A date