The Cardinal departs from Maysville three days per week. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Last we checked, 88% of you said you were interested in a commuter rail connecting Lexington to Louisville, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Frankfurt, and beyond.
Train travel is booming. In the last fiscal year, The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) served 32.8 million customers. And while Lexington isn’t currently home to an Amtrak station, train travel could play a part in your next vacation — with no threat of a middle seat assignment.
Meet the Cardinal
The nearest train station is ~1.5 hours away, in Maysville, and is located on the Cardinal line, which services many destinations — including:
Same-day and overnight parking is available. Bonus: the Maysville station is historically notable — once serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
The ticket counter
Purchase one-way or round-trip tickets online, or buy a pass — the $499 USA Rail Pass, for instance, gets you 10 rides over 30 days.
On-board features
WiFi | While there’s no free WiFi, you are allowed to use your phone the entire ride. Pro tip: Outlets are more accessible in first and business class.
Food + Drink | This train offers flexible dining (complimentary meals for private room travelers), cafe service (snacks and drinks for purchase), and traditional dining (chef-prepared meals for first class travelers).
Accommodations | The Cardinal features upper and lower level coach seats + sleeping cars.
Events
Events
Tuesday, June 24 “Queer, Here, & Everywhere: The Roots of Kentucky’s LGBTQ History” | Tuesday, June 24-Thursday, June 26 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lexington Public Library | Free | Visit the first comprehensive exhibition of Lexington’s LGBTQ history, showcasing the importance of its queer community.
Collected Memory: Items and Artifacts from 250 Years of Lexington History | Tuesday, June 24-Sunday, July 13 | Times vary | Central Library Gallery and Kentucky Room | Free | Walk through history with this collection of artifacts gathered from Keeneland, UK, the Lexington History Museum, and other local residents.
Memory Keepers: Adult Writing Group | 3-4 p.m. | 104 S Bradford Ln, Georgetown | Free | Writers of all experience levels are invited to connect with storytellers at this gathering — share your work or come to be inspired.
Circus Lena in Lexington | Tuesday, June 24-Sunday, June 29 | 7-8:30 p.m. | 273 E New Circle Rd. | $19 | It’s the last week to experience the family-friendly magic of the circus right in your own backyard.
Wednesday, June 25 Lost Palm Flamingo Singo | 7-9 p.m. | Lost Palm | Hear a clip of a song and if you recognize it — and you’re lucky — find it on your singo card.
Thursday, June 26 Arts + Apps walk | Thursday, June 26, Thursday, July 3 | 4-6 p.m. | Downtown Lexington | $75 | This tour takes foodies + art lovers on a downtown stroll to spaces they’ll enjoy with a few stops for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Comedy Open Mic | Thursday, June 26, Thursday, July 3 | 8-10 p.m. | Ethereal Public House | Free | Strut your stuff at this comedy classroom, or laugh along with local comics as they hone their craft.
Friday, June 27 Sound Healing Meditation with Adam Sutherland | 7-8:30 p.m. | The Sound Healing Center of Lexington | $25 | Ground yourself in the present moment + deepen your sense of calm at this communal meditation class.
Saturday, June 28 Lexington Pride Festival | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Oliver Lewis Way | Free | A day of live entertainment, food vendors + community-building activities that offer a safe space for LGBTQIA+ Kentuckians to connect and celebrate.
Thursday, July 3 Lexington Tattoo Expo | Thursday, July 3-Saturday, July 5 | Times vary | Central Bank Center | $20+ | Tattoos artists from around the world will gather at this four-day event where attendees can get inked onsite.
A legacy of beauty and dignity for more than 175 years
Presented by The Lexington Cemetery
An important part of the fabric of the Lexington community for over 175 years, The Lexington Cemetery remains an independent, well-governed non-profit organization. | Photos courtesy of The Lexington Cemetery
After more than 175 years, The Lexington Cemetery remains a very special place due to the original vision of its founders.
In 1849, they were inspired by a new trend in burial grounds in Paris, France, and US cities Boston, Philadelphia, and others. These park-like cemeteries, laid out with paved paths and beautifully maintained landscaping, changed the way Lexingtonians thought of burial.
The cemetery has ample space for ground burials for the next 100 years and numerous other memorialization options — mausoleums, columbaria, niches, and scattering gardens among them.
Phase One of the city’s Heat Plan was enacted yesterday and will extend through this Friday, June 27 in response to ongoing extreme heat. The plan includes opening cooling stations, supply distribution, extended community center hours, and changes in waste collection hours.
Concert
The first show at Gatton Park has been announced, and it’s going to be fun, fun, fun. The Beach Boys will stop over in Lexington Sept. 17 and tickets go on sale this Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. (LEX18)
Arts
An array of art exhibits celebrating Lexington’s history will be available throughout the city in July and August as part of 250Lex. Displays include: photographs from the Lexington Camera Club, paintings at Christ Church Cathedral, and an original Cassius Marcellus Clay opinion piece. (Lexington Herald Leader)
Trending
“NBA South.” That’s what Missouri guard Tamar Bates called the SEC, due to the high level of competition in the league. “It kind of emulates an NBA season.” What do you think, Lexington, do our boys have the chops?
Outdoors
Want to turn your garden into a pollinator paradise? We can’t think of a better time to stop by this local garden center to grab native perennials, stunning hydrangeas, and mulch that’ll keep your flowers (and the butterflies + bees) happy all summer long. Your thriving garden starts here.*
Tech
Somerset’s Center for Rural Development is bringing rural Kentucky families access to the internet, one household at a time. In April alone, the center — which services 45 counties — helped 120 homes get broadband access. Next up: 30,000 more. (LEX 18)
Try This
Did you know continuous learning throughout life not only decreases isolation but also improves cognitive abilities? Try an OLLI at UK course to keep your mind engaged + active as you age. Explore current course offerings.*
Sports
Savvy Swords, the No. 9 player in the 2026 women’s basketball class, just committed to play at Kentucky. Swords won’t be the only new Wildcat come next fall — four-star recruit Lincoln Watkins also recently announced his intention to play for Kentucky as a tight end. (KSR + Rivals)
State
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is getting a new commissioner on July 1. Dr. John Langefeld, who has most recently worked as the medical director for Health Insights and Innovation at CHFS, identified social supports, mental health resources, preventative screenings, and community engagement among his focuses. (The Lexington Times)
Real Estate
Need your property to sell fast? Feature it here, in front of our 43,000+ highly engaged readers. Visit our self-service ad portal to get started and see your property in LEXtoday in as little as two days.
Trending
This No. 1 best-selling sun hat with solar powered fans is breaking the internet. Reviewers love its UPF 50+, waterproof wide brim, built-in dual fans, and adjustable fit.*
Your favorite bug banisher, to get you through the summer season unbitten:
🌿 These No. 1 best-selling bracelets keep mosquitos away just by wearing them around your wrist or ankle — they’re DEET-free, use essential oils, and fit both kids and adults.
🐜 If slicing summer watermelons brings all the ants to your house, try these best-selling ant bait stations, rated 4.6 stars and usually effective within 24 hours.
💡 For mosquito protection on your porch or patio, try this No. 1 best-selling electric bug zapper — just hang it, plug it in, and enjoy bug-free summer nights.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
The first time I ever visited Lexington was in 2018 for a wedding. We stayed in the most charming, artistic, comfortable AirBnb. If you’re looking for a staycation, or a rec for friends and family — Marco’s got you covered.
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