Every visitor to Kentucky should spend a few days in the Lexington area. It's in the heart of Bluegrass Country, the region where horse farms predominate, named in honor of the nutritious groundcover that's the staple of the Thoroughbreds. In addition to the farms, horses and scenery, Lexington offers the variety and comfort of a large city.
Sightseeing
When you're downtown, be sure to visit Victorian Square, a well-executed renovation of a city block with excellent shopping and dining. Also downtown are Triangle Park—a relaxing park that's great for a stroll, lunch alfresco or an evening promenade—and Thoroughbred Park, which has life-size horse statues.
Cultural exhibits can be found at Artsplace, a multiuse arts center. Sports fans will enjoy the University of Kentucky Basketball Museum, dedicated to the highly successful college team.
Historic Sites
Lexington has many fine historic homes. They include Waveland, the striking antebellum plantation of Daniel Boone's grand-nephew; the Hunt-Morgan House, an example of the Federal style built in 1814 and once home to a colorful family; the Mary Todd Lincoln House, girlhood home of the First Lady (a number of special events are planned there through 2010 as part of the Lincoln bicentennial celebration); and Ashland, the 19th-century home of statesman Henry Clay. Also worth a visit is Loudoun House, an intriguing Gothic villa, now the home of the Lexington Art League.
Other historic and architectural highlights can be found at the Lexington Opera House, restored to its 19th-century luster; Kentucky Theatre, a classic southern vaudeville theater and movie house; Transylvania University (its Old Morrison Hall is a National Historic Landmark); and the lovely and peaceful Lexington Cemetery where Henry Clay is buried.
Other Options
Of course, most visitors to Lexington want to start with horses. To get a look at the horse farms in the area, first stop by the Lexington Visitor Center at 301 E. Vine St. It has information on van tours of the farms as well as private tour guides who are available for hire. A driving-tour map is available as well—you can visit the farms on your own if you make reservations in advance.
Horse Racing
Among Lexington's many equestrian events, some of the most popular are the races at Keeneland (April and October); the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event (late April); High Hope Steeplechase (late May); U.S. Open Polo Championships (October, with regular matches every Sunday June-September); and harness racing at the Red Mile (Spring Meet April-July; Fall Meet September-October).
Day Trips
To
Versailles. Located about 15 mi/25 km west of Lexington, Versailles (pronounced
vur-SALES) is home to the Bluegrass Railroad Museum. The grounds are open to the public daily, and on Saturday and Sunday late May-October visitors can take an 11-mi/18-km round-trip train ride through the scenic rolling countryside in the fully restored 1920s- and '30s-era coaches. Phone 859-873-2476. Toll-free 800-755-2476. http://www.bgrm.org.
Another pleasurable destination in Versailles is the Woodford Reserve Labrot & Graham Distillery, Kentucky's oldest. It is located down a long, winding country road past gorgeous horse farms. A cafe with indoor and outdoor seating makes a nice place to have lunch or sip a mint julep. Phone 859-879-1812. http://www.labrot-graham.com.
Drive a little farther west to Lawrenceburg to the Boulevard Distillery, which has been producing Wild Turkey bourbon since the 1890s and offers an excellent tour (http://www.wildturkeybourbon.com). In Danville, about 35 mi/55 km to the southwest, the Great American Brass Band Festival occurs each June.
