Wait, Actually? A Girls Trip to Louisville, Kentucky

You guys. Okay, you know how last year on my annual girls Mystification Trip we went to Cabo, right? We went big because we were celebrating 15 years of these trips. But how do you follow up a girls trip to Cabo?

With a girls trip to Louisville, Kentucky, naturally.

As my 10-year-old son says, “Wait, actually?”

Actually.

My husband's entire family is from Louisville, and for that reason it has always held a special place in my heart. We actually go there every few months to visit. But because we're mainly there to see family, we don't really venture much farther than the firepit on the back deck.

So, as a travel-obsessed working mom, you can imagine my hesitation with this year's pick.

However, with these girls, we could literally go anywhere and make it the best weekend ever. So off we went.

And I'll be the first to say, I was wrong.

From the moment we arrived at our house at The Bellwether, the weekend felt elevated from the jump. The house was floral, artsy, whimsical, and radiated Southern charm and hospitality.

We started our mornings with three-mile walks and talks through Cherokee Park, grabbing post-workout smoothies and cold brews from Lucia's Cafecito .

• 

• 

We bopped around boutiques, made fresh cocktails, and talked about everything: fashion, FOMO, wills and trusts, the sandwich years, and everything in between.

We got fancy and bet on some ponies at Churchill Downs.

We checked out an adults-only pool.

And we ate. And ate. And ate some more.

The tears and laughter flowed all weekend, fueled by good food and set against this beautiful city that seemed to really value connecting in beautiful spaces with elevated touches.

And THE FOOD.

As tradition goes, we order pizza the night we arrive on our trips. It was good, but just wait for the rest.

Friday we had the chef's table at Perso. Omgggee. So good. We were treated to plate after plate of amazingness. The espresso martinis (with tequila instead of vodka) were on point, and hanging in the lavender garden after dinner was the perfect ending to the day.

Saturday night was another banger. We had a huge window table at La Bodeguita de Mima and it. was. so. good. The food, the atmosphere, the live salsa speakeasy situation on the first floor—I truly felt transported.

Like any good girls trip, good music is essential. The whole weekend we were jamming to lo-fi beats, college bangers and boss-babe anthems. Throw in some hip-hop and 2000s rap and you get the vibe.

I think what surprised me most about Louisville was her ability to truly and consistently shine. What do marketing experts say --- Consistently surprise and delight?

Girl delivered big for us.

And now I can't wait to take my family back and explore some more. First stop: salsa dancing at La Bodeguita.