Wine and Spirits Travel

I couldn’t believe when I looked it up that it had actually been seven years since I was in Louisville, Kentucky . It was one of those places I had looked forward to returning to soon, but never got around to it. When I had the chance to cover the first annual Bourbon & Beyond Festival, I knew it was also a chance to get back to a Kentucky favorite, which happens to be only a few hours away from my home in Champaign. Brittany, Jamie, and I headed out first thing on Friday morning, so we could get to Louisville in time for a full day. The tourism board had helped me arrange some fun and unique things to do. Day one was set downtown and our first stop was someplace none of us had ever been, the  Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory . To say that this place makes baseball bats would be a huge understatement. It is a baseball lover’s must – and I happen to be one. We had a private tour through the museum and factory as we watched t

I go to New York every few months to visit family and friends. I almost always fly, but my friend Lynn suggest she drive back with me and spend some time in Illinois. I had recently received an invite to check out the new Hotel LeVeque in Columbus, Ohio, and decided it was a perfect place to stop. Hotel LeVeque , part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, was opened in the Leveque Lincoln Tower in downtown Columbus. The history of the 100-year-old building has been preserved, and even improved since the opening added additional artwork to the marbled historic building. We arrived late in the evening. The hotel does not have a full restaurant open yet, but we decided to check out The Keep Liquor Bar. It’s a very welcoming area, with leather couches and soft lighting. It has delicate touches with go perfectly with the hotel’s décor. They don’t have a full menu, but the bar menu was inviting.  We decided to share the Watermelon Goat Cheese Arugula Sal

I’ve had the pleasure of making a lot of trips to Indianapolis as it is less than two hours from here. Every time I go there are different things to see and do. That was especially true for this trip. My friend Angela and I checked into the Courtyard Marriott Downtown .  It’s in a perfect location, directly across the street from Whitewater State Park and the Indiana State Museum. The Courtyard has a nice coffee shop and lounge area, and it’s connected to the Fairfield Inn and the massive JW Marriott Indianapolis for more options. First on our schedule was our first trip to the Indiana State Museum . We really enjoyed learning about the Hoosier State and it’s place in America’s history. Among the exhibits and hands-on experiences are a 50 th Anniversary exhibit on the Indiana Pacers and a looks into the gems and minerals in the state, as well as its start through the Ice Age.  We also were able to see plenty on famous Indiana natives, including Jam