Go Shop View archives

• The Mousetrap

  Specialty items including Spanish tapenades, French sauces, estate olive oil and cheeses from 13 countries are found here, as well as high-end cookware and cooking apparel. There is also a well-stocked deli for takeout and a small café for dining in. (9/2011)

  3323 Tates Creek Rd
  859-269-2958
  mousetrapky.com
  

• Bluetique

  This shop offers trendy yet affordable styles. You are likely to find both sorority girls and their mothers shopping for everything from leggings to little black dresses. (9/2011)

  235 Woodland Ave
  859-309-1310

• Bob Mickler’s Lifestyle & Performance Riding Apparel

  For half a century, this has been the place to shop for riding apparel. It sells a variety of custom-made breeches, chaps, helmets, coats and accessories. And with plenty of equine equipment available, your horse won’t feel left out either. (9/2011)

  1093 W High St
  859-254-3814
  bobmicklers.com
  

 

Go See View archives

• The Kentucky Futurity

  While Thoroughbreds usually reign in Lexington, Standardbreds (trotters and pacers) get their due recognition every October at America’s second oldest harness racing track, when the Kentucky Futurity, the final leg of the Standardbred Triple Crown, takes place. Oct. 2. (9/2011)

  At The Red Mile Racing Track 1200 Red Mile Rd
  859-255-0752
  theredmile.com
  

• Victorian Square

  This colorful collection of 1880s Victorian buildings is home to shops, restaurants and bars facing a central atrium. De Vassa Bar & Café is known for its Brazilian foods and live entertainment, and the Artists Attic lets visitors watch artists at work. (9/2011)

  W Main St and N Broadway
  victoriansq...hoppes. com
  

• Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

  This lovely, 734-acre nature preserve is just a 30-minute drive southeast of downtown, bordering the palisades of the Kentucky River. There’s a bounty for the weekend naturalist to explore, with 10 miles of hiking trails, 200 species of birds and 600 plant species. (9/2011)

  5888 Jack’s Creek Pike
  859-272- 6105
  lexingtonky.gov
  

 

Go Eat View archives

• Bellini’s

  Feel like a celebrity at this trattoria, one of the city’s most glamorous restaurants, Indulge your craving for Italian fare with delicious spaghetti alla marinara and tagliatelle bolognese and order a drink at the elegant bar that looks like it's straight from a movie set. $$ (9/2011)

  115 W Main St
  859-388-9583
  bellinislexington.com
  

• The Merrick Inn

  This elegant eatery's leafy urban setting gives it a country inn feel, with a menu described as “signature Southern.” Make sure to try the fried banana peppers, a Lexington tradition. $$ (9/2011)

  1074 Merrick Dr
  859-269-5417
  thermerrickinn.com
  

• Nick Ryan’s Saloon

  The buzz surrounding the opening of this American bistro has lines winding around the block for dinner service. So far it's living up to the hype, with regional favorites like cornmeal-dusted catfish and shrimp and grits served in a cozy neighborhood atmosphere. $$ (9/2011)

  157 W Jefferson St
  859-233-7900
  nickryans.com
  

 

Go Party View archives

• The Julep Cup and Seahorse Lounge

  Spongebob Squarepants would feel right at home in this nautically themed bar at The Julep Cup Restaurant. The fanciful décor includes a seashell mosaic over the bar and the image of a mermaid smoked into the bar mirror. The main draw, however, is the expertly muddled mint juleps—said to be among the best in Lexington. (9/2011)

  111 Woodland Ave
  859-226-0300
  thejulepcup.com
  

• The Beer Trappe

  Draft Magazine calls this one of America’s Top 100 beer bars. With eight rotating taps for tastings, flights or full pours, it offers accessible crafts like Magic Hat #9 or rare brews such as North Coast Old Rasputin. Oh, and there are more than 400 bottles. Thirsty yet? (9/2011)

  811 Euclid Ave
  859-309-0911
  thebeertrappe.com
  

• The Tin Roof

  Located in a converted Huddle House diner on the University of Kentucky campus, this is the place to go for a side of live music with your main course. Stop by on Mondays for $8 bottomless beer night. It gets pretty loud, especially after the final buzzer sounds at a UK football or basketball game. (9/2011)

  303 S Limestone St
  859-317-9111
  tinroofbars.com