Fun Lexington KY Activities for Everyone

Here are some suggestions for live shows while visiting Lexington, KY, the heart of the bluegrass state. Even though there is no such thing as blue grass, there certainly is a lot of heart. The people are friendly and laid back in this "rural-city", so you'll soon feel right at home.

Live entertainment are a treat for visitors of every age group. Visitors will have more than their share of entertainment to choose from. Horse racing, horse farms, ballet, children's plays, musicals, comedies and off-Broadway shows are on the menu. Here are my top picks and all within a 10 mile radius in the Lexington city limits.

here are few ideas:

• The Keeneland racetrack

• The Lexington Horse park

• University of Kentucky Singletary Center of Fine Arts

• The Opera House

• The Lexington Children's Theatre

• The Kentucky Ballet Theater

• Comedy off Broadway

• University of Kentucky sports
  

Kentucky is synonymous with horse racing. Horse farms are all around the city and you can see the beautiful animals at Keeneland Racetrack near the airport on Versailles Road. Here is their website for the official race schedule.

The Red Mile horse track is three miles north of the airport,off Versailles Rd; just follow the signs. It started way back in 1875 and is smaller but has many events besides racing. Their website gives a lot of information.

Besides watching the races, the tracks have tours and visits to nearby horse farms.

The Lexington Horse Park is located at 4089 Ironworks Pkwy, north of the city, off I-75. It is unique in that the Commonwealth of Kentucky owns it and uses it to teach, entertain and host events.

This 1200 acre family-friendly park allows adults and children to get up close to the animals. There's plenty of room for major events or family horse rides. Also be sure visit the three museums on grounds dedicated to all things about the horse. Call for information (859) 233-4303), visit the website, or facebook page with the same name.

The first one on my list is University of Kentucky's Singletary Center of Fine Arts Center, located in the Department of Theatre, 405 rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40506,

Since opening on November 1,1979, the center hosts over 400 events every year and is a favorite in the commonwealth. Concerts, plays, recitals and lectures are examples of some of their programs. Find them on the web or call (859) 257-3297 for information on upcoming shows.

My second choice is The Opera House, 430 W. Vine St. Lexington, KY 40507, which is located on the corner of Broadway and Short Street. There are a number of parking garages around the location and a drop off in front of the building.(859) 233-4567)

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, opening in 1886 with 960 seats. It's rich and lush décor will let anyone feel special, so it's a rare treat for the theater goer. Shows range from opera, authentic Broadway plays, comedy, ballet, music and Disney shows for the first time. Tickets can be obtained at the Lexington Center at Rupp Arena, by visiting or calling (859) 233-3535 Monday to Friday, 10 am - 6pm.

Third on the list is the Lexington Children's Theatre, 418 West Short Street Lexington, KY 40507. This professional ,non-profit group was started in 1938 and produces high quality programs staffed by professional actors. Some of their shows are Cinderella, Pinocchio, Red Badge of Courage, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. Tickets can be purchased on their website or by calling (859)254-4546. They now have a facebook page.

Kentucky Ballet Theater, 736 National Ave Lexington KY 40502 rounds out the fourth . Most of the shows are performed at the Lexington Opera House. The ballet runs an academy for children and adults and an outreach program which travels to provide ballet programs all over the commonwealth. Some of the programs performed are Phantom of the Opera, The Nutcracker, and Coppélia. They also have a facebook page for current news and events.

Tickets can be purchased at the KBT studio at (859) 252-5245.

The University of Kentucky has the basketball, football and baseball teams that play n the stadium in town. You can catch a game most weeks.

Their official website will give information for schedules and teams they are playing.

And last but not least is the Comedy off Broadway which is located in the Lexington Green Circle shopping Mall, on Nicholasville Rd, north of the Fayette Mall and south of New Circle Road. Tickets can be bought at (859)271-5653 , at $8.- $14. One show on Wednesdays and Thursdays; two shows on Friday and Saturday. Attire is casual, with a one drink minimum for the over 21 crowd. This is an adult club with adult humor and not suitable for kids. It's cozy with 250 seats so book early. I really enjoyed this club and the people are friendly.

So there are my five favorite live shows venues in Lexington, Kentucky. You may want to stay over a weekend or extended vacation, so be sure to reserve one of their finest hotels for superior accommodations. The Radisson in downtown Lexington,(800)395-7046 and the Campbell House (877) 227-6963 are two of the best.

Most of the businesses listed here are on Twitter and Facebook or have their own website, making it easy to find information. Lexington is a laid back city within easy distance of everything you would want to do.