“See” listings
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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. (09/2011)
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. (08/2011)
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. (08/2011)
5888 Jack’s Creek Pike
859-272- 6105
lexingtonky.gov -
Lexington History Museum
This museum showcasing local and regional history is situated in the city’s former courthouse. Among the permanent exhibitions are Athens of the West, a look at Lexington’s role as a cultural influence on the commonwealth, and In Black and White, depicting African- American life in the Bluegrass State from the Civil War to the Civil Rights era. (06/2011)
215 W Main St
859-254-0530
lexingtonhi...ymuseum.org -
Rolex Three-Day Event
This is the only four-star, three-day equestrian event in the Americas, attracting the best riders and horses from around the world to Kentucky Horse Park. The Rolex is a main qualifying event for Olympic hopefuls in Cross Country, Jumping and Dressage. April 28 to May 1. (04/2011)
4089 Iron Works Pkwy
859-233-4303
kyhorsepark.com -
Blue Grass Trust Antiques & Garden Show
This annual event attracts antiques dealers from around the country and garden designers from across Kentucky for a series of lectures, luncheons and exhibitions. This year’s show will be headlined by Carleton Varney, a famed interior designer whose projects include New York's Plaza Hotel and The Greenbrier in West Virginia. March 11-13. (03/2011)
At Keeneland Race Course 4201 Versailles Rd
859-253-0362
bgtantiques...denshow.org -
THREE CHIMNEYS FARM
The world-class horse farms that surround Lexington have always given the area its cachet, and this Woodford County farm is one of the most accessible to visitors, offering regular tours by reservation. Encompassing 2,300 acres of rolling Bluegrass terrain, it’s currently home to top stallions Smarty Jones (2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner) and Big Brown (2008 Derby and Preakness winner). (01/2011)
Old Frankfort Pike, Midway
859-873-7053
threechimneys.com -
WAVELAND STATE HISTORIC SITE
This 10-room Greek Revival mansion—built in 1847 by a great-nephew of Daniel Boone and part of the Kentucky Life Museum— demonstrates pre-Civil War plantation life. Take a tour of the 15-acre grounds to see restored outbuildings like slave quarters and a blacksmith shop. (12/2010)
225 Waveland Museum Ln
859-272-3611
kystateparks.com -
THE ARBORETUM
Kentucky’s official botanical garden offers 100 acres of year-round color in various rose, perennial, rock and herb gardens. In addition, it features the “Walk Across Kentucky,” a twomile paved walkway with markers identifying the native flora of the state’s seven geographic regions—from the Bluegrass to the Mississippi Embayment. (11/2010)
500 Alumni Dr
859-257-6955
ca.uky.edu/arboretum -
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM
After the champions have been crowned at the World Equestrian Games on Oct. 10, there’s still plenty of horse viewing to do at the Kentucky Horse Park. A visit to the American Saddlebred Museum on the park’s grounds will introduce you to this uniquely American breed of horse through the world’s largest collection of the breed’s artifacts, photographs and fine art. (10/2010)
4083 Iron Works Pwky
859-259-2746
asbmuseum.org -
ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES
Visitors to Kentucky Horse Park have the opportunity to see one of the world’s top equine sporting events. Marking the first time the games have been held outside of Europe, Lexington will host some 800 riders and 850 horses, competing for titles in eight equestrian events ranging from dressage to endurance racing. Sept. 25 to Oct. 10. (09/2010)
4089 Iron Works Pkwy
859-259-4234
kyhorsepark.com -
EXPLORIUM OF LEXINGTON
Families love this interactive art and science museum where exhibits include “Brainzilla,” an odyssey into the human brain; “Hold Your Horses,” a child’s perspective on Kentucky’s favorite animal; and The Bubble Zone, where it can be diffi cult to tell who is having more fun—the children or their parents. (08/2010)
440 W Short St
859-258-3253
explorium.com