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Enjoy Sightseeing, Dining, Shopping and Entertainment in the "City in the Park"

Unless otherwise noted, phone numbers are in the 859 area code.

Lexington has been called "the city in the park" because of its location at the center of hundreds of beautiful, park-like horse farms. But the nickname also seems an apt description of the cosmopolitan yet casual atmosphere of the downtown area.

Lexington offers a charming blend of big-city amenities and small-town friendliness. Before, after and between meeting sessions at the modern Lexington Center convention complex, you’ll find plenty to see and do. Beautiful historic office buildings, churches, and homes; many of Lexington’s finest restaurants, specialty shops and galleries; and major performance and sports arenas are within easy and safe walking distance.

A variety of excellent accommodations are convenient to the convention center and downtown attractions, including two modern luxury hotels, the Radisson Plaza Hotel (369 W. Vine St., 231-9000) and Hyatt Regency Lexington (400 West Vine St., 253-1234); the elegant and historic Gratz Park Inn (120 W. 2nd St., 231-1777); and The Lyndon House (507 N. Broadway, 225-3631).

For a street map of the central downtown district in PDF file format click here .

Attractions Old and New

Looking at downtown Lexington today, it’s hard to imagine a town of log blockhouses and cabins, or the sight of horses racing down Main Street, but both were part of the city’s early history. Lexington was Kentucky’s first big city — a bustling commercial, education and cultural center by 1800. Take a walk in the historic neighborhoods near Lexington Center, or along Main Street, and you’ll find architecture spanning over 200 years. A few attractions of special note:

• The Mary Todd Lincoln House, adjacent to Lexington Center at 578 W. Main St. was a girlhood home of the First Lady, a member of a prominent early Lexington family. Guided tours are given Monday through Saturday, mid-March through November. Admission charged. 233-9999.

• The Hunt-Morgan House, northeast of the convention center complex at 201 North Mill St., was built in 1814 by Kentucky’s first millionaire, John Wesley Hunt. The house includes the Alexander T. Hunt Civil War Museum with items relating to Hunt’s grandson Confederate General John Morgan. Guided tours are available Wednesday through Sunday, April through mid-December. Admission charged (253-0362). While in the historic Gratz Park neighborhood you might also want to stroll the campus of the oldest college west of the Alleghenies, Transylvania University, Third and Broadway. At 178 N. Mill St. you’ll pass the 19th century law office of Henry Clay, the famous U.S. Senator and one of early Lexington’s prominent citizens.

• If you brought your family along (or are just a kid at heart), a must-see attraction is the Explorium of Lexington (Lexington Children’s Museum), located in Victorian Square, a complex of 16 restored 19th century commercial buildings at Main and Broadway. The 14,000-square foot museum features a variety of hands-on activities, from an "archaeological dig" to giant soap bubbles. Open Tuesday through Sunday year round. Closed on Mondays. Admission charged. 258-3258.

• That 30-story glass office building towering over Main Street is Lexington Financial Center ("Big Blue" to locals) and the city’s tallest building.

For a detailed downtown walking tour, contact the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, 301 E. Vine St. 233-7299. For an entertaining guided walk, contact Lexington Walking Tours at 277-3265. Ask about their "Creepy Crawl."

Shopping

Whether looking for high quality men’s and women’s clothing, decorative accessories, artwork, fine jewelry or distinctly -Lexington souvenirs, you’ll find an excellent variety of stores at Victorian Square and The Shops at Lexington Center. These two complexes feature some 50 specialty shops. Along with such upscale names as Orvis, The Sporting Tradition and Parisienne, you’ll find exclusively Lexington shops such as Old Kentucky Chocolates candy store; Artique, a gallery of quality handmade jewelry and gift items.; and Kentucky Korner, with just about everything emblazoned with Kentucky symbols or the University of Kentucky logo. Artists Attic, on the fourth floor of Victorian Square, features the studios of more than 30 area artisans. Most Lexington Center and Victorian Square shops are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

If hunting for treasures from the past is your passion, just head down Main Street. Visit LaFayette Galleries in The Shops at Lexington Center. Look for the knight in armor in front of Heritage Antiques (380 East Main Street; 253-1035). Browse through Ann Greely Interiors and Antiques (497 East Main Street; 367-0200) or Lexington Antique Gallery (637 East Main; 231-8197).

