Headed to the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time? Lucky you! You’re about to have the time of your life – no matter what type of riding you do, or if you ride at all, watching the horse and rider pairs gallop around the the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is a bucket list horse show to attend.
Take it from us, Kentucky spectator veterans, on how to make the most out of your horsey trip to Lexington. On episode 117 of the Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast, our hosts picked out their favorite spots beyond the horse park. We’re rehashing those travel tips here just in time of the Best Weekend All Year.
Keeneland
Keeneland is the heart of American Thoroughbred racing culture, and is a spot that just can’t be missed if you’re in Lexington. The sprawling campus over acres and acres of Kentucky bluegrass is gorgeous in any season. The track is full of rich history and is immaculately cared for. Go to see the races, or the yearling sale, or pro tip: go at sunrise during the week (in season) to see the horses breezing on the track in the lovely morning glow. Then head to the track kitchen for some of the best breakfast of your life. You won’t regret it.
Georgetown
Georgetown is a small college town just a few miles away form the horse park and just north of the city of Lexington. It has an adorable Main Street with shops and restaurants and charming neighborhoods, where you can find some great Airbnb stays. There are several restaurants worth checking out in town but the one you just can’t miss is Local Feed. It will blow your mind. Another spot closer to the horse park is Red State – you can’t leave Kentucky without eating some great southern BBQ!
Downtown Lexington
There’s plenty to explore day and night in Lexington, from bars and restaurants to museums, parks and of course, the Bourbon Trail. There’s more to this smaller metropolis than one would think – it’s worth tacking on an extra day or two to check it all out.
Explore the entire horse park
The Kentucky Horse Park is expansive, and is home to many horses yearound. Meet some of the retired racehorses who now call the park their permanent home, or the draft horses built to plow the fields and pull carriages. There’s so much history to explore here in museums and more. And
Drive over to Louisville
Spring is such an exciting time to be in Kentucky – there’s the Kentucky Three-Day Event at the end of April and in the next town over, Louisville is getting ready for the Kentucky Derby in early May. It’s an easy day trip by car to get from Lexington to Louisville, and if you’ve never seen Churchill Downs in person, it’s 100% worth the trip.
Sign up for farm tours
Driving through Lexington on the way to horse park, you’re going to see some gorgeous horse farms. Many are open to tours – from stallion farms for racing and sport, to retirement farms for some well-known legends, there are a variety of tours to choose from that will get you inside some of the nicest barns you’ll ever see.
There’s a good reason why Lexington is the horse capital of the world. Looking for more visitor tips? Check out this visitor’s guide.