About Lexington

Take a step back to the past in Lexington, Kentucky, where horse-drawn trolleys operate and federal-style homes still stand. Historic political luminaries Henry Clay and Abraham Lincoln had ties to the area, and Kentucky bourbon has been distilled here for centuries.

In the self-proclaimed "Horse Capital of the World," the Kentucky Horse Park provides equine enthusiasts a chance to get close to the animals. Along with horseback and pony rides, visitors can watch the large draft horses be harnessed for trolley rides, or get a look at the current Hall of Champions. The American Saddlebred Museum in the park pays tribute to the breed with photography, fine arts, and the written word.

Henry Clay, known as the "Great Compromiser," lived in Lexington and established his estate here. His home is now a museum honoring the former Speaker of the House. Mary Todd Lincoln's girlhood home is also open to the public, and is decorated with period furniture that belonged to the Todds and the Lincolns. And Benjamin Henry Latrobe, though not a politician, greatly influenced his colonial counterparts when he helped design the federal Capitol and White House. His design of Pope Villa in Lexington contributed to the creation of a distinctly American architecture.

Although Lexington is not located in Bourbon County, it has strong ties to the beverage. Local distilleries offering tours include Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace; the latter was one of only four distilleries in the country to obtain a permit to continue to operate during Prohibition.

Airlines that serve Blue Grass Airport include Delta and US Airways, so finding flights to Lexington should be an easy task from most cities.