Whether you’re a lifelong Lexingtonian longing to embrace your inner tourist, or you have a limited amount of time in the Horse Capital of the World, here are 16 tours guaranteed to show you the sights you want to see.
Note: Price estimates are based on individual adult rates available at the time of publishing. Check each company’s website to see current pricing.
Eat and drink
Bites of the Bluegrass | $89 per person | These walking history tours will have you taste, sip, and savor the flavors of different neighborhood bars + restaurants.
West Sixth Brewing | $6+ per person/per group | Why just sit and sip your favorite craft beer when you can get behind-the-scenes to see how it’s made?
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. | $13 per person | This two-for-one tour will take you along the journey of creating Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale + Town Branch Bourbon — plus you’ll get to sip samples along the way.
James Pepper Distillery | $21.20 per person | This guided experience takes you into the museum + working distillery, and includes a tasting of award-winning whiskeys in your own complimentary tasting glass.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail | Prices vary | You can’t visit Bourbon Country without a stop along our world-famous trail. Lexington includes six stops on the trail within city limits, including Fresh Bourbon + RD1 Spirits.
All in on history
Mary Todd Lincoln House | $15 per person | March 15-November 30 | This self-guided tour will walk you through the childhood home of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Don’t worry, friendly + informative staff are on site to answer any questions.
Blue Grass Trust | Free | Join the monthly guided deTours to visit historical venues not typically open to the public. Or, consider taking yourself and your friends on a self-led walking tour through picturesque historic neighborhoods like Gratz, Fayette, and Elsmere Parks.
Lex History Tours | $25 | These experiential walking tours will take you to important cultural sites throughout town, such as the Lexington Cemetery, John Hunt Morgan House, and more.
African American Heritage Tour | Free | This self-guided, mobile-exclusive tour courtesy of VisitLEX will have you exploring four parts of town — Northside, East End, Jefferson Street, and South Hill. Enjoy audio narration by local historian Yvonne Giles who will teach you about the influential community leaders who shaped Lexington’s cultural landscape.
Art is all around
Art Walk | $15-$35 per person | This two-hour leisurely walking tour hosted by Arts Connect will lead you to various art landmarks + galleries while learning about those who have contributed to our city’s rich culture.
Mural Challenge | Free | One of our all-time favorite galleries? Lexington itself. Next time you’re bopping around town soaking in the sights of our dozens of meaningful murals, take the VisitLEX self-guided mural challenge. By following along on the mobile-only pass, you can earn discounts from participating local businesses.
It comes as no surprise that our beautiful Bluegrass and horses are a must-see. | Photo by @syd.uncharted
Horsin’ around
Visit Horse Country | ~$30 per person | You can’t visit Lexington without seeing our region’s beautiful horse farms. Visit Horse Country will give you an inside look at different aspects of the thoroughbred industry.
Kentucky Horse Park | $12+ per person | From learning about the history of the horse at the on-site museum to strolling the grounds to see live horse shows — this is one extraordinary equine experience.
Keeneland | $15-$75 per person | See the historical racetrack like never before with a behind-the-scenes look at the sales operation, morning workouts, and stable tours.
The BBC has even named Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill one of the top five hidden travel destinations in the entire country.
Photo by Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Outdoor exploration
Rail Explorers | $40+ per person | With both two- and four-seater options, these pedal-powered rail vehicles (complete with electric assist) will send you cruising along picturesque horse farms + the Kentucky River.
Shaker Village | ~$16 per person | Thousands of acres of beautifully preserved land, historical buildings, and farm animals await you on your visit to Harrodsburg. Take a self-led hike, tour the historic villages, or ease your way along the Kentucky River by canoe or kayak.
