Travellers from all over the world appreciate Shively's attractions because the town between Louisville and the endless fields of Jefferson County sprays a unique flair. Those who arrive here immediately realize that history is not only in dusty history books, but in the old barns on the outskirts of the city, which still testify from the 19th century. Originally a modest farm named after the early settler Thomas Shively, the area was officially declared a city in 1956 – a relatively young step for a piece of land that has been colonized by pioneers since the 1790s.
I have to admit, I don’t understand the whole hype about the “small suburbs”, but here you have the feeling that time ticks a bit slower while the road 264 (I‐264) With a fast drive, it goes directly to the pulsating Louisville – practically if you want a beer in the city after a long day. The people here are a mix of old farmers who still tell about the harvest, and young families who love the charm of the quiet residential streets. And yes, when you speak of the “Shively Sights”, you mean not only the historic buildings, but the whole feeling of life: a bit rough, a bit warm and always with an eye-catcher towards the fast city life.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Shively, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Louisville Mega Cavern – a huge, rebuilt mine that today serves as an adventure park and venue. I once made a “Zipline” ride there, and while I snatched through the dark maze, I thought that was the most modern cave experience since the invention of the flashlight battery change. Parking is usually easy, except for the weekend when the families with their strollers turn the car park into a mini store.
A short detour over the Ohio River Bridge leads you to Big Four Bridge, a former railway bridge, which today serves as a foot and bike path. I like to run there in the evening when the lights of the skyline flicker over the water – a bit cheesy, but honestly, that's what Instagram feeds. The path is well lit, and you don't need a ticket, just a little patience when you join the joggers and skateboarders.
If you're looking for culture, that's Muhammad Ali Center in downtown a must. I don’t understand the hype around the Box Museum – I’m rather a fan of quiet galleries – but the interactive exhibition about Ali’s life and his commitment to human rights really surprised me. The entrance is free, and the café on the ground floor serves the best iced tea in the city, which I could hardly find better after a hot summer day.
A bit of history? Then look at this Frazier History Museum in a former courthouse. I visited a special exhibition on the Kentucky-Bourbon industry there; the tour was so dry that I almost dreamed the word “Bourbon” from mistake into a glass of water. Nevertheless, the museum has a good offer of seating if you want to create a short power-nap after the tour.
For nature lovers there is Louisville Waterfront Park, a large green strip on the river, which is more than just a photo background. I had a picnic with friends there while a street musician played guitar – no joke, that was almost too idyllic for my cynical vein. The park is free, and parking on the edge is usually easy as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a parking microcosm.
A little art? The Speed Art Museum offers a surprisingly varied collection of classical to contemporary art. I was there to see the impressionists and instead landed from an installation of recycled car tires – a real eye-catcher that reminded me that art is sometimes just a clever way to hide garbage. The museum has a small shop where you can buy handmade notebooks if you want to inspire yourself.
A short trip after Old Louisville lets you immerse yourself in the Victorian mansions. I once participated in a guided tour of the spirits; the story of the “ cursed” Mansion owners were more drama than reality, but architecture is really impressive. The roads are narrow, so park on the public car park on the edge and walk – this saves you the eternal search for a gap between the old cars.
Whether you're looking for adrenaline, history, art or just for a nice place to relax, Shively's environment offers more than enough fabric for a varied trip. My personal highlights show that the region around Shively has a lot to offer not only for locals, but also for curious travellers.
This guide invites you to discover a small but surprisingly self-contained spot in the heart of Jefferson County – without the usual tourist crowds that you otherwise encounter in Louisville.
I have to admit that my personal favorite spot in Shively Shively Community Center is. From the outside, the building looks more like a sober administrative center, but as soon as you cross the doorstep, you will be greeted by a huge, slightly sloping swimming pool that looks more like an 80-year swim paradise than a modern community center. I took a bath there on a rainy Saturday morning, while an older couple chatted quietly about the “good old times” – a real insight into everyday life here. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, as it becomes a real problem because the weekly Bingo tournament blocks the parking spaces.
A short walk further Shively Library, an inconspicuous part of the Jefferson County Library System, which is a true treasure box for genealogy fans. I ran into dusty file folders for hours to unravel the history of my ancestors from the Kentucky farmland. The library has a small reading room with a window that looks directly at the Stadtpark-Wiese – perfect for watching the passing joggers with a coffee. And yes, the WLAN actually works here, which one cannot always presume in some rural libraries.
If you have enough of books, the path leads to Shively City. The park is not just a national park, but it has a well-maintained route that leads around a small pond, and a disc golf course that has almost cult status at the locals. I once tried to throw a few slices there, and was promptly corrected by an enthusiastic teenager who told me that the “right” goal is a little farther behind. The park has a free parking space behind the playground, which will be filled quickly in sunny afternoons – a good argument to come early if you want to enjoy the peaceful morning dew.
A little further north, almost hidden between a number of houses, stands the Shively Presbyterian Church. The church is not particularly large, but the interior surprises with colorful stained glass windows that break the light in warm tones. I took part in a Sunday worship service there, only to see how the community flows into the small cafeteria after singing and discusses the current football match – a real insight into the local culture. The entrance is free, of course, and parking is possible directly in front of the door, as long as you do not come to the main divine period, then you have to avoid a few blocks further.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the little bit apprehended, but quite interesting Mural in Shively City Hall. The mural depicting the history of the Ohio River and the industrial development of the region is a bit like a local Instagram motto: “Art that no one sees until one comes by chance.” I have taken a photo that is now hanging in my living room – a bit of cynicism, because I have actually only taken the picture out of pure curiosity, but it reminds me every time that art exists in unmistakable cities.
If you have a little more time left, you'll be worth a trip to Shively Farmers Market, which takes place every second Saturday in the summer in the parking lot of the Community Center. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jams and a stand where an older gentleman sells his self-baked apple chips – a taste I have not forgotten until today. The market is not big, but the atmosphere is warm, and the best thing: you can take some local products here without spending a fortune.
Last but not least, I must not Shively Days Festival in August, the city centre is distributed. I visited the festival once, because I thought it was just another small city festival, and then was surprised by a parade of local bands, a competition with self-made go-karts and a barbecue competition, where the jury clearly preferred the “Rippchen-Chef” from the neighborhood. The festival is a good example of how Shively sights not only consist of buildings, but of people and their peculiarities.
At the end of the day, when I sit back in my car and slowly fade the lights of Shively behind me, I think that this city is small, but every corner has its own, slightly self-willing charm – and that's exactly what I really appreciate in a place.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
