12.11.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

❄️ Walkin’ in a LEX wonderland

Holiday help: Where to take visitors this season

Warm up your out-of-town guests with our itinerary. | Photo by @femibranded

If you’re hosting out-of-town guests for the holidays, it’s time to step into the role of “official LEX tour guide.” We’ve got plenty of recommendations for you to build the perfect itinerary for your visitors.

A yellow and gold mural of Louis Armstrong and a trumpet — You can’t help but smile when you drive past Louis. | Photo courtesy of VisitLEX

Sightseeing

Is it even a trip to Lexington without taking a distillery trip? You can also take your visitors to one of Lexington’s murals for the perfect holiday family photo. Explore even more with our list of tours.

Eat and drink

If your guests need a caffeine pick-me-up, Leestown Coffee House, A Cup of Common Wealth, and North Lime Coffee and Donuts are all offering a range of seasonal drinks. If you’re looking for a different kind of brew, Lexington is home to tons of breweries with Wise Bird Cider and Mirror Twin Brewing being two local hot spots.

Get ready to get your grub on because we’ve got plenty of articles to help you navigate the local food scene. You can’t miss these classic Lexington restaurants that are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Our personal picks include brunch at Beau’s Cafe and dinner at Bourbon N’ Toulouse.

The exterior of the Lexington Opera House at night — Oh yes, there’s plenty going on at Lexington Opera House. | Photo by Lexington Opera House

Activities

Let the kids — or grandkids — run around and explore the Explorium or see a kid-friendly show at the Lexington Opera House. Take the family bowling at LexLive, or load up the car + spend the afternoon at Shaker Village.

Stay

If your visitors aren’t planning to crash with you, check out these local Airbnbs or a truly unique place to relax.

Origin Hotel Lexington, 4174 Rowan | $136+ per night
There’s no shortage of fun when you stay at this Summit at Fritz Farm spot, where they’ll be surrounded by tons of shops, dining, and fun for the whole family.

The fun doesn’t stop there… Be sure to send your visitors the link to our events page in advance to get a feel for what they’ll want to see and do while in town.

Asked

What is your favorite activity to do with holiday visitors?

A. Wine + dine them with our amazing local food and bev scene
B. Take them to a local landmark or hotspot
C. Give them a tour of our holiday lights and festivities
D. Send them out on their own — I’ve got enough to do

Let us snow

Events

Monday, Dec. 11

Monday Funday | Monday, Dec. 11-Monday, June 23 | Times vary | District 7 Social Hall, 1170 Manchester St., Ste. 160, Lexington | Free | Shake off the Monday blues with trivia, drink specials, and a delicious meal.
Handbell Concert: Peace, JOY, Bells! | Monday, Dec. 11 | 7:30-8:45 p.m. | Crestwood Christian Church, 1882 Bellefonte Dr., Lexington | $7-$15 | Ring in the holiday season with a collection of familiar festive songs + carols played by Kentucky’s first advanced-level handbell ensemble.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

BAJA’s Jazzy Christmas | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Singletary Recital Hall, 405 Rose St., Lexington | $5-$11 | Groove to the smooth sounds of UK Jazz Studies and the Bluegrass Area Jazz Association’s Christmas spectacular.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

Mythos: Tuska’s Art of Self Reflection | Saturday, Dec. 9 | Times vary | Central Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Reflect upon your mind, body, and spirit at this interactive exhibit from artist John Tuska.

Thursday, Dec. 14

Holiday Party | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Institute 193, 193 N. Limestone, Lexington | Free | Celebrate the season with like-minded art enthusiasts, sip complimentary drinks, and enjoy the sounds of DJ Best Western.

Sunday, Dec. 31

Totally 90s New Year Party with Vinyl Richie | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 8 p.m. | Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St., Lexington | $35-$125 | Get ready for a blast from the past at the Totally 90s New Year Party, and groove to the beats that inspired a generation.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Community

Cheers to 170 years (and beyond)

a man holds a toddler on his shoulders as they each flex an arm

The YMCA is a place for connection and community. | Photo provided by The YMCA of Central Kentucky

This was a tremendous year for the YMCA of Central Kentucky as they hit a true milestone: celebrating 170 years of strengthening the community. Our local Y spent 2023:

Serving children + families
Helping seniors stay connected and well
Creating spaces for all to thrive healthily in body, mind, and spirit

The Y is able to continue to serve because of a supportive + engaged community — and they want to thank Lexingtonians for their ongoing support. Cheers to an even healthier, happier, and more equitable 2024 for all.

Stay engaged with the Y

News Notes

Open

Rise n’ Brine Chicken Biscuits is officially part of the Chevy Chase neighborhood. The made-from-scratch breakfast spot that comes from the minds behind East End Tap + Table is officially open at 331 Romany Rd., where you can enjoy breakfast and brunch options every day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Legacy

Former Kentucky governor, Julian Morton Carroll, died over the weekend. Carroll served as Lt. Governor under Wendell Ford from 1971 to 1974, then went on to become the state’s 54th governor from 1974 to 1979. (WKYT)

Try This

The Living Arts & Sciences Center is expanding its programming for middle schoolers by introducing The Living Academy. Starting this spring, kids can sign up for classes like stage makeup, cooking + baking, creative writing, and more hands-on, educational fun.

Outdoors

The Geminids meteor shower is predicted to peak on Wednesday, Dec. 13 + Thursday, Dec. 14. According to NASA, this dazzling annual shower is considered “one of the best and most reliable.” Read up on where and when to catch the cosmic light show. (NASA)

Trivia

Bored and want to get out of the house tonight? Head to District 7 Social Hall tomorrow for Tuesday Night Music Trivia from 7-9 p.m. The team who can name the most tunes from short clips over three rounds will win prizes and — of course — bragging rights.*

Eat

Bon appétit. Start planning the ultimate foodie getaway to Greenville, SC. Choose from 200+ restaurants in downtown Greenville, a quarter of which are international dining destinations.*

Featured Deal

Choose from luxurious retreats with beautiful views to affordable escapes close to the action. Book a stay in Greenville, SC.*

Traffic

💎 Shine bright like a diamond

Traffic changes coming to Leestown Road

A satellite photo of the road and it's expected changes.

A rendering of what the interchange will look like. | Rendering courtesy Kentucky Department of Transportation

Last week, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled plans to construct a double-crossover diamond at the Leestown Road and New Circle Interchange.

The widening project, similar to the intersection design at Harrodsburg Road, aims to improve traffic in the area and reduce accident rates.

But you may be asking, what will the double-cross over diamond look like?

Here’s a key for the photo above so you know what to expect:

Thick red lines represent centerline of the roadway
Thin red lines are lane lines
Dark blue lines are curb lines
Green lines are sidewalks
Orange lines are drainage structures and sound wall

From today to Friday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., the city will begin Phase 1 of the work. Motorists will still be able to pass through the construction zone, but should expect delays for milling + paving and traffic diversions.

The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

The Buy

The Buy 12.11.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A stocking stuffer from this unique collection. Think: sleep mist, beard combs, satin scrunchies, and specialty seasoning packs.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

I’d like to spend a moment sending love to everyone in Middle Tennessee (and our lovely NASHtoday crew) who experienced severe weather over the weekend. Tornado relief donations are being accepted.

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