The Bluegrass shines in every season, but there’s really no place like Lexington in the fall. Colors are more vivid, flavors more intense, and all of Central Kentucky seems to put on a spectacular grand finale before the cold of winter sets in. Here’s our tips for making the most of this especially magical time of year.
1. Savor Amazing Autumn Flavors
The comforting flavors of fall abound in Lexington. Start your day with a stroll through the Lexington Farmers’ Market and a seasonal coffee from shops like The Greenery, Lussi Brown, Kenwick Table, and Manchester Coffee Co. Pick perfectly ripe apples at Reed Valley Orchard, Evan’s Orchard and Cider Mill, and Eckert's Boyd Orchard. Hit The Brewgrass Trail to find the area’s best breweries and cideries. Then grab a table at innovative restaurants like Granddam at The Manchester Hotel and Holly Hill Inn where fresh local ingredients make unforgettable dishes.
2. Experience Horse Country at Its Finest
Rolling hills of lush Kentucky bluegrass. White picket fences. The sun’s golden glow sneaking into stables. When summer’s over, Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World, is in rare form. Horse Country can take you behind the scenes at many of Lexington’s iconic horse farms to get up close and personal with racing’s superstars. The Thoroughbred universe descends on Keeneland in autumn, first for their world-renowned September Sales and then for the Fall Race Meet in October. And nearly 50 horse breeds can be seen grazing 1,200 acres of pasture at the Kentucky Horse Park.
3. Have the Ultimate Sports Weekend
Lexington is famous for horse racing, but fall offers plenty more opportunities for sports fans in search of excitement. The University of Kentucky is home to some of the greatest traditions in college sports. Tailgate all day and catch a Wildcats football game at Kroger Field. Or watch the 8-time NCAA champion men’s basketball team take the court at legendary Rupp Arena. The Lexington Sporting Club brings the thrill of both men’s and women’s professional soccer to the Bluegrass, kicking off their 2024-2025 season at a brand new stadium.
4. Get Your Spook On
Lexington celebrates Spooky Season in style. In October, zombie performers flood Main Street for a Michael Jackson-inspired Thriller Parade. The Kentucky Theater shows hairraising horror flicks. Scarefest Weekend takes over the new convention center. PumpkinMania sets Transylvania University aglow. And, if you’re brave enough, you can take a nighttime Spirit Stroll at Shaker Village. Check out Kentucky After Dark for more haunted spots and local legends.
Prefer to get your entertainment from the land of the living? Lexington’s live music scene offers some incredible fan experiences. Catch local and regional talent in an intimate setting at The Burl. Or go big at an epic Rupp Arena concert. Their packed fall calendar includes anticipated performances by Sturgill Simpson, Jelly Roll, and more internationally touring artists.
5. Enjoy Breathtaking Fall Foliage
You swore you’d never become one of those people that travels just for fall foliage, but Lexington puts on a show that’s hard to resist. Grab a front row seat for this spellbinding performance at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, McConnell Springs, and the Lexington Cemetery, one of America’s best arboretums. The golden gingko trees of Catalpa Road briefly turn the neighborhood into a surreal autumn wonderland. And nearby Red River Gorge is a leaf peeper’s paradise with a stunning Natural Bridge. Our Fall Foliage Guide has more tips.
6. Step Back in Time
Fall provides the perfect backdrop to discover Lexington’s rich history and charming architecture. Ashland, the wooded estate of 19th century statesman Henry Clay, boasts a gorgeous English parterre garden. The Mary Todd Lincoln House, childhood home of the former first lady, is like a time capsule with an impressive garden of its own. Waveland and Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill are surrounded by acres of Bluegrass countryside. And serene Gratz Park sits at the center of a downtown neighborhood largely unchanged since the 1800’s.
7. Discover Bourbonland
Beneath Lexington’s rolling bluegrass hills, a rare limestone formation filters natural spring water for the world’s finest bourbon, fueling a magical culture of creativity and innovation that we call Bourbonland. Fall is the perfect time to immerse yourself in that culture. Enjoy tours and tastings at 18 nearby bourbon distilleries, sample rare bottles and inventive cocktails at world-class bourbon bars, and let the Kentucky Bourbon Trail guide you deep into the countryside for a look at the history and craft of America’s native spirit that can’t be found anywhere else.