At the corner of Main and Esplanade, drop in at Natasha's Cafe for international cuisine. There’s often live music in the evenings. Then wander next door to Balagula, a great little imported gifts boutique.

Colorful light hearted gifts, many handmade, are found at Third Street Stuff, which in spite of its name is at 257 North Limestone (255-5301). Nearby Mithril Jewelers has been creating fine custom pieces for 22 years (141 North Limestone; 254-1224).

Returning to Main, you’ll pass the perfect place to top off your downtown shopping — literally. Mad Hatter’s Hat Shop, 152 West Main St., features Kentucky’s largest selection of headgear — some 10,000 hats and caps!

For a street map of the central downtown district in PDF file format click here .

Dining Out

Downtown is home to many of Lexington’s most popular and creative restaurants. In addition to the excellent hotel restaurants, Cafe on the Park at the Radisson, The Glass Garden at the Hyatt Regency or Jonathan’s at the Gratz Park Inn, you can walk to a variety of delicious experiences, as fancy or informal as you desire. From the more than 80 places to eat in downtown Lexington, here are a few suggestions:

If you want to grab something fast, visit the Food Court at The Shops at Lexington Center, or pick up a deli sandwich at Courtyard Deli on Cheapside. Sublime traditional, Sicilian and specialty pizzas are found at Joe Bologna’s, 120 W. Maxwell St. This local favorite also serves pasta and awesome breadsticks. Only orders of more than $50 are delivered, but you can carry out or dine in. 252-4933.

For sophisticated Italian dining with a California attitude, try Portofino’s (249 East Main; 253-9300). deSha’s, in Victorian Square, offers an extensive and varied menu including regional specialties in a casual setting. Open daily (259-3771). For burgers and other "bar food," try Sawyer’s Bar and Grill (281-6022) Mon. through Sat. on the first floor of Triangle Center, just across Broadway.

Lexington’s beautiful new courthouses (no, you’re not seeing double!) have given new life to North Limestone. A number of small bistros and fine dining establishments have opened along this revitalized downtown corridor. Dine at the very, very French, Le Deauville just up the street. 246-0999. At 159 North Limestone St. is an old favorite, a la lucie. A popular “special occasion” restaurant for Lexingtonians, lucie’s features a romantic atmosphere and inventive Continental menu. 252-5277. The next block up, enjoy a taste of the Caribbean at Atomic Cafe, famous for its conch fritters, jerk chicken and sweet potato chips. There’s also live music. Dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday. 254-1969.

About 4/10s of a mile southeast of Lexington Center at South Mill and Maxwell streets is another top Lexington restaurant, Dudley’s. Located in a restored 19th century school building, this cozy elegant spot features seafood and Continental specialties, with an excellent wine list and Sunday brunch. 252-1010.

Nightlife

Lexington’s hottest nightspots are in the downtown area, offering a wide variety of entertainment and ambiance. In addition to those mentioned under restaurants, here are some other current favorites. Many clubs close at 1 a.m. but some remain open until 2:30 a.m. Legal drinking age is 21.

Cheapside Bar & Grill on Mill Street offers great Southwestern-style in a casual atmosphere, inside or on the patio, and is the place to be at Happy Hour (254-0046). Make a night of it: stay on for the live music and party till 2:30 a.m.

Long time southern rocker and country crooner Larry Redmon has his own place called....Redmon's ...downstairs at the corner of Main and Cheapside. 388-9908.

