By Alex Petersen
The Kentucky Derby, “Keep Louisville Weird,” Ear X-tacy, mint juleps, Heine-Brothers, University of Louisville athletics…These are just a few of the symbols featured in Louisville culture.
Many people take this vibrant city for granted, overlooking all the beauty, culture, art, history, and entertainment it has to offer.
The truth is, there is probably a lot of fun and excitement passing you by and you don’t even know it. Louisville wasn’t ranked by the 2000 edition of Places Rated Almanac, as the 14th best place to live in North America for no reason.
With only a couple more months until winter weather, don’t let your workload prevent you from enjoying Louisville’s 14,000 acres of parks.
Among these are the beautiful and historic Cherokee, Iroquois, and Shawnee Parks, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York City’s Central Park.
Who would want to stay cooped up inside studying when you could just take your books to the park?
The saying “Keep Louisville Weird” is printed on T-shirts, signs, and bumper stickers across the area encouraging people to support independent/local businesses that nourish the city’s economy and culture.
The city is jam packed with unique restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, and shops located in areas like the popular and exciting Bardstown Rd., the increasingly popular Frankfort Ave., and the classic neighborhood of St. Matthews.
Looking for something a little more exciting? Try popular nightspots including Irish Row and Fourth Street Live.
Big sports fan? Louisville’s got you covered. We have horse racing at the world-renowned Churchill Downs, the Cincinnati Reds AAA affiliate Louisville Bats, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and the Muhammad Ali Center.
Plus, we are the self-proclaimed “best college sports town in America.”
Looking for live music in Louisville is never difficult. The city’s artist attracting venues include the Louisville Palace, Freedom Hall, Headliners, the Brown Theatre, 930, the Jazz Factory, the Rudyard Kipling, and Uncle Pleasant’s. Not to mention the Kentucky Center for the Arts, which puts up the Louisville Ballet, the Louisville Orchestra, and the Kentucky Opera (the 12th oldest opera in the United States).
If its arts and entertainment your after, you can check out the butcher’s district, the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center, and “museum row” in the West Main District. Popular museums include the Speed Art Museum on campus, the Frazier International History Museum, The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, and the Louisville Science Center.
Annual events include the Kentucky Derby, the state fair, Thunder over Louisville, the Pegasus Parade, the St. James art fair, “Brew at the Zoo,” the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre, Shakespeare Festival at Central Park, and festivals at the water tower including Rock the Water Tower, the reggae festival, and the bluegrass festival.
It’s easy to get bogged down with school work, jobs, or your social life. But it’s important to realize that there are many great things around just about every corner in this city. Without experiencing some of the culture that Louisville has to offer, students are doing themselves a great injustice.
