In this post, I will help you to find out where to stay in Lexington, Kentucky? I’ll aslo give you the best area to stay in Lexington (include map and video) and the best hotels in Lexington for all budget travelers.
Founded in 1775, the Horse Capital of the world and the center point for Kentucky’s Bluegrass music scene, Lexington is a charming little city, unfairly overshadowed by its larger neighbors. With plenty of parks, museums in historically significant buildings, and a thriving downtown district, Lexington has tons to offer visitors.
Located at the junction between Route 64 and Route 75, Lexington is well connected to surrounding major cities, Louisville and Cincinnati respectively, making it a great stop for anyone planning a road trip through the mid-west.
Where to Stay in Lexington Kentucky?
Downtown Lexington is the best area to stay in Lexington due to its prime location and proximity to major attractions and tourist amenities. If you stay here, you will be located in the middle of action, within walking distance to many attractions, restarants, bars, and shops.
The downtown area is where you’ll find most of Lexington’s museums, restaurants, and shops. If you are just passing through for a day or two, this is the best area to stay to make the most of your time.
With a wide variety of restaurants serving a range of cuisines, and many attractions within walking distance of one another, downtown is also a great option for anyone travelling with children.
If you want to stay in the midst of the city’s nightlife, you will want to stay around the southern end of West Main Street. This is where you will find the vast majority of Lexington’s bars and nightclubs, all packed into quite a dense area, ideal for hopping from venue to venue.
If you are one of the many people drawn to the area by the Kentucky Horse Park, or an event hosted there, you may want to stay in a suburb like Griffin Gate, which is closer to the park than the city center.
Alternatively, the Georgetown district will keep you within walking distance of the city center whilst also being located on the main road which connects out to the park for easy access.
| 💖 Best Area: | Downtown Lexington |
| 💎 Best mid-range hotel: | Hyatt Place Lexington |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Embassy Suites Lexington |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | GLō Best Western Lexington |
Best areas to stay in Lexington are:
1. Downtown Lexington – best area to stay in Lexington
Since Lexington is a relatively small city, most of its attractions, landmarks, and entertainment options are concentrated in the singular downtown area. Downtown is a lively cultural hub with art studios and galleries, museums, theaters, live music, murals, bourbon bars, and outdoor festivals.
As the oldest part of the city, you will find a number of museums in buildings that were once the homes of notable Lexington residents.
The Mary Todd Lincoln House and the Hopemont (Hunt-Morgan House) are two such museums, both filled with original features and personal artifacts. Guided tours are available at both, allowing you insights into the lifestyles of Lexingtonians in the 1800s.
Waveland State Historic Site and LaTrobe’s Pope Villa are also one of the four historic homes of the area’s most famous citizens.
Next to Mary Todd Lincoln House is the 23,000 seat sports and entertainment center, Rupp Arena, home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. There is also Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Center), which draws many big shows such as Kentucky Crafted Market and the Incredible Food Show.
Rupp Arena is located next to the Lexington Hyatt Hotels, Hilton hotel, and Triangle Park, a hub of activity for chess and backgammon, and special events.
Just just a few blocks away from Rupp Arena, you will find The Lexington Opera House, which is a 1,000 seat historic theatre with many musicals, ballets, and concerts.
If you are traveling with children, you may want to stop by the Explorium of Lexington. This arts and science museum is specifically aimed at children, with lots of interactive exhibits for an educational and fun family outing.
Another attraction is the Fountain of Youth in Gratz Park, just south of Transylvania University, which was built in memory of Lexington author James Lane Allen. The Headley-Whitney Museum was established by artist and jewelry designer George Headley in 1968.
For hospitality and nightlife, the southern end of West Main Street is the area to go. This is where you will find the best selection of fashionable restaurants and cafes. There’s a fantastic variety to choose from, with cuisines from across both America and the rest of the world. You’re sure to find something to suit everyone.
After dark, this area comes to life even more, as tourists and locals alike flock to the area to head to its bars and nightclubs. This is where the vast majority of Lexington’s nightlife venues are located, so if you are looking for a party, this is the best place to start. With so many varied options within steps of each other, this is the perfect opportunity for a bar crawl.
The Square is another popular spot on West Main Street. It was built in the 1880s and offers visitors a wide range of shopping, galleries, restaurants, bars, a theater, and a museum for children.
If you walk along Main Street, you will find interesting buildings like Kentucky Theater, 21c Museum Hotel (Fayette National Bank Building); City Center, a new skyscraper;
The area around the Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park has a vibrant nightlife with weekly events and Central Bank Thursday Night Live which is a live music show from April to October every summer. There’s also the Saturday Farmer’s Market where you can buy local produce.
The nightlife of the area is bolstered by having two university populations to support. Both the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University have campuses close to the city center. The thriving student population means there is a steady demand for trendy cafes and exciting nightlife.
Like many cities in Kentucky, Lexington has its fair share of distilleries producing local bourbons. Lexington is ideally placed for exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
For an alternative sightseeing trip, consider taking a tour of one of the several breweries in the downtown area. Town Branch Distillery and Bluegrass Distillers both offer tours and tastings within walking distance of the city center.
Apart from the downtown attractions, the 1,200-acre Kentucky Horse Park is one of the biggest draws to the region. You can stop by the International Museum of the Horse, or enjoy the shows and demonstrations.
There are numerous small urban parks to big nature reserves including the 216 acres Jacobson Park, Raven Run Nature Sanctuary along the Kentucky River, McConnell’s Springs, Thoroughbred Park, and Legacy Trail. They are both great places for outdoor activities such as picnic, biking, hiking, ans skating.
