Lexington, KY is known throughout the country as the “Horse Capital of the World,” as well as one of the top bourbon producers in the U.S. But there is certainly more to this city than just horse farms and distilleries. It is also home to the University of Kentucky, giving it a vibrant college scene that spills over into its local restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment venues. This city is also well known for its relatively progressive feel, fresh farm-to-table grub, and almost obsessive love of basketball. Without a doubt, Lexington is one of the best places to live in Kentucky.
When to Search
The demand for student housing is high in Lexington, so it’s important to begin the apartment search process as early as possible. Usually students begin searching for the right place around October, peaking in March, and ending in August.
Staying in the Know
Lexington’s location cannot be beat. You’re within close proximity to a number of other major cities, including Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Knoxville. If you’re looking for gorgeous scenery and want a vacation from the urban atmosphere, take just a few minute drive outside of Lexington’s inner loop and visit one of the many horse farms surrounding the city. They are not only scenic, but they also compliment Lexington’s overall charm.
Life in Lexington
Transportation
On average, Lexington’s layout is not very friendly for those without vehicles. However, Lexington offers a great bus system called Lextran. It has many routes running in different parts of the city, allowing access many different areas.
Where to play
Lexington offers a great deal of things to do, especially for college students. If you’re a foodie, then you might be interested to know that Lexington has some of the most restaurants per capita in the country. If you’re into shopping, check out Fayette Mall, which has bragging rights as the largest mall in Kentucky. If nightlife is your thing, be sure to tour the many bourbon distilleries in the area. After all, Lexington is a major stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Attractions
Kentucky is the heart of horse racing in the United States, and there are several places to visit in Lexington that are affiliated with the historic sport. Keeneland is a world-class racing establishment located out on Versailles Road. If you like horses and horse racing, you must also visit the Kentucky Horse Park. It is a combination educational exhibit, horse museum and working horse farm, and a chance to see dozens of different types of horses up close. You should also visit some of the beautifully preserved historic homes in the area. Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, and the Mary Todd Lincoln House are two of the best.
Dining
Kentucky is one of several states that claims to have the best barbecue in the country. The only way to tell for yourself is to visit some of the best Lexington BBQ joints, which include the Blue Door Smokehouse, and the Red State BBQ. However, not everything in Lexington has a southern flavour. For some extremely good Japanese food, visit Yamaguchi’s Sake & Tapas. Of course, that’s not to say that you can't find delicious southern-flavoured food. Gumbo Ya Ya serves, perhaps as no surprise, the best Gumbo in town. The other Cajun specialities like etouffee and jambalaya are also worth writing home about.
Bars
The simply named The Pub Lexington is a comforting English pub with all the trappings, including an excellent list of beers to choose from. If you like to hang out with students when you're at the bar, then the Two Keys Tavern is where you should head next. A back deck and some seating along the sidewalk make this the perfect place to hangout in the summer. Country Boy Brewing is an excellent place to go if you want to try some beer with a few more outlandish flavours. These guys are constantly changing what they’re brewing in order to come up with new and exciting recipes, so going back frequently is likely to meet you with a lot of different flavour options on the taps.
Culture
The historic buildings and museums in Lexington are a critical component of it's cultural landscape. The University of Kentucky Art Museum is the largest museum of art in the area, and has 4000 important works of art in it's permanent collection. Throughout the downtown area there are also a number of smaller art galleries. The Lexington Opera House is more than a hundred years old, and hosts ballet and concerts in addition to a regular opera series. The Kentucky Theatre is a beautiful historic theatre that has been restored and pressed back into service, showing a variety of classic, independent and modern films.
Events
The Mayfest Arts Fair takes place the same weekend that Mother’s Day falls on each year. Gratz Park gets transformed into a forest of booths displaying the work of local artists and craftsmen. The food is ample, and there are lots of activities for the children. Bluegrass music is extremely popular in Kentucky, and the city celebrates it's love of the form during The Festival of the Bluegrass, the oldest of it's type in the State. One of the biggest events in the city though takes place during September, which is Hispanic Heritage Month. The Festival Latino de Lexington celebrates all aspects of Latin American culture in downtown Lexington during the festival.
Shopping
The Lexington Center provides a much more relaxed shopping experience than you would expect from this type of complex. For one thing, most of the stores are smaller and independent as opposed to the typical ‘mall’ stores. In addition, the Center is also home to the Lexington Center Museum & Gallery, which brings an amazing 10,000 square foot museum space to the Center. If you're looking for a great urban shopping center that you don't have to travel far to get to, head to Victorian Square. With multiple levels of storefronts and a downtown location, it is ideal for most Lexington shoppers.
Sports
In Kentucky, sports always means horse racing to some degree. As previously mentioned, Keeneland is one great place to go to the races in Lexington, but there is also another track. The Red Mile is the other one, and you should take time to get to both. The University of Kentucky’s Wildcats enjoy a huge amount of popularity with the locals, and tickets to the basketball games at Rupp arena are often the hottest tickets in town. The Wildcats basketball team has been one of the most talented programs in the country for many years, and is tied for winning the most NCAA championships in the sport at 12.
Outdoors
The area around Lexington is famous for being a cyclist’s paradise. The counties around Lexington are home to over a thousand miles of bike trails, all of which wind through scenic countryside littered with historic buildings. Kayaking is also popular, with the nearby Elkhorn creek providing the perfect site for getting out on the water. Of course, one of the best ways to see the local countryside is to get out on horseback, and there are many local organizations that operate tours and trail rides on horseback. A great trail to walk or bike down is the Legacy Trail, which starts right in downtown Lexington.