Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
Many people have mentioned that they had never even considered visiting Kentucky before as they wouldn’t know what to do there. Is there anything to DO in Kentucky?
Until recently I also was under the same impression. The only thing I knew about Kentucky prior to visiting was that the Kentucky Derby and KFC originate from, of all things… Kentucky! Beyond that, I had no idea what there was to see or do.
Well then why on earth did I go to Kentucky?
My parents like to move. A lot. And in 2016, they moved to Kentucky and we managed to make it home for Christmas. So I searched and searched on Pinterest for things to do in Kentucky. And Lexington came up.
Lexington is not the capital of Kentucky, as one might think. Nor is Louisville. Actually, that title goes to Frankfort. But as Kentucky’s second largest city, we thought we would give it a go!
Turns out Lexington is nicknamed both “The Thoroughbred City” and “The Horse Capital of the World” and is best known for its horse racing.
Want to Visit Lexington? PIN IT FOR LATER!!
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Here are some quick things we found to do with an afternoon in Lexington
1. Visit the Old Friends Farm (25 min outside of Lexington)
Ok, ok, this one isn’t technically IN Lexington, but if you’re headed to Lexington, then you HAVE TO visit this non-profit retirement farm for Thoroughbred horses, many of whom have either ran in the big name races such as the Kentucky Derby or who have had a parent who did.
Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen after discovering that Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand had perished been sent to a slaughterhouse in 2002. Today, Old Friends cares for more than 160 horses across three states who have retired from racing and breeding.
Why EVERYONE Should Visit Old Friends Farm
Book a tour to visit these beautiful creatures who now live out the rest of their days happy as a clam, chopping on carrots from visitors who spoil them rotten and frolicking in the grass. This animal sanctuary helps to save dozens of retired Thoroughbred horses after their racing careers have come to an end to prevent them from being sent to the slaughter house! With a purchase of a ticket, you can help save Thoroughbred horses and provide them with a happy life! It’s honestly the best thing to do in Lexington (or I should say, Georgetown)!
My favorite moment, besides getting the chance to feed the horses as many carrots as we wanted, was meeting the horse (Popcorn Deelites) who played Seabiscuit in the movie.
Address: 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, Georgetown, KY 40324, USA
Website: Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
Tours: $10 for adults, $5 6-12 and children under 5 are free
- Winter: November 4 – March 14 – 11am daily
- Summer: March 15 – November 4 – 10am, 1pm, 3pm daily
2. Stroll Through the Thoroughbred Park
As you’re driving through town, pull over and take a stroll through this park dedicated to the unique history of Thoroughbreds. You’ll find 42 plaques honoring historic figures in the Thoroughbred Industry, such as Queen Elizabeth II and George Washington as well as 13 life-sized horse sculptures. This park is often rated as one of the top rated attractions in Lexington!
Address: On the corner of Midland Ave and East Main Street
3. Meander Through ‘The Square’
Since the 1880’s, the Square has been the heart and soul of Lexington flourishing with restaurants, saloons, hotels and an opera house.
A modern renovation in 1985 brought them all together, preserving the Victorian era buildings. The original decorative metal ceilings, ironwork and exterior balconies have been preserved. Today, it is the perfect blend of both historical and modern architecture.
Address: Main Street and Broadway (US 68)
4. See How Candy is Made at Old Kentucky Candy
Lexington’s own Willy Wonka, Don Hurt founded the Old Kentucky Candy shop 50 years ago with a batch of peanut brittle. And if you’re from Kentucky, you know nothing goes better together than Bourbon and Chocolate. Since 1966, Don has been using Jim Beam in his confections.
Take a tour and watch how candy is made up close and personal and not behind the glass. Get the chance to try some of the best selling chocolates
Address: 450 Southland Dr, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
Website: Old Kentucky Candy
Tours: Monday – Friday 10am and 2pm
5. Watch a Movie at the Kentucky Theater
Opened in 1922, this historic theater still operates and you can watch independent films. To top it off, you can have a beer or glass of wine while watching the movie!
