Lexington: Horse Capital of the World
Lexington was founded in 1775, seventeen years before Kentucky became a state. William McConnell and a group of frontier explorers were camped at a natural spring when word came from nearby Fort Boonesborough that the first battle of the American Revolution had been fought in Lexington, Massachusetts. In honor of the battle, the group named their site "Lexington". By 1820, Lexington, Kentucky, was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains. So cultured was its lifestyle, our city soon gained the nickname "Athens of the West."
Lexington offers many activities for sightseeing, historic excursions, fun, and adventure. If you feel the need to explore, many of these attractions are within 30 minutes of campus.
See VisitLex: https://www.visitlex.com/idea-guide/
We are in the Heart of the Bluegrass! (click on the map above for a pdf guide)
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a landmark destination that shares 3,000 acres of discovery in the spirit of the Kentucky Shakers. Home to the third largest Shaker community in the United States between 1805 and 1910, the vibrant site offers experiences designed to ignite curiosity, expand imaginations and inspire generations.
In Lexington
Henry Clay Estate
Website: henryclay.org
Phone: 859.266.8581
Waveland State Historic Site
Website: parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/waveland/history.aspx
Phone: 859.272.3611
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Website: mtlhouse.org
Phone: 859-233-9999
Hunt-Morgan House
Website: bluegrasstrust.org/hunt-morgan.html
Phone: 859.253.0362
Learn more of the history of Lexington here: http://lexhistory.org/wikilex
In Nicholasville
Oliver Perry Mansion
The mansion was built in 1846 and served as Union officers' quarters at Camp Nelson.
Website: jessamineco.com/tourism/nelson.html
Phone: 859.881.5716
Just south of Wilmore
High Bridge Historic Park and Museum
Website: www.destinationjessamine.com
Phone: 859.492.3115
So many things to see in Frankfort! Visit the KY History Museum. Go to the bluff above town for the grand view. Visit the State Library. Or the Capitol Building.
AND MORE!
Explore Kentucky: https://www.kentuckytourism.com/
Statue at the edge of campus. At the first stop light / intersection in town.
Francis is headed out to do ministry.
Barn, fields and stone fence
A stone fence, the fields and rolling hills - lots of Bluegrass!
At Shaker Village, their farm
They are everywhere!
Dry laid stone that still stands today.
Horses and fences - a beautiful view.
Quiet reflection - a peaceful moment. We have the best sunsets!
Sunrises are not bad either.
The riding area and pasture.
Some new foals might be in the field in June. Visit and see!
They are everywhere!
Famous bridge. South of Wilmore, along the KY river.
A lovely view along the river, looking up.
Welcome to Wilmore!
A campus view.
History is everywhere.
Film Fest to be held in this building.
Where we will enter for the reception and film fest!
Formerly the campus Library. Located in the center of campus.
Register here and stay to visit. We are glad to see you!
Enjoy and relax while you walk, hike, or bike through some of these scenic trails.
Hiking at the Asbury Equine Center
Trail maps: https://www.asbury.edu/academics/departments/natural-sciences/facilities/trail-map
To reach the Farm, go south out of Wilmore on highway 29 towards High Bridge. Turn right on Shanty Hill Lane, 0.4 miles south of the Lowry Lane stop sign. Go 0.7 miles on Shanty Hill Lane. The Farm gate is at a sharp bend in the road on the right. Park inside the gate. The gate closed and locked at 8:00 PM daily!
High Bridge and High Bridge Park
Located south of Wilmore, about 4 miles. The original bridge was designed by Roebling, built in 1876, it was the FIRST cantilever bridge in the U.S. It is the tallest bridge above a navigable waterway in North America and the tallest railroad bridge in the world until the early 20th century. It is also a TWO track bridge. If you visit, you might be lucky to see two trains on it at once. It has been designated as a National Civil Engineering Landmark. The park nearby has a great viewing platform of the river and the bridge.
Other areas to explore:
VisitLex has some great maps and tour guides - for walking around downtown Lexington or driving around town to see the sights.
If you drive around to see horses and horse farms - Old Frankfort Pike is "a scenic byway that is considered one of the 10 best scenic drives in the United States. It’s also nicknamed “Thoroughbred Alley” due to the abundance of horse farms around it." Also recommended are Versailles Road and Paris Pike. Ask us and we will tell you how to find these!
Lexington has many libraries! Branches and hours for the Lexington Public Library
University of Kentucky - Young Library is located on campus in downtown Lexington
Nicholasville / Jessamine County Public Library just renovated their library. It is lovely!
You MUST visit the Kentucky Horse Park for the full experience. It is a fantastic place. Located on the north side of Lexington KY near Georgetown. Be sure to check their even calendar for special activities happening during your visit.
See this link for other attractions in the area:
Horse Farm Tours around Lexington:
Give a horse a try for about 2 hours? This farm offers that. PLEASE call them first.
http://www.sunbursthorsemanshipschool.com/for_tourists.htm
You might be able to ride at some of these places as well. Call and make a reservation.
Visit one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country, with a wide variety of trees, plants, birds and water features. Take a walk through history and enjoy a tour of the famous people buried here. The Lexington Cemetery is a hidden treasure.
See some incredible jewelry, the magnificent gardens, other fine decorative arts, and dollhouses at the Headley-Whitney Museum.
Serenity Fiber and Living History Farm This 94-acre farm is home to many animals. Some provide fiber for wearable and decorative items. An 1820's cabin on the farm is believed to have been the home of a Revolutionary War soldier. Call ahead to make arrangements to see all the critters. 1371 Beverly Lane, Nicholasville, KY (859) 536-5056.
Watch an early morning workout at Keeneland Race Course or the Red Mile Harness Track - or take a self-guided track tour. Keeneland: (859)-254-3412 or (800)-456-3412 The Red Mile: (859)-255-0752
Rev up your knowledge of a new kind of Kentucky horsepower at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc., in Georgetown, where Toyota automobiles and engines are made for the world market. (800)-866-4485
Gawk at a real honest-to- goodness turreted castle, on US 60 (Versailles Road) west of Lexington. Tours are available. Call ahead.
The restaurant is now OPEN!! http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/kentucky-castle-restaurant/
Take a 250 year old shortcut. Follow Tates Creek road out of Lexington and you'll end up on the banks of the Kentucky River. If you want to go any further, you'll have to take the Valley View Ferry. The ferry was founded in 1780, predating Kentucky's admission to the Union in 1792. It is widely regarded as the commonwealth's oldest continually operating business.The schedule can be affected by weather, so call ahead to make sure it's running. (859)-624-4748
Go on a spiritual retreat. See a 150 year old monastery. Enjoy the grounds and be refreshed. The Abbey of Gethsemani is a very special place. Getting there is a beautiful drive and then you can enjoy the beauty of the sound of daily prayer and praise to God. These Trappist Monks, "Walk in the light of the gospel and strive to become fully human, fully immersed in the work and power of the Spirit."
Directions:
If you’re driving northbound on I-75, take exit 154 toward Owenton/Williamstown. Turn left off the exit ramp onto KY-36 and travel 0.3 mile to arrive at the Ark Encounter parking lot on the left. MAP from Wilmore
This is further north from the Ark and closer to Cincinnati. See the Ark Encounter web page for directions from one to the other.