If you going to lexington without a car, you can use transport options like intra-city bus system, and taxis, Uber, Lyft, Greyhound Bus station. Miller Transportation to travel between Lexington and Louisville.
There are a variety of options for lodging in Lexington and the surrounding from staying in a Kentucky Castle to chain hotels, and in a RV park.Many attractions, restaurants and shops are within walking distance of major hotels.
Best places to stay in Lexington in Downtown:
mid-range ($$): Hyatt Place Lexington, 4-star popular hotel, one of the best places to stay in Lexington for couples, families, solo travelers, and group of friends. It is located within a short drive by car from Keeneland Race Track, Kentucky Horse Park, Rupp Arena. It has free parking, family rooms, and on-site restaurant.
mid-range ($$): Embassy Suites Lexington, 4-star hotel located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Country at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Research Campus, short drive by car from Blue Grass Airport. It has on-site parking, family rooms, and a bar.
budget ($): GLō Best Western Lexington, great 3-star hotel, one of the best places to stay in Lexington on a budget. It features a shared lounge, a sun terrace, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. There are family rooms and nearby activities such as hiking and cycling.
budget ($): Holiday Inn Express & Suites, an IHG hotel, 3-star hotel located off Route 60, short drive by car from downtown and University of Kentucky. It has family rooms and free parking!
budget ($): TownePlace Suites by Marriott, 3-star hotel, located close to Thoroughbred Park, The Arboretum, and Hundt-Morgan House. It has rooms with a flat-screen TV, a seating area, a full kitchen with a dishwasher, and a microwave, private bathrooms.
Other accommodations in Lexington are: • (budget) Hilton Lexington Downtown • (budget) Candlewood Suites Lexington • (mid-range) Elwood Hotel & Suites • (mid-range) 21c Museum Hotel Lexington
Best Things to Do in Lexington Ky
The homes of various notable residents of Lexington have been converted into museums across the city. The Mary Todd Lincoln House, where the First Lady once lived, is one such museum, where visitors can enjoy guided tours by historians offering insights into the historical features and personal artifacts on display.
Just a few blocks away, the Hopemont museum, converted from an early 19th-century federal building, offers guided tours of its preserved rooms and period artifacts. The upstairs of the house hosts exhibits on the American Civil war.
To the south of the city center is Ashland, the estate of 19th-century politician Henry Clay. The house is now a museum, offering guided tours around the mansion. Self-guided tours and trails wind throughout the grounds, allowing visitors to explore the gardens and outbuildings at their own pace.
Also in the south is the State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, The Arboretum. Visitors can explore the diverse Kentucky landscape through 100 acres of both natural wildland and ornamental gardens.
One of the biggest draws to the region is the Kentucky Horse Park to the north. In addition to horse riding and carriage tours, the park also boasts an equine museum, a stadium, and an arena. Shows and festivals are held in the grounds throughout the year, so you should make sure to check what’s on during your visit.
If you are visiting during the first weekend of June, you should definitely make sure to check out the ‘Festival of the Bluegrass’. As Kentucky’s oldest bluegrass music festival, it’s a great local cultural experience and, with three stages hosting a variety of performers throughout the weekend, you are sure to enjoy some fantastic live shows.
Safe Place to Stay in Lexington Ky?
If you want to stay close to the city center, consider the Northside District of Downtown, which is close to most of Lexington’s museums, attractions, and hospitality. You will be able to stay in a comfortable, leafy suburb while being just a few minutes from the vibrant heart of the city.
The Sire Hotel is a boutique hotel offering comfort and elegance in a historic area. Guests can relax at the onsite restaurant, or by the firepit in the communal garden terrace.
21c Museum Hotel Lexington is 4-star hotel, located in West Main Street, within walking distance from Hunt-Morgan House, Lexington Convention Center, and Rupp Aren.
An alternative would be staying in a more suburban area outside of the city center. Griffin Gate is an option further from downtown, but closer to the Kentucky Horse Park where many local events and festivals are held. Newton Pike Road connects the area directly back into the town center so, as long as you have transport, you will still be able to get into the city easily.
The 3-star GLō Best Western Lexington and 4-star Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa are in the area, just a short drive from both the city center and the horse park.
Best Restaurants in Lexington Ky
If you are looking to indulge in the local cuisine in a stylish upscale restaurant, then ‘Distilled on Jefferson’ is a fantastic place to try. They offer delicious southern-inspired dishes complemented by their extensive selection of bourbons and whiskies.
For something in the same vein but a little more casual, ‘Minglewood’ serves southern-style comfort food with contemporary twists, in a more laid-back atmosphere. You will even have the option to relax in the fresh air on their street-side dining terrace.
‘Dudley’s On Short’ takes advantage of downtown’s historic buildings, set in a converted 19th-century bank. Here you can enjoy a fine dining experience in uniquely elegant surroundings.
Alternatively, the ‘Horse and Jockey’ pub offers a much more relaxed experience, serving delicious traditional pub fare and a wide range of drinks and cocktails. With an authentic Irish pub atmosphere, this is a fantastic place to go if you want both a scrumptious, filling meal and a place to kick back for the evening.
For something a little different, NAT’S is hailed by locals as serving possibly the best Thai food in Lexington. The small, family-run restaurant serves a variety of traditional home-cooked Thai dishes which can be enjoyed in the relaxed terrace dining area.
Check out my virtual tour about the best places to stay in Lexington:
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Overall, Downtown is the best area to stay in Lexington due to its super central location and a wide range of tourist amenities. If you stay here, you will be located in the heart of the city, within many choices in shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Lexington may be small but by now you should be aware of how much it has to offer. Hopefully you have a good idea of where to stay in Lexington. Now it’s just time to start planning, and booking, your visit!