Welcome to Lexington, Ky., – the horse capital of the world, and host of the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Although known for its beautiful horse farms, delicious southern cooking and of course – bourbon and wines, most people don’t know that Lexington is strategically located at the intersection of two interstate highways (I-75 and I-64), and accessible by air with more than 100 daily non-stop flights to Bluegrass Airport, making it accessible to travelers near and far. For two-thirds of the country, we’re within a day’s drive. More than 500,000 people live in its metro area, and we’re known as the “gay capital” of Kentucky. In addition to the weekend events we have planned at our host hotel, here are a few other points of interest you may want to see while you’re here.
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park opened in 1978. This equestrian facility is a 1,224-acre park dedicated to “man’s relationship with the horse.” Open to the public, the Park has a twice daily Parade of Breeds, showcasing both common and rare horses from across the globe. Each year the park is host to nearly one-million tourists, horse enthusiasts, and school children. For more information, visit www.kyhorsepark.com.
KENTUCKY THEATER
Built and opened in 1922, the luxury, comfort and elegance of hand-painted murals, plush carpeting, indirect lighting, marble floors and a “modern ventilation system” were among the features promoted to compete with other larger and already well-established theaters in town. Today, the Kentucky Theater is popular not only for it’s convenient location but for its magnificent architectural significance. Multiple movie titles are shown weekly, along with midnight showings on the weekends of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and other classics.
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER
Lexington Art League programs an exhibit space in partnership with LexArts at the Downtown Arts Center (DAC) located at 141 E. Main St. LAL @ DAC exhibits work by some of the finest visual artists in Kentucky. LAL curates six exhibits annually for the space focusing on contemporary art in a variety of media. LAL @ DAC is free and open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Downtown Arts Center is located at 141 East Main Street in Downtown Lexington. For more information, visit Lexington Art League at (859) 254-7024 or visit or visit LexArts at (859) 255-2951.
ALLTECH’S LEXINGTON BREWING COMPANY
The Lexington Brewing Company was established in 1794. Although the brewery’s name has changed back and forth over the years, one thing that hasn’t is the tradition of brewing fine beer using the local limestone water. This lasting legacy continues with the newest entrée in the market, Kentucky Ale from Alltech’s Lexington Brewery Company. Early brewers produced ales, porters and common table beers in the English tradition of using top fermenting yeast. This method produces robust beers with a degree of bitterness. Since it’s inception over two hundred years ago Lexington Brewery was no exception, putting forth a wide range of beers including traditional “alt” or old German formulas, ales and porters and German style lager. Free brewery tours are now available; bus tours and walk-ups welcome. Tours can also be arranged by appointment. Reservations are requested for groups of 15 or more. For more information, call 859-887-3406 or visit www.kentuckyale.com.
TRIANGLE PARK & FOUNTAINS
Triangle Park is located at the heart of Downtown Lexington, at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Main Street, named so because the park takes up an entire block in the shape of a triangle, bounded by three streets. The tree-laced park is an oasis in the city, boasting a spectacular stair-step fountain on one side. Water jets along the fountain’s top rim shoot water that cascades down an incline to a receiving basin. Designed by the internationally known urban park designer Bob Zion, Triangle Park officially opened July 3, 1982, and included a spectacular wall of water arcing more than 300 feet wide. As beautiful as this fountain is during the daytime, it sparkles at night.