Lexington is widely known as THE Horse Capital of the World, so when you want to go see the horses, you don’t have far to go. Though Keeneland’s racing season is not to be missed, the live racing season is over for the most part. Luckily, living in Lexington leaves plenty of “horsey” activities still available for the entire family to enjoy!
The Kentucky Horse Park is always fun for the entire family. There is plenty to see and do outside, but then, we can go in and admire The American Saddlebred Museum when the sun gets to warm. There are plenty of open areas for kids to run and play and sweet little ponies in the children’s barn. The trolley tour is always a must and is always one of the first things you should do when you get to the park, so you can decide where to go and what to see first. There are several events at the horse park this summer…..details can be found at http://kyhorsepark.com/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=574&Itemid=267.
Even though live racing is over at Keeneland until the fall meet, the track is open year round and offers self-guided walking tours, shopping, and dining. Mornings at the track begin around 7:30 with breakfast and morning workouts. Workouts end around 10AM, then you may take a self-guided tour, do a little shopping at the Keeneland gift shop, and visit the Keeneland library. The track is open in to the afternoon as well, broadcasting simulcast racing from around the country all day. Visit http://www.keeneland.com/visit/lists/itineraries/allitemsalt.aspx to print a map for the self-guided tour and to catch up on activities offered during racing season as well.
Let’s not forget the Horse Tours. There are several companies around town offering regular guided tours. Most of these tours leave from one of the downtown hotels and cost around $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and over. Most of the tours drive through at least a couple of horse farms, stop by Keeneland, tour a barn, and give an oral history of horse farming in Kentucky. If you are uninterested in going with a group, you can also hire a private tour guide for your own personalized, more custom tour. Of course, if you don’t want a guide at all, you are more than welcome to call the farms and ask for a tour completely on your own. For a list of farms, with contact information, that allow visitors, visit http://www.visitlex.com/idea/horse-farms.php. This link will also provide contact information for guided group tours, and info for private guides.
If you haven’t seen for yourself why Lexington is considered The Horse Capital of the World…it’s time to get out there and be a tourist in your own town! These are just a few of the opportunities Lexington has to offer, so get out and explore!
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