Kentucky might be best known for its Bourbon Trail and horses, but the state is home to so much more. Have fun branching out with these best things to do in Lexington.
Best things to do in Lexington
How do these rankings work?
1. Visit the Mary Todd Lincoln House
The childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln, built in 1832, is now a 14-room museum. The home includes artefacts from both the Todd and Lincoln families such as period furniture and art. If there is one museum to see in Lexington, this is it.
2. Drink cider at Evans Orchard
Orchard fun extends far beyond apple-picking season at Evans Orchard. The farm holds an apple festival and the chance to pick-your-own apples seasonally, but there is also a café for homemade treats as well as a cider mill.
Take a step outside of the city and try a new cider, apple sweet treat or pick up farm-fresh ingredients.
3. Take a cocktail class
Bourbon might be front and center in Kentucky, but taking a bourbon cocktail-making class at Jim Beam’s Urban Stillhouse is a different approach to the brown liquor. Enjoy a tasting, but schedule a 30-minute mixology 101 class with the experts.
4. See the Kentucky Horse Park
The Kentucky Horse Park is the place to go to learn more about horses and the sport beyond the racetrack. The working horse farm opened in 1978 and continues to operate as an educational theme park for visitors.
5. Tour Angel’s Envy
Angel’s Envy is a bourbon distillery located in an industrial-chic warehouse in downtown Lexington. The company makes one of the best bourbons on the market–so much so that they can’t make enough of their rye. The tour is interactive and fun, though the tasting room and bar are beautiful.
6. Spend time outside
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is home to 10 miles of hiking trails across its 734 acres of woodland preserve. The lush landscape is tranquil and quiet, making it the perfect place to forest bathe for an afternoon. Take a walk and find a waterfall or two.
7. Drive the Old Frankfort Pike
This 17-mile scenic road has been around since 1775. It’s also known as “Thoroughbred Alley” thanks to all of the surrounding horse farms, and the road is considered one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. Whether its covered in snow, dripping in falling leaves or bursting with new, green vegetation, this is worth the drive–or bike ride–just outside of Lexington.
