Location: Lexington
Top Things to do in Lexington
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Top 10 Things to do in Lexington, United States
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.
Restaurants in Lexington
1. Keeneland
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Part thoroughbred race course, part sales company and considered one of America's most beautiful tracks, Keeneland is known for its well-designed and meticulous landscaping. The grounds consist of the paddock, a prep area where visitors can view horses up-close just before the race and a combination of dirt and turf race tracks.
Reviewed By coopervanning - Elkton, Maryland
Look if your visiting Lexington during racing season I'm sure your heading here anyway. If your in Lexington by chance and never heard of Keeneland then slip on over for top notch racing or just a look at the race course. Watch the horses train for free in the morning. Stop by the backside kitchen for a great breakfast with owners and trainers elbow to elbow.
2. The Thoroughbred Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
The Thoroughbred Center is nestled among some of the most lavish horse farms in Lexington, KY. Our tour offers a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the daily care and training of Thoroughbred Race Horses. During the tour you will get to watch morning workouts, see horses up close at track side, in the paddocks and barns, and visit with professionals who will answer questions. Learn how Thoroughbreds are trained for racing and experience a typical day in the life of a racehorse. Come to The Thoroughbred Center to learn why and how Central Kentucky came to be the Horse Capital of the World! Tours run ONCE each day and last approximately 90 minutes. Self-guided tours are not permitted. Tour space is limited. April 1 – October 31 Monday – Saturday: 9 am Reservations are Recommended November 1 – March 31 Monday – Friday: 9 am Reservations and a 4-person minimum are Required
Reviewed By kurtzb - Baltimore, Maryland
My daughter is the equestrian in this story and all she wanted was to see horses and horses we saw! Annette was a lovely, informative and entertaining guide who answered all of our questions and put up with MANY questions by my aunt who is a standardbred expert and new to the area. We spoke to jockeys, watched horses exercise, learned about the history of the center and enjoyed every minute!
3. Kentucky Horse Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 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 Alice G - Manhasset, New York, United States
My UK student has this place on his lists of things we could do while we visited. It is a short drive out of Lexington to the horse park. We walked the very extensive grounds to see all the horse monuments and to go to the different barns to see all the horses. The museum was excellent and told the history and evolution of horses. It was very interesting and the exhibits were wonderfully laid out. It was especially fun to get up close and personal with the horses they had at the barns. We had a nice conversation with a groomer and a mounted police officer who was getting ready to go out on his horse. There was even a barn especially for children with dips!and and hand on exhibits for school age kids. It was a very special afternoon.
4. West Sixth Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Located north of Main Street at the end of the popular Jefferson on West Sixth Street. Fresh, local beer made on site and served in a spacious taproom, beer garden, and patio.A great place to kick back, drink some great beer, meet with friends, watch the game, or just hang out.
Reviewed By jeanneasb - Uberlandia, MG
West sixth has the best combination of beer, food and atmosphere. The beers are great specially the IPA, bartenders are nice and fun, the seafood restaurant adjacent have delicious food and they always have different things going on, like a running club. It has always...MoreHi! Thank you so much for visiting us and for letting folks know this is one of your favorite places! We are so happy to have you regularly coming around and getting to know the place. See you again soon!
5. Mary Todd Lincoln House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 517 reviews
Discover America's most fascinating first lady during a visit to her girlhood home! The wife of President Abraham Lincoln grew up in this house. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln visited her family here. Today the fourteen room house contains period furniture, portraits, and furnishings. The property is located in downtown Lexington and has a free parking lot located directly behind the house. Convenient walking distance to local hotels and restaurants. Holiday schedule varies. Open seasonally March 15th - November 30th, Monday -Saturday (closed Sundays.) Guided tours on the hour, 10AM-3PM (last tour at 3PM). Limited to 15 guest per tour.
Reviewed By James G - Lexington, Kentucky
I enjoyed a very entertaining, educational guided tour today (Wednesday, November 8, 2017) of this house that Mary Todd Lincoln lived in for about seven or eight years before moving away. The tour guide, Tom, said she lived in this house with her family from age 13 to age 21. And after she moved away she (and Abraham Lincoln) came back to visit her family here, too.
