History
Seventeen-acre wooded estate of the Great Compromiser, Henry Clay—House Speaker, Secretary of State, and three-time unsuccessful Presidential candidate.
Childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln. The Georgian- style brick house is one of the oldest structures in Lexington and the nation’s first historic site to honor a First Lady.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
With 34 original Shaker structures, the 3,000-acre site on the Kentucky River is home to the country’s largest private collection of original 19th-century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky.
Bourbon
Head to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky to buy award-winning bourbon. It’s nearly impossible to find in Lexington!
Ninety-five percent of the world’s bourbon is produced in Kentucky. Take a day to visit some of our famous distilleries.
Can’t make the Bourbon Trail? The Liquor Barn is just down the road from the Campbell House and stocks spirits of all kinds, including bourbon!
Woodford Reserve is in nearby Versailles, Kentucky. It is the only facility in the state making bourbon using the original Scottish ‘pot still’ method.
Horses
The Kentucky Horse Park’s mission has been to celebrate our relationship with the horse through education, exhibition, engagement, and competition.
A guide to horse farms and tours in the Bluegrass.
Outdoors
The Arboretum is a 100-acre public garden. It was recognized as Kentucky’s official botanical garden in 2000.
The 170-acre Lexington Cemetery has over 200 species of trees and is an ideal location for bird watching. The cemetery is just west of downtown Lexington and is open to visitors daily.
McConnell Springs is a 26-acre natural pocket within the center of Lexington. The springs still attract raccoons, opossums, squirrels and groundhogs, and is another good site for birdwatchers.
Raven Run is a unique, 734-acre nature sanctuary dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Kentucky River Palisades and early Kentucky history.
Food
Black Owned Restaurants in Lexington
Affordable and delicious Cajun and Creole dishes. The South Broadway site is just north of the Campbell House.
Corto Lima is a mid-scale Latin inspired restaurant specializing in a new brand of Latin cuisine with a modern interpretation. The seating area is small, and reservations are not accepted—plan ahead! Downtown.
Great bakery and salads. DV8 Kitchen was developed and operates as a second chance employment opportunity for people who are trying to redirect their lives. Just north of the Campbell House on South Broadway.
Food, drink, and shopping in the historic Greyhound Bus Station. Near downtown.
Fabulous breakfast near UK (next to Oasis).
Kentucky Native Café features local craft beer, wine, Bavarian pretzels, and international salads with local herbs to entice your senses. Near UK.
LGBTQIA+ Owned Restaurants in Lexington
Paula’s favorite donuts and coffee. Two locations—one at Greyline Station and the other not too far from the hotel.
Eastern Mediterranean food with a great lunch buffet. Near UK (next to Josie’s).
Spalding’s Bakery is a family-owned business that has been hand-forming doughnuts since 1929. (Paula’s other favorite donut shop.)
Women Owned Restaurants in Lexington
Shopping
This is an amazing locally owned bookstore in Lexington with a rather nice café.
Home of the Cocaine Bear (the movie did not match the truth!). Also, a good spot to grab Kentucky-related items. You know you need one more t-shirt with a goofy slogan.
High end shopping area.