img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:46.97265625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}Sometimes, the best destinations are hidden in plain sight. Take my recent trip to Portugal, for example.
The Algarve has gained (and rightfully earned) a ton of hype in recent years, but how often have you heard of Quarteira, a gleaming whitewashed town set along a tranquil stretch of the seaside?
Chances are you haven’t. Heck, I hadn’t heard of it either before booking it on a whim.
Well, the same goes for the U.S.
Before you begin cracking jokes about fried chicken and family trees missing a branch, Kentucky is teeming with small-town charm and timeless cities definitely worth a visit.
While Louisville may be your first thought, another Kentucky city isn’t horsing around, surprisingly beating out Austin, one of the South’s trendiest cities.
Sitting number one on Southern Living’s list of destinations their experts visited for the first time and left their hearts throbbing is none other than the historic city of Lexington.
Down-Home Charm & Cheap Stays: Lexington Belongs On Your 2025 Bingo Card
The end of a calendar year is a time to reflect, and if your life has been anything like mine, then surely there have been a lot of surprises on your 2024 bingo card.
While most travel plans for 2024 have wrapped up, 2025 travel plans are all the rage right now.
Lexington will make for a great escape in spring, summer, and fall, as winters can be a bit frosty, so it’s only right to forge ahead past the ball drop.
While many travelers, such as myself, venture to Europe to essentially go back in time, much of the South offers a similar experience, ranging from Louisiana’s hidden gems to Kentucky’s underrated cities.
Southern Living’s Digital editor Mary Shannon Hodes was a first-time visitor to Lexington this year.
She was quoted as saying, “The downtown was absolutely precious, and I saw plenty of cute restaurants and shops I’d want to visit on a trip back.”
You’ll discover pretty parks, Victorian homes, down-home eateries, and just enough museums and galleries to bide your time, such as the popular Mary Todd Lincoln House, home of former First Lady and wife of President Abraham Lincoln.
You can spend hours perusing local boutiques and bar-hopping between local favorites, Chevy Chase Inn or more trendy Blue Stallion Brewing Co.
Every city has warehouse-converted breweries now, right?
But what about converted hotels? Check out 21c Museum Hotel Lexington, housed in a historic bank building transformed into what’s become a hybrid of modern boutique hotel/art museum/restaurant.
Better yet, it’s only $85 this spring. Remember what I said about planning ahead?
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 hotels in Lexington: (based on overall value)
- GLō Best Western Lexington
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington Green
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Lexington
- Origin Hotel Lexington
- Elwood Hotel & Suites
But, if you’re up for a splurge, Lyndon House Bed & Breakfast encompasses all of Lexington’s contagious charm in an 1883 mansion – well worth the rates pushing $300 per night.
Whiskey Flows Like Water
Thankfully, I’m not in Lexington right now, or my article might look something like this:
“Whsikey, buorbon, everywher! Drown yurr sorows, or celebreat my joys, in a sea of amber nectar…”
Lucky for you, I’m sotally tober in California, so I’ll keep my inner Hunter S. Thompson at bay.
Lexington isn’t shy about its bourbon heritage. In fact, there’s a whole district dedicated to it.
Downtown, you’ll also find the obviously fun Distillery District, where you can follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
As such, you can take part in 5 different tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery in nearby Frankfort, one of my personal favorite post-long-day sips from a company that’s older than America itself – impressive, huh?
Although, James E. Pepper Distillery holds a perfect rating on TripAdvisor. Not an easy feat in this day and age of internet whiners.
Horse Capital Of The World
Louisville may be Kentucky’s claim to fame with the ‘most exciting two minutes in sports’, but Lexington takes the crown as the ‘horse capital of the world’.
Although, Ocala might have something to say about that…
Southern Living also highlighted this aspect of Lexington since you can visit horse farms, such as Megson Farms, where you can actually stay overnight to soak up all the time you can with the largest herd of rare white Thoroughbreds anywhere in the world!
Lexington is also home to the Breeder’s Cup held at The Kentucky Horse Park, a hugely popular event. The park is still open for the winter season for other events, where admission starts at $14.
Sam SearsSam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Source: traveloffpath.com
