Neighborhood Guide
Enjoy downtown Lexington as a part of your visit! If you need further guidance or directions, we are happy to help. Have fun and tell our neighbors we say “hello!”
Please note, most of the restaurants listed below are also open for dinner. CLICK HERE for the downloadable PDF. (Last updated April 2024.)
EAT & DRINK
Restaurants- Easy Walking (Less than 1/3 Mile)
Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 859-255-3354: Soup, salads, & sandwiches made from locally sourced ingredients. Lunch daily.
Agave & Rye, 859-523-1170: Chef-inspired take on the standard taco. Lunch daily.
Pies and Pints, 859-231-7437: Craft pizza, sandwiches, salads, and a wide selection of beers on tap. Lunch daily.
Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen, 859-569-4040: Fast, casual shop serving gourmet salads. Lunch daily.
Buddha Lounge, 859-523-4723: Asian-fusion cuisine, sushi & local spirits. Lunch Mon.- Fri.
Jimmy John’s Sandwiches, 859-469-9830: Fast, counter service, sandwiches. Lunch daily.
Goodfellas Pizzeria, 859-281-1101: Fast, counter service pizza. Lunch daily.
Sorella Gelateria, 859-797-0085: Small-batch gelato and sorbetto. Open afternoons, Wed. - Sunday.
RESTAURANTS- Slightly Further (1/2 to 1 Mile)
Zim’s, 859-785-3690: Cafe inspired by local farms located in the historic old courthouse. Lunch daily.
Nat’s, 859-433-0197: Traditional Thai dishes, soups, & small plates. Lunch Tuesday - Friday.
Sawyer’s Downtown Bar and Grill, 859-654-7471: Casual American classics, known for their burgers. Lunch Monday - Saturday.
Courtyard Deli, 859-252-3354: Counter service soups & sandwiches located in historic church. Lunch Monday- Friday.
Nic & Norman’s, 859-303-7600: Southern eatery with soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Lunch daily.
Carson’s Food & Drink, 859-309-3039: Full-service gourmet salads, sandwiches, entrees, and full bar. Lunch daily.
East End Tap and Table, 859-785-2511: Casual restaurant and tap house, serving classic American fare. Lunch Tuesday - Sunday.
Athenian Grill Park Plaza, 859-335-8640 : Casual authentic Greek cuisine. Monday - Friday.
Shopping
SHOPS IN THE SQUARE
Artists’ Attic combines studio and gallery spaces.
Main Cross Gallery features hand-made, one-of- a-kind original works created by local artists.
Urban Outfitters is a retail store with women’s clothing, men’s clothing, and accessories.
Other Shopping
Heritage Antiques sells fine antiques and furnishing from their unique location- a former downtown church. The space is also home to Courtyard Deli, which is open weekdays for lunch.
Creatures of Whim is a lovingly curated collection of handmade goods, magickal findings, and products that support holistic health & spiritual wellness.
L.V. Harkness & Co. offers couture gifts and tableware, including china, porcelain, silver, leather, and crystal.
Savane Silver is the gallery and studio of Rachel Savane, who creates signature contemporary jewelry designs using unusual semiprecious stones.
Free sightseeing
The historic Lexington Cemetery is less than one mile from the Mary Todd Lincoln House and is the final resting place of many of the community’s most well-known citizens, including the Todd family.
“LINCOLNS’ LEXINGTON” Downtown WALKING TOUR
A great addition to your visit, the one mile walking tour includes locations from Mary Todd Lincoln’s childhood and Abraham Lincoln’s visits to Lexington. This free, self-guided tour is available at our admissions area or as a printable PDF here.
“A House Divided” Cemetery WALKING TOUR
Explore Kentucky's role in the American Civil War through the graves and monuments of the historic Lexington Cemetery, including the family plot of Mary Todd Lincoln. This free, self-guided tour is available at our admissions area or as a printable PDF here.
FAMILY “Quest” WALKING TOUR
Is your family up for the challenge? Our “quest” uses clues to direct you from place to place in downtown that Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln would have known. Download the Family Quest and Answers here or pick up a free copy at our admissions area.
African American Heritage Interpretive Sign Program
Walk and discover the history of African Americans in Kentucky. Stories stretch from the antebellum period through the present. A great place to begin is at the Old Courthouse where you will find an orientation sign and a map of sign locations.
LEXINGTON CEMETERY
Less than one mile away, the cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Lexingtonians and known for its park-like setting. To find the Todd family plot, follow the yellow line half a mile and look for the sign on the left. The yellow line is the main road, so find and follow it if you lose your way!
LEXINGTON VISITORS CENTER
Located in the "Old Courthouse" on Main Street, the Lexington Visitors Center provides information about attractions, restaurants, and shopping throughout the region. They also carry printed downtown walking tours, including for the Gratz Park Historic District.
GRATZ PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT
About half a mile away, the tree-filled park is bordered by 19th-century homes, including Hopemont, the Hunt-Morgan House. A printed walking tour of the district is available at the Lexington Visitors Center.
More LOCAL TOURISm
The Lexington Visitors Center is located in the "Old Courthouse,” within walking distance from MTL House.
For great ideas of things to do in the broader Lexington community, check out VisitLEX, Lexington's Convention and Visitors Bureau, their Travel Guides, and their comprehensive list of Restaurants.
LEXINGTON VISITORS CENTER
Located in the "Old Courthouse" on Main Street, the Lexington Visitors Center provides information about attractions, restaurants, and shopping throughout the region. They also carry printed downtown walking tours, including for the Gratz Park Historic District.
we love history and highly recommend visiting our friends at:
Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate: The home of famous 19th-century statesman Henry Clay is at the edge downtown Lexington on a beautiful 17-acre wooded estate.
Lexington Cemetery: Less than one mile away, the cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Lexingtonians and known for its park-like setting.
LexHistory (Lexington History Museum): Dedicated to telling the stories Lexington’s rich heritage, the museum located downtown features exhibits pertaining to local history.
Waveland State Historic Site: Located in southern Lexington, Waveland includes the original 1848 Greek Revival mansion and three outbuildings - slave quarters, a smokehouse, and an ice house.