Visiting Lexington with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

#2Downtown, 440 W. Short St.

Lexington Children’s Museum

An easy after-nap stop downtown, and one flat price for kids and adults.

$10 eachIndoor

Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum

#3Alumni Drive, by UK

Bring a change of clothes for the water play. It closes on UK home-game Saturdays, so check before you go.

Kids $4Under 2 free

#4East Lexington, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd.

Jacobson Park

Splash in the sprayground in warm weather, or watch the boats on the lake.

#5South of town, along the Kentucky River

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Go early on weekends. The park closes the gate when the lot fills. The short paved Freedom Trail starts right at the parking lot.

MORNINGKentucky Horse ParkGo at opening · North of town, off I-75 · $14 kids, $28 adults

Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Lexington

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day

LUNCHJoe Bologna’sBack in town · Downtown, near UK · Kids’ meal $8–$9

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPLexington Children’s MuseumDowntown play · Downtown, 440 W. Short St. · $10 per person

If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGKentucky Children’s Garden at The ArboretumNot on game days · Alumni Drive, by UK · $4 kids

LUNCHRamsey’s DinerBreakfast all day · Masterson Station and Zandale

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPJacobson ParkSprayground or boats · East Lexington, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd. · Free

Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERSDowntownClose to the Children’s Museum, Central Library and Joe Bologna’s.Near Lexington Children’s Museum, Central Library and Joe Bologna’s

FOR THE HORSE PARKNorth LexingtonClosest to the Kentucky Horse Park, just off I-75.Near Kentucky Horse Park

FOR PARKSNear UK and the ArboretumNext to the Children’s Garden, with Raven Run and Jacobson Park a short drive away.Near Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum

Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Pizza and pasta · Downtown, near UKJoe Bologna’sNear Lexington Children’s MuseumKids’ meal $8–$9Entrée: $14–$20

Diner · Masterson Station and ZandaleRamsey’s DinerEntrée: $18.95–$21.95

Ice cream · Distillery District and Clays MillCrank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

Plan B

Rainy-day backup plan

If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Lexington.

Downtown, 440 W. Short St.Lexington Children’s MuseumHands-on play downtown.$10 eachIndoor

Downtown, 140 E. Main St.Central LibraryA warm, free stop downtown.FreeIndoor

Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Watch the football schedule

The Children’s Garden closes on UK home-game Saturdays, and traffic near campus gets heavy.

Use the second day

Horse Park admission includes the next day, so split it across two mornings if you like.

Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Lexington

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in LexingtonBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 prices

Christmas lights in LexingtonDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices

On a budget

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Spend less without skipping the good stuff.

East Lexington, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd.Jacobson ParkA free park with a sprayground.Free

South of town, along the Kentucky RiverRaven Run Nature SanctuaryFree trails.Free

Northwest LexingtonMcConnell Springs ParkA free natural area.Free

Downtown, 140 E. Main St.Central LibraryFree.FreeIndoor

All free things to do in Lexington →

This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Lexington. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Fri & Sat 4:30–7pm

Trick or Treat at Shaker Village

Candy stops along the village road, hayrides, bonfires, live music, pony rides and slime making, with a food truck court. About 40 minutes from downtown.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill · Harrodsburg

$12 ages 3+ at the gate

PumpkinMania at Transylvania University

#2Sun 11am–3pm

Hundreds of carved jack-o’-lanterns fill the steps of Old Morrison, with pumpkin carving, games and food trucks for all ages. Free.

Transylvania University (Old Morrison) · Lexington

Halloween Variety Show & Festival

#3Sun 4:30pm

A free downtown stage show with a DJ spinning spooky tunes and Halloween performances by local dance and marching groups, before the parade.

Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza · Lexington

Halloween songs, games and crafts for ages 5 and younger with a grown-up. Costumes encouraged, no registration.

#4Thu 11am–12pm

Boo Bash (Marksbury)

Marksbury Family Branch · Lexington

FreeIndoor

Halloween & Thriller Parade

#5Sun 6:30pm

The city’s Halloween parade down Main Street, then several hundred zombies dance the Thriller. Watch from anywhere along the route; the zombies may spook the littlest ones.

Downtown Lexington (Main St.) · Lexington