Lexington, Kentucky – Horse and Bourbon Capital of the World
Lexington is the center of the world’s thoroughbred horse industry and is where many of the world’s top racehorses are bred, born, trained, officially registered, bought and sold, retired to stud, and buried. In the Bluegrass Region, you can meet previous racing champions, or perhaps catch a glimpse of a future winner, on the world’s most famous horse farms. Keeneland Race Course, a beautiful park reminiscent of those in England, holds race meets annually in April and October and sales throughout the year. The Kentucky Horse Park features more than 50 breeds at work and play on more than 1,200 breathtaking acres.
Designated “America’s Native Spirit” in 1964 by an act of Congress, nearly 100 percent of the world’s bourbon is produced in Kentucky. Early Kentucky settlers brought recipes and stills with them from the Northeast.
They soon discovered corn was better suited to the Kentucky climate and began replacing rye with corn in their original recipes. You can visit historic distilleries and discover time-honored methods developed in the early 19th century that are still in use today. Tantalizing aromas follow you from the fermenting tanks to the warehouses where the bourbon rests until its proper age. Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey and Four Roses offer tours showcasing the heritage of America’s spirit.
History comes to life in Lexington. Located just a few miles apart, on opposite ends of downtown Lexington, the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland, the Henry Clay estate, reveal 19th century life in Lexington for these two prominent residents and their families. Touring these homes tells the story of how these remarkable individuals’ lives were often interconnected and how they influenced our nation.
Take a short drive out through the picturesque Bluegrass countryside to discover one of America’s historic treasures. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a National Historic Landmark and the United States’ largest restored Shaker community, features 34 restored buildings on more than 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. This living history museum offers village tours, 40 miles of trails, delightful regional cuisine and special programs throughout the year.
Getting to Lexington is easy. Centrally located at the junction of Interstates 75 and 64, Lexington is the perfect driving destination for bus groups.
The Lexington CVB also offers prepackaged tours for groups on themes such as The Historic Shaker Village, Historic Homes Candlelight Tour, The Thoroughbred Center, Old Kentucky Night at the Kentucky Horse Park and Baseball Outings at the Whitaker Bank Ball Park. The CVB can also help with creating customized itineraries and provide information on the city’s many group-friendly lodging properties, restaurants, attractions, shopping venues and more. For all your planning needs, phone them at (800) 848-1224.
There are also many Lexington-area step-on guides offering services to bus groups. You can find their contact information at www.visitlex.com/groups.
For a free Visitor Planning Guide or more information, contact the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 845-3959 or visit www.visitlex.com.
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