05 Oct Fall Guide to Horse Country
Fall is the perfect time to experience the best that the Bluegrass has to offer! Check out our Guide to Fall in Horse Country for suggestions on some of our must-see activities in Central Kentucky during the autumn months.
- Visit a horse farm
- Come enjoy the crisp fall air and brightly colored leaves on a tour of one of Kentucky’s famed horse farms! Our tour experiences are a great way for fans of all interest and experience levels to get a behind the scenes look at why Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World. Depending on your tour choice, you might pet and/or feed horses, learn about the training process, see Kentucky Derby winning stallions and more.
- A number of farms and facilities are offering tours during the fall, including stallion and nursery farms, aftercare facilities, training operations and other equine care facilities. For the most up-to-date availability, please click here and utilize the filters located in the left hand corner.
- Go racing at Keeneland
- Keeneland Racecourse is home to two of the most prestigious race meets in the world, along with a prominent Thoroughbred auction house. The Keeneland fall meet kicks off on Friday, October 7th and runs through October 29th. Races are hosted during the week from Wednesday – Sunday, gates open at 11 am and post time is 1:05 pm. Head out to the races to see elite Thoroughbreds, place a few win bets and be sure to try some Keeneland Bread Pudding! Tickets are required for race days, and can be purchased here. Looking for a unique raceday experience? Be sure to check out the Keeneland Owners Experience.
- Along with its fall meet, Keeneland is hosting the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on November 4th and 5th. The Breeders’ Cup brings together the best of the best Thoroughbred racehorses in 13 championship races. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
- Watch Thoroughbreds train at Keeneland
- Every day, horses take to the track at Keeneland to exercise. Visitors may see horses jogging, galloping or breezing on the main track as they work on their fitness prior to their next race. Keeneland morning workouts are open to the general public, but are made even more special with a tour! Get a behind the scenes look at Keeneland on one of their tours, including the Morning Works Tour, Backstretch Tour and Road to the Breeders’ Cup tour.
- We recommend stopping by the track kitchen after workouts for a hearty breakfast – you can’t go wrong with the baked apples!
- Enjoy the day at an orchard or pumpkin patch
- Central Kentucky is home to a number of agri-tourism locations that provide a great opportunity to pick your own apples, pumpkins and other fall favorites! Sip on some cider, enjoy a delicious baked good and pick the perfect jack-o-lantern at one of the many orchards in the area.
- Some of our local favorites include: Evans Orchard (Georgetown), Eckert’s Orchard (Versailles) and Stepping Stone Farm (Paris).
- Experience the fall scenery on a hike
- Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors here in the Bluegrass! Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Lexington is home to 700+ acres of natural scenery, not too far from downtown Lexington. There are ten miles of trails at the park, and it is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and see views of the Kentucky River Palisades area. Just an hour away in Slade sits the Red River Gorge, a world-renowned natural landscape with hiking trails and gorgeous scenery. The area has views of arches, rock shelters and more ancient Kentucky landscapes, and we recommend taking a hike and visiting Natural Bridge State Park!