25+ things to do in Lexington, KY

The outside of Elwood Hotel

The outside of Elwood Hotel | Photo by The LEXtoday

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The holidays are almost here and if you’re hosting out of town guests in Lexington, but aren’t sure where to take them or what sights to see, we’ve got plenty of recommendations for you to build the perfect itinerary for your visitors.

Stay

If your visitors are not staying with you, but looking for a hotel recommendations, here are some LEXtoday approved places to stay:

The Elwood Hotel, 444 Parkway Dr. | $169+

This brand new boutique hotel is conveniently close to downtown. The suites are beautiful + the food is delicious. This hotel will give your guests a contemporary Kentucky experience.

The Campbell House, 1375 S. Broadway | $205

This historic hotel has recently been renovated and is close to downtown, the Kentucky Horsepark + Keeneland.

Origin Hotel Lexington, 4174 Rowan | $192

Located in The Summit at Fritz Farm — this hotel combines modern amenities with refined southern hospitality.

Sightseeing

Is it even a trip to Lexington without seeing the 21c Museum? You can also take your visitors to the “Friendship” mural at 161 Bruce St. for the perfect family photo. If you’ve got any history buffs in the group, head to the Secretariat statue — a 3,800lb statue dedicated to the 1973 Triple Crown winner.

Food + Bev

If your guests need coffee to get going in the morning, but you’re not exactly a baristaBroomwagon, Manchester Coffee Co. + Lussi Brown Coffee Bar are all offering a range of seasonal drinks.

Lexington is home to some of the best craft breweries in the bluegrass. Ethereal, Country Boy, and West Sixth, or Mirror Twin are some local favorites.

Need plans after sunset? See the city from a rooftop bar: Belle’s Cocktail House + Infinity: A Skybar & Cafe are great spots for this..

As for food — Aaron’s personal favorites include East End Table & Tap, Bear & the Butcher, Agave and Rye, and brunch at DV8 Kitchen. Brunch in Lexington is an absolute must.

Pro tip: Satisfying your sweet tooth at Crank & Boom — order the Blueberry Lime Cheesecake.

And if you’re gluten free, we’ve got you covered there too. Check out this list of local restaurants with gluten free options.

For the whole family

Let the kids — or grandkidsrun around + explore Skyzone Trampoline Park.

See a kid friendly show at The Lexington Children’s TheatreJunie B. Jingle premieres on Sat., Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.

Or, load up the car and spend the afternoon playing pinball at The Burl Arcade.

Outdoor activities

If your visitors are ready for some outdoor fun, we have a variety of parks to explore. Grab some treats from Old Kentucky Chocolates + head to Pleasant Ridge Park for a picnic. The Brighton East Rail Trail is the perfect way to get some fresh air while taking in all of the beauty Lexington has to offer.

One of the best things about our city is our proximity to some amazing hiking spots. Here is our guide to a range of hikes in the area.

Indoor activities

Temps this time of year can get pretty low, so consider spending a day exploring the UK Art Museum to stay warm.

If you’ve got any sports fans in the group, here are the UK men’s + women’s basketball home game schedules.

You can also send your visitors our November events calendar in advance to get a feel for what kinds of things they’ll want to see + do while in town.

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