Whether you’re a fan of living in a big city or you enjoy the quiet atmosphere of a small town, Louisville offers the best of both worlds. A city that’s adopted the moniker of a “big small city,” Louisville is the perfect place for a vibrant culture and a quiet escape. 10+ neighborhoods make up the city, each with its own distinct flavor and characteristics. With everything from the history-filled streets of downtown Louisville to the high-end retail of Louisville’s East End, there is no shortage of things to do for any newcomer. Here are just a few facts about Louisville that convey why our team at P.L. Lyons Architectural Builders loves it here and how we think you will too:
Park Systems
In 1981, Frederick Law Olmstead, who was known as the father of American landscape design, was commissioned to design a park system for Louisville. He gained this title from working on parks you may have heard of, such as Central Park in New York and the U.S. Capitol Grounds. He was famed for using parkways lined with trees that led to parks rather than free-standing parks scattered around the city. In Louisville, Olmstead completed what many refer to as his greatest work, remaining as one of the four completed park systems he designed.
The park system comprises seventeen parks connected by parkways running through the city. Over the past 30 years, more than 40 million dollars have been poured into preserving and improving these parks. We don’t know about you, but few things can beat a beautiful walk through a clean park.
The Kentucky Derby
Perhaps the Louisville staple you’re most familiar with is the Kentucky Derby. A sporting event like no other, the Derby has been hosted at the world-famous Churchill Downs since its origin in 1875. “The most exciting two minutes in sports” has become the headline for the race that draws in an influx of celebrities, giant hats, and gallons of mint juleps. So whether you love to pick a horse and cheer because it’s your favorite color while you enjoy the pageantry, or you relish the opportunity to place a bet on the horse you’ve heavily researched, The Kentucky Derby is an incredible event that sees the whole city come together.
Unique Neighborhoods
Each neighborhood in Louisville has its own distinct feel. Places like The Highlands and NULU are growing into hotspots for small businesses and young families looking for vibrant culture, great food, and unique houses. Other neighborhoods like Old Louisville and Butchertown have maintained their historical roots and are home to many of Louisville’s most thriving industries. East Louisville is where many high-end retailers as well as some manufacturers, restaurants, and subdivisions are located, offering countless opportunities for exploration to families moving into the Louisville area.
While on the topic of Louisville’s East End, one tradition that has remained since the 1960s is Homearama. Homearama is an annual Louisville event that showcases custom-built new homes at a select site that are fully furnished, decorated, and landscaped, featuring the latest in building trends, technology, and interior design. P.L. Lyons has a long history of showcasing our custom homes at this annual event. These are homes we custom build for families looking to make their dreams come true in the great city of Louisville and each family reaps numerous benefits for years to come because of their participating home in the event. Check out some of our past work at Homearama!
Bourbon and Local Food
Home to Whiskey Row and the Urban Bourbon Experience, Louisville has over ten distillery tours to offer as one of the world’s prestige locations to secure a delicious glass of Kentucky whiskey. The term “Bourbonism” was even created to describe the part of the city’s tourism that’s solely focused on bourbon. Many other distilleries with decades-long legacies are only a short drive from Louisville too.
Along with the world-famous bourbon scene, Louisville’s local food is a growing attraction for visitors and locals alike. From delicious food trucks to mouth-watering fine dining experiences, Louisville has an eclectic food scene that leaves little to be desired. This includes American cuisine and a bounty of international restaurants that can make even the pickiest eater want to be adventurous. We enjoy following this resource for the local food and entertainment scene.
Entertainment and Shopping
Speaking of entertainment, music festivals like Bourbon and Beyond, Forecastle, and Louder than Life all occur here in Louisville. In addition to these festivals, solo shows from the biggest artists in the world to the smallest local bands play in the city’s many live venues. The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, located downtown, houses the Broadway in Louisville series, where national tours of the world’s most talked about musicals and plays come to perform. The Yum! Center, constructed in 2010, also brings some of the largest names in entertainment to town.
Not only is there live entertainment available, but there are also countless local flea markets, farmer’s markets, and the famous St. James Art Show for those who love to shop local. However, if you’re looking for a specific brand of store, Louisville is home to three large indoor malls and is located minutes away from an outdoor outlet mall. Not to mention the bounty of shopping in the East End-located Paddock Shops.
It’s probably obvious we enjoy living and working here. If you’re looking for a great place to live that can give you the best of big-city and small-town living, Louisville is just the place for you. While starting new in any place can feel daunting, we promise you that one thing you’ll never be is bored. We hope you enjoyed some of these facts about Louisville. And don’t worry; we’ll teach you how to say “Louisville” the right way. So contact us today to let us know if this area has piqued your interest or if you’re ready to build your dream home in one of the greatest cities in America.
