Lexington, KY Attractions
Lexington
The city of Lexington, seat of the University of Kentucky and an important economic and cultural center, lies in the heart of the Bluegrass Country, a fertile rolling plateau on which tobacco is grown. The region is famed for its horse breeding, and Lexington claims the title of "horse capital of the world". The horse paddocks enclosed by white fences are characteristic features of the landscape.
History The town was officially founded in 1781, but the place had already been given its name by a group of patriots some years earlier, after the battle of Lexington in Massachusetts. It is now an important center of the tobacco trade and an industrial town.
The city of Lexington, seat of the University of Kentucky and an important economic and cultural center, lies in the heart of the Bluegrass Country, a fertile rolling plateau on which tobacco is grown. The region is famed for its horse breeding, and Lexington claims the title of "horse capital of the world". The horse paddocks enclosed by white fences are characteristic features of the landscape.
History The town was officially founded in 1781, but the place had already been given its name by a group of patriots some years earlier, after the battle of Lexington in Massachusetts. It is now an important center of the tobacco trade and an industrial town.
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Kentucky Horse Park
Outside of Lexington is the Kentucky Horse Park, home to the International Museum of the Horse, and the American Saddle Horse Museum. Visitors can also walk through the park or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Ashland, Henry Clay Estate
Ashland was the Lexington estate of Henry Clay until his death in 1852. It was then sold to his son James Brown Clay. The estate was named for the large number of ash trees that grew on the property. The original house was replaced by James in 1857 with a new structure on the original foundation and a similar floor plan.
Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate
120 Sycamore Road
Lexington, KY 40502-1842
United States
120 Sycamore Road
Lexington, KY 40502-1842
United States
Phone 1 (859) 266-8581
Fax 1 (859) 268-7266
Hours
February 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Aviation Museum of Kentucky
The Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington features interactive exhibits and a variety of aircraft.
Aviation Museum of Kentucky
Box 4118
Lexington, KY 40544-4118
United States
Box 4118
Lexington, KY 40544-4118
United States
Phone 1 (859) 231-1219
Fax 1 (859) 381-8739
Explorium of Lexington
The Explorium of Lexington features hands-on exhibits for children and adults on science, nature, history, the human body and early childhood.
Explorium of Lexington
440 West Short Street
Lexington, KY 40507-1640
United States
440 West Short Street
Lexington, KY 40507-1640
United States
Phone 1 (859) 258-3253
Fax 1 (859) 258-3255
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Headley-Whitney Museum
The Headley-Whitney Museum, a complex of three buildings, is situated on what was once the family farm of George W. Headley III. Decorative arts such as furniture, textiles, ceramics and metalwork are displayed as well as George Headley designs.
All values are in United States Dollars
Headley-Whitney Museum
4435 Old Frankfort Pike
Lexington, KY 40510-9657
United States
4435 Old Frankfort Pike
Lexington, KY 40510-9657
United States
Phone 1 (859) 255-6653
Fax 1 (859) 255-8375
Hours
February 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 10.00 |
| Students | $ 7.00 |
| Senior over 62 | $ 7.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Hunt-Morgan House
John Wesley Hunt, the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies, built this federal period town house in Lexington in 1814. Features of the house include a three-story, cantilevered staircase, the garden and walled courtyard, a collection of Kentucky furniture, early 19th C portraits and porcelains.
Lexington Art League
The Lexington Art League features visual arts by regional and national artists.
Lexington Art League
209 Castlewood Drive
Lexington, KY 40505
United States
209 Castlewood Drive
Lexington, KY 40505
United States
Phone 1 (859) 254-7024
Fax 1 (859) 254-7214
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Lexington Cemetery
The Lexington Cemetery was established as a public cemetery in 1849. It highlights the social, political, military and environmental history of the community.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Built in 1803 to 1806 as an inn, Mary Todd's father purchased this house in Lexington in 1832 for his family. Mary Todd, who would later become Abraham Lincoln's wife, visited her girlhood home often. The Georgian-style brick house is furnished in period and displays family portraits as well as personal items of the Lincoln-Todd families.
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Raven Run is a 470-acre nature sanctuary with more than 8mi/13km of hiking trails, a nature center and bird blind for nature observation and education.
Red Mile Harness Track
The Red Mile in Lexington is a one-mile oval track for trotters and pacers. Races are held in the spring and fall. Daily workouts can be viewed from dawn until 11 am daily September through June.
Red Mile Harness Track
1200 Red Mile Road
Lexington, KY 40504
United States
1200 Red Mile Road
Lexington, KY 40504
United States
Phone 1 (859) 255-0752
Fax 1 (859) 231-0217
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
The Pope Villa
Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a well-known architect, designed and collaborated on some of the country's most important structures, including the United States Capitol.
Latrobe designed Pope Villa in 1810-11 with various elevations and floor plans. Three sheets of his original drawings are located in the Library of Congress. The home had been altered in the 19th and 20th century. After fire damage in 1987, the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation acquired Pope Villa and began restoration.
Latrobe designed Pope Villa in 1810-11 with various elevations and floor plans. Three sheets of his original drawings are located in the Library of Congress. The home had been altered in the 19th and 20th century. After fire damage in 1987, the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation acquired Pope Villa and began restoration.
The Pope Villa
326 Grosvenor Avenue
Lexington, KY
United States
326 Grosvenor Avenue
Lexington, KY
United States
Phone 1 (859) 253-0362
Fax 1 (859) 259-9210
Waveland State Historic Site
The Waveland State Historic Site is a Greek Revival mansion that was built in 1847. The icehouse, smokehouse and servants' quarters have been restored. Life on a 19th century plantation is highlighted.
Hours
April 1 to December 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
December 16 to December 23
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
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