local Guide suggestion, a candy store that has been around since 1891! Located in nearby Jacksonville Indiana, Schimpff’s Confectionery is half candy shop and half tribute to all things sweet! Truly a sight worth seeing for a candy-holic such as myself.
Lastly, we explored our final Louisville burb, New Albany. The streets were dotted with antique shops and Victorian-style homes. The parks offered fantastic views and clean picnic spots. I could only imagine all the fun festivals that would take place there during the spring. I could only imagine all the fun festivals that would take place there during the spring.
Of course, we didn’t only see the suburbs. We did all the Louisville touristy stuff. We ate Hot Chicken, sipped on Whiskey, explored downtown and various city boroughs, all after taking a riverboat cruise!
While Louisville is a fantastic city, it was the hidden gems I found while exploring the suburbs of Indiana that stuck with me most. Like the tiny city garden in Jacksonville.
The weekend was packed with activity, culture, and sights I will not soon forget. We went to investigate if this would be our new home. In only a weekend I was able to picture a completely different life for myself and my family. While we didn’t end up moving, I’m so grateful for the experience. It gave this transplanted city-girl a bit of the rural life she craved. It also made me realize there are just some things about Dallas I just can’t give up. Whiskey, while awesome, will NEVER beat a margarita!