Lexington, Kentucky is an up and coming destination to visit with over 400 horse farms nearby and being the home to 90% of the world’s bourbon production. It has become a destination for great restaurants, luxury boutique hotels and many craft breweries on the Brewgrass Trail.
I highly recommend you visit the following when you are in Lexington:
James E. Pepper Distillery: The former James E. Pepper Distillery, at 1200 Manchester St. from 1780 to 1755, has been transformed into a large complex featuring restaurants, bars, a microbrewery and a distillery. The James Pepper Distillery has remodeled the original building and has reopened in the original facility for tours. It was one of my favorite places that I visited when I was in town.
University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts Art Museum: Make sure to stop in at 405 Rose St. to see works from their permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions. They also feature tours, lectures, panel discussions and other special events.
Keeneland: Not to be missed is Keeneland, an internationally famous racecourse and an auction house for the Kentucky thoroughbred industry. Races are held twice a year in April and October. You can take a tour which are available all year long or when there are no races, you can go to the track between 9am and 10am to watch the horses in their morning workout on the track. I did this and loved the flexibility to watch and walk around the grounds.
Schedule a Horse Farm Tour: Tours are available to visit some of the area’s best known horse farms. Each tour includes a drive by Calumet farms, visiting two farms including a walk through of one the the region’s most modern barns, plus a tour of Keeneland.
Kentucky Horse Park: This is a working horse farm where you can visit and view the different breeds or attend a show or other special events. 4089 Iron Works Parkway.
Lexington Brewery and Distilling Company: This is a newer brewing operation in Lexington that was first known for its Kentucky Bourbon Ale which is aged up to six weeks in used bourbon barrels; they also make a number of ales, IPAs, porters and stouts. This led the way for them establishing the Town Branch Distillery, where they make the Town Branch Bourbon and other whiskeys. Make sure to sign up for a tour and tasting. It is a great experience. 401 Cross St.