Lexington
Center (where the Hyatt is located)
Too
busy to go outside? Or it's the last day of the meeting and you still
need to buy something for the family? There are several shops in Lexington
Center from which to choose. Artique has beautiful, one-of-a-kind gifts.
There's a Hallmark Shop and book store. The UK Basketball Museum is fascinating
for the sports-minded.
Eat you lunch outside at Triangle Park, a central city park that is located directly outside of the Lexington Center.
NORTH
North Victorian Square, a restored shopping area dating back more than a century, has many retail shops (like Laura Ashley, Talbots Surplus Store) and the best cinnamon rolls in town).
At the corner of Mill and Church streets is ArtsPlace is a multi-purpose arts center which houses a gallery showcasing the works of Central Kentucky artists, and is also the site of free music and dance performances.
Heading one block north of Main St., you'll find Short St. Among the finds here are the Kentucky Gallery of Fine Crafts and Art, which features wooden and ceramic creations by regional craftspeople. Around the corner is an interesting shop misnamed Third Street Stuff, even though it is on Limestone St. The findings in here could as easily be found in Soho. It's very colorful, trendy, modern stuff.
Also on Short St. is the Todd Square Antique Mall. It's one of those places that are half trash and half treasure - a good place to search for that Howdy Doody doll your mother threw out when you went to college.
A little farther north is the Transylvania University area and Gratz Park. This is the oldest, most genteel part of the city. Tour the campus, or go on a walking tour of the mansions on 2nd and 3rd St., as well as those which surround the park.
The Hunt-Morgan house is in this area (201 N. Mill). General Morgan was a famous (at least locally) Confederate War General, whose gorilla tactics caused his commanders great frustrations, but became the stuff dreams are made of. It is a lovely house to tour, full of legend and lore.
Dudley Square is located in a restored 1881 school building. It contains several shops, a superb restaurant, and even a professional (but legal) massage parlor.
Heading further south, the University of Kentucky holds a major spot in central Lexington. Sites worth seeing there are the anthropology and art museums. Also, the Arboretum is a beautiful park, where Shakespeare is performed in the summer.
The Red Mile is Lexington's oldest racetrack, dating to 1875, as well as one of the nation's most respected harness tracks. The grandstand is an elaborate Victorian structure stretching from the finish line to the first turn. The track is open year round.
Going back to Triangle Park and heading east, you can stroll down Main St. Besides, the empty store fronts that unfortunately plague all cities these days, there are some beautiful and worthwhile sites. First is Lexington's public library, an atypical modern building that is both beautiful and functional. It includes an art gallery and uplifting, glassed-in reading room that affords a vista of the city.
On down Main St. is sprinkled an eclectic group of shops including the Mad Hatter (a hat shop that has been around at least 50 years).
The Kentucky Theatre opened in October, 1922. In 1987 the theater was damaged by smoke from a fire in a neighboring building. After being closed for two years the theater was taken over by the Urban County Government. With the government's help the historic landmark was refurbished and opened in 1992. The theater provides a repertory format showing several films each week on a rotating basis.
At the far end of Main St. is Thoroughbred Park a 2.5 acre park dedicated to the Thoroughbred industry. Thoroughbred Park contains seven life-size and lifelike bronze racehorses streaking toward the finish line, while broodmares, foals and the great stallion Lexington "graze" in a nearby field.
If you want a hike (or a short cab ride) Ashland, the home of famous 19th-century statesman Henry Clay (the great compromiser), is located on a beautiful 20-acre wooded estate. The gardens are magnificent. The house (which was built by a son after Henry Clay's death) is a beautiful victorian home worth seeing.
Very close to the conference site is the Mary Todd Lincoln House. This late-Georgian-style brick house is the site of the nation's first shrine to a First Lady. In 1977, the home was restored to reflect the Todd family's residency. The first lady who overspent her budget so much while in the White House that she had to sell furniture to pay her creditors, and was finally committed to an institution by her son years later, started her days here.
Kew Gardens, Central Park -- worth seeing. Lexington Cemetery -- on the same order. The Lexington Cemetery is nationally recognized as one of America's most beautiful arboretums and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for landscape design. It has lakes, ponds, formal gardens, ancient, towering trees, and winding lanes. On a beautiful day, it is peaceful and definitely worth touring.
Your final westward destination is McConnell Springs. It is about 2-3 miles from Lexington Center and therefore a short taxi ride. Be prepared because you go through the ugliest part of Lexington before arriving there. McConnell Springs is weird because it is in the middle of a very industrial looking area. You will be sure that this can't be the place. Don't worry. It is. History played out so that industry built up around it, until it became a major project for saving in the 1980s. Supposedly, a campsite for the first settlers in the Bluegrass, this 23-acre park features an array of historical and environmental features. Trails through the park take visitors past natural springs and 19th century limestone fences. A naturalist is stationed at the Visitors Center, with tours scheduled regularly.