A love letter to Lexington

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 26, 2025) — The 160-year history of the University of Kentucky has taken place with what many in this campus community agree is a beautiful backdrop: the City of Lexington.

This year, the Horse Capital of the World celebrates 250 years since its founding. Through the years, faculty, staff and students have taken advantage of all that Lexington offers, from unforgettable experiences at Keeneland to distilleries, restaurants, history, art, music and everything in between.

As we look forward to a year of celebrating Lexington, UKNow asked students, alumni, faculty and staff about their favorite things about our city.

Every spring and fall, there’s an air of excitement around Lexington as, namely, one of its most iconic venues opens the gates to welcome horseracing fans — Keeneland.

“I love going to the fall and spring meets at Keeneland. The environment there is unmatched and you can’t find that anywhere else,” said Isabella Born, a freshman marketing and integrated strategic communication major.

“I am a huge fan of Keeneland. It draws so many alumni and students alike and has such a Kentucky feel to it,” said Olivia Thornsbury, a senior biology major. “Getting dressed up with my friends and spending the day there have been some of my very favorite memories.”

Others recommended touring one of Lexington’s 450 horse farms and seeing the beloved industry in-person, or exploring the Kentucky Horse Park, Red Mile, the International Museum of the Horse and more.

Lexington is also home to one of the most iconic basketball venues and home of the Kentucky Wildcats: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Whether you’re new to Big Blue Nation or have been part of the fandom since childhood, plenty of memories have been made watching the Cats play in Rupp.

“The way campus buzzes before a big game is electrifying and really makes you feel like a part of the community,” said Thornsbury.

Rupp is also the home of a new, state-of-the-art studio for students in UK’s College of Communication and Information. The space will provide opportunities for training and instruction in sports communications as well as opportunities for faculty and graduate students to conduct research. It’s through a partnership with the college, UK Athletics and JMI Sports.

“This is one of the many ways the City of Lexington supports our students as they prepare for their future careers and lives of leadership, meaning and purpose,” said UK President Eli Capilouto.

Rupp Arena also hosts concerts, comedy tours, Lexington Comic & Toy Convention and other big events, giving the UK community plenty of opportunities to enjoy something new.

The campus community also loves exploring nature in and around Lexington. From walking along the trails at The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky to or McConnell Springs Park — there’s plenty of beauty to behold in the Commonwealth.

“My favorite things are running at the arboretum or the Legacy Trail,” said Julia Loeb, alum from the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. “Another great activity is hiking at Red River or Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.”

“My family and I love to go to Jacobson Park by the lake for picnics. We relax by the water and enjoy the outdoors,” said Lois Lewis, a 1988 alum of the College of Nursing who currently works for UK HealthCare.

There’s so much to do in Lexington to enjoy bluegrass country. You can check out more spots to explore at the VisitLEX website.

Lexington’s food scene offers plenty of new experiences for our campus community.

“The Distillery District is another favorite — catch a show at The Burl, grab a slice of Goodfellas pizza, treat yourself to something sweet at Crank & Boom, and if you’re feeling adventurous, do some axe throwing or hit up the vintage arcade games,” said Kendra Bertram, a pre-law sophomore majoring in public health and public policy.

And there are plenty of coffee shops tucked away in various communities that are beloved spots to study, write or just enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Bertram also shared her hidden gem in Lexington: “I would absolutely recommend visiting the Lexington Opera. It is one of the oldest opera houses in the world. So many amazing shows and artists come through every year — it is a must-see for anyone who loves live performances.”

There’s also the historic Kentucky Theatre that offers screenings of independent films, classics and more. It first opened in 1922 and continues to be a beloved source of entertainment.

And, if you’re feeling adventurous, just down the road from Keeneland you’ll find another unique Kentucky treasure: the Kentucky Castle. There are tours of the castle and accompanying farm, as well as murder mystery dinners, teas and more.

Whether you’re a Kentucky native or new to the Bluegrass State, Lexington has a way of making you feel like you’re at home.

“I love the entire atmosphere of Lexington because you can drive 10 minutes one way and be downtown with all the restaurants and shops, and then 10 minutes the other way and be in horse country,” said Born.

There’s plenty to celebrate as our city turns 250. You can keep up with all the latest events for 250Lex online here.

Cheers from UK’s campus!