My tour guide, Tom, knew much about the history of the house and the Todd/Lincoln family. He provided some interesting and fascinating details about the family background and the house. He also answered several questions from me and others on the tour.
A few of the items in the house date back to the Todd family, and the guide pointed those out (a table, two desks, paintings, a bed, etc.). Most of the remaining furnishings, though not original to the Todd family, seemed to date to the time period when they were alive.
The tour concluded with an opportunity to browse a bookstore/gift shop in what used to be the warming kitchen of the house.
For persons interested in history, especially the history of Abraham Lincoln, his wife, and their family, I strongly recommend trying to fit the tour into your schedule if in Lexington. The building includes restrooms on the lower level.
The back yard of the house is a garden that contains two plaques with information about Mary Todd Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln. Persons may take a self-guided tour of it free during hours the property is open.
The guided tour of the house took about an hour, including question and answer time. The group I was in began with only four of us, but grew to fourteen soon after we began due to late arrivals. The tours begin on the hour. But the late arrivals were allowed to take the beginning of the next tour to see the first room or two that they missed.
At the Lexington Visitors' Center on West Main Street just a few blocks from the Mary Todd Lincoln House, I purchased tickets to tour four historic homes (the Mary Todd Lincoln house, Ashland/the Henry Clay estate, Waveland, and the Hunt-Morgan house) for one price of $20, a significant savings over the cost of buying tickets for each individually. I have one year to visit the four sites from my date of purchase in November. I recommend persons consider touring all four homes via this discounted ticket plan. While at the Lexington Visitors' Center you can pick up lots of free information about various attractions in Lexington, including a free brochure about the Mary Todd Lincoln House. That free brochure is also available at the Mary Todd Lincoln House.
Lexington's city bus service, LexTran, has bus stops near the Mary Todd Lincoln House. And the house is within easy walking distance of the Lexington Civic Center and Rupp Arena.
6. Lexington Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
Established in 1824, this is considered one of America's most beautifully landscaped cemeteries.
Reviewed By kbab1988 - Holly, Michigan
My friends and I enjoyed our drive and walk through the cemetery. It was full of history and amazing tombstones. It took us quite a while to find the National Cemetery part. Once we found it, we spent a lot of time looking around. Beautiful Cemetery
7. Lexington Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
When you are in the Horse Capital of the World, be sure to stop by and see us at our new downtown Visitor Center, 401 West Main Street, in Victorian Square. Look for the awning with the famous blue horse, Big Lex. We are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Open Sunday afternoons from noon till 5 p.m. in the summer.) Speak with a Visitor Information Specialist, browse our informative brochures and maps, watch videos about the Bluegrass Region on one of five interactive screens and check out our Bourbon still and other memorabilia.
Reviewed By lolacraw - Clinton, Ohio
We almost had to twist the lady's arm for information! She never told us that these places had parking even though we told her that both of us had knee issues. Not very friendly at all.
8. Alltech's Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Established in 1794, Alltech's Lexington Brewery Company continues a splendid tradition of quality brewing producing Kentucky Ale, Kentucky Light and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. The brew hall viewing area, bottling operations, gift shop and an authentic Irish pub are available for tours. Bus tours and walk-ups invited.
Reviewed By Brittany D
Such a beautiful place! Something fun and different! Perfect to do on an afternoon with a group of friends or for couples or when yourself and a friend are just looking for something fun to do! It’s an unique experience worth the visit!
9. The Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 343 reviews
Reviewed By BeachBummer2015 - Lexington, Kentucky
This place has really grown and matured over the past several years. Love walking through the woods to see the old tree that fell during the big ice storm. Professionally done arboretum and it shows!
10. Rupp Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 400 reviews
Sports and entertainment center seats 23,600 spectators and serves as home to the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball team.
Reviewed By 280bettyr - Lexington
It's a great place to watch a basketball game even if your seats are in upper level now that they have Big Bertha to view. Concessions for everyone, souvenirs available and security is top of the line. Difficult part is getting a decent parking place at a reasonable rate. If you are up to walking, you can do it.
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