Website: Kentucky Theater
Address: 214 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA
Prices:
Before 6:00pm:
All Seats $6.00
After 6:00pm:
General Admission – $8.00
Children under 13 – $6.00
Seniors 60 & over – $6.00
6. Find Some Street Art in Lexington
Street art (or wall murals) are popping up all over the place as artists take to the streets to express themselves by transforming dull corners of our neighborhoods into vibrant masterpieces. Turn any corner and you’re bound to find one!
Most of the wall murals in Lexington were on West Short Street and I do have to admit, the wall art here is very peculiar!
7. Visit the Mary Todd Lincoln House
Prior to becoming the wife to one of America’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd was born and raised in Lexington. Built in 1803 to 1806 as an inn, Mary Todd’s father bought the house in 1832 for his family. She often visited her girlhood home. The Georgian-style brick house is furnished with pieces from the 1830s and 1840s and displays family portraits as well as personal items of the Lincoln-Todd families.
Unfortunately we weren’t able to visit on this visit to Kentucky as they were closed for the winter.
Website:Mary Todd Lincoln House
Address: 578 West Main Street Lexington, KY 40507
Tours: $12 Adults, $5 Children 6-12 yrs, Children ages 5 yrs and under are free
- March 15 – November 30 Mon. – Sat. (closed Sun.)
- Tours hourly 10AM – 3PM
8. Do a Bourbon Distillery Tour
If you’re a bourbon lover, then exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail will be right up your alley! It’s rated the top thing to do in Kentucky and the ultimate foodie experience! After all, it is the Holy Grail of Bourbon! In and around Lexington there are a few bourbon distilleries worth taking a tour of! Town Branch is the only one though on the trail that i both a distillery and a brewery, with Woodford Reserve is one of the most popular bourbon distilleries and Four Roses is one of the best distilleries to do a tour of!
If you’re looking for some extra guides to prepare your trip, we enjoyed these the following items, both before and after our trip to Kentucky! The first gave us a lot of history and information about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail while the second we purchased along our journey for some home cooked meals in the future! And of course, my faithful Travel Guide Bible, the DK Travel Guide: USA!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
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There is definitely more to do there than I would have expected. #citytripping
What a sad tale about poor old Ferdinand! Sounds as though it’s led to happier things, though. Fascinating post – I never knew you could use bourbon in sweet-making, for instance! #citytripping
Ah the bourbon balls are the BEST! And yes it is a terrible story of Ferdinand and researching it was also a bit more gruesome than I posted. But good things come from bad experiences.
Another great introduction to somewhere I don’t know well – the street art looks interesting, amazing how it’s popping up everywhere. #citytripping
To be honest, it wasn’t some of my favorite street art as compared to Nashville! (Stay tuned!)
Thanks for this guide, I’m getting to know Kentucky a bit more through your posts! I’d definitely be visiting the Old Friends farm. Such a wonderful concept. Thank you for linking to #citytripping
I’ll be posting a more thorough post soon about the horse farm so stay tuned 🙂 Who knows, maybe you’re next vacay will be to KY!
Definitely looks like you could spend a little time there and find enough to do following your guide. #citytripping
seems interesting!:) #farawayfiles
The retirement farm alone is enticing enough for me to want to visit Lexington! What an interesting fascination in horse racing to dedicate statues and plaques to them. #CityTripping
I loved down town Lexington when we were there last year, although it looked a little different under 3 foot of snow. I thought all the street art was great and there were some fantastic bourbon bars for an evening out. #citytripping
I’d love to see those horses and stroll down those streets. Not sure about Bourbon and chocolate though 🙂 Those streets really look like something out of a film. Thanks so much for sharing it on #FarawayFiles
Ooooh no they’re soooooo good!! You definitely have to try it!
I’d love to visit the old friends farm and walk around the square, admiring those lovely 19th century buildings. I am enjoying reading about your travel exploration around Kentucky, a state that I never thought of visiting before. #CityTripping
So glad to hear that! Stay tuned for a follow up post about visiting the Old Friends Farm 🙂
Nice to know there are things to do in Kentucky! I also have been under the assumption that there is nothing to do there. As we are trying to visit all 50 states before the kids graduate from high school (we’ve got awhile since they’re 3 and 1), we’ll just go straight to Lexington. #wkendtravelinspiration
Well I hope you also check out Louisville as that’s also an amazing city, which is actually bigger and has a lot more to do!
