The soft shoulders of Lexington's rolling green hills undulate as though moving. Sudden tidy and majestic barn-red farmhouses recall a bygone era, horses stomp and whinny in the distance. Shade trees flutter in the breeze, and the air has a not-unpleasant tinge of saddle leather and manure. This, the "Horse Capital of the World," is breeding ground, training center and home to many of the country's finest thoroughbred horses. Many working horse farms and equestrian training facilities are open to the public, and several tour operators offer horseback riding and horse farm tours. A highlight of the area is the Keeneland Race Course, where thoroughbreds race in spring and fall, and train throughout the summer. Downtown Lexington has a pleasant mix of historic homes, the University of Kentucky and plenty of restaurants and nightspots, where local musicians perfect their fiddle-pickin' bluegrass.
Must See
- #1 Keeneland Race Course
- #2 Kentucky Horse Park
- #3 Thoroughbred Center
- #4 Ashland
- #5 Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Skip It
- #1 McConnell Springs
- #2 Hunt-Morgan House
- #3 University of Kentucky Basketball Museum