SO YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO THIS PART OF THE WORLD BEFORE?
Our curated travel guide to Lexington with ideas for hikes, runs, photo opps, meals, and adventures!
We’re not joking when we say we’re having a “destination wedding” in Kentucky. Lexington and the surrounding areas are truly some of the most beautiful places in the country. And we hope you’ll take us up on the suggestion of truly making a trip out of it. It’ll mean you get to see more of us — and do more of:
KEENELAND
They’d run the Kentucky Derby here if it wouldn’t blow Kentucky’s best kept secret: this is the most beautiful horse track in the world. And October is the heart of race season. So grab a ticket (we'd recommend Friday). And a mint julep. And consider donating a portion of your winnings to Ashling & Andrew’s “Future Fund.”
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Right around the corner from Spindletop, the KHP is a working horse farm filled with a variety of equine attractions. It’s basically the Disneyland of horses.
THE BOURBON TRAIL
France has Champagne. Japan has Kobe. And if it’s called “bourbon” — then it has to be made in the area of Kentucky you’re coming to for our wedding. It's the Napa of Whiskey. We recommend sipping at: Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, and Maker's Mark.
Reservations recommended!
THE SUMMIT FRITZ FARM
Whether you have a last minute fashion emergency or want to bring home some funny Kentucky-themed goodies, Fritz Farm is a good place to shop and pretend to be in California. Madewell, Marine Layer (yep), Whole Foods, Orange Theory...
MANCHESTER STREET
Formerly the other side of the tracks, this revitalized area is part brewery, part ice cream parlor, part bourbon room, part barcade, part pizza joint — in an old saw mill and surrounding grounds. Don’t miss: The barcade at The Burl, Crank & Boom ice cream, and the Barrel House Distillery.
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ARBORETUM (AND CAMPUS!)
Go for a walk or run, see some leaves changing, and become a Kentucky Wildcat at the Arboretum.
THE LEGACY TRAIL
For our fellow cyclists or friends just interested in taking in the countryside, check out this 12-mile bike trail, which winds through horse farms and has an entry point at the Griffin Gate.
RAVEN RUN
AND KENTUCKY PALISADES
If you’re looking to go more off the grid, we’d recommend the Raven Run Sanctuary — for a nice hike to a beautiful overlook of the Kentucky River.
MERRICK INN
For Ashling and Andrew, a visit to Lexington isn’t complete without at least one trip to Merrick, which has the best fried chicken in the world. And happens to be Pop Frazier’s favorite restaurant in the world.
HALLS ON THE RIVER
Fried catfish? Check. Beer cheese? Yep! A piece of Nunnelly-Frazier family lores — this is where both Andrew’s parents and grandparents had their first dates!