Ballin’ on a budget

• Eat: Grab a cooler, some hotdogs + a gas grill from your local Kroger, or a couple of deli sandwiches from Wilson’s Grocery for the perfect lunch on The Hill.
• Shop: Dressing your best doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. We recommend heading to Pop’s Resale or Street Scene to get all your vintage Keeneland duds.
• Tickets: The best part of The Hill? It’s free to tailgate, offers complimentary shuttle service to the Grandstand area, and has a big screen to watch the races live. For a closer view, snag a $7 general admission ticket.

Living lavishly

• Eat: On-site dining at Keeneland Track Kitchen is perfect way to start off your day. Grab some breakfast and you might even get to say hay to a jockey.
• Shop: Weather in Lexington can be unpredictable, so we always suggest bringing a few layers like a stylish pullover from Morton James. For sunnier days, snag a pair of sunglasses from Shady Rays to pair with a sundress from Peplum Boutique or sports coat from Logan’s of Lexington.
• Tickets: Various ticket packages give you the ability to customize your day. Want a business casual atmosphere? The Phoenix Dining Room is a great option. If you want a more immersive experience, Grandstand area tickets range $15-$25.

• AquaVenture 2023 | Monday, April 3-Thursday, April 27 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St., Lexington | Free | Stop by to see the colorful work of area artists from The Kentucky Watercolor Society’s collection.
• Venus Envy Radio with Nishaan Sandhu | Monday, April 3-Monday, July 24 | 3-4 p.m. | RadioLex, 93.9FM, Lexington | Free | Tune into this bi-weekly radio show as holistic life coach Nishaan Sandhu talks through the power of symbolism, synchronicity, and astrology.
• Late Nights at Red Mile | Monday, April 3-Monday, Oct. 2 | 11 p.m. | Red Mile Gaming & Racing, 1101 Winbak Way, Lexington | Free | Don’t miss Late Night Breakfast with $5 food, late night drawings, live music + more.*

• National Public Health Week 2023 | Monday, April 3-Friday, April 7 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | University of Kentucky College of Public Health, 111 Washington Ave., Lexington | Free | Celebrate National Public Health Week with a series of informative events + service activities that promote a pathway to a healthier life.

• Keeneland Backstretch | Wednesday, April 5 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington | $35 | Take a unique tour of Keeneland’s stable area, also known as the “backstretch,” where you can get a front-row seat to training sessions and even a peek into bath time for the racehorses.
• Open Mic Night | Wednesday, April 5 | 5-7 p.m. | Central Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | The stage and snacks will be provided but you’ll be asked to bring the entertainment with your poems, flash fiction, spoken word performance, and enthusiasm.

• Bert Kreischer “The Machine” | Thursday, April 6 | 7 p.m. | Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | $72-$291 | This comedian, also known for various Netflix specials and co-hosting popular podcasts, is hitting the stage to joke about everything from being a husband to fatherhood, and everything in between.

• Bluegrass Creative Market- Spring Edition | Saturday, April 15-Sunday, Apr.il16 | 12-5 p.m. | The Summit at Fritz Farm Barn, 120 The Summit at Fritz Farm, Lexington | Free*

• 72º | Partly cloudy | 15% chance of rain
• One downside to the mild winter has been fast blooms. That’s what happened to the beloved cherry blossoms at Lexington Cemetery, which were impacted due to early budding and occasional frosts that disrupted their peak bloom. But don’t worry, there are still plenty of spots to take in the flora of Lexington. (LEX18)

• Congratulations to Transylvania Women’s Basketball team, the official 2023 NCAA Division III Champions. The Pioneers completed their season with a historic 33-0 run after defeating Christopher Newport University on Saturday. Celebrate the win at a welcome home rally on Wednesday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the Clive M. Beck Center. (Transy Sports)

• Lexington Philharmonic Music Director Mélisse Brunet will be featured in an upcoming documentary called, “Maestra.” The film follows five women around the world as they prepare to perform in the women-only conductor competition, Paris Philharmonic’s La Maestra. The film is expected to debut later this year.

• Pop in your headphones and get ready to sit down with Toa Green of Crank + Boom. Her new podcast explores her beginnings in making ice cream from her family’s Thai restaurant and invites other local business owners to discuss what it means to be successful. Check out the first few episodes here.

• As spring break begins today for FCPS, city council member Tayna Fogle is asking the public for food donations to help children that cannot receive school-provided lunches. Anyone interested in donating can drop off goods at the Lexington Public Library’s Northside branch or Coolavin, Charles Young, Dunbar, Green Acres, and Winburn Parks. (WKYT)

• You may have noticed a colorful new house joining the collective of artists in Lexington’s East End. The Artists’ Village recently completed construction on its new building just off Midland Avenue. The purple building with teal doors adds leads to a haven for artists and creatives looking to have their own studio space.

• Need something to keep your kids busy this summer? YMCA Summer Camp helps kids develop a sense of self through activities and programming in a safe place with caring role models. Just $50 can help offset the cost of camp for a Lexington family. Sign your child up for summer camp and learn how to get involved with the Y.*

• April is Safe Dig Month. Are you ready to start your spring outdoor projects? Before you dig, Duke Energy reminds you to call 8-1-1 three days before you dig to avoid injuries, outages, and costly repairs. Bonus: This national service is completely free, and marks underground utility lines.*

• Getting ready for Easter? Kroger has everything you need to plan, create, bake, or cook for the spring holiday. Pro tip: Ensure everyone in the fam has a hoppy Easter by shopping the holiday selection of sweets + toys (think: Easter baskets + egg hunts the kids will remember).*

• Spring has sprung in Shaker Village — hop over to Harrodsburg (a 40-minute drive from Lexington) for their Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 8, and Family Farm Days (April 15, 22, 29) to meet baby animals, take wagon rides, and more wholesome fun. Egg Hunt attendees must purchase tickets in advance, and Family Farm Day tickets may be purchased on-site.*

• Our tip for a gentle, gradual wake-up: Amazon’s Halo Rise, which uses smart alarm clock technology to simulate a sunrise. Bonus: Turn on the sleep tracking feature to help improve your sleep — no wearable device required.

• 125 rooms
• A bespoke bottle shop
• Lobby bar + lounge
• Granddam, an Appalachian- and global-inspired 140-seat restaurant
• Lost Palm, an Art Deco-inspired rooftop bar