Many UK agents might not know too much about Lexington – could you put it in context for them?
One of the things I love about Lexington and Central Kentucky is how accessible it is. If you know Cincinnati, we’re just an hour’s drive south of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. If you’re not as familiar with Cincinnati, you might know Charlotte, Atlanta or Chicago, all of which are only about an hour’s flight from Lexington. You can fly into Lexington from any of those cities, or drive from them in around six hours.
I like to say we’re the “front porch” of the Southeastern United States. Because of the density of major hubs in this part of the country, it’s very easy to include Lexington in a fly-drive itinerary or to arrive via Cincinnati. There’s even a direct flight from London to Cincinnati, so UK visitors can connect there and then drive just an hour to Lexington.
Lexington is close to some U.S. cities UK travellers might know better, so it a good base for a multi-centre itinerary?
Absolutely. There are some fantastic routes you can take. One of my favourites starts in Chicago – enjoy blues music there, then come down to Kentucky for bluegrass, continue south to Nashville for country, and then head west to Memphis for Elvis and more blues.
Nashville and Lexington are only three hours apart, so you could also build a great whiskey-themed road trip, pairing Kentucky bourbon in Lexington with Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Other hubs like Charlotte and Atlanta are just six hours’ drive from Lexington, making it easy to plan itineraries linking Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, or to travel north from the Carolinas up through East Tennessee into Central Kentucky. It’s all very straightforward.
What are the must-do experiences in Lexington itself and are there any personal favourites you’d recommend?
No trip to Lexington is complete without visiting our horses and a distillery; that’s a given. But there’s so much more beyond horses and bourbon.
Lexington has incredible natural beauty, and one of my personal favourite things to do is kayaking along Elkhorn Creek. It’s more like a river than a creek, and there are outfitters along the way so you can spend an afternoon paddling through the Bluegrass landscape.
Cycling enthusiasts love our back roads. Locals call them “farms,” but they look more like grand estates where horses are bred and trained. Riding those roads by bike or motorcycle is a really special experience.
Lexington is also steeped in history. As settlers moved west from the East Coast, many passed through Kentucky, leaving behind a rich Revolutionary and pre-Revolutionary heritage. We have several preserved battle sites and parks, as well as McConnell Springs, where Lexington was founded.
There are interpretive trails and signage so visitors can walk in the footsteps of early settlers, Union and Confederate troops, and pioneers. Genealogy is big here too: many families trace their lineage through Kentucky on their way west.
Early Kentucky settlers were mostly of British and Irish descent, with less German influence than you see in Cincinnati. Over time, the population has become much more diverse, and Lexington has long been a welcoming city for immigrants. But historically, the roots are very tied to British and Irish heritage.
Let’s talk food. Are there any signature dishes visitors shouldn’t miss, especially anything that pairs well with bourbon?
Everything pairs well with bourbon! But yes, we have some regional specialities.
The bourbon ball is a classic—a chocolate confection with bourbon, sugar and butter, created about 100 years ago in Central Kentucky. It’s a big holiday tradition here, but you can find them year-round. I can never eat just one!
Another favourite is beer cheese, made with sharp cheddar, beer, a bit of mayonnaise and butter to create a spreadable dip. It’s so popular that we even have a Beer Cheese Trail, with different family recipes to try.
Beyond that, our food is traditionally Southern: fried chicken, country ham, biscuits. But Lexington also has a surprisingly sophisticated dining scene thanks to the university and the international community, as well as the horse industry attracting a discerning clientele. You’ll find world cuisine and some excellent fine dining.
For example, Dudley’s is a long-standing institution, and Kohl’s is a personal favourite for beautifully prepared food and impeccable service. For something more casual, Red State BBQ near the Kentucky Horse Park is fantastic. And of course, The American is famous for its fried chicken—I was just there before this trip to London!
You mentioned next year is a big anniversary. What’s coming up that agents should know about?
We’re incredibly excited to host the Breeders’ Cup in 2026, which is the world championship of horse racing. It’ll take place in late October and early November, and it’s a huge opportunity to welcome visitors from around the world.
Interestingly, Lexington itself is a year older than the nation: this year is our 250th birthday. We’ve been celebrating all year with special events, and that will continue into 2026 with historical programming at sites across the city and state.
For example, the Mary Todd Lincoln House (Mary was Abraham Lincoln’s wife and he spent quite a bit of time in Lexington) has a full programme of events planned. The Henry Clay estate, home to one of America’s early statesmen, will also host a range of activities. Expect parades, festivals, readings, lectures and more. There’s a dedicated Kentucky 250 website with full details.
How important is the UK market for Kentucky?
Very important. We know the UK has a strong affinity with the US, and British travellers are some of the most experienced. It’s hard for destinations like Kentucky to compete with New York, Florida or Walt Disney World, but for travellers who’ve “ticked off” the big cities and attractions, Lexington and Kentucky offer something different: authentic, real America.
Geographically, we’re perfectly positioned to fit into multi-state itineraries, and fly-drives are easy. Over the years, the UK market has been incredibly good to us, and I think that’s because British travellers are curious and adventurous. They’re always looking for destinations that are a little lesser known and offer genuine cultural experiences and Kentucky delivers that in spades.
And for agents, any training, competitions or fam trips planned?
Yes! We’re planning to come to the UK in early June to deliver in-market training, and we’ll also be hosting a fam trip to Kentucky next year. I don’t have the exact dates yet, but we’ll make sure agents have all the information in advance.
We’re active at major travel events like Travel South International, IPW, Brand USA Week and others. And of course, we can offer virtual training sessions too, for agents who want to get more familiar with the destination. But really, the best way to sell Kentucky is to experience it firsthand, so we’d love to get more agents out to visit.
