Lexington Through a Local's Eye: "Kentucky Taste Buds"
Meet Tam & Leigh: two best-buds committed to “tasting” everything that’s beautiful in the Bluegrass.
These lifelong friends have an unbridled passion for all things Kentucky and they’re ready to dish out all their tasty advice. Tune into their morning show and you’ll feel like you’re sitting at your kitchen table with your two best buds!
Not only did these “buds” send us well-wishes on our launch of Lexington Living Magazine, they also invited us to be a guest on their podcast. Eek! (More about that soon!)
Check out their blog at www.kytastebuds.com, follow them on social media @kytastebuds, and listen to them Monday through Friday from 6-10a, and Saturdays from 7-10a on KISS96.9FM.
Here are some of Tam & Leigh’s favorite spots around town…
Keeneland
Walt Disney World might be the happiest place on earth for kids, but for grown-ups, nothing can beat the magic of Keeneland. Not only is it unique and exquisitely beautiful, this renowned racetrack has provided us with precious memories dating all the way back to our high school days when we used to skip school and head to the track, and continuing to present day. And we haven’t even talked about the bread pudding!
Kroger Field & Rupp Arena
Having both attended the University of Kentucky with its legendary sports teams (yes, we are now a football school, too), both Kroger Field and Rupp Arena are on our favorite places in Lexington list. Although, Kroger Field will forever be known to us as Commonwealth Stadium. Cheering on the Cats is a joy and a privilege as we take our sports very seriously around here. Of course, you can’t mention Rupp Arena without talking about the famous soft serve ice cream! It’s almost as famous as the jerseys that hang from the rafters.
Kentucky Theatre
Long before LexLive, Cinemark and Regal came to town, there was only one place we really loved going to the movies and that was the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street. The bright marquee would beckon us back in high school to come watch and participate in the antics that took place during the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Since then, we have been back for their Summer Classics and Holiday Classics series, and you can be sure we got the popcorn! It’s the best in Lexington! We can’t wait for its return later this year!
UK Arboretum
Located adjacent to Kroger Field is a beautiful oasis with a two-mile walking trail where we like to stroll and take in the varying vistas and gorgeous gardens. This state botanical garden has grown so much from when it first started in 1991. It’s a wonderful place to picnic, entertain kids, or walk your dog. Even in the winter, the Arboretum is teeming with life. It’s undoubtedly a Lexington treasure.
The Kentucky Castle
Driving along US 60, you can’t help but notice this interesting landmark. Growing up in Lexington, we would dream of walking inside the walls of the Kentucky Castle and living the life of a true princess; heck, every girl in central Kentucky thought the same thing! The Kentucky Castle was shrouded in mystery and tragedy and was the source of curiosity for us, so when they turned it into a boutique hotel and restaurant, we couldn’t wait to get inside. It did not disappoint and now is the site of fun events like murder mystery dinners and concerts. It also holds a special place in Leigh’s heart because in the summer of 2020, she and her husband were married on the rooftop in the rain. So romantic!
The Distillery District
What was once a rundown industrial wasteland situated on the edge of downtown, the Distillery District is now a hustling and vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, breweries and bars! We love this area and recommend it to all visitors to Lexington because it’s basically a one-stop-shop for fun and entertainment. Get ice cream at Crank and Boom, pizza at Goodfella’s, and throw some axes at Battle Axes. It’s a wonderful example of city revitalization.
The Henry Clay Estate
Henry Clay was an attorney and statesman who became known as the “Great Negotiator” for his ability to persuade both sides of the aisle to come together. Maybe it was the bourbon he poured for his fellow politicians or his amiable personality, but whatever it was he made his mark on American history and Lexington which was his home. He built his estate he called Ashland in 1804 and lived there until his death in 1852. We love it because it’s right in the middle of town and yet feels like a step back in time. They have an annual garden party and holiday open house that are not to be missed, as well as a café housed in the former carriage house. It’s also located just down the road from where we went to high school, Henry Clay High School. Go Devils!
