Citywalk Around Louisville, Kentucky

📢 Kentucky is a state in the central United States, nurtured by the Ohio River, which flows through vast pastures and farmlands. While there aren’t many national parks near Louisville, the city itself offers excellent citywalk spots like the Big Four Bridge and Waterfront Botanical Gardens. 👣 The Ohio River serves as the boundary between Kentucky and Indiana. It is also the river Harriet Beecher Stowe described in Uncle Tom’s Cabin—crossing it meant freedom. The Big Four Bridge was built in 1895 (during the Qing Dynasty in China, the same year as the First Sino-Japanese War). The northern part of the river was once a major industrial zone, and this railway bridge was primarily used for freight. Designed in the popular cast-iron riveted style of the time, it resembles the Yalu River Broken Bridge in Dandong and the Harbin China Eastern Railway Bridge. Railway operations ceased in 1968, and after years of abandonment, the bridge was repurposed as a tourist attraction in 2014. 💞 The bridge spans 770 meters and is named after the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway, commonly known as the "Big Four" Railway. Walking the entire bridge takes about an hour. Pets are not allowed, but bicycles are permitted. On a sunny spring day, with flowers in bloom, the bridge offers views of the rushing Ohio River below. The opposite bank is Indiana, though it feels less vibrant than Louisville. 📍 Google search: 1101 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202. Parking is available, and there are outdoor stalls nearby with very reasonable prices—a can of Coke for $1.50 (cash accepted). 💞 For a better dining experience, Pig Beach BBQ Louisville at the base of the bridge serves American-style barbecue and offers riverside seating. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. 👣 If you’re still craving more, a 10-minute drive will take you to the Waterfront Botanical Gardens. This Eastern-inspired landscape garden is small but charming, requiring about 30 minutes to explore. The garden’s bricks, benches, and even street lamps are adorned with nameplates, most dedicated to departed loved ones, though some commemorate weddings or other milestones. "Time flows like a river, and we are all travelers." The impermanence of life is etched into these small plaques. The visitors are mostly local white residents, suggesting this is their way of honoring their roots. I am Panghu, traveling the world and creating travel guides with the dedication of writing a doctoral thesis. I hope you enjoy it! #USA #CulturalAttractions #USTravel #StudyInTheUS #Kentucky #Louisville #Travel #Citywalk 🌉