Lexington area
Around Lexington area
Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Kentucky · 788k people
Lexington area
Locals say Bluegrass · “Horse Capital of the World”
Where horses and bourbon set the pace of life.
Kentucky Blue
Welcome to the Bluegrass! Whether you're here for the horses, the bourbon, or the Wildcats, you'll find a warm community with a rich heritage. Get ready for great food, live music, and beautiful countryside.
Clubs for Lexington area
No clubs for Lexington area yet.
The room
Lexington area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Lexington's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Lexington. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lexington area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Kentucky Horse Park World-renowned equine theme park and museum.
- Keeneland Historic thoroughbred racecourse with spring and fall meets.
- Rupp Arena Home of UK basketball and major concerts.
- Red Mile Historic harness racing track and entertainment venue.
- University of Kentucky Campus The heart of Big Blue Nation.
- The Arboretum Botanical garden with walking paths.
- Outdoors Hike the Palisades
- Outdoors Bike the Legacy Trail
- With kids Kentucky Horse Park
- With kids Explorium
- Evenings Catch a show at The Burl
- Evenings Bar hop in the Distillery District
- Locals love Horse farms
- Locals love Bourbon distilleries
Through the year
- Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event April Prestigious equestrian event at the Kentucky Horse Park.
- Keeneland Spring Meet April Thoroughbred racing with a festive spring atmosphere.
- Keeneland Fall Meet October Thoroughbred racing with vibrant fall colors.
- Festival of the Bluegrass June A classic bluegrass music festival held at the Kentucky Horse Park.
- Lexington Craft Beer Week September A week of brewery events, tastings, and special releases.
Lexington has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall
Talk like a local
- “Bluegrass”
- The region itself, also used as an adjective.
- “Cats”
- UK Wildcats sports teams.
- “The Big Blue”
- UK athletics as a whole.
- “Bourbon Trail”
- The network of bourbon distilleries in the area.
Getaways
- Louisville Big-city attractions, museums, and the Ohio River waterfront.
- Frankfort State capital with historic sites and bourbon distilleries.
- Richmond Outdoor recreation along the Kentucky River and Fort Boonesborough.
- Danville Charming downtown, historic architecture, and local shops.
Local flavour
Teams
- University of Kentucky Wildcats NCAA Division I
- Lexington Counter Clocks Atlantic League
- Lexington SC USL League One
Eat and drink
- burgoo hearty stew often served at race days and gatherings
- beer cheese creamy spread with sharp cheddar and beer
- bourbon balls chocolate and bourbon confections
- Ale-8-One local ginger ale, a regional staple
Where people go
- horse farms thoroughbred breeding and training facilities
- bourbon distilleries craft distilleries and the Bourbon Trail
- bluegrass fields iconic rolling pastures
- racetracks Keeneland and other racing venues
Heritage and traditions
Lexington is proud of its heritage as the Horse Capital of the World, where bluegrass fields, thoroughbred farms, and bourbon distilleries define the landscape, and where the University of Kentucky's basketball tradition unites the community.
This time of year in Lexington area
- Keeneland Fall Meet October Another racing season with crisp autumn air.
- UK football season Fall Tailgating and cheering the Wildcats at Kroger Field.
- Woodford Reserve Bourbon Chase October A 200-mile relay race through bourbon country, ending in Lexington.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Lexington Greek Food Festival September Celebrates Greek heritage with authentic cuisine, music, and dancing.
- Woodford Reserve Bourbon Chase October A 200-mile relay race through bourbon country, ending in Lexington.
- Kentucky Crafted Market February Showcases fine crafts and art from Kentucky artisans.
- Lexington Pride Festival June Celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a parade and live entertainment.
- Roots & Heritage Festival September Honors African American history and culture with music, food, and art.
- Festival of the Bluegrass June A premier bluegrass music festival held at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate Home of statesman Henry Clay, surrounded by 600 acres of parkland.
- Mary Todd Lincoln House Birthplace of the First Lady, now a museum of her life and times.
- Hunt-Morgan House A Federal-style home with Civil War history and the first electricity in Lexington.
- Lexington Cemetery A park-like cemetery where Henry Clay and other notable figures are buried.
- Cathedral of Christ the King A striking Catholic cathedral with a distinctive modern design.
- Lexington History Museum Located in the old courthouse, telling the story of the Bluegrass region.
Food traditions
- Keeneland breakfast Watching morning horse workouts while enjoying a hearty Southern breakfast at the track.
- Bourbon tasting flights Sampling small-batch bourbons at local distilleries, a ritual for visitors and locals alike.
- Burgoo stew A thick, slow-cooked stew of game or meat, often served at horse events and community gatherings.
- Beer cheese A creamy, sharp cheddar spread with beer, served with crackers or vegetables.
- Ale-8-One A ginger and citrus soft drink invented in nearby Winchester, a beloved local refreshment.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass music The genre originated in the region, with Bill Monroe often called the father.
- Lexington Philharmonic A professional orchestra performing classical and contemporary works.
- Lexington Art League A community arts organization supporting local artists and exhibitions.
- Bourbon barrel craft The art of making and charring oak barrels, essential to bourbon's flavor.
A little history
- 1775 Founded by pioneers on a buffalo trace
- 1782 Incorporated as a town
- 1800s Became a center for thoroughbred breeding and racing
- 1865 University of Kentucky founded
- 1978 Kentucky Horse Park opened
Rivalries
- UK vs. Louisville The biggest basketball rivalry in the state.
- UK vs. Tennessee SEC football and basketball battles.
- UK vs. Florida SEC rivalry with high-stakes games.
- UK vs. Indiana Historic basketball rivalry with nearby neighbor.
- Game day Big Blue Madness
- Game day Keeneland tailgating
- Outdoors Drive the scenic horse farm roads
- Outdoors Picnic at Jacobson Park
- With kids Attend a UK basketball game
- With kids Visit the Living Arts and Science Center
Locals speak with a Southern-influenced accent, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The 'r' is often soft, and 'Lexington' is pronounced 'LEX-ing-tun.'
Only here
- The limestone fences that line horse farms, a distinctive local feature.
- Bluegrass, the grass itself, which thrives only in this region.
- The tradition of tailgating at Keeneland with bourbon and mint juleps.
- The title 'Horse Capital of the World'.
New here? A few tips
- Try Ale-8-One, a local soft drink, and taste beer cheese and burgoo.
- Attend a UK basketball game to experience the community's passion.
- Visit Keeneland for a morning workout and breakfast—it's a local ritual.
- Learn to say 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'—they'll make you feel at home.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold, damp winters.
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Areas in Lexington area
Nearby
Every areaRed River GorgeKentuckyWhere the red rocks meet the hollersHarrodsburgKentuckyWhere Kentucky's story begins.DanvilleKentuckyWhere the Bluegrass beginsCynthianaKentuckyWhere the burgoo is always simmeringMoreheadKentuckyWhere the hills hold you close.BeattyvilleKentuckyWhere the hills hold their stories.CorbinKentuckyRooted in the mountains, rich in heart.CarrolltonKentuckyRiver bends and country roads
Lexington-Fayette--Richmond--Frankfort, KY CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.