Best things to do in Lexington

Keeneland, home to one of America's premier thoroughbred horse racetracks, offers live racing and a world-class reference library dedicated to the sport. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the complex began operations in 1936. Notable races include the Blue Grass Stakes and Beaumont Stakes, well known as preparatory races for Kentucky Derby hopefuls. The track's annual horse auctions draw buyers from around the world. If you can’t catch a live race, try one of the racetrack's self-guided tours of its active facilities.

Horses from around the world--including some champions and some rare breeds--reside at Kentucky Horse Park. Watch presentations on horses' daily routines, including work and play. Ride along the outskirts of the park with a guide, or hop on a horse-drawn trolley for a narrated scenic tour, where you'll learn about the park's history. The park's International Museum of the Horse is considered the largest and most comprehensive museum in the world dedicated to the relationship between people and horses.

The Pepper family brand of whiskey is the oldest and most legendary whiskey brand in both Kentucky and American history. Founded during the American Revolution. Visit us in downtown Lexington to tour the distillery and taste our award winning whiskeys.

HOURS:

Wed-Sat tours start every hour 10:30am-3:30pm, retail shop open 10am -7pm

Sunday tours every hour Noon-4pm, retail shop open 11:30am-5:30pm

Learn more at www.JamesEPepper.com

Family owned and operated since 1976, Taylor Made began as a boarding farm for Thoroughbred horses. It is now a leading sales agency, best known for helping clients market and sell their Thoroughbreds at public auction.

Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, is the American headquarters for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s global Godolphin thoroughbred breeding and racing operation and home of the Darley stallions in America. The current stallion roster includes Kentucky Derby winners NYQUIST, ANIMAL KINGDOM, and STREET SENSE, multiple G1 winner FROSTED, and perennial leading sires MEDAGLIA D’ORO and BERNARDINI.

At, Ark Encounter you can journey back to Biblical times to meet Noah, his family, and the animals. In addition to the life-size arc, this theme park also features a zoo with exotic animals from around the globe, a restaurant, ziplines, and a gift shop. The extensive multimedia exhibits "teach" about the times before, during, and after the flood, the life on the arc, and other events mentioned in the Bible.

Discover the underground world of Louisville Mega Cavern, once a bomb shelter capable of housing nearly 50,000 people. Today, the cavern features the world's only underground zipline course that allows you to plunge off 20 m (70 ft) cliffs into a pit of darkness. If jumping into complete blackness isn't your thing, take a tram tour of the cavern's many passages. The tram stops at a large worm farm, where insects consume trash in order to produce fertilizer. Be sure to dress appropriately--the cavern is 30 m (100 ft) below the city, and temperatures rarely rise above 13 C (56 F).

Tours are only available at 9:30 or 1:00. Please contact directly to arrange for your visit.

Home of the oldest zoo building in the United States, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is known for its extensive breeding and conservation program. In 1987, the oldest portions of the park were designated as National Historic Landmarks: the "Elephant House," the "Reptile House," and the "Passenger Pigeon Memorial." The reptile house claims the title of the oldest--it was built in 1875.