Location: Lexington
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Lexington, Kentucky (KY)
Welcome to Bluegrass Country, the "Horse Capital of the World." But you don't have to be an avid racehorse fan to enjoy the natural beauty, culture and history that this exciting city has to offer. At the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, for example, hiking trails wend their way through forests, meadows and gentle creeks, taking you past historic landmarks; there's even a nighttime guided walk for stargazing. The best place in the world for raising thoroughbred horses, Lexington has over 500 horse farms. The Kentucky Horse Park features films, horse shows and exhibits. Be sure to tour the American Saddle Horse Museum, dedicated to the native Kentucky breed, and watch races at the lovely Keeneland Race Course in season. Historic sites are plentiful here, including the Waveland State Historic Site, the childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln and the Ashland estate of famed Kentucky statesman Henry Clay.
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1. Kentucky Horse Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,633 reviews
The only park of its kind in the world, the Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm, educational theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man's relationship with the horse. Set on more than 1,200 acres in the heart of the Kentucky's famous Bluegrass region, the park is THE place to get close to horses! Featuring dozens of breeds of horse at work and at play, the park showcases the horse in daily equine presentations, horse drawn tours, horseback and pony rides, and an array of horse shows and special events throughout the year. The park's International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the world's largest equestrian museum. Offering both the experienced horseman and novice an opportunity to explore the many facets of humanity's relationship with the horse, the museum is dedicated to all breeds and disciplines of horse and covers some 50-million years of equine history. State-of-the-art technology complements rare artifacts and scholarly research to present a unique, educational, museum experience for all ages. The American Saddlebred Museum, the Showplace for Saddlebreds, celebrates Kentucky's first native breed of horse. The museum features interactive exhibits and a movie. With the park's own tourist activities and the numerous additional horse shows that take place in the equine competition facilities throughout the year, there can be a fair amount of walking involved, depending on visitor interest level. Comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended, appropriate for Kentucky's seasonal weather. Dogs and other pets are permitted on park grounds, as long as they are on a leash or in an approved carrier, although they may not be permitted in some buildings.
Reviewed By 676kathrynm - Palm City, United States
If you love horses this is the place to be! Man O' War's amazing statue and burial place, Secretariat's gorgeous statue! The museum is wonderful, plan on spending lots of time in it. All different breeds of horses, you get to see and pet. Some interesting shows and you get to see retired champion race horses!
2. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
The site of celebrated statesman Henry Clay's original 672-acre estate that once grew hemp, tobacco and grain is now a museum and National Historic Landmark, where visitors can tour the reconstructed 18-room mansion, grounds and beautiful gardens. *New for 2019: We now allow non-flash photography on all of our tours!*
Reviewed By timhQ5590ZE - Kalamazoo, United States
You could feel the integrity and re-live the accomplishment of the man who built the house. A fine tour with plenty of history and what a time to discover that Henry Clay also believed in tariffs, and building a great America with American industry! Also, to discover that Abe Lincoln found Henry Clay and inspiration and guiding light for his presidency. A must for the history buff or theta person who wants to rediscover American roots and belief systems!
3. Shillito Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
4. Thoroughbred Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By TurboTraveler23 - Henderson, United States
Gorgeous and realistic statues of racing horses and jockeys with a fountain feature as a backdrop make for some beautiful photo memories.
5. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Don your walking or hiking shoes and follow the trails through this 350-acre tract of land complete with forests, creeks, meadows, wildflowers and historic and geological landmarks.
Reviewed By melissaaQ7050VS
This was our favorite part of our KY visit. We hit it on the way out of town and were so pleasantly surprised. The hike is not for the faint of heart - Im not a hiker but I would consider their main trail Moderate. There is a map that includes each of the color trails' descriptions. We took the main loop (i think its red) and then a few of the white (sight seeing spot) off shoots from the main 4 mile hike. The views and the scenery were so varied that we were entertained the entire trip. There is a view of the Kentucky river as well as two or three points where you can see small creeks. The greenery was mostly gone during our November visit but there was still so much to see as far as mushrooms, fungus, color leaves and some remaining greenery. We even saw some turkey! Highly recommend. But it is a hike so be sure to check in at the main center (they have a sign in/out sheet) and take some water. I think it took us about 3 hours and we were meandering and taking photos. It was also a little wet from rain so we were in no rush.
6. Jacobson Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By interceptpubs - Columbus, United States
We stopped here on a January morning for a walk. Of course, this time of year, the park is not at its best, but it is still a very nice space - 200+ acres of rolling grassy hills with enough trees to break things up and a stocked 40+ acre lake. There a number of covered picnic shelters and attendant parking areas scattered around, as well as a number of athletic facilities - basketball courts, volleyball nets, disk golf course (there is an adjacent regular golf course as well), etc. There is also a playground with equipment, "spray" park for kids, and paddle boat rentals for the lake (available, of course, from late spring to late fall). There's even a concession stand (hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks, etc.) that is also open during warmer months. Park is named for Ernest E. "Jake" Jacobson who was the local water company manager from the 30s to 60s. The park was originally developed by the water company, and the lake is a water source for the area. A picture of Jacobson and a short description of how the park came to be are posted in the playground area. We wandered around the grounds for about an hour and even in the cold of winter found it to be a nice quiet spot for a contemplative walk. In the summer, it is undoubtedly quite lively and even more enjoyable.
7. Masterson Station Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By NorCal-traveler08 - Orangevale, United States
We came on a Saturday afternoon as we had seen online they had a great kids park. The park itself is quite large but everything is well marked. The kids area was open except the splash pad, even the restrooms were open. They have a lot of different areas for all age kids. We thought it would be crowded on a Saturday but there were only two other kids there. They have picnic tables with covers for large groups and also a few tables around the play structure. Great park.
8. The Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
Reviewed By WVShanlaw - Hurricane, United States
Such a beautiful area and lovely place to walk. Dog friendly and mostly level terrain make it easy for all to enjoy!
