Even though Summer has come to an end, September is a great month to enjoy all the Bluegrass has to offer. From horse sales to food tours and paddling to patio dining, Lexington is the perfect place to kick off the fall season!
Start your day bright and early at the track. Watch horses train and workout and then eat a hearty southern breakfast at the Keeneland Track Kitchen. No reservations necessary – but you’ll be rubbing elbows with trainers and jockeys alike.
Keeneland’s Yearling Sale happens every September and is the global marketplace for Thoroughbred yearlings (one-year-olds) and is one of the world’s most important thoroughbred sales. You can watch future Derby winners be sold starting September 12 for free every day.
Learn about the entire process of breeding and raising thoroughbreds on one of the many private horse farm tours. From mamas and mares and stallions and breeding operations to training and after care, horse farm tours in the Bluegrass Region are a completely unique experience. Paired with the Keeneland Sales, you’ll be a thoroughbred expert by the time the weekend is over!
Food Tours
A Bites of the Bluegrass food tour takes you through the streets of downtown with stops at 5 local restaurants. With a guide knowledgeable of the history, architecture, and street art of Lexington, enjoy a two-hour tour while sampling small bites of our flavorful, southern cuisine.
Outdoors
September in the Bluegrass is still warm and the perfect time to get outdoors! Rent a stand-up paddle board or kayak from Kentucky by Paddle. Take a guided tour or go out by yourself on the Kentucky River or Elkhorn Creek. Want to do some hiking? Raven Run is always a good option but if you want to get out of the city a little, head to Pilot Knob, a state nature preserve in Clark County. It’s a quick two-mile round-trip hike with an amazing view overlooking Bluegrass. Legend says this is where Daniel Boone first got a view of the region and was inspired to say “Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place” about the state.
As summer wraps up, so do the summer hours in the beer garden at Kentucky Native Café. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy small bites and homemade cocktails in this hidden garden café.
