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Explore Kentucky: Some of the Bluegrass State’s best cities, schools, food and travel

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories highlights top Kentucky destinations, schools, dining, travel and businesses recognized for excellence in 2025.

One story features Lexington's Blue Grass Airport making Newsweek’s list of top 10 small airports, while another explores how local restaurants such as Midway’s Holly Hill Inn are earning awards from the James Beard Foundation. The Kentucky Horse Park stands out as a leading equestrian center, and Syers Browning in Lexington earns praise as one of the best home decor stores in the South.

Southern Living names Lexington its favorite place to travel in the South, and reviews from Niche rank the University of Kentucky and two Fayette County high schools among the state's best. Nord’s Bakery in Louisville appears on Yelp’s list of top doughnut shops, and real estate sites consistently rank Lexington as one of the best cities to buy a home.

Read the stories below.

Horses stand in a field at Mill Ridge Farm in Fayette County, Ky., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

NO. 1: SOUTHERN LIVING EDITORS SELECTED A KENTUCKY SPOT AS THE BEST PLACE THEY TRAVELED IN 2024

Another locale in the Bluegrass State also made the top 10 list. | Published December 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Inventory at Syers Browning includes vibrant dinnerware.

NO. 2: A LEXINGTON HOME DECOR STORE IS ONE OF THE ‘BEST IN THE SOUTH,’ SOUTHERN LIVING SAYS

The publication highlighted two stores in Kentucky in a recent article. | Published June 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ali Costellow

Allegiant will fly twice weekly from RDU to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport starting June 8.

NO. 3: NEED A SUMMER GETAWAY? NEWSWEEK SAYS THIS SMALL KY AIRPORT IS AMONG THE BEST IN U.S.

The airport expects up to 20% more travelers than last summer in what’s shaping up to be a busy travel season. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

In this stock image, a “for sale” sign stands outside a home on the market. By fstop123

NO. 4: POPULAR REVIEW WEBSITE CALLS LEXINGTON ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO BUY A HOME. IS IT?

How much house you can get in Fayette County for the median home price? Look at three on the market. | Published July 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Cinnamon and Sugar Mini Donuts-Photographed on Hasselblad H3D2-39mb Camera By LauriPatterson

NO. 5: LOOKING FOR THE BEST DOUGHNUT IN KY? THIS SPOT HAS ‘EM, ACCORDING TO YELP REVIEWERS

The shop also offers cakes and cookies. | Published July 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Kroger Field, on the University of Kentucky campus and home of the Kentucky Wildcats, is photographed Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 6: THESE ARE THE TOP COLLEGES IN KENTUCKY, REPORT SAYS. SEE WHICH UNIVERSITIES MADE TOP 10

The University of Kentucky ranked high, but one small private college has it beat for value. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by amudd@herald-leader.comAaron Mudd

Downtown Lexington, Ky., is photographed on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 7: SEARCHING FOR AN AFFORDABLE PLACE FOR YOUR BUSINESS? EXPERTS POINT TO LEXINGTON

The Herald-Leader’s review of great moments in Lexington’s 250-year history spotlights a national business breakthrough, compliments of a prominent business group. | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Squash casserole for Holly Hill Inn’s first Poetry Dinner based on George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From.” By Kevin Nance

NO. 8: CENTRAL KENTUCKY RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR SOUTHERN CHARM IS UP FOR A PRESTIGIOUS DINING AWARD

It’s not the first time the popular chef has received this honor. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

250 Lex logo

NO. 9: WHY IS LEXINGTON’S KENTUCKY HORSE PARK CONSIDERED THE BEST OF ITS KIND IN AMERICA?

For more than 45 years, the Kentucky Horse Park has captured the beauty, history and stories of Kentucky’s finest thoroughbreds. Its exhibits and respect for the horse has garnered international attention. | Published January 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Rows of individual desks in a school classroom. By kali9

NO. 10: WHERE ARE THE BEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN KY? RANKING SAYS 2 IN FAYETTE COUNTY ARE AMONG TOP

Schools were scored based on education data and feedback from parents and students. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.