Lexington Travel Guide

Lexington is the home of the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University, and as such is somewhat a college town--but not entirely.  Rowdy Wildcat Basketball games cohabitate with the elite world of race horses.  Lexington has named itself "the Horse Capital of the World" and it is well deserved.

Notable equestrian-related attractions include the Red Mile race track and Keeneland.  Keenland is a unique thoroughbred race track, open three weeks in the spring and fall.  Keenland also is home of numerous sales and horse auctions, where top thouroughbreds are bought and sold for records amounts.  Any horse lover will instantly feel at home in this city.  Lexington and the Kentucky Horse Park will host the World Equestrian Games in 2010, where currently they host an annual Rolex Three Day event.  This will be the first time the world games will be held in the U.S.  The Kentucky Horse Park also hosts the annual Mid-America Foxhound Show. Not only is the city home the prim and proper of the Equestrian Set, but it is also home to many intellectuals at the University and high-tech workers at Lexmark, headquartered in town.  Toyota manufactures the Camry and Avalon just north in Georgetown.  It truly is a diamond in the rough...the last large town before heading into the wilds of Eastern Kentucky.

Lexington is also close to the Red River Gorge, an area that attracts rock climbers from around the world.  There area numerous rope coarses and some overnight camping in that area. 

Don't miss the numerous horse farms and tracks, but also don't miss the renowned Singletary Center for the Arts and the Anthropology Museum located on UK's campus.  Downtown Lexington is currently going through a renaissance, with the Kentucky Theater being a delightful experience.  The campus-adjacent area known as Chevy Chase is home to tons of bars and funky restaurants, and the southern part of the city is reminiscent of the dream of a perfect suburbia.

Lexington is located on I-64 and I-75, about an hour east of Louisville and south of Cincinnati.  Bluegrass airport is served by most domestic carriers, and rental cars are available.  Parking is rarely a problem, except around campus, where it is a pain.