Discover Lexington: Top 7 Amazing Fun Facts About Kentucky's Horse Capital

1. "Hoarse" History at Kentucky Horse Park

In Lexington, you're never too "hoarse" to learn about equine history: Home to the Kentucky Horse Park, it educates visitors on the rich heritage of equestrian life while showcasing the International Museum of the Horse, the world's largest repository of equine artifacts, and the Hall of Champions, featuring legendary retired racehorses like Cigar and Funny Cide.
Source => visitlex.com

2. World's Largest Equine Museum

Hold your horses, equestrian enthusiasts: Lexington, Kentucky houses the largest museum in the world dedicated to all things horsey, known as the International Museum of the Horse. This one-of-a-kind epicenter showcases over 60,000 square feet of equine history, trotting from ancient times to modern sports, and gallops through unique exhibits like "All the Queen's Horses" and "A Gift from the Desert," solidifying its status as the mane attraction for scholars and researchers across the globe.
Source => kyhorsepark.com

Did you know the iconic Old Fashioned cocktail was actually created to please a Bourbon-hater in Louisville, Kentucky back in 1880? Discover its surprising origins and the city's everlasting love for this classic drink. 🥃

=> Fun Facts about Louisville-Kentucky

3. Horse Capital's Hay-filled Playground

They say money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy horsin' around in Lexington: Known as the "Horse Capital of the World," this city is famed for its magnificent horse farms and the majestic Kentucky Horse Park, where one can hobnob with retired racehorses and witness exhilarating equestrian escapades. As an added bonus for equine enthusiasts, the renowned Kentucky Derby is merely a horse's prance away in Louisville, just an hour's drive from Lexington's hay-filled playground.
Source => mtlhouse.org

4. A Jazzy Federal Medical Center

Straight out of a jazzier Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Lexington's Federal Medical Center began as the United States Narcotic Farm in 1935, a swanky pad for jazz musicians, doctors, and other drug addicts seeking treatment or serving time, including famous author William Burroughs.
Source => forbes.com

5. Lexington's Comic Book Hero

In a town where horses get the spotlight, an unassuming hero makes headlines in a different kind of race: Lexington's very own Larry Hama is a multitalented artist who has worked since the 1960s in various creative fields, such as writing, pencilling, editing, acting, and music. Best known for conjuring comic book character Bucky O'Hare and writing the renowned Marvel Comics series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Hama has also contributed to series like Wolverine, Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja, and Elektra.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Whiskey Storage During Prohibition

When life gave Lexington lemons, they distilled whiskey: The Historic Distillery District of Lexington, Kentucky was once home to the James E. Pepper Distillery, boasting six warehouses with a staggering storage capacity of 50,000 barrels at its peak, and during Prohibition, cleverly housed whiskey stockpiles from multiple distilleries around the area under one roof to prevent theft.
Source => explorekyhistory.ky.gov

7. Shaker Village Shindig

Are you so tired of the rat race that you're feeling downright Shaker-ish? Fear not weary wanderers, for the Village of Pleasant Hill just might shake up your wacky weekend routine: Every Friday and Saturday from May to October, you can enjoy free live music, farm-fresh goodies, and even a s'mores-worthy marshmallow roast at their "Music on The Lawn" event, starting at 6:30 pm. Bonus? A special $5 after 5:00 village tour will have you saying "Shaker Village - more like Shaker Party!"
Source => news.rhr.com