Bluegrass Region Voyage Tips and guide

The Bluegrass Region is perhaps Kentucky's most famous region, if not its most visited. This bucolic region is named for the coveted grass that suburban homeowners slave to get to grow on their lawns throughout the country. Though native to Eurasia, Kentucky bluegrass has become associated with the state, and it helps sustain the major local industry—Kentucky horse farms.

This page covers only the region defined by the state's tourism agency as the "Bluegrass Region". The geographic region known as the "Bluegrass" also includes part or all of the Kentucky Derby Region and the Northern Ohio River Region, plus one county that the state places in its Kentucky Appalachians tourism region. Local definitions of the "Bluegrass" vary, but all extend beyond the area of the tourism region.

Map of Bluegrass Region

• 38.197-84.8631 Frankfort — Kentucky's small state capital
• 37.5769-84.29362 Berea — known for its arts and crafts scene, and home to Berea College
• 37.645833-84.77253 Danville
• 37.7639-84.84614 Harrodsburg
• 38.049722-84.4586115 Lexington — Horse Capital of the World
• 38.0314-84.89616 Lawrenceburg
• 38.15028-84.682787 Midway
• 37.882778-84.5766678 Nicholasville
• 38.2064-84.25789 Paris
• 37.744722-84.29361110 Richmond — home of Eastern Kentucky University
• 38.0547-84.730811 Versailles

• Kentucky Bourbon Trail
• Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Visitors have the option of flying directly into the smaller Blue Grass Airport (LEX ^IATA) [1], in Lexington, or flying into larger airports further away. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF ^IATA) [2] and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG ^IATA) [3] are both about 1.5 hours away from Lexington, but are served by more airlines than Blue Grass Airport.

Travellers can access the Bluegrass Region via one of the two major interstates that arc around the northern and eastern sides of Lexington. I-64 runs from east to west, connecting Lexington with the largest city in Kentucky, Louisville, to the west. I-75 runs north-south, connecting Lexington with Cincinnati and Knoxville respectively. The two interstates meet in Lexington, running together for several miles in the northeast quadrant of the city.

There are no passenger rail lines in the Bluegrass Region. Amtrak has routes that serve Eastern, Western, and Northern Kentucky as well as Cincinnati, and has bus service from Chicago to Loiusville.

Long-distance bus company Greyhound serves both Lexington and Frankfort.

• Greyhound stations:
  • 38.07236-84.478391 Lexington Station, 477 W New Circle Rd NW, Lexington, toll-free: +1 800 231-2222.  (updated May 2022)
  • 38.15923-84.898682 Frankfort Bus Stop, 301 Leonardwood Dr, Frankfort, toll-free: +1 800 231-2222.  (updated May 2022)

A car is a necessity to get around the area. The Bluegrass region is a large area, with public transportation only existing in the largest towns in the region, and even then limited to busses and by-appointment-only taxis.

Drive to Harrodsburg and Danville, 32 miles southwest of Lexington, to see some of the oldest buildings in the State. Take Versailles Road, out of Lexington, then take the Bluegrass Parkway to US-127, to Harrodsburg. This path will take you by the Castle on Versailles Road, and through Central Kentucky's scenic farmland.

• Harrodsburg is Kentucky's oldest city and contains a reconstruction of Fort Harrod, the first permanent settlement in the state of Kentucky. Re-enactors are present on a seasonal basis.
• Just outside of Harrodsburg, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is America's largest restored Shaker community, with 34 carefully restored buildings and 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. Shaker Village features a restaurant and lodging onsite, guided tours, and seasonal activities and re-enactors.
• About 20 minutes from Harrodsburg, Danville's Constitution Square contains recreations of buildings from the 1700s and was the site where Kentucky's first Constitution was signed. The buildings are open year round for self-guided viewing, and guided tours are available by appointment.

From Danville, Lexington Road will connect you with US-27, which will return you to Lexington.

The Bluegrass Region is home to many small towns, each with their own reason to visit.

• Danville, 35 miles southwest of Lexington, is the "City of Firsts", and the "Birthplace of the Bluegrass" since the first Constitutional Convention in the West was held at Constitution Square in 1792 and Kentucky's first Constitution was signed there.
• Frankfort, Kentucky's capital city, is 25 miles northwest of Lexington.
• Midway is a quaint and colorful railroad town halfway between Lexington and Frankfort; stop for a bite to eat and explore the antique and boutique shops downtown.
• Harrodsburg, 32 miles southwest of Lexington, is Kentucky's oldest city.
• Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 30 miles southwest of Lexington, is America's largest restored Shaker community, with 34 carefully restored buildings and 3,000 acres of preserved farmland.

Kentucky cuisine to look for includes the Hot Brown, an open-faced sandwich of turkey, bacon, and cheese sauce; burgoo, a traditional game stew with as many variations as there are people who make it; beer cheese, a spicy spread of cheddar cheese and beer; benedictine spread made from cucumber and cream cheese; and bourbon balls, a chocolate and bourbon truffle with pecans.

Note that smoking is banned in restaurants, bars, and many public buildings.

Lexington is home to an astonishing number of independently owned restaurants at all price levels. The city's college town atmosphere and affluent lifestyle contribute to this relatively small metropolitan area's great culinary offerings. Chain restaurants, typical in most American cities and towns, can be found here, as well as a great number of privately owned and operated establishments. Lexington has an amazing variety of regional and ethnic foods. Almost any taste can be fulfilled, from Home Cookin' to Fine Dining and from Cajun to Vietnamese.

Frankfort has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from while visiting.

Lexington is a large college town, so there are many bars and nightclubs catering to all crowds. Frankfort and Richmond have their own smaller bar scenes.

Bourbon distilleries are plentiful in the area, due to the particular geology of the region that make this distinctively Kentuckian liquor possible. Many distilleries operate tours where you can learn about the processes of mashing, distilling, and aging, and often sample the product. Traveling between the distilleries is called "Taking the Bourbon Trail." Souvenir T-Shirts and Bourbon Trail "passports" are available. Each distillery has their own souvenirs available for purchase, ranging from shot glasses to Bourbon Balls.

Five distilleries are within 30 miles of Lexington.

In addition to the Bourbon Trail, Lexington has two Breweries. Alltech's Lexington Brewery and Distilling Company, previously mentioned, and West Sixth Brewing.

Many Kentucky Wineries produce award winning wine. The winery business is growing, with several new vineyards starting up in the Bluegrass Region.

• Daniel Boone Country, The region directly to the east and south, has some of the most beautiful scenery and breathtaking rock formations in the state. Kentuckians visit the area during all seasons to enjoy camping, rock climbing, hiking, and watersports.
• Kentucky Derby Region, the region to west features the cities of Louisville and Bardstown
• Southern Lakes, the region to the south has many recreational lakes including Lake Cumberland. One of the largest man made lakes east of the Mississippi River.