LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Lexington is in the heart of Bluegrass Country, just an hour east of Louisville. Surrounded by horse farms, Lexington is known far and wide for its thoroughbred breeding, but there is a lot more than just horses to this town. For one, the University of Kentucky Wildcats, one of the best college basketball programs in the country, is located here, playing their home games in Rupp Arena.  Hockey is also played here, in the form of the Kentucky Thoroughblades. And of course, the expansion Lexington Legends play their games in Applebees' Park, also new in 2001.

The Lexington downtown has a number of historical sites located next to newer facilities, and is worth a walking tour. Chief among the attractions is Mary Todd Lincoln house, where the future wife of Abraham Lincoln lived. Other interesting buildings include the Fayette courthouse on Main Street and Transylvania University, the oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains. For sports fans, there is the UK Basketball Museum located next to Rupp Arena in the civic center. As well, for those of you with equine interests, take one of the numerous horse farm tours that are offered. Of course, horse racing is also available, but the times are rather limited, with races occurring for three weeks in April and three weeks in October. If you are fortunate enough to visit there during that time, make a trip out to Keeneland Race Course to see the top thoroughbreds compete. An interesting note: Keeneland is the only U.S. racing track ever visited by Queen Elizabeth II.

Overall, Lexington is a nice city, with a lot to offer, especially the southern hospitality of its residents. Make sure to include Lexington on a tour of the southern ballparks, and spend an extra day if you have it to see some of the surrounding countryside, you won't regret it.