Lexington, KY Tourist Attractions

The world-famous Kentucky Horse Park lies 10 mi. north of Lexington (I 75, exit 120). Here, in Bluegrass country, everything centers on the horse. There is a Visitor Center that shows films on the park and supplies information on particular activities and events. The International Museum of the Horse, with the Calumet Trophy Collection, and the American Saddle Horse Museum give a comprehensive view of the history and importance of the horse, while great race horses are honored in the Hall of Champions. There is an interesting walk through the park (the Walking Farm Tour) that includes demonstrations of the crafts of blacksmiths, wagoners, harness makers, and a parade of thoroughbreds (Parade of Breeds Show). Visitors can also enjoy horse trekking and rides in horse-drawn carriages. The Kentucky Horse Center is a training center for thoroughbreds.There are race meetings for thoroughbred horses several times annually at the Keeneland Racecourse (4201 Versailles Rd.) and Red Mile Harness Track (South Broadway and Red Mile Rd.).There are several hundred privately owned stud farms of varying size and importance within a radius of some 30 mi. of Lexington. The most famous are Calumet, Manchester Farm, Whitney, Normandy, Spendthrift and Three Chimneys Farm. Only the last two are open to visitors.

Many plantation owners from the southern states built magnificent villas in Kentucky, with its milder climate, to escape the sultriness of the south. Several of these very beautiful houses are to be found in the Gratz Park Area, north-east of Downtown. They include Waveland (225 Highbee Mill Rd.) built by the great nephew of Daniel Boone in 1847, a fine example of Greek Revival architecture, the magnificent mansion of Ashland (Richmond & Sycamore Rd.) built by Henry Clay inn 1806, and finally Hunt Morgan House (201 N Mill St.) built for John Wesley Hunt, the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. This is where Thomas Hunt Morgan, later to win the Nobel Prize for Medicine, was born.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

John Bowman began the Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1865, which was renamed the University of Kentucky in 1916. Guided tours of the Lexington campus depart from the visitor center.

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.

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington features interactive exhibits and a variety of aircraft.

The Explorium of Lexington features hands-on exhibits for children and adults on science, nature, history, the human body and early childhood.

The Lexington Cemetery was established as a public cemetery in 1849. It highlights the social, political, military and environmental history of the community.

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.

The Lexington Art League features visual arts by regional and national artists.