Get Doughnuts at Magee’s Bakery
When I first discovered Magee’s, I told my mom they had the best doughnut she would ever eat. And she told me I would have to take her. I said, “Mom, I just made a pretty big claim there. The best doughnut ever. And you’re just going to take my word for it?” She said that she has been eating doughnuts with me since before I can remember, so just as Jamie trusted Claire enough to believe she traveled through time, my mom said she trusted my heart and my word that Magee’s has the best doughnuts ever. So I took her and she was not disappointed. Y’all, trust me, you MUST go to Magee’s and order a chocolate yeast doughnut.
Magee’s is on the corner of Main Street and N. Ashland Avenue. Ashland is one of my favorite streets in Lexington. So when you’re done eating the best doughut you’ve ever had, take a little stroll down Ashland and lust after the beautiful, old houses on this pictureque street.
Walk the Doughnuts off at The University of Kentucky Arboretum
So I know when you went to Magee’s you didn’t order just one dougnut. You took my word on the chocolate yeast doughnut but decided to try a few others as well. So now that you’re feeling fat and happy, head to the University of Kentucky’s Arboretum. If you feel the need to walk off your sins, there is a 2 mile walking path aruond the Arboretum. If you’re in a food coma, you can simply bring a blanket, spread it out on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine.
Eat Lunch at Joe Bolognas
If by some miracle you’re hungry after your jaunt aruond the Arboretum and would like some lunch, head to Joe Bologna’s. It’s right next to UK’s campus, and is located in a really cool old church. You can get pizza, pasta, or sandwiches, but regardless of your lunch order, make sure to get a breadstick. It’s big enough to share, and comes on a platter of garlic butter. Your thighs will thank me later for all of these super healthy food recommendations.
Spend the Afternoon at Keeneland
If you’re visiting Lexington in April, which is ideal, or October, which is also very nice, you’ll want to spend your afternoon at Keeneland. Kentucky is known for the Derby, which is always the first weekend in May, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. You’ll see many of those jockeys racing at Keeneland in April, and this past weekend was the Bluegrass Stakes, which is a Derby qualifying race.
Ladies, put on your pretty spring dresses, you can even accessorize with a big floppy hat if you want, and get your guy gussied up in seersucker, if he has it, if not a bright colored polo or button down will do. Bring some cash so you can bet on the ponies, and drink some mint juleps while you’re at it. Also, if you are going to Keeneland, you can skip out on lunch, and instead pack a cooler of snacks and drinks and just tailgate for lunch. Keeneland has a huge tailgate lot with giant screens showing the races, music, food and drink vendors, and you can even bet from the tailgate lot. A shuttle will take you from the lot and drop you off at the entrance. And a beautiful spring afternoon at Keeneland is something everyone should experience.
Here is my beautiful friend Amanda and her fiancé Chris modeling appropriate Keeneland attire. This picture pretty much sums up what Keeneland is about.
Tour a Bourbon Distillery
If you’re coming when Keeneland isn’t in session, fear not! Kentucky might be even more famous for its bourbon than it is for its horse racing. There are several bourbon distilleries in close proximity. I recommend Woodford Reserve, which is about a 30 minute drive, or Buffalo Trace, which is about 45 minutes. You will drive through rolling hills and picturesque horse farms to get to either distillery. Both offer tours every hour, and are fairly close to one another, so you could tour both in the same afternoon if you wanted to. If you have to pick one, the Buffalo Trace tour is fre and they give free samples at the end! Claire and Jamie would approve.
Try Out Local Craft Brews at Country Boy or West 6th Brewery
If you’re not already boozed up enough after a day of mint juleps and horse racing, or an afternoon of bourbon distilleries, Lexington has some great craft beer as well. Country Boy Brewery is located near UK, and make some fantastic beer. I recommend the Cougar Bait. West 6th Brewing Company, is another local favorite, located closer to downtown. The Cocoa Porter is my personal favorite. You can’t go wrong with either.
Take the Trolley for an Evening Downtown
Up to this point, you’re going to need a car to get around to all the places I’ve suggested. On weekend evenings though, Lexington runs a free Trolley service that will take you around downtown. You can park your car at any stop, and then just hop on a trolley, and it will take you to a number of fantastic restaurants and bars in downtown Lexington. Here are a few of my favorites:
County Club was featured in Southern Living magazine last year. It’s really small, but has great food and the cutest atmosphere. I’m not sure which is better, the décor inside or sitting under the twinkle lights on the patio. It’s right across the street from West 6th Brewery, so you could take the trolley to West 6th, have a beer or two and head to County Club for dinner.
Seriously…isn’t County Club, the coolest??
Several blocks down Jefferson Street from County Club are a few more delicious restaurants including Nick Ryan’s and The Grey Goose. Nick Ryan’s is a little fancier southern fare, while Grey Goose has pizza and more casual food. Both are really good.
Short Street is also along the Trolley Line and has even more great restaurants like Shakespeare & Company, which has the most ridiculously girly, foufy décor (just click on the link, you’ll see), the Village Idiot, which has great beers and great food, Table 310, which specializes in tapas and wine, and Dudley’s which is good if you’re looking for something really fancy. Honestly, recommending a place for dinner is the hardest part of the day for me, because there are just too many great options.
After dinner you have a couple of options. You could take the trolley to Euclid and High Street and hop off to get some Graeter’s ice cream. Greater’s is based out of Cincinnati, but is a regional favorite, and is my favorite ice cream ever. If you get one of their flavors with chocolate chips, the chips are large chunks of amazingly rich chocolate. Again, your thighs will thank me. If you’re me, and you’re old and lame, at this point you would call it a night and head home. However, if you want to stay out and hit the bars, head to Paulie’s Toasted Barrel on Main Street, and also along the Trolley Line. They have a great bourbon selection, and usually have live music on the weekends, with some booty shakin music in between sets. Cheapside is another well known bar on the Trolley Line (it’s on Short Street right by Shakespeare’s, the Village Idiot and Table 310) and they have a fabulous patio with live music.
So there you have it…Lexington in a day. You will seriously have so much fun. You know you want to come visit me. And I’m not joking, let me know if you’re coming. I will totally meet you for a doughnut, dinner, and/or drinks.
Have you been to Lexington Kentucky? Where did you eat? Did you go to Keeneland? Did you go home rich or broke? Come see meeeee!!!
