Where to eat, shop, drink and more, courtesy of Architectural Digest’s travel writers.
Architectural Digest recently paid a visit to Lexington and discovered the best of the best when it comes to staying, drinking, eating and more during a weekend visit. Check out their top picks below, and be sure to read the full article here!
THE HORSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WILL DAZZLE YOU WITH HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE, A VIBRANT ART SCENE, AND, YES, PLENTY OF BOURBON.
Where to Stay
21c Museum Hotel Lexington
167 West Main Street
Lexington’s newest boutique museum-hotel is located inside the historic First National Bank building and houses specialty art exhibits as well as Lockbox, its signature restaurant led by Chef Jonathan Searle. 21cmuseumhotels.com
Shaker Village
3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg
The largest restored historic Shaker community, Shaker Village spans across 3,000 acres and offers a variety of dance and music performances, trails for hiking and horseback riding, on site lodging and more. shakervillageky.org
Gratz Park Inn
120 West Second Street
Venture back in time to this quaint boutique hotel in the historically charming Gratz Park District, just minutes from the bustle of downtown. The hotel is also home to Distilled at Gratz Park, a restaurant that offers elevated southern cuisine from acclaimed chef, Mark Wombles. gratzparkinn.com
Where to Eat
Middle Fork Kitchen Bar
1224 Manchester Street
Lauded by Open Table as one of America’s Hottest Restaurants for 2016, Middle Fork offers creative takes on southern cuisine in an industrial yet rustic atmosphere. middleforkkb.com
Dudley’s On Short
249 West Short Street
Beloved by locals since 1981, Dudley’s menu features adventurous continental entrees, an extensive wine selection, a cozy bar and a landscaped rooftop bar in its prime Cheapside District location. dudleysrestaurant.com
Village Idiot
307 West Short Street
Two stories of dark wood finishes and an outstanding beer selection give this heart-of-downtown gastropub a real pub feel, with menu selections ranging from classic pub fare to Southern-inspired entrees. lexingtonvillageidiot.com
Where to Drink
IT’S THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE 400 HISTORIC HORSE FARMS (LEXINGTON IS HOME TO TRIPLE CROWN WINNER AMERICAN PHAROAH) CROSS PATHS WITH THE MODERN-DAY “BREWGRASS TRAIL,” A CHARTED COURSE FOR CRAFT BEER LOVERS.
Blue Stallion Brewing
610 West Third Street
With a wooded standing bar and a passion for European-style brews, Blue Stallion is a stop on the Brewgrass Trail and a fabulous hangout for beer aficionados. Bonus: Trivia on Thursdays! bluestallionbrewing.com
Parlay Social
249 West Short Street
Prohibition-era ambiance and a selection of live music are what’s on tap at this upscale Cheapside pavilion hotspot. The Bourbon Review also named it one of the top Bourbon Bars in the country! parlaysocial.com
Willie’s Locally Known
286 Southland Drive
Enjoy Southern-style food, live music performances and lively locals at Willie’s, with a menu featuring fried green tomatoes, oysters on the half shell, and always delicious BBQ. willieslocallyknown.com
Where to Shop
Artique
616 Lexington Green Circle
Shop artisan jewelry, handcrafted gifts, and whimsical creative creations at this artsy boutique that has won national awards such as NICHE Magazine’s Top Retailer of the Year and the KY Governor’s Award for the arts. artiquegallery.com
Bob Mickler’s
1093 West High Street
Carrying items that reflect a polished equestrian lifestyle, Bob Mickler’s is your one-stop shop for riding boots, fox-hunting apparel and horse-themed gifts to commemorate your Kentucky journey. bobmicklers.com
Artists’ Attic
401 West Main Street
Browse artwork from monthly featured artists, with styles ranging from oil paint to graphic design to clay. Free and open to the public! thesquarelexington.com
What to Do
Historic Botherum
341 Madison Place
Jon Carloftis and longtime life and business partner Dale Fisher turned this rundown historic site into a historic Lexington treasure that can be toured by appointment. joncarloftis.com
Red River Gorge
Robbie Ridge Road
Hikers and climbers come from all over the country to explore this canyon system that features scenic campsites, breathtaking landscape and famous geological attractions like Natural Bridge. redrivergorge.com
Castle & Key Distillery
4445 McCracken Pike, Frankfort
From the ruins of the historic Old Taylor Distillery has emerged Castle and Key, led by the first female master distiller in Kentucky since the ‘20s, Marianne Barnes. Expect bourbon, gin and beautiful gardens during your visit. castleandkey.com
