Findlay Market has shopping + eats for everyone. | Photo by @erinnnoliver
Itching to get out of town, Lexingtonians? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Cincinnati instead. From the Festival of Lights experience at the Cincinnati Zoo, to the house-made pasta at Pepp & Dolores — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the Queen City.
📍 Essential info
Drive time: ~1.5 hours from downtown
Year city was established: 1788
Est. population: 2.26 million
Bask in the glow of all mediums of art including paintings, sculptures, and ancient artifacts. | Photo by LEXtoday
🎟️ Experience
Findlay Market Get ready to devour some of the freshest + tastiest eats at Ohio’s oldest continuously-operated public market. This local hotspot is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round and is home to 50+ full-time merchants selling meat, produce, flowers, foods, and more.
Cincinnati Art Museum Take a public tour of the dazzling rotating galleries that encompass 67,000+ works spanning 6,000 years. Explore the “CAMaraderie: Artists of the Cincinnati Art Museum” now until Sunday, Jan. 5. Pro tip: Parking + general admission are free.
Craft and Candle Cocktail Bar | Thursday, Nov. 21 | 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Wick + Mortar Studio | $15+ | Blend your own custom scent to make a candle, reed diffuser, fabric spritz, and more — cocktails, wine + beer available for purchase.
Trivia Night | 7:30 p.m. | Lost Palm | Free | Venture up to the The Manchester’s rooftop bar for Tiki cocktails, Southern hospitality, and trivia.
Friday, Nov. 22
Caffeinate & Connect with BGCF365 | 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | The Greenery | Free | Grab a cup of coffee + join the Bluegrass Community Foundation to learn more about how you can create positive change in our community.
November Night Market | 5-10 p.m. | The Void Sake Co. | Free | Come savor the last open-air sip-and-shop of the season at this sake bar featuring local artisans + vendors.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Southern Lights Stroll 5K | 6-8 p.m. | Kentucky Horse Park | $30+ | Set the holiday season in motion by walking or running through the stunning light displays.
Final Away Game Watch Party: Texas vs. Kentucky | 3:30 p.m. | Bespoken Spirits - Greyline Station | Free | Cheer on the Wildcats during the last away game of the season while enjoying bites complete with Jesse’s Slooo Good BBQ sauce infused with signature Hell House Whiskey.*
Sunday, Nov. 24
Simulator Sunday | 1-4:30 p.m. | Aviation Museum of Kentucky | $8+ | Pretend you’re flying high in the sky by hopping in a multi-screen helicopter simulator or fully immersive VR/Motion experience.
Explore hands-on workshops creating everything from broom-making to painting, all led by talented local artists from Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8. Psst... This is the perfect opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones.
Pro tip: Kick-start the festivities early during Shop Small Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 30, before attending the Mayor’s Merry Mingling that evening.
The Limestone Bay, a new golf simulator experience, is now open in NoLi across the street from Greyline Station. The facility is available 24/7 + rented by the hour fore self-use at $40 per hour. The suite can accommodate six people — guests can bring their own snacks, drinks, and clubs.
Community
Students in grades 9-11 are invited to register for the Neighborhood Youth Council which will begin meeting in December. The program, part of the Partners for Youth organization, aims to educate young citizens on the importance of local leadership + service roles through an emphasis on college, career, and community.
Number
9. That’s UK men’s basketball’s current ranking on the AP Top 25 college basketball poll. The Wildcats recently rose 10 spots — their highest jump in rankings in the team’s history. The women’s basketball team is also starting the season strong with a No. 15 ranking and a 4-0 record. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Holiday
Who wears boots and a suit of red? You guessed it, Santa is making an appearance at the Summit at Fritz Farm tomorrow, Nov. 22 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. He’ll arrive by helicopter ~6:30 p.m. + throughout the evening you can enjoy sweet treats, face paint, and live music.
Cause
A portion of ticket sales from the Lexington Philharmonic’s performance this Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. will be donated to the Appalachian Helene Response Fund. “Give Birth to a Dream” will feature a variety of musical styles from the African diaspora accompanied by piano, spoken word + sung word.
Concert
Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Lexington stop on their “ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour.” The country jam band, with support from Tommy Prine, will grace the stage of the Lexington Opera House on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Travel
79.9 million. That’s how many people AAA projects will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving this year. If you’re one of the nearly 6 million plane travelers this season, don’t forget to check out our guide to the Blue Grass Airport.
Finance
As families gather this holiday season, consider planning a family meeting to provide a safe space to discuss intentions for wealth + estate plans, preventing future conflicts. Pro tip: Involving an objective guide (like the advisors at Gratz Park Private Wealth) can help you achieve your desired future.*
Shop
A sports gift your kids won’t put down: Dribbleup’s top-selling Smart Basketball. Unlock thousands of interactive drills led by real coaches — it’s 60% off for the holidays.*
Category
Food
We’ve got our eyes on the pies
A sweet treat from Minton’s is the apple of our pie. | Photo courtesy of Minton’s
We’ve told you who is open on Thanksgiving. We’ve given you recipes to make on your own at home. Now, we’re moving on to the sweet stuff — dessert.
We’ve all heard the saying, “desserts spelled backwards is stressed.” And while that can be true, there’s no need to fear because LEXtoday is here. Say goodbye to stress and hello to these restaurants + bakers still accepting orders for Thanksgiving pies.
I’d like to consider myself a deviled egg connoisseur. If they’re on the menu, I’m ordering. If they’re at the party, I’m eating. So you can best believe I’ll be buying this Deviled Egg Master Kit from The Mousetrap for the holiday hosting season.
