- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Lexington
Lexington's legacy as the 'Athens of the West' is embodied in its architecture. Tour the Gratz Park Historic District to see Federal and Greek Revival mansions near Transylvania University, the first college west of the Alleghenies. What is Lexington famous for? Its preserved history.
Explore the Bluegrass Region's rolling hills, home to 450+ horse farms. Drive the scenic Old Frankfort Pike, a designated Scenic Byway. Visit the Kentucky Horse Park or the historic Keeneland race course. Hike Raven Run for views of the Kentucky River Palisades.
Lexington's culinary scene is rooted in Southern tradition. It serves as a hub for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, featuring distilleries like Town Branch. Savor local specialties such as burgoo stew or a Kentucky Hot Brown, a true regional classic for anyone visiting Lexington.
- LexingtonUnited States
- LexingtonUnited States
- LexingtonUnited States
- LexingtonUnited States
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild, pleasant weather, fewer crowds
- Jul-Aughot, busy tourist season
- Wintercold, occasional snow
- #ComfortableShoes
- #LightJacket
- #Sunscreen
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- #Camera
- #PowerAdapterTypeA
- 3-4 days for highlights
- 5-6 days with side trips
- US Dollar ($)
- English
- English is the official language
- #KentuckyHorsePark
- #MaryToddLincolnHouse
- #LexingtonHistoryMuseum
- #UniversityOfKentucky
- #RuppArena
- #WhitakerBankBallpark
- Visit horse farms
- Taste Bluegrass bourbon
- Explore the Distillery District
- Stroll through the Lexington Cemetery
- Attend a horse race at Keeneland
- Enjoy local art at the Lyric Theatre
Recommended Hotels in Lexington by Experience
Things to do in Lexington
Discover
Exploring Lexington reveals the heart of Bluegrass Country. Discover the Kentucky Horse Park, a working horse farm and museum, visit the historic Mary Todd Lincoln House, and hike through the scenic palisades at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.
Experience
Experience a bourbon distillery tour on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Feel the thrill of horse racing at Keeneland during its spring and fall meets. Shop for local produce and crafts at the Lexington Farmers Market, a year-round community hub.
Kentucky Horse Park
Working horse farm, museum, and competition venue.
Keeneland Race Course
Historic Thoroughbred racecourse with seasonal live racing.
Mary Todd Lincoln House
First Lady's childhood home, now a historical museum.
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Nature sanctuary with hiking trails along Kentucky River.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Guided experience of iconic Kentucky distilleries.
The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden
Botanical garden featuring diverse Kentucky plant life.
Lexington Opera House
Historic venue for Broadway shows, concerts, and ballet.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into Blue Grass Airport (LEX) for the most direct route. The trip from Lexington airport to city center is a quick 15-min taxi or rideshare ride. A direct train to Lexington isn't an option; long-distance buses are an alternative.
Getting Around
Lextran is the main public transport in Lexington, offering day passes. While downtown is walkable, car rental in Lexington is wise for exploring horse country. E-scooters and bike rentals provide another way to navigate the urban core.
Local Essentials
When driving in Lexington, know that major roads like New Circle Rd have inner/outer loops. Book horse farm tours well in advance, especially during race season. Pay-by-app parking is common downtown, so have your phone ready.
Where to Stay in Lexington
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore traditional food in Lexington. Taste the iconic Hot Brown, a rich open-faced sandwich, and savory Burgoo stew. Local dining revolves around bourbon culture, with enthusiasts sipping fine Kentucky spirits before or after they eat.
Enjoy
Find the best restaurants in Lexington like Dudley's On Short for an upscale meal; reserve ahead. Sip bourbon at Carson's Food & Drink in its rustic-chic setting; try brunch. Grab a classic donut at Spalding's Bakery; cash only.
Dudley's On Short
Upscale American fare in a historic downtown building.
Red State BBQ
Award-winning smoked meats in a casual, roadside setting.
Joe Bologna's Restaurant and Pizzeria
Classic Italian-American food inside a converted church.
Tony's of Lexington
High-end steak and seafood with an extensive wine list.
Bourbon n' Toulouse
Fast, casual Cajun and Creole standards. Expect a line.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Lexington's heritage through its key celebrations. The Roots & Heritage Festival in September honors African American culture with a parade and music. The July 4th Festival fills downtown with patriotic parades and family-friendly activities.
Enjoy
Discover Lexington's creative pulse at premier events. The Railbird Festival in June mixes top music acts from rock to bluegrass with local bourbon culture. The Woodland Art Fair in August is a must-see juried event with nearly 200 artists.
Railbird Festival
Major music festival in June with rock and bluegrass acts.
Roots & Heritage Festival
September celebration of African American culture.
Woodland Art Fair
August juried art fair featuring nearly 200 artists.
CRAVE Lexington
July food and music festival with over 30 local eateries.
Lexington Pride Festival
Celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community held in June.
Fourth of July Festival
A full-day downtown event with a parade and fireworks.
The Bluegrass Fair
Classic fair experience with rides, food, and exhibits.
A Really Welcoming City
Lexington is such a great city with a friendly, relaxed pace. It has a perfect blend of city life and beautiful country scenery just a few minutes away. We loved the historic downtown architecture and how easy it was to get around.
Great Base for Bourbon Tours
Used the city as our home base for the Bourbon Trail and it was perfect. The distilleries are all a pretty easy drive away. The food scene here is solid too, with plenty of good spots to eat after a day of tastings. People were super friendly.
Beautiful Horse Farms
Lexington really lives up to its name as the Horse Capital of the World. The drive through the countryside with all the white fences and horse farms is just stunning. A day at the Kentucky Horse Park was super informative and fun for everyone.
Fun Weekend Spot
A really cool city for a weekend getaway. The Distillery District was a great area to hang out in, with some neat breweries and places to eat. It's walkable and has a cool industrial feel. Everything felt pretty down-to-earth and not too crowded.
The Bluegrass Scenery is Real
The countryside around the city is gorgeous, even in winter. Just driving around the back roads was an activity in itself. Found a place that served a Hot Brown sandwich and it was so rich and delicious. A very unique local dish for sure.
Nice and Quiet Getaway
Visiting in the off-season was a great choice. It was peaceful without big crowds. We explored Triangle Park when it was all lit up at night, which was nice. It's a clean city with a lot of interesting history to see, even in colder months.