Top 8 Specialty Museums in Lexington, Kentucky (KY)

July 10, 2021 Etsuko Causey

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. The Telephone Museum

1661 Massachusetts Ave. #488, Lexington, MA 02420 +1 781-314-6864 [email protected] http://telephone-museum.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

The Telephone Museum

When you were a kid, did you take stuff apart just to find out what was inside? Today's stuff is harder to see without specialized equipment, so we tear apart old analog phones to see the componentry that converts voice to electric current and back again. Then we compare this seemingly larger than life componentry of the 19TH century to today's semiconductor based versions. All things being equal, Ohm's Law is why smartphones work the same way as a candlestick phone. Furthermore, Ohm's Law is the fundamental principle of all circuit design including smartphone RF and Logic circuit designs. So, in the spirit of taking stuff apart that is meaningful, we offer telephone workshops at our museum.

Reviewed By 292marcial

This is a one room museum that contain the collection of telephones, telephone equipment, and displays that provide an educational journey through the development of the telephone. We spent 1 1/2 hours with the exhibits and detailed explanations of the collector who created this amazing treat for inquiring individuals. It is a great place for children, youth, and adults - a fabulous place to take scouts and school groups, as well as singles, couples and families young and and so young. No entry fee; contributions to the museum are accepted.

2. Kentucky Horse Park

4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511-8400 +1 859-233-4303 http://www.kyhorsepark.com
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 2,633 reviews

Kentucky Horse Park

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!

3. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate

120 Sycamore Rd, Lexington, KY 40502-1842 +1 859-266-8581 [email protected] http://www.henryclay.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 489 reviews

Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate

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!

4. Headley-Whitney Museum

4435 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40510-9657 +1 859-255-6653 [email protected] http://www.headley-whitney.org/
Excellent
59%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 54 reviews

Headley-Whitney Museum

The Headley-Whitney Museum is a decorative arts museum in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. Founded by George Headley, a noted jewelry designer from the twentieth century, the Museum houses pieces from Headley's impressive collection of jewelry and bibelots (small, decorative objects of beauty) in addition to an array of rotating exhibits and workshops. The property is also used for special events with many acres of unique and beautiful grounds to enjoy. Visit the Headley-Whitney Museum on your next trip to Kentucky and see why were are truly the Gem of the Bluegrass!

5. The Aviation Museum of Kentucky

4029 Airport Rd, Lexington, KY 40510-9682 +1 859-231-1219 [email protected] http://www.aviationky.org
Excellent
51%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 138 reviews

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky

The AVIATION MUSEUM of KENTUCKY is located at Blue Grass Airport, Lexington. The facility has 20,000 square feet of display area, a fully equipped shop for aviation restoration projects, an office, a library/archive and a gift shop. The Museum is a dynamic entity which includes not only older restored aircraft and memorabilia, but also air-worthy, flyable aircraft for the public to enjoy.

Reviewed By MaksimsDad - Scott Depot, United States

Very nice mid-size aviation museum. Nice informative displays. Very friendly and helpful staff. Recommend!

6. American Saddlebred Museum

4083 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511-8483 +1 859-259-2746 [email protected] http://www.asbmuseum.org/
Excellent
52%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 61 reviews

American Saddlebred Museum

Explore the history and legends of the American Saddlebred, Kentucky's only native breed, at this museum which includes various exhibits. The Museum houses the largest collection of Saddlebred artifacts in the world. Visit us on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park!

7. Tuska Museum at the Breakers

248 Walton Ave, Lexington, KY 40502-1452 +1 859-225-5327

Witness the fascinating process of bronze casting at this 9,000 square foot facility that serves artists and educates the public about the methods behind the art of bronze sculpture. Operation Hours: Open year-round, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors should call ahead.

8. Titanic: The Exhibition

Lexington Center, 430 W Vine Street, Lexington, KY
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

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