Lexington, Kentucky, isn’t your typical American vacation hotspot. It’s more like the sweet spot. A place to put your feet up, sip a glass of bourbon with friendly locals, and savor an unforgettable meal. A place where breathtaking natural beauty lives just a stone’s throw from the vibrant culture and quality accommodations of a safe, walkable downtown.

Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington is surrounded by the rolling bluegrass hills that made Central Kentucky famous. This picturesque region is home to more than 450 horse farms, the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland Race Course, Red Mile, the International Museum of the Horse, and more.

Beneath the bluegrass landscape, a rare limestone formation filters natural spring water for the world’s finest bourbon, fueling a magical culture of creativity and innovation. There are over a dozen bourbon distilleries within 45 miles of downtown Lexington. Explore the historic warehouses where charred oak barrels nurture America’s Native Spirit to maturity. Then head back downtown to one of Lexington’s many world-class bourbon bars to taste what a skilled mixologist can do with the finished product.

Navigate this foodie paradise with a guided walking tour of local eateries to sample the best of local cuisine with a hospitable host. Local farms supply eclectic independent restaurants with the finest ingredients. New cafés, bakeries, bistros, food trucks and immigrant-owned establishments are popping up every day.

It’s a place you can return to again and again. Find more tools to plan your trip at VisitLEX.com