Lexington Travel Guide

If you're crazy about horses and the high-life, there's no better place to go than the Horse Capital of the World: Lexington, Kentucky. Whether you want to dress up and watch the horse races in April and October at the Keeneland Race Course or tour the rich horse farms north and west of the city, the culture and wealth in this heart of Bluegrass Region is unrivalled. And even if you're not a fan of anything equine, there are still parks, historic houses and great shopping to be had in the place made rich by the racehorse industry.

Sights

The Kentucky Horse Park should be your first stop when you're in Lexington. With its Museum of the Horse and 50 breeds of horses peacefully grazing in pasture, it's a great way to learn all about horses and the thoroughbred trade. Enjoy wonderful summer nights at Triangle Park. For a leisurely way to see the city, walk across the street and book a horse-drawn carriage tour of the downtown area from the Radisson Hotel. See Ashland, the Mary Todd Lincoln House, the Hunt-Morgan House and the Waveland State Historic Site. Nature lovers can take a walking tour of McConnell Springs to admire the natural springs and limestone fences. If you're into indie films, you should check out The Kentucky Theatre with its two-screen cinema. Sports fans can catch a basketball game at the Rupp Arena, home of the Kentucky Wildcats, consistently one of the best college teams in the country.

Restaurants

Don't leave Lexington without sampling a delectable "hot brown" sandwich, soup-stew hybrid "burgoo", beer cheese, or the thoroughly yummy "bourbon balls" in any of the restaurants around the city. There are affordable places to eat around the University of Kentucky, especially along Euclid Avenue and South Lime. There are also many restaurants along the Main Street in the downtown area. Lansdowne Shops near New Circle Rd also has a wide selection of dining places.

Shopping

Buy "Kentucky Proud" marked items to bring home. Head to Nicholasville Road where you can shop to your heart's content at Fayette Mall, the largest in all of Kentucky.  Lexington Green also features a variety of shops, the most notable of which is Joseph-Beth Booksellers. For upscale jewelry and boutiques, head to Victorian Square.  Other places for the consummate shopper include the open-air Hamburg Pavilion, the Liquor Barn for liquor, snacks and hard-to-find foods, and the shops at Maxwell and High streets for hip and trendy fashions.

Where to Go in Lexington