Lexington Kentucky
Al fresco dining in the Distillery District
Leading a thoroughbred from the stables at Lane's End farm
Kayaking on the Kentucky River just outside town
Strolling along a colorful street in the Gratz Park neighborhood
Fans cheering during the Railbird Music Festival
Food trucks and craft beer during a night out at The Grove
A local band performing at Creaux cocktail bar
Fly-fishing excursion at Boone Creek Outdoors
A glass of Kentucky bourbon ready for sipping at Bluegrass Tavern
Tempting plates of Southern-inspired fare at 33 Staves restaurant
- Major Airports:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG)
- States:
- Kentucky
Where horse country meets the charm of city life
Exploring Horse Country
Lexington is known by many as the Horse Capital of the World. Drive just 10 minutes outside the city’s charming downtown and find yourself in the heart of Horse Country where you can explore the rolling hills of bluegrass, surrounded by 450 horse world-class horse farms. Take a tour of the magnificent thoroughbred farms and nurseries on a Horse Country tour. See thoroughbreds in action at Keeneland racecourse, a National Historic Landmark featuring masterfully landscaped grounds. It welcomes the public year-round for tours and hosts racing every April and October. The Kentucky Horse Park is another popular attraction for equestrian fans featuring museum exhibits, horse shows and horseback rides.
All About Bourbon
When it comes to bourbon, Lexington is one of Kentucky’s top destinations for sampling and learning about the iconic spirit. Tour one of the 16 bourbon distilleries within 75 kilometers of downtown. Explore old warehouses where row upon row of charred-oak barrels stretch into the darkness, waiting for their chance to be sipped. Then, grab a stool at one of the many world-class bourbon lounges, cocktail bars and tasting rooms downtown. In Lexington, every bar is a bourbon bar.
Food That's Big, Bold and Local
Local farms have been supplying Lexington restaurants with farm-to-table ingredients since before it was cool. These fresh foods, along with inventive chefs, are the cornerstone of the city’s thriving culinary scene, which sees new restaurants, cafés, food trucks and bistros popping up almost constantly. Not surprisingly, chefs here have a knack for incorporating bourbon into cuisine, with bourbon-infused dishes ranging from ice cream to entrees.
Live Music & Nightlife
While bluegrass is about as prevalent as bourbon here, there are also plenty of musicians showcasing other genres. You can find live music in Lexington any day of the week – at restaurants, bars and traditional music venues throughout the city. Lexington is also home to the Railbird Music Festival in June.
There’s also the Distillery District, formerly an abandoned distillery site that has been brought back to life as a funky, unique hangout. The Distillery District is full of restaurants and bars, a brewery and, you guessed it, a few distilleries. Whether you want to eat pizza by the slice, drink a microbrew or play old-school arcade games, this local hot spot is the perfect place to unwind and get a taste of the Lexington lifestyle.
Fun Fact
Everything’s coming up roses at Lexington’s Arboretum, a preserve that showcases over 1,200 different types of the fragrant flower.
Lexington is surrounded by more than 450 horse farms.
There are 15 bourbon distilleries within 45 minutes of downtown Lexington.