Wanna take a getaway, that’s not too far away? Lexington, Kentucky is a mere 3 hour drive from Columbus, yet it feels like a true escape. You can explore the legendary Bourbon Trail and hiking trails, plus Lex is loaded with horses n’ history, a bevy of bars, culinary chops, and that sweet Southern hospitality.
A great place to stay is the 21c Museum Hotel, a fantastic boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Lexington. Just minutes from everything, it made a great base for our adventures. Not only is it a convenient location, it’s also a contemporary art museum, cultural center, and posh restaurant/lounge. A modern vibe in an old bank building, it’s super cool. Just look for the funky blue penguins above the entrance.
Saturday was going to be the sunniest day of the long weekend, so that meant hiking at the breathtaking Red River Gorge. But before driving to the gorge, we found what has to be Lexington’s best breakfast spot, Zim’s Cafe, right next to the hotel. Not only was the food great, so was the spot itself. Zim’s sits inside the old Fayette County Courthouse, known as the most iconic building in the city, and is loaded with one-of-a-kind Kentucky folk art.
Hiking at Red River Gorge
Nourished and ready to hit the trails, we headed an hour east to The Red River Gorge Geological Area, a huge 29,000-acre area nestled in the rustic Daniel Boone National Forest. According to travel websites, the Red River Gorge is the “Adventure Capital of Kentucky,” and has amazed visitors ever since Boone himself first set foot here in the late 1700s. It amazed us too.
Based on recommendations from friends and AllTrails, we chose the Auxier Ridge Trail to Courthouse Rock, a 4.5-mile out-and-back trek with amazing views of the gorge below. It earned every bit of its “moderately challenging” rating. Lots of elevation changes. It reminded us of the challenging trails and rock formations at Ohio’s Airplane Rock, one of our favorite hikes. There were tons of other outdoor lovers on the trail, including many four-legged ones with wagging tails. We got slobbered on a lot. As if that wasn’t enough hiking for the day, we also climbed to the top of nearby Natural Bridge State Park, named after an amazing natural sandstone arch spanning 78 feet and standing over 65 feet high. The climb was rough but the view from the arch was totally worth it.
Pro Tip: If you’re in the Red River Gorge area, be sure to stop at Miguels Pizza, a hip pizza cafe plus climbing gear shop and campground. The pizza is fantastic and the rock climbing crowd gives the joint some lively, outdoorsy energy.
Breakfast, Boone & Bourbon
Even though Sunday was cloudy and drizzly, our dispositions were sunny and warm…because we were headed to the Buffalo Trace Distillery in nearby Frankfort. On the way, we discovered the “what is that doing there” awesomeness of The Kentucky Castle. With its towering turrets and stone walls, it’s an anomaly to be sure. A medieval castle in the middle of Bluegrass Country. It’s also a beautiful hotel with scenic gardens and a fantastic farm-to-table restaurant. And not surprisingly, the service team treats you like royalty. Our Sunday brunch was fit for a…well, you know.
Frankfort is one of America’s smallest state capitals, but boasts a beautiful capitol building. There’s also a noticeably thriving art scene downtown with plenty of public art and murals. Frankfort is also home to the grave of famous frontiersman Daniel Boone. Located high on a hill in Frankfort Cemetary, the Daniel Boone Monument overlooks the city and is one of the most visited sites in the state.
What makes Buffalo Trace my favorite bourbon distillery? It’s definitely the smooth taste of their Buffalo Trace and Weller wheated bourbon. But also because they’ve been doing it so well for so long, over 200 years. They are the world’s most award-winning distillery for a reason. And of course the desire for it is fueled by the scarcity of it. Finding a bottle at your local liquor store is a Holy Grail moment. The entertaining tour we took was equal parts history, chemistry, politics, and a sermon on bourbon. With a tasty tasting at the end, and thankfully a couple bottles left in the gift shop.
We loved exploring the Bourbon Trail and hiking trails and everything in between. This long weekend wasn’t long enough, and we can’t wait to go back to Kentucky, where bluegrass and bourbon rule and the gorges are gorgeous.
