Things To Do in Lexington-Fayette

Despite the changing seasons, Lexington Ice Center holds strong as an unflappable polestar for family-friendly recreation. In the summer, each of three 18-hole mini-golf courses features a different Biblical theme, placing obstacles such as Noah's ark amid a landscape of streams and waterfalls. An indoor ice rink helps skaters escape the blizzards of candy canes and stinging tinsel that plague the winter months; coaches lead beginner lessons, and crowds hit the ice for public skating sessions. After detaching the skate blades from their tennis shoes, visitors can head to the center's three full indoor courts to practice basketball or soccer, or simply sit and ponder the flavors of Gatorade that have once graced their hallowed floors.

At Theatres of Georgetown, seven bright screens, booming speakers, and the thrum of cooking popcorn kindle guests' imaginations for nights of cinematic excitation. In preparation for celluloid adventures, moviegoers stroll past a concession stand bustling with staffers coaxing popped corn kernels into buckets and loading cups with sips of effervescing soda in preparation for coming film fiestas. Each theater’s stadium seating facilitates clear sightlines to enjoy current spectacles in wide release or the slideshow of the projectionist's trip to Pismo Beach. A friendly, outgoing staff mans the many stations of the theater and dons costumes of their favorite characters for big film releases, parading into the streets to generate a fervor for Theatres of Georgetown's next midnight showing or themed phantasmagoria.

Andover Golf and Country Club’s Clyde Johnston–designed bent-grass fairways and bluegrass roughs blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, swathing duffers in natural splendor as they swing. The 18-hole championship course caters to golfers of all skill levels with five sets of tees that range from 5,075 to 6,952 yards and several adjustable mini windmills, and water features threaten to engulf dimpled orbs on 11 holes. Additionally, a practice area whips players into shape with a putting green and a driving range. Though not included in this deal, Andover provides a full-service pro shop that purveys brand-name equipment and pairs of plaid-resistant sunglasses.

The family that owns ProMatx nurtures an atmosphere of community among gym members by hiring an encouraging staff that supports exercisers rather than intimidating them. A three-month membership to ProMatx unlocks access to the center’s group fitness classes, including the Latin dancercise craze, Zumba, as well as the Cybex fitness machinery that inhabits the gym floor. The three-month Body Transformation program takes place under the tutelage of a personal trainer or within a human-size cocoon. Before crafting a fitness regimen, trainers gather important data during a body assessment of each client, calculating body-fat percentage and taking other measurements to pinpoint the areas that workouts will target. Trainers then outline an individualized workout and cardiovascular routine that exercisers pursue between bright walls that are lime green, yellow, and orange, like the inks on a clown's mortgage. Over the course of three months at ProMatx, patrons can further their fitness prowess by partaking of a one-on-one training session, which adds more targeted moves to their exercise arsenal. A personal nutrition program rounds out the package, detailing healthy meal plans and which type of lettuce is best to eat while squat-pressing a bale of spinach.

At Bliss Body's open, airy studio, you'll find practitioners bending and stretching in a variety of yoga classes held throughout the week. During vigorous ashtanga sessions and gentler basic yoga—designed to supply beginners with a strong foundation—instructors teach the importance of wellness-prompting activities such as mindfulness, steady breathing, and not starting every morning with a warm cup of gravy. The studio also offers Pilates, a challenging, core-toning regimen that both strengthens and lengthens bodies, available in multiple levels.

When not playing with her three grandchildren, Angela Barnhill is a competitive bodybuilder and the owner of Personal Best. With more than 20 years of experience as an instructor and personal trainer, Angela channels her considerable fitness and nutrition knowledge into helping her clients achieve their goals and lead long, healthy lives. In addition to personal and paired training, she and her staff lead boot-camp and kettlebell classes—both high-intensity interval-training classes. They round out fitness regimens with yoga and Pilates to stretch physiques, strengthen cores, and help guests improve their Gumby impersonations. They can also supplement workouts by helping clients map out detailed meal plans and form nutritious eating habits.

Through informative lectures and thought-provoking exhibits, Lexington History Museum assists all age groups in interpreting and internalizing the city's storied past. A family membership grants you and your kin unlimited access to the exhibits, including Play Date With History, an interactive display inviting children and overanxious history majors to dally around with toys, such as tree branches and miniature tea sets, that Abraham Lincoln's children might have played with in the 1800s. Track the history of key plunking with the Antique Typewriters exhibit, which offers a glimpse into the word processor's lifespan, from its heyday in 1872 to the Great Typewriter Rebellion of 2002. Members also receive The Bluegrass History, a quarterly publication, unlimited free ketchup packets from the place down the street, The Vidette newsletter, and a 10% discount on any additional merchandise.