Today’s Forecast

38° | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:54 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

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🚗 Let’s take the scenic route

The ultimate road trip to Columbus

An art exhibit with tall red pillars at the Frank Park Conservatory.

Night views at the Franklin Park Conservatory + Botanical Gardens. | Photo courtesy of Franklin Park Conservatory

Itching to get out of town, Lexingtonians? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Columbus, OH instead. From glassblowing demonstrations at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to paneer pinwheels at ROOH — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the 614.

📍 Essential info

Drive time: ~3 hours

Year city was established: 1812

Est. population: 905,748

🎟️ Experience

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Check out what Traveler’s Worldwide considers to be one of the best zoos in the country. From conservation efforts to a unique safari experience, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy a day at the Columbus Zoo.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Both kid and adult-friendly, the conservatory features an up-close view of 400+ species of plants, as well as programming including glassblowing demonstrations and culinary experiences.

A dinner table featuring a variety of foods and drinks. — Comune features an array of wine + seasonal eats. | Photo courtesy of @comune_restaurant

🍔 Eat

Comune
Enjoy a glass of wine and shareable, seasonal eats that are sourced from nearby farms.

ROOH
Enjoy Indian cuisine with a modern twist. ROOH offers your favorites like butter chicken while putting a spin on classics with dishes like its paneer pinwheel.

🏨 Stay

DogHouse Columbus Hotel
Take Fido on your trip + stay at this craft beer hotel. You can grab drinks at the onsite taproom or enjoy draft beer, a record collection, and mini-bar from the comfort of your room.

Wait a minute, Lexingtonians. Before you head out the door, find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank and stock up on road trip snacks from Kroger. Also, bookmark this map so you have no trouble finding all of our recommendations while visiting Columbus.

When deciding on a road trip destination, what is the maximum amount of time you want to spend driving? Let us know here.

Explore Columbus like a pro

Events

Friday, April 21

Burn the Mic | Friday, Apr. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, 251 W. Second St., Lexington | Join the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative to share your words and voice with the community.
LexiCon | Friday, Apr. 21-Sunday, Apr. 23 | Times vary | Clarion Hotel Conference Center - North, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington | $6-$55 | A gamers’ oasis, this convention will feature roleplaying games, free access to LexiCon’s library of 1,000+ games, tournaments, cosplay, vendors, and more.
Late Nights at Red Mile | Friday, Apr. 21-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.*

Saturday, April 22

Jacobson Park Earth Day Cleanup | Saturday, Apr. 22-Sunday, Apr. 23 | Times vary | Jacobson Park Shelter #1, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Rd., Lexington | Free | Sign up to volunteer for the first Jacobson Park Earth Day Cleanup, snag some food + drinks, and enjoy a wildlife photography exhibit.
Lizzo | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 8 p.m. | Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | In case nobody told you today, this three-time Grammy award-winning singer is coming to town in support of her recent album “Special.”
Family Farm Days | Saturday, Apr. 22, Saturday, Apr. 29 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | $0-$16 | Meet Shaker Village’s new “farm-ily” members including lambs, kids, and piglets, plus enjoy activities like sheep shearing, wagon, and pony rides.*

Sunday, April 23

Silver Screen Sunday | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 1:30 p.m. | Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free | Grab a lawn chair + enjoy a screening of “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” with a snack bar and free popcorn.
Tahlsound Concert Series | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 5-9 p.m. | Oleika Temple Great Lawn, 302 Southland Dr., Lexington | Free | Get your live music fix in Southland, featuring local and regional musicians, food + drink vendors, as well as arts + crafts in the Kid’s Corner.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Award

Congratulations are in order for Silas House, who has been named the Kentucky Poet Laureate by Governor Andy Beshear. The public is invited to attend the ceremony on Tuesday, April 24 at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort at 10:30 a.m. (The Lane Report)

Seasonal

While the weather is still making up its mind, the city is preparing for pool weather. Masterson Station + Jacobson Parks will be the first to turn on the spraygrounds this Saturday, April 22. See when other parks will be opening up their spraygrounds and pools here.

Arts

The Headley Whitney Museum is hosting an artist reception for the new Shades of Compassion International Photography Exhibition tomorrow, April 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. Then on Sunday, enjoy handpan music by Pete Wallace + a book signing of “Inner Harmony: Living in Balance,” with author Jon Kolkin.
LexArts is hosting its first annual Lex Get HAAPI Art Exhibit in celebration of Asian American + Pacific Islanders Heritage Month this May. AAPI artists from all mediums are being asked to apply by Friday, May 5 if they want to showcase their work throughout the summer.

List

Review platform Niche has named the top 10 public high schools in Kentucky — and three are in Lexington. Paul Laurence Dunbar ranked No. 3, followed by Lafayette at No. 4, and Henry Clay at No. 6. Rankings were determined by Niche’s ratings of various factors, including academics, diversity, culture, and teachers. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Cause

The Junior League of Lexington is accepting applications from nonprofits to receive up to $30,000 in grants in 2024. The funding will go to organizations that focus on improving the quality of life of the community + ability to offer volunteer opportunities. Nonprofits should submit their application by Wednesday, May 10.

Holiday

Mañana es el Día de la Tierra, una fecha que se remonta a 1970 como iniciativa de un senador estadounidense que fue testigo de un vertido de petróleo. En la actualidad, este día une a 1000 millones de personas en 193 países. Translate this news with Babbel (currently offering 55% off lessons) in The Wrap at the bottom of our newsletter.*

Shop

Don’t miss this chance to upgrade your home furnishings with high quality, American-made furniture and decor. Dogwood Home Furnishings — the store is throwing a huge Retirement Sale, with unbeatable discounts on their entire collection. When it’s gone, it’s gone.*
Celebrate Earth Day by supporting some of our Six & Main brands. Rainier Watch, a business inspired by mountains, gives a portion of its sales to organizations that protect National Parks, and Plant Based Candles allows customers to reuse the vessel as a planter with wildflower seeds included in each order.

Finance

Now may be a good time to transfer your balance. This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months and no annual fee. Eliminating interest payments? A no-brainer.*

Arts

✍️ Shall we compare thee to a poet?

Read the winning poem from our 2023 poetry contest

A graphic with the words "2023 poetry contest finalists"

Drumroll, please. | Graphic by 6AM City

This April, we ran a poetry contest to celebrate National Poetry Month. We challenged you, our readers, to craft a poem using only the words that appeared in one of our newsletters (here are the original contest guidelines if you want to give it a try).

Turns out, you’re all poets and we didn’t even know it. We were beyond thrilled to read the original, creative, and awe-inspiring poems LEXtoday readers created from our newsletter copy. Check out the poems with the button below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.

“Rebirth” by Chelsie K.
“The Storms Are Coming” by Willard A.
“Token” by Kiah A.
“My Mr. Hyde” by Jordan L.

Read their poems

Asked

Which poem should we crown the winner?

A. “Rebirth” by Chelsie K.
B. “The Storms Are Coming” by Willard A.
C. “Token” by Kiah A.
D. “My Mr. Hyde” by Jordan L.

Cast your vote

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

Holiday, translated: Tomorrow is Earth Day. The global holiday dates back to 1970, when it was spearheaded by a US senator who witnessed an oil spill first hand. Now, it’s observed by 1+ billion people across 193 countries. Brush up on your Spanish skills with a subscription to Babbel (currently 55% off exclusively for LEXtoday readers).*

From the editor

Happy Friday, everyone. While the rain is deciding to make itself known this weekend, I’m hoping it holds off so I can do what most women in their late 20s do for Earth Day — bird watch.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out some expert-approved healthy munchies to snack on.

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