For the latest music and sports bar action, try Main Street Live, 367 E. Main. There’s even a volleyball court. 231-7263

For a true Irish Pub go to McCarthy’s Irish Bar, 177 S. Upper. 258-2181. The Dame, nearby at 156 West Main, is the place for live music. Call their Concert Hotline 226-9005. For billiards, check out Busters, 164 W. Main, 231-5076, or Yesterday’s in The Shops at Lexington Center, 231-8889.

For a street map of the central downtown district in PDF file format click here .

For Sports Fans

Lexington’s passion for basketball is legendary, and Rupp Arena in Lexington Center is home court to one of the top programs in college basketball, the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Tickets are difficult to obtain but you may call the UK ticket office at 257-1818 to check availability. At the UK Basketball Museum in Lexington Center, you can experience the exciting history of the Wildcats through audio/visual exhibits. Open Mon. through Sat. 10-5 and 12-5 on Sun.

Basketball isn’t the only game in town though. The Lexington Legends, an affiliate of the Houston Astros, play at Lexington’s new state-of-the-art baseball stadium on North Broadway. Tickets are usually available at the box office on game day. 252-4487.

Cultural Attractions

Today, as historically, downtown is the center of cultural life in Lexington. Touring professional theater, some Lexington Philharmonic concerts and other arts performances are on the bill at the restored 1887 Lexington Opera House, Broadway and Short streets; call 233-3565 for ticket information. Actors Guild performs at 141 East Main St. 233-0663.

The Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main Street, is a restored 1920s movie house that shows classics, foreign and some first-run films, with occasional concerts. 231-6997. It is also home to "WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour", an internationally syndicated live radio show. 252-8888.

ArtsPlace, 161 N. Mill St., is headquarters to many Lexington arts groups. A gallery features changing exhibits, and there are free hour-long "Art a la Carte" musical performances each Tuesday at noon. 233-1469.

Around the corner from the new courthouses is another new project, The Downtown Arts Center and Ann Tower Gallery.  The Ann Tower Gallery has some of the most sophisticated art in town. 141 East Main Street. 233-1469.

Places of Worship

Visitors to Lexington often remark on the many steeples in the downtown area. The beautiful sanctuaries in downtown house some of the area’s oldest congregations. For example, Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, 540 W. Maxwell St., was founded in 1790 and is the fourth oldest African-American Baptist church in America. 254-7387. Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 205 E. Short St., traces its roots to the first Christian church in America, founded at nearby Cane Ridge. 233-1551. The Episcopal Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral , 166 Market St. , congregation dates to 1795; a plaque marks Henry Clay’s pew. 254-4497.

Other churches near Lexington Center include:

Calvary Baptist Church, 150 E. High St. 254-3491.

First Baptist Church, 548 W. Main St. (across from Lexington Center). 252-4808.

First Presbyterian Church, 174 N. Mill St. 252-1919.

First United Methodist, 200 W. High St., 233-0545.

Historic St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 251 N. Upper St. 255-7945.

St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 501 W. Short St. 252-0738.

Additional Information

Barber shop — Ginger's Barber Shop, 212 W. Maxwell St. 254-4464

Copies, digital photo printing, signs, banners, FedEx pickup — Kinko’s 24 hr., 145 Rose St., 253-1360.

Jewelry Repair — Corbett-Frame Jeweler’s, Radisson Plaza, 254-1963; Tanya’s, Victorian Square, 254-6837.

Pharmacy — Rite Aid, 100 W. Main St., 252-0952.

Racing Forms — Fayette Cigar Store, 137 E. Main St, 252-6267.

Taxi Services — United Transportation at 231-8294 or American Taxi Cabs at 381-8294.(Cabs must be phoned to schedule pickup; you cannot hail them on the street.)

For a street map of the central downtown district in PDF file format click here .

For more information contact the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau at 233-7299 or 800-845-3959 or the Downtown Lexington Corporation at 859-425-2590

By Teresa Day, a freelance travel writer based in Georgetown, KY
Updated August 2007

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