Pack your bags, let’s go on an adventure. | Photo provided by Blue Grass Airport
Traveling via plane is fun — jet-setting over beautiful blue waters or rolling hills, taking in cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours is unlike anything else.
The whole navigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. To help make your time at the Blue Grass Airport as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from master plan updates and parking to details on the airport’s 16 nonstop flights.
What to know
TSA | According to TSA officials, it takes ~5 minutes to get through during off-peak hours and ~15 minutes during peak hours (which are around 6-9 a.m.).
Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, these maps of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
Food and drink | Start your day with a fresh cup of coffee or a donut from Dunkin’ Donuts. Get a taste (or a sip) of southern hospitality at The Bourbon Library Restaurant & Bar. If you need a tried + true Bluegrass gift, check out the extensive wine and bourbon offerings from Cork & Barrel.
Reminder | By May 3, 2023, you will need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US.
Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.
Current airport updates
Blue Grass Airport is currently working on creating a new Master Plan. The airport goes through this process every ~10 years to manage its development and operational sustainability, and you can be a part of the process. Do you have some ideas you’d like to share? Submit your comments and feedback here.
Parking, shuttles, and rideshare
Not everyone has a bestie who will drop everything to pick them up from their 3 a.m. landing. Each lot and garage offers 30 minutes of free parking, 31-60 minutes for $2, and each additional hour for $1. Beyond that, the price per day is as listed:
Short-term parking | $16/day
Long-term parking | $13/day
Valet | $22/day
Because Blue Grass Airport only has two terminals, all of these parking options are within walking distance of TSA and your gate.
Karaoke Night | Monday, Nov. 21 | 9 p.m. | girlsgirlsgirls Burritos, 395 S. Limestone, Lexington | Free | Enjoy two-for-one margs + delicious food, and then brave the stage to sing your heart with karaoke.
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Floral Design Workshop | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 6-9 p.m. | Drury Floral + Ephemeral Florals, 615 W. Short St., Lexington | $180 | Wow your guests with your own handmade Thanksgiving centerpiece featuring fresh flowers + local greenery — light snacks and drinks will be provided.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
UK vs. North Florida | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 4 p.m. | Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | $19-$55 | Cheer on the men’s basketball team as they host the North Florida Ospreys.
Thursday, Nov. 24
Thanksgiving | Thursday, Nov. 24 | Times vary | Locations vary | Priceless | Celebrate the season of gratitude with those you cherish the most.
Friday, Nov. 25
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. | Friday, Nov. 25 | 7 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $20-$25 | Venture to the island of misfit toys in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special — suitable for all ages.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Christmas in the Country Craft Fair | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | First Vineyard, 5800 Sugar Creek Pike, Nicholasville | Free | Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with 40+ vendors and local wine tastings.
Sunday, Nov. 27
Luminate Lexington Holiday Lighting Festival | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 3-7 p.m. | Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St., Lexington | Free | Head downtown for the annual holiday lighting of the city’s Christmas Tree + Hanukkah Menorah along with live music, vendors and a visit from Santa.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
You can’t go wrong with essentials made right. | Photo by The Ridge
Ready to find the perfect holiday gift? Get up to 40% off the Ridge Wallet and other essential gear. This well-built, minimalist, RFID-blocking wallet is a slim, front-pocket wallet option that is perfect for your everyday carry. Every order ships free (with a 99-day return window), and includes a lifetime warranty.
Our opinion? Nothing makes more sense than a gift so useful that he’ll keep it on him every single day. *
LEXPARK’s Food for Fines program is back. Today through Fri., Dec. 16, community members can bring canned food items to the LEXPARK office, 122 N. Broadway, to receive money off citations. There’s no limit to the number of tickets you can pay off + 10 cans equals $15 off. Donations will be sent to God’s Pantry Food Bank.
Holiday
If you’re frying a turkey this Thanksgiving, let LiveGreenLex help with cleanup. On Fri., Nov. 25, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., bring your used oil to the Gobble Grease Toss at Redwood Cooperative School, 166 Crestwood Dr. It will be recycled by UK’s Center for Applied Energy Research which will use it to study biofuel processing. 🍗
Sports
A new clause has been added to UK head football coach Mark Stoops’ recent contract extension — guaranteeing an annual salary of $9 million from February 2023 through June 2031. At the new salary, Stoops’ would rank sixth in pay among all college football coaches + temporarily surpass UK head basketball coach John Calipari. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Active
It’s not too late to sign up for the local Thanksgiving Day running tradition — Bluegrass Runners Thoroughbred Classic 5K. Bring the family — strollers + dogs are welcome — for a fun morning of movement along the picturesque grounds of Keeneland. 👟
Asked
Hey, you — thank you for being a dedicated reader of LEXtoday. In this season of gratitude, we’re grateful for a lot of things, including you. Now, help us write a thank you card to our sweet city. What are you grateful that Lexington brings to your life? Share with us.
Looking for the Ultimate Tailgating Experience? Enter: Kroger’s Fan Rewards program(select your local store to see details). Our sister newsletter LOUtoday recently tried it out and had a blast. See their tailgating experience. 🏈 *
Health
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Fun + fresh cocktails from Harvey’s. | Photo by Harvey’s
Entertaining this holiday season?
Then let’s talk about Lexington’s happy hour deals. Whether you’re looking for a quick beer, or just want to have a chill hangout while going easy on the wallet, we’ve got this round.
Here are 20+ places around town offering the best drinkable deals. (Hours listed are HH only.)
Harvey’s | Wednesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Grab any signature cocktail like “Elwood’s Old Fashioned,” or “One More Thyme” for $8 — making it the happiest + tastiest hours of your week.
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar | Monday-Friday, 3-6:30 p.m. | Get special pricing on apps + $3 offglasses or wine flights.
Pro tip: Check out our mocktail guide to find all the best zero-proof sips in Lexington.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Molly.
Editor’s pick: My favorite local beverage brand Thrive Brew just released a new seasonal flavor, Holiday — which is a kombucha take on a mulled wine.
The bubbly blend features notes of pomegranate, cinnamon, orange rind, grape, clove + star anise. I’m definitely adding their mix-n-match pack to my Christmas list.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about Lexington’s busiest streets, here.
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