The Bluegrass is known for its "Bs": 'breds, basketball, and of course Bourbon. Please find some time to take a tour or two of Kentucky's beautiful bourbon distilleries while you're in town. Here are some of our favorites: Buffalo Trace - Home of Blanton's, Weller and the infamous $2000+ bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. Woodford Reserve - One of the most beautiful distilleries in the area. You'll also be served some of Ruth Hunt's famous Bourbon Balls! Castle and Key -This resurrected distillery is a baby and produces only gin at this time. Tour the beautiful grounds designed by world-renowned Lexington-native landscape architect Jon Carloftis.
As with any mid-size to small city that has a large university presence, the microbrewery scene in Lexington is ever-growing and always busy. Here are a couple that we frequent the most: Mirror Twin - Probably our most frequented space, they have Rolling Oven brick-fired pizza to feed the appetite as well. Rock House - Located in a hip part of town complete with board games. Will is known to buy out their Wild Funky Love beer. Ethereal - Located in the Distillery District, just a fun place to be around. Country Boy - One of the first microbreweries in town and a long-time favorite, particularly the jalapeno beer if it's in season. Blue Stallion - Where Nicole and Will actually met in person for the first time when she worked at USEF in Summer of 2015. It would be another a year before they met on purpose.
Visit Lexington's beautiful horse track and you'll even find yourself in the middle of the September Yearling Sales. It's unmatched within the Thoroughbred world, with international buyers coming to Keeneland to find the best selection of yearlings. Triple Crown Winner Justify was sold during the September Yearling Sales here. Bring your check book or just watch as others spend their millions, literally.
A place where Will took Nicole on their first date. Raven Run is a unique, 734-acre nature sanctuary located just outside of Lexington. The park borders the Kentucky River and provides a great place for hiking and wildlife viewing. Ten miles of trails pass through meadows, woodlands and streams characteristic of the inner Bluegrass.
Here are some Lexington favorites: Graze - You will actually be enjoying the food of Chef Craig de Villiers at the reception! Buddha Lounge (for Sushi) Windy Corner Goodfella's Pizza - Distillery District Saul Good Tony's Steakhouse Jeff Ruby's Harry's/Malone's Carson's Pies and Pints Hop Cat Tachibana Japanese Restaurant
Lexington has more than just Bourbon, beer and food, so feel free to take a ride around Lexington's "green ring" and explore some horse country or our lively downtown: The Distillery District The Kentucky Theater The Kentucky Horse Park The Arboretum Saturday Morning Farmer's Market at Cheap-side Pavilion Downtown Talon Winery The Burl (Live Music Venue) Horse Farms (many farms offer guided tours) The Kentucky Castle in Versailles