The 10 Best Things to do in Lexington, Kentucky (KY)

November 26, 2021 Claudia Navarrete

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

4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40510-9648 +1 859-254-3412 http://www.keeneland.com
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,811 reviews

Keeneland

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 garydK3367BN

Just a afternoon trip to see Keeneland before all the action starts APRIL 2-24 for live racing! A must is to stop by the GIFT SHOP great things for everyone! Many places to EAT but fun to wonder around grab something on the run to eat! Check out the paddock where you can get a closeup view of the horses and say “hi” to your favorite jockey or trainer! Great place to dress up and many restaurants to set down and eat( love The Lexington room on 4th floor). Arrive early and watch the morning workouts and have breakfast at the Track Kitchen (great food)!!! Very friendly people to help you with making your bets or finding great food!!! ENJOY ????

2. West Sixth Brewing

501 W Sixth St, Lexington, KY 40508-1341 +1 859-705-0915 [email protected] http://www.westsixth.com
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 272 reviews

West Sixth Brewing

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 cobi714 - Independence, United States

This is our stop on our way back north from Red River Gorge. Everytime. Great beer, dog friendly, games for the kids, etc. Love everything about stopping here. Get a burger next door at Smithtown while you are at it.

3. Bluegrass Distillers

501 W Sixth St #165 along Legacy Trail walking path, Lexington, KY 40508-1341 +1 859-253-4490 [email protected] http://bluegrassdistillers.com/tours
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 169 reviews

Bluegrass Distillers

Bluegrass Distillers is a craft bourbon distillery Lexington, Kentucky. This beautiful and special place in the heart of the Kentucky bluegrass region is both the horse racing capital of the world as well as where the finest bourbon whiskey in the world is made and aged. Our recipes are formulated in house and each batch hand crafted with local and locally sourced Kentucky Proud ingredients.

Reviewed By elmcfrog85

Small but very neat Distillery in Lexington. Great tour guide. Their single barrel and cinnamon whiskey were tasty! We bought the single barrel and were able to fill our own bottle straight from the barrel, which is something you don’t get on tours at other distilleries, so that was very cool and made this unique! Would recommend!

4. James E. Pepper Distillery

1228 Manchester St Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40504-1129 +1 859-309-3230 [email protected] http://www.JamesEPepper.com
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
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5.0 based on 401 reviews

James E. Pepper Distillery

Located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Join us for an intimate, educational and high caliber tour that includes the story of the historic Pepper Brand & Distillery, a tour of the working distillery and a tasting of our award-winning whiskeys. All tour guests receive a complimentary tasting glass and groups are limited in size for an optimal experience. Adults 21+ $20; Young Adult 14-20 $10; Veterans $10; Active Military Free Tour; restricted to age 14 and above. Please check in for your tour at least 10 minutes prior to the start time!

Reviewed By N702JOpatrickm

Wow great experience and rye. It’s a must stop if your on the bourbon trail, very knowledgeable tour with a lot of history of the distillery.

5. 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
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

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!

6. Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate

120 Sycamore Rd, Lexington, KY 40502-1842 +1 859-266-8581 [email protected] http://www.henryclay.org/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

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!

7. Mary Todd Lincoln House

578 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507-1642 +1 859-233-9999 [email protected] http://www.mtlhouse.org/
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 699 reviews

Mary Todd Lincoln House

Open seasonally March 15th - November 30th. Discover one of America's most fascinating first ladies 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. Convenient walking distance to local hotels and restaurants. The museum is open for self-guided tours, limited capacity, and timed entry to promote distance between guests. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Free parking is located directly behind the house. Guests may park in the museum’s designated parking or in the neighboring lot behind Main Street Baptist Church. Metered parking also available on Main Street.

Reviewed By markdI3251EQ - Calera, United States

My wife and I enjoyed an outstanding visit to Mary Todd Lincoln's home. Special thanks to Grayson, our tour guide, for his extensive and detailed knowledge of Mrs. Lincoln's home and life. It's well worth the time and tour fee.

8. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

5888 Jacks Creek Pike, Lexington, KY 40515-9536 +1 859-272-6105 http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=276
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 194 reviews

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

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.

9. Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

401 Cross St Near intersections of Versailles Rd. and W. Maxwell St., Lexington, KY 40508-2806 +1 859-255-2337 [email protected] http://www.lexingtonbrewingco.com/tour
Excellent
69%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 814 reviews

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

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 ferrisrt

A must stop on your bourbon trail experience. Our expert, Susan, was personable, knowledgeable, passionate and energetic about the process and history of Town Branch and how it got to where it is today. She made us feel extraordinarily welcome! We began with the intention of doing only a tasting and were convinced to do the tour. We ended up with four bottles of unique Kentucky whiskeys. This is not exclusively a bourbon experience, as they have a brewery and other whiskeys produced by this craft brewer and distiller. We only scratched the surface on our visit to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but we will definitely include Lexington Brewery & Distilling Co. on our next visit.

10. University of Kentucky

101 Main Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0001 +1 859-257-3595
Excellent
68%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 199 reviews

University of Kentucky

Founded in 1865, the University of Kentucky is the largest public university in the state, educating more than 24,000 students each semester. Home of the UK Wildcats. Walking tours are available.

Reviewed By JordanFritz21 - Florence, United States

Besides having an amazing basketball team to watch in one of the greatest gyms ever created, the school and university life are great. The dorm rooms are comfortably sized and efficient for living on campus. As long as you have no problems with huge class rooms, you can't beat this place. The academics and social life are the best I've experienced.

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