Hundreds of horse farms, countless distilleries, and so much more.
When you think of Kentucky you might go straight to deep-fried chicken or college sport — which , hey , are n’t high-risk things to affiliate with a state — but the Bluegrass State has so much more . And to see the very best it has to offer , you’re able to take a trip to the heart of the state where the greenish grass has a blue - ish tint and topical anaesthetic know racehorses by name like they ’re celebrities . We ’re tattle Lexington , Kentucky .
A trip to Lexington , Kentucky is just a three - hourscenic driving force from Nashvilleand a little over an hour drive from Louisville . The city is dripping with southerly appealingness , pack with horse farm that are place to some of the most illustrious horse racing in the world , and brim award - winning whisky still . It ’s metre to plan your weekend trip to Lexington Kentucky .
Travel time:3 1/2 hours from Nashville.1 hour from Louisville .
Keeneland|Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
If you don’t do anything else: Hit the races… the horse races
Lexington , Kentucky is live as the knight capital of the creation . Each twelvemonth , M of hoi polloi from all over the ball wad to the Bluegrass City to control out the more than 450 horse farm Kentucky is home to . Among those hundreds of cavalry farm , one reign supreme with a name that is almost synonymous with Lexington : Keeneland .
Open and operating since 1936 , Keeneland is the man ’s largest thoroughbred auction bridge house . It also hosts world - social class racing doubly a year in April and October . If you come about to be planning your Lexington stumble during the outflow or fall , snag aticketto one of Keeneland ’s iconic race is evenhandedly cheap and can service as a fun opportunity to snip up in your upright equestrian - chic gearing .
If your trip to Lexington does n’t fall during horse racing season , fear not . you’re able to still shoot the breeze and tour one of Lexington ’s many illustrious horse farms . FromClaiborne Farms , which is one of the most iconic pedigree Equus caballus farm in the humankind , toMegson Farms , which specializes in the unique breeding of rare blanched and multi - colored thoroughbred , each establishment offers something a piffling different . If tethering yourself to just one farm feels too limiting , local go groupslikeHorse Farm Tours Inc.andCentral Kentucky Tourscan help you sail the 100 of horse farm enlistment options .
Fill your days
Bourbon distilleries in Lexington, KY
Besides horses , Kentucky is know for its Bourbon dynasty , so this is the perfect clock time to try some of the honorable whiskey in the land . Lexington is home to award - winning and historic distilleries . Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. ,James E. Pepper , andBarrel House Distilling Co.are all jolly close to Lexington ’s city center and are well-off to set up still spell with . If you ’re looking for a bigger name establishment , Wild Turkey Distilleryis about a 30 minute of arc drive outside of the city .
Food tours in Lexington, KY
For the history - buff or gastronome in your locomotion group , booking a term of enlistment withBites of the Bluegrasswill be an essential part of your time in Lexington . The Bluegrass tours offer a fun and unique path to see the city through what ’s essentially an afternoon dinner party . Bites of the Bluegrass offers food for thought and history walking tour of business district Lexington , Distillery District food for thought and history tours , and so much more .
Things to do outdoors in Lexington, KY
If you ’re looking to round out your Lexington trip of horses , account , and Bourbon with just one more quintessentially Kentucky activity , we ’d suggest chat one of the many farms within the Lexington city limits . The best of Lexington ’s solid food refinement focalize on farm - to - table , locally maturate ingredient . The historicColeman Crest Farmuses both formal farming and hydroponic freight container husbandry . The farm grows its produce with rude groundwater from a heavy prehistorical aquifer locate on the farm , so its garden truck is fully natural , with no chemical substance additive or preservatives .
If you ’re appear to get a little boozy with your farm tour , Silver Springs Farmis a farm winery that sits on 20 acre of land smack dab in the middle of horse land . in the first place operated from 1867 until Prohibition of 1918 , the farm used to track down as Silver Springs Distillery . Today , the property is appoint Silver Springs Farm Eqwine and Vineyard after its historic springs , the racehorses they engender , and the wine from the grapes they grow . Doing atastingand trying some of their award - succeed vino is non - negotiable .
Eat, drink, and sleep
Where to eat and drink in Lexington, KY
eat on your way through local restaurants atGreyline Station , a revitalized Greyhound station that now dish out as a public marketplace . If you get to the station early enough , stop byNorth Lime Coffee & Donutsfor your cockcrow loving cup . If lunch is your antecedency , fountainhead to spot likeRise Up Pizza , Wing Kyng , andOld North Bar & Kitchen . And vegans and vegetarian can retrieve plenty to chow down on atThe Social Vegan .
If you ’re really looking to go all out for dinner party , head to the newly open boutique hotelThe Manchesterfor fine Appalachian - urge dishes at their restaurantGranddam . Located on the solid ground floor of the hotel , just off the lobby , Granddam give dark-skinned leather ruffle with bluegrass vibes and tender a menu pack with home - grown produce .
Luckily , traveling very far for after - dinner party drink wo n’t be necessary . Just take the elevator up toLost Palm , the hotel ’s 1960s South Florida - animate rooftop bar where you’re able to snap up a flamboyant tiki cocktail .
Keeneland|Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Where to stay in Lexington, KY
If you ’re looking for convenience,21c Museum Hotelis centrally located in Lexington ’s downtown area . The boutique hotel is also home to acontemporary art museum , a cultural center , and the restaurantLockbox . Stays likeThe ElwoodandOrigin Hotelare also in well-to-do locations , so getting to the university , airdrome , or one of Kentucky ’s many Horse farm wo n’t be too much of a hassle .
For bourbon lovers and chronicle buffs alike , essay the aforementionedManchester Hotel . Although it ’s a new boutique hotel , it sits in Lexington ’s historical Distillery District with easy entree to prize make headway distilleries likeLexington Brewing & Distilling Co. And although it ’s not in the heart of Lexington ’s downtown area it ’s still only a ten mo pass away from Lexington ’s business district city heart and soul .
James E. Pepper Distillery
Greyline Station|Greyline Station
