About Lexington
Lexington is a consolidated city coterminous with Fayette County, Kentucky, United States, of which it is also the county seat. As of the 2020 census the city's population was 322,570, making it the second-most populous city in Kentucky, the 14th-most populous city in the Southeast, and the 59th-most populous city in the United States. By area, it is the country's 33rd-largest city.
Places to visit in Lexington
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Kentucky Horse Park
Park · 8 mi from centreA working horse farm and equine theme park with museums, horse shows and breeds from around the world. It includes the International Museum of the Horse and memorials to famous racehorses.
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Keeneland
Entertainment · 8 mi from centreA historic racetrack with stone buildings and manicured grounds, hosting spring and fall race meetings and horse auctions. Even outside racing season, visitors can watch morning workouts.
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Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe estate of statesman Henry Clay, with an Italianate mansion rebuilt by his son and pleasant gardens. Tours explain Clay's political career and the lives of people enslaved on the estate.
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Woodford Reserve Distillery
Landmark · 20 mi from centreA historic bourbon distillery in rolling horse country west of Lexington, with stone buildings and copper pot stills. Tours explain the bourbon-making process and end with a tasting.
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Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
HistoricA preserved Shaker community southwest of Lexington with restored buildings, craft demonstrations, farm animals and trails across the surrounding land. A peaceful look at a unique religious society.
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Mary Todd Lincoln House
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe girlhood home of Abraham Lincoln's wife, preserved with period furnishings and pieces owned by the Todd and Lincoln families. Guided tours describe her upbringing in a prominent Lexington household and her later life.
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Lexington Cemetery
Historic · 3 mi from centreA landscaped cemetery and arboretum with old trees, ponds and gardens. It contains the large Henry Clay monument and the graves of many notable Kentuckians.
Where to stay in Lexington
Popular hotels in Lexington, out of 116 properties you can book.
Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa
From $106 per night
Baymont By Wyndham Georgetown/Lexington North
From $72 per night
Red Roof Inn Lexington South
From $68 per night
The Campbell House Lexington, Curio Collection
From $115 per night
Hampton Inn Lexington Medical/University Kentucky
From $159 per night
La Quinta Inn & Suites Lexington South/Hamburg
From $96 per night
Hampton Inn I-75 Lexington/Hamburg Area
From $124 per night
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lexington
From $68 per night
Hilton Lexington/Downtown
From $174 per night
Spark By Hilton Lexington Hamburg
From $84 per night
Hyatt Place Lexington
From $98 per night
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Lexington
From $124 per night
Best time to visit Lexington
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lexington is October, when average daytime highs are around 68°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Lexington weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 71° 40° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 46° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 71° 45° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 73° 46° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 73° 49° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 72° 50° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Lexington
These are the airports closest to central Lexington. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- LEX Blue Grass Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Getting around Lexington
City names in Kentucky aren't always intuitive. Louisville is pronounced LOOey-vil or LU-vul (never lewis-vil), and Versailles is pronounced ver-SALES (never ver-SAI). Athens is supposed to be pronounced with a long vowel (AY-thens), but many locals pronounce it the same as the Greek capital.
By bus
Bus service is provided by Lextran, which provides service from the downtown Transit Center to many parts of town and the airport. Most mainlines run every 35 minutes during business hours; others run every 35 minutes only during rush hours, every 60 minutes all other times. Buses run M-F 5AM-midnight, Sa 7AM-midnight, Su 7AM-9PM. Fare costs $1.
Downtown
Downtown Lexington is compact and easily navigated by foot or bicycle, but the most typical way to get around is by car. Cars can be rented at the airport or at several locations in the city. Taxis should be called in advance as they are not easily hailed on the street. There is a taxi stand in front of the airport. From 6PM to 6AM a taxi stand operates at the corner of Main and Upper Streets, next to the old courthouse.
By car
Lexington's roads form a wheel-and-spokes pattern. Arterial roads radiate from downtown, and New Circle Road (KY-4, sometimes called "Circle 4") forms a circle around the inner city. New Circle Road, an early experiment in urban circumferential expressways, was built before current zoning rules, so that about 1/4 of it is developed with commercial usage, while the rest is 55-mph freeway with on/off ramps. The radial roads are mostly named after the neighboring towns they lead to (e.g.
Lexington travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lexington?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lexington is October, when average daytime highs are around 68°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Lexington?
July is usually the warmest month in Lexington, with average highs of 87°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 183 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lexington?
Blue Grass Airport (LEX) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Lexington.
What time zone is Lexington in?
Lexington uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Lexington?
City names in Kentucky aren't always intuitive. Louisville is pronounced LOOey-vil or LU-vul (never lewis-vil), and Versailles is pronounced ver-SALES (never ver-SAI). Athens is supposed to be pronounced with a long vowel (AY-thens), but many locals pronounce it the same as the Greek capital.
What are the best places to visit in Lexington?
Top sights in Lexington include Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland, Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate and Woodford Reserve Distillery. A working horse farm and equine theme park with museums, horse shows and breeds from around the world. It includes the International Museum of the Horse and memorials to famous racehorses.
Where should I stay in Lexington?
Popular areas for hotels in Lexington include Suburbs and Downtown. Well-reviewed options include Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa and Baymont By Wyndham Georgetown/Lexington North.
How many hotels can I book in Lexington?
Destina Holidays currently lists 116 properties in and around Lexington, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
