Location: Nicholasville
Top Things to do in Nicholasville
Top 10 Things to do in Nicholasville, United States
Nicholasville is a home rule city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 28,015 during the 2010 U.S. Census, making Nicholasville the 11th-largest settlement in the state.
Restaurants in Nicholasville
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. Taylor Made Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Taylor Made is an 1,100 acre Thoroughbred paradise located in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Upon arrival, you will be treated like a part of the Taylor Family and get to see firsthand what it takes to make a Champion! Taylor Made is home to the World's Richest Horse - California Chrome!
Reviewed By BlackLab16 - Texas
We opted for the more expensive California Chrome Experience and spent a memorable afternoon with California Chrome including an opportunity to feed cookies to Chrome and his stablemate Graydar. One of the owners, Frank Taylor, greeted our group at the beginning of the tour. Every single staff person we encountered was friendly, fun, helpful. Our excellent tour guides took photos of us with California Chrome (using our own cameras) and gave anyone who wished a chance to retake photos if not happy with their photo(s). We saw all the stallions before heading to the foaling area where we met babies by Chrome, Frosted, Uncle Mo, and Pioneer of the Nile. First class all the way.
One of our party has bad knees and was able to enjoy the tour without difficulty even though the tour was several hours. There were fence railings to lean on at times plus breaks from standing during the drive to other facilities.
3. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 545 reviews
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a landmark destination rooted in the spirit of the Kentuckians that called this place home for more than a century. Discover inspiring legacies, fresh-air adventures and spirited hospitality throughout Shaker Village's 3,000 acres. Onsite amenities include overnight accommodations, dining and catering services, retail shops, historical exhibitions and tours, a farm and garden area, a nature preserve, multi-use trail system, riverboat rides, equestrian stable and an extensive calendar of special programs, activities and events.
Reviewed By imtom55711 - Largo, Florida
Almost all of the buildings were closed to tourists. Most of them had signs indicating they were only for overnight guests. A couple of the larger buildings, like the meeting house, were closed for renovation. I've been to several historical villages, and this was probably the least interesting. We did have a nice lunch there though. They have some gift shops also. But for the most part, this was a complete waste of time.
4. Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By airlink9972 - Memphis, Tennessee
I had the opportunity to visit and enjoy Camp Nelson Park during a living history event for three days last month and had a wonderful time.
Until recently, I have never heard of Camp Nelson, once finding out that this was a vital area of Civil War history I made it a point to plan a visit. So happen it was during a time when a major event was going on during the weekend.
The park is at the site of the recruitment, housing, depot for the Union army in Kentucky. The United States Colored Troops (USCT) recruited men to become soldiers, often families would also arrived as it was a beacon of freedom.
There is a small museum with a short film before the guided tour. I found both good and learn a lot more since it goes in depth on the lives of the men, women and children.
The grounds are very well maintain and easy to access the trails. Some of the trails are slightly hilly and distance from the main building
It's easy access from Lexington.
It's a great place for those who are interested in learning a part of the Civil War in which until recently very rarely discussed or highlighted.
Check the website for during the year, there are activities at the park. There is a small admission cost.
I encourage anyone in the area to take time to visit
5. Movie Tavern
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By HJP01 - Lexington, Kentucky
I would say don’t waste your money on the food. Just go with popcorn and candy. We had mostly appetizers (egg rolls, sliders, chips and queso) and I can honestly say McDonald’s would have been better. On the bright side the service was actually decent.
6. Valley View Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Paul S - Marion
The free Valley View ferry is the oldest continually operating ferry in the country, crossing the Kentucky River since 1789. I won't even try to guess how many total trips that has been. On the north (Lexington) side there is a picnic area where you can snap selfies with the ferry while you wait your turn. The ferry takes five or six cars at a time but doesn't have to turn around to unload so you usually don't wait long. It only took us about 10 minutes on a March weekend. You drive on and stop when directed, then stay in your car for the ride across the river and drive off.
7. Connemara Golf Course
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Don A - Boston
Visiting Lexington and looking for a good golf course we were advised to try Connemara Golf Course just 15 minutes from downtown. The staff, especially head pro and general manager Trey Scott, were very friendly and accommodating to visitors. The course looked easy but there was a little wind and the rough was tough. Coupled with fair but fast greens the course was a lot of fun. Look for the par 3 played into an old quarry area for a good challenge.
Excellent food and a great selection of local brews (and bourbons!) topped off a great day.
8. 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.
9. Jake's Cigar Bar & Lounge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By ScottD58 - Seattle, WA
After a day of roughing it on the Bourbon Trail it was time to relax and enjoy a good smoke. I looked up Cigar friendly bars and there were limited choices. You could go to a local Cigar store. You could go to a strip club, or you could go to Jake's. As Game 6 of the World Series was on, and I didn't want to miss the action, I choose Jake's. It was a good call.
I was treated like a Kentucky Gentleman without being in a Gentleman's club. There's a Walk in Humidor and a full bar with Bourbon's from most your favorite distillers. I sat in a big cushy leather chair next to a table with a cigar ashtray big enough for my Saint Luis Rey 58 gage Churchill (great value at $8.50)and plenty of room for my glass of Woodford Reserve Double Oak, a deal at $12,00. It was the perfect combo for watching the Royals pound the Giants.
The Bourbon Trail gives you a much greater appreciation for Kentucky history. I learned that Kentucky once was part of the Louisiana Purchase. That Bourbon County was once part of Virginia. That settler's started to move there in droves when the Whiskey Tax of 1791 drove them out of Pennsylvania. Kentucky offered homesteader's 400 acres of land to farmers who would grow 40 acres of corn. Bushels of corn were difficult to transport so farmers condensed it into liquid form, Bourbon. Bourbon County is now dry and was named in honor of the French who helped our Army defeat the British. Which is why the Royals will defeat the Giants in Game 7. Go to Jake's tonight to find out!
10. Chrisman Mill Vineyards
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By mistybr - Nicholasville
I love the vineyard! Its such a beautiful place. The food was absolutely fantastic and there isn't a wine i didn't like. Dry to sweet there is a wine for everyone. Went to the holiday brunch and it was so elegant and fabulous food. They have the best staff and that includes the lovely cat mascot Merlot. The staff is always helpful and informative. I am now a regular!
TAGS
