Lexington: seen the city? Then head on out for the following attractions - shown with approximate mile distances from city center - Brief Article

Travel America, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Christina Victor

Lexington is the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass Region, home of horses, bourbon, and bluegrass music. Watch Thoroughbred racing at Keeneland or harness racing at Red Mile Harness Track, then celebrate the area's equine heritage at Kentucky Horse Park. Historic houses include Ashland, the estate of "The Great Compromiser," Henry Clay, and the Mary Todd Lincoln House, the childhood home of Abraham Lincoln's wife. While in Lexington, also take a guided tour of the University of Kentucky.

15 The home of abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay is the centerpiece of White Hall Slate Historic Site in Richmond. The elegant 1799 mansion was the first in the area to have central heat and indoor plumbing. A fort established by famous frontiersman Daniel Boone is replicated at nearby Fort Boonesborough State Park. Be sure to visit the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg or Labrot & Graham Distillery in Versailles for an introduction to Kentucky's tradition of bourbon whiskey making. Versailles also is home to Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum and Nostalgia Station Toy and Train Museum.

35 Many folk "artists and craftspeople have studios in Berea, home of the brand new Kentucky Artisan Center. The Danville-Perryville area is home to Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. At Old Fort Harrod State Park in downtown Harrodsburg, costumed interpreters re-create life in the first permanent English settlement west of the Alleghenies. The restored 19th century Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill re-creates the unusual lifestyle of the unique religious sect. It includes 33 buildings. Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky and has one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country. Kentucky legend Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca are buried in the lovely Frankfort Cemetery. Boone's importance to the state is featured at Frankfort's Kentucky History Center.

60 Near Slade is the ruggedly beautiful Natural Bridge State Park. You can hike or ride the skylift to see the park's natural sandstone arch. The park is surrounded by Daniel Boone National Forest. Bardstown's My Old Kentucky Home State Park surrounds Federal Hill Plantation, the home that inspired Stephen Foster's famous ballad. An outdoor production of "Stephen Foster: The Musical," is performed in the park's amphitheater.

80 The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site near Hodgenville honors the humble beginnings of the 16th president of the United States. The site's grounds include 110 acres of the farm where Lincoln was actually born. In town the Lincoln Museum portrays a dozen scenes from the president's life and displays some of his memorabilia. See how bourbon is produced at Maker's Mark Distillery in nearby Loretto. West of Lexington, Louisville is Kentucky's largest city; visit the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, J.B. Speed Art Museum, Locust Grove and Farmington historic homes, Louisville Science Center, and the Louisville Zoo. Just over the Ohio River, you can visit Cincinnati's world-class zoo, the Museum Center at Union Terminal (the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science and the Cincinnati History Museum separated by the domed Omnimax Theater), or the brand new Great American Ball Park to watch the Reds play baseball. Across the river in Covington, Kentucky, watch mechanical figures act out "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" on the Carroll Chimes Bell Tower in the restored 19th century MainStrasse Village. Nearby Big Bone Lick State Park is the site of many prehistoric animal remains. (A buffalo herd roams the park today.)

90 Carrollton at the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky rivers, has an extensive historic district, boasts great outlet shopping, and hosts top blues artists every September at the Blues to the Point festival. General Butler State Resort Park showcases the Butler Turpin House, an 1859 Greek Revival home with period furnishings and family heirlooms. Visit the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor and drive past the United States' Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. In Clermont tour the Jim Beam Distillery and take a relaxing walk through the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest.

At A Glance

In 1817 Lexington saw the first U.S. performance of a Beethoven symphony.

Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, chief protagonist in the Civil War, were born in Kentucky cabins within one year and 100 miles of each other.

If you have time for only one thing in Lexington, make it the Kentucky Horse Park. This showplace of the equine world features a museum, Parade of Breeds, carriage and horseback rides, and stable tours.

For information, contact: Kentucky Department of Travel, (800) 225-TRIP; www.kentuckytourism.com.