Lexington, Kentucky

A guide to Lexington, Kentucky tourist attractions. Lexington.org will be giving you detailed information on hotels and places to visit in the city, to help you plan your trip.

Lexington attractions

Some great attractions to visit in Lexington are listed below ...

Lexington Opera House
401 West Short Street, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507
The Lexington Opera House is heritage listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was opened in 1887. In it's early years, it played host to such stars as Al Jolson and Harry Houdini, before falling into decline after its last live performance in 1926, when it became a movie theater.

By the 1970's, the theater was in a state of disrepair and scheduled for demolition, but it was saved by a group of philanthropists and in 1976 the Opera House was reopened after being restored to its former glory. It is now lavishly decorated in its original 19th Century style and is a leading center for the performing arts in the region with ballet, opera, children's productions, family shows, comedy, music, and professional national Broadway tours.

Contact Lexington Opera House
Telephone: 859-233-4567

The Arboretum (State Botanical Garden of Kentucky)
500 Alumni Drive Lexington, KY 40503
The Arboretum began in 1991 and is continuing to develop gardens and exhibits on its 100 acres of land. Located in the heart of Lexington, The Arboretum is an easily accessible haven of peace and tranquility for visitors and local residents alike, with year-round activities available for the whole family.

Currently visitors will find over 1500 roses, an herb garden, vegetable garden and All-American Trial gardens as highlights in the Home Demonstration Garden. The "Walk Across Kentucky", a two-mile paved walkway with a native plant collection from the seven physiographic regions of Kentucky: The Bluegrass, The Knob, The Pennyrile, The Appalachian Plateau, The Cumberland Mountain, The Shawnee Hills and The Mississippi Embayment. The Arboretum is open from dawn until dusk for exploring. Admission and parking is free. Coming soon will be a 1.85 acre Kentucky Children's Garden designed to be an outdoor learning environment.

Contact The Arboretum
Telephone: 859-257-6955

The University of Kentucky Art Museum
Rose Street and Euclid Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506-0241
The University of Kentucky Art Museum maintains a growing permanent collection of nearly 4,000 European and American paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and decorative arts. There are also holdings in art of the Americas, Africa and Asia. The works of art on display span many different styles, including Modern/Contemporary, 19th Century, Abstract Expressionism, American Expressionism, Italian Baroque Paintings and Old Masters.

The Museum is located inside the Singletary Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Kentucky. It is on the corner of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue (Avenue of Champions). There are a limited number of Art Museum parking spaces behind the Museum off Patterson Drive, as well as 45-minute parking meters in the Singletary Center semi-circular drive off Rose Street. Handicapped parking is available adjacent to the Fine Arts Building.

Contact The University of Kentucky Art Museum
Telephone: 859-257-5716

Mary Todd Lincoln House
578 West Main St, Lexington, KY
The Mary Todd Lincoln House is located in the heart of downtown Lexington, within easy walking distance of downtown hotels and other local attractions. The house was the family home of Mary Todd, who later became the wife of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. It was opened to the public in 1977, becoming the first house museum in America to honor a First Lady.

The 14 room house contains period furniture, family portraits and furnishings from the Todds as well as the Lincolns, as well as a recently added garden reflecting the charm of the original property. There is also a museum store, with an extensive range of memorabilia and educational items. Free parking is available behind the house and it is partially wheelchair accessible.

Contact The Mary Todd Lincoln House
Telephone: 859-233-9999