How a Staycation Helped Me Fall in Love With Kentucky All Over Again

I love traveling. One of my very favorite things is going to places I've never been; these include restaurants, museums, parks, and boutiques. Traveling allows me to stumble upon hole-in-the-wall restaurants, hidden gem nature preserves, and undiscovered art galleries. Because of the joy these experiences bring me, I often plan getaways to celebrate big occasions. Our family's birthdays, anniversaries, and accomplishments are often marked by travel. We're not very picky about our destinations; they can be near or far, to big cities or tiny farming communities. We love them all.

Recently, as one such occasion approached, I felt pulled to plan a fabulous getaway but soon realized it wasn't possible. The realities of life—work, family, commitments, etc.—made it impossible to leave town. I'm sure you can relate.

I was bummed. But a small thing turned my mind around. I was on a work call with someone in another country, and the person showed genuine interest in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. They asked about the Kentucky Derby and our traditional foods, and suddenly, being "stuck" in Louisville didn't seem like a bummer; it felt like an opportunity. Despite living in Louisville for many years, there are still things I've never done or tried. Others may have changed since I last visited. There's plenty to do without ever leaving town.

I decided that over the next few days, I would try to embrace the true meaning of the word "staycation" and experience Louisville like a tourist. I'd go out of my way to shed my routine and visit some gems in my city. More than just visiting, I'd look for things to appreciate about the Derby City.

My first staycation stop was the Festival of Trees & Lights, a one-of-a-kind holiday festival held at Louisville Slugger Field to raise money for Norton Children's Hospital. I wandered through the beautifully decorated trees and wreaths and marveled at both the decor and the building that housed them. Louisville Slugger Field was built in 2000 using the bones of a historic train station. The massive event space has a beautiful wooden ceiling and rows of windows. I loved the festival, and it could have easily been part of an out-of-town vacation.

My next stop was for lunch. I decided to head to Frankfort Avenue, a lovely, walkable street with tons of restaurants, and eat at Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe. It's an artisan bakery with European-style breads, pastries, desserts, soups, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads. Walking into the Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe was like entering a different world. The bakery case was stocked with beautiful loaves of bread and sweets, each more mouthwatering than the next.

I chatted with a friendly woman in line behind me, who explained all her bakery favorites. Thanks to her advice, I ordered a turkey sandwich with Swiss cheese, apple slices, bacon, and tarragon mayo. I also added a pecan chocolate chip cookie. I ate at a high-top window seat, looking out over Frankfort Avenue. The sandwich and cookie were amazing; they were clearly crafted with the best quality ingredients. I'd highly recommend the Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe to visitors or locals.

During my staycation, I also stopped by a unique shop in Louisville called Just Creations. It's a nonprofit, fair trade store that sells clothing, home decor, coffee, kids' items, and more. The products are all handmade by artisans from developing countries all over the world. I was immediately drawn to the Christmas ornaments at Just Creations. I had never seen such unique, detailed, and high-quality ornaments. I especially loved the felt ornaments crafted by Nepalese artists; they were adorable and unbreakable, making them easy to store and care for. I bought a felt penguin and snowman and look forward to giving them as gifts.

I enjoyed each part of my Louisville staycation and felt a quiet appreciation for my hometown. I appreciated the architecture of Louisville Slugger Field, the effort to raise funds for Norton Children's Hospital, the dedication of the bakers at Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe, and the celebration of worldwide artists at Just Creations. I also encountered friendly, welcoming people at each stop. Other states certainly have friendly patrons and employees, but there seem to be as many or more in Kentucky as anywhere else I have been. I felt proud to live in a city where people cared about each other in big and small ways.

Before making an effort to see Louisville like this -- a tourist -- I had focused too much on its challenges, the negatives. In the future, I hope to see my city with fresh eyes and celebrate its kind people and unique sites. I'll always look forward to my next out-of-town vacation, but now I look forward to my next staycation, too.