CITY SPOTLIGHT
LOUISVILLE , KENTUCKY
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
I arrived in Louisville late in the afternoon and immediately headed to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in the heart of downtown . I joined a few other whiskey aficionados on the Traditional Tour & Tasting , a one-hour crash course in the history of bourbon in Louisville , the biography of Evan Williams and the nuances in distilling the spirit .
Our knowledgeable guide led us through elaborate re-creations of historical settings : the banks of the Ohio River in the late 1700s , the streets of Prohibition-era Louisville and a midcentury cocktail club straight from a scene in “ Mad Men .” At each stop , we watched brief film clips to supplement the context our guide provided .
Very little bourbon is produced onsite , but the tour does take groups by the large room where vats of corn mash are distilled and barrelled before the wooden casks are taken away to age . The tour concluded with tips for novice whiskey drinkers as we sipped the distillery ’ s products , which include both budget and premium products .
The Bourbon Experience offers room rentals for groups , including period settings and more contemporary spaces , and catered meals can be arranged .
After imbibing , my next stop was the Muhammad Ali Center . For all the intensity that a prize fight might evoke , the setting of the museum was peaceful , inviting and thought-provoking — much like its namesake , I would learn .
After watching “ If You Can Dream ,” a 14-minute introductory film about the life of Ali , I walked through the museum ’ s permanent exhibits .
The Core Principles galleries explored the guiding philosophy of Ali ’ s life : confidence , conviction , dedication , giving , respect and spirituality . At video booths , guests can sit and record messages about what these principles mean to them .
Train with Ali took me through the boxer ’ s regimen of mental and physical exercise in preparation for fights . I tried my hand at punching the speed bag and shadow boxing before deciding that I was fine floating like a butterfly and would leave the “ sting like a bee ” business to the professionals .
Other galleries contain memorabilia from Ali ’ s career , and interactive displays supplement biographical information with historical context . Together , these pieces form a fascinating look at Ali ’ s youth , athleticism , conversion to Islam and growth as an activist for peace against the backdrop of the civil rights era and the Vietnam War .
Groups should make reservations at least three weeks in advance , and special pricing is available . The museum offers easy motorcoach drop off , and free bus parking is available close by . Fans might also check out the Muhammad
Ali Childhood Home and Museum , open Thursdays through Sundays .
The next day at sunrise , I met Jennifer Riddell , group tour manager for the Kentucky Derby Museum . The museum entrance is adjacent to the gates of Churchill Downs , where the famous race is held , and Riddell took me through what a group would experience during the attraction ’ s Backstretch Breakfast Tour .
While we ate a hot meal in the Track Kitchen , we watched horses run by during their morning workouts . The Derby was less than three weeks away , so the barns and stables were bustling .
“ In the spring and fall , we focus on live racing ,” says Riddell , but tour groups have options throughout the year . “ In the winter , we have beautiful Christmas decor and activities like creating ornaments from horseshoes . Groups can visit in the spring and again during the holidays for a completely different experience .”
Other options include a mock race day with archival footage — following a presentation by a professional handicapper and wagering — a make-yourown-hat session , a curator ’ s tour of museum treasures not on display and a jockey appearance .
After photo ops on the backstretch and from the stands below the famous twin spires , I headed inside the museum for its 360-degree film , “ The Greatest Race ,” and a walk through the exhibits . Artifacts cover every aspect of the Kentucky Derby , from the fashions of its famous attendees to the history of horseracing .
Muhammad Ali Center
GABE WEBB
30 July 2017