Lexington is the center of the world's Thoroughbred horse industry and is where the top racehorses are bred, born, trained, officially registered, bought and sold, retired to stud and buried. In the Bluegrass, you can meet previous Derby champions - or perhaps catch a glimpse of a future winner on the world's most famous horse farms. Keeneland Race Course, a beautiful park reminiscent of those in England, holds race meets annually in April and October and sales throughout the year. The Kentucky Horse Park features more than 50 breeds at work and play on more than 1,200 breathtaking acres. Lexington truly is the Horse Capital of the World!

Designated “America’s Native Spirit” in 1964 by an act of congress, nearly 100% of the world's Bourbon is produced in Kentucky. Early Kentucky settlers brought recipes and stills with them from the northeast. They soon discovered corn was better suited to the Kentucky climate and began replacing it for the rye in their original recipes. Visit historic distilleries and discover time-honored methods developed in the early 19th century still in use today. Tantalizing aromas follow you from the fermenting tanks to the warehouses where the bourbon rests until its proper age. Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey and Four Roses offer tours showcasing the heritage of American’s spirit.

History comes to life in Lexington. Located just a few miles apart, on opposite ends of downtown Lexington, the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland, the Henry Clay estate, reveal 19th century life in Lexington for these two prominent families. Touring these homes tells the story of how these remarkable individual’s lives were often interconnected and how they influenced our nation.

Take a short drive out through the picturesque Bluegrass countryside to discover one of America’s historic treasures. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a National Historic Landmark and the United States’ largest restored Shaker community, features 34 restored buildings on more than 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. This living history museum offers village tours, 40 miles of trails, delightful regional cuisine and special programs through out the year.

Getting to Lexington is easy. Centrally located at the junction of Interstates 75 and 64, Lexington is the perfect driving destination. By air, arriving in Lexington is accessible and economical. Fourteen cities with large hub airports and seven airlines maintain daily flights into and out of Lexington. Connoisseurs the world over know Kentucky as the birthplace of bourbon and fine horses, and Lexington is at the heart of it all.

For a free Visitor Planning Guide or more information, contact the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-845-3959 or www.visitlex.com.