Kentucky is a beautiful state with lots to do! Especially if you like horses, country music, outdoors and bourbon. To me, Lexington is all about UK basketball (not the United Kingdom. The University of Kentucky. Wildcats.) It is seriously business down there. We saw U2 at Rupp Arena back in the day when we lived in Cincinnati (another big basketball town!) Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles! Erin
These are all great ideas and I want to do all of them! Top of my list would be the Thoroughbred Park and Mary Todd’s House. I hope you get to see Mary Todd’s house next time you are there. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Lexington seems like a great place to get a feel for Kentucky. The only two things I really know about Kentucky are the derby and bourbon so good to see both feature here haha. Thanks for continuing to show me places I’ve yet to consider visiting. #wkendtravelinspiration
I never thought there would be much to see and do in Kentucky, but your post proves otherwise. At the top of my list would be seeing the street art followed by seeing how candy is being made. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Great list! The horse farm seems so appropriate, the horses have earned a peaceful retirement! My aunt has been talking about wanting to do the Kentucky Bourbon Trail lately, thanks for the info!
Hope you found my full guide to the Bourbon Trail then! It’s definitely interesting to learn how it’s made!
Like you, I don’t know much about Kentucky other than the derby and KFC 🙂 This is an interesting and unique list of things to do. Would love to visit the horse farm and the candy shop and see street art. My husband would be all over that bourbon trail. Great list!
Kentucky is one of those places I’d love to visit simply because I know nothing about it (until now!).I’m not a horse person, but meeting the horse that played Seabiscuit would be really cool. #farawayfiles
The Square looks super pretty and that street art is amazing! Ok, I’m sold 😉 #TheWeeklyPostcard
I’ve got to say that I’m shocked that winning horses were being sent off to the slaughterhouse after retirement as late as 2002. Thank goodness for Old Friends Farm. I also think I’d enjoy wandering around The Square since I like Victorian era buildings. Thanks for linking up with #WkendTravelInspiration.
There is definitely more to do in Kentucky than bourbon and horses. Lexington is a huge college town, UK Wildcat basketball mainly, and many parts of downtown cater to the college aged. The Kentucky Horse Park has lots to do as well. Lexington has Parkette Drive In, which is a still operating drive in restaurant originating in the 50’s (and has been featured on Drive Ins, Diners and Dives on Food Network.) Ashland is the home of Henry Clay (famous statesman who served during John Quincy Adams time), and gives tours, has a gift shop, and beautiful grounds. Henry Clay, among other native noblemen, are buried in the beautiful Lexington Cemetery, just past down town on Main. During the spring, the cherry trees make beautiful backdrops for many having photo sessions. Actor Jim Varney “Ernest” from the “Ernest Goes to Camp” movies is buried here as well. We have the Red Mile and Keeneland for horse racing during season. And the Lexington Legends baseball team has a nice arena and fun games. Nicholasville Road is home to our last remaining (and HUGE!) shopping mall, with every type of store you could possibly want on this road (same with restaurants.) If that isn’t enough shopping for you, Hamburg Shopping center is another very large shopping and restaurant area near Interstate 75. The land was part of Anita Madden’s horse farm – she is famous for throwing wild Derby parties with famous celebrities back in the day! There are some former Derby horses buried on this same ground in Hamburg. Outside of Lexington, there are various natural attractions such as Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge for hiking and camping. The Cumberland Falls is a mini-Niagara Falls with a unique “moonbow”. Mammoth Caves has the longest cave system in the world. Land-Between-The-Lakes in western Kentucky is a large nature preserve area that has many camp sites, hikes, trails, fishing, boating etc. Also in western Kentucky, The National Corvette Museum and the Corvette assembly plant are located in Bowling Green. That is just a few of the things in Kentucky. Louisville and northern Kentucky (southern Cincinnati) also have many many unique things to do and see, such as zoos and aquariums.
Thank you for the tips. I’ve just spent the entire summer here in Kentucky – 1 week left 🙁 and we have done many things. I’m currently re-writing my entire Louisville post and will also be doing day trips from Louisville. But thanks for all these extra tips, some of which I didn’t discover in all the brochures I grabbed at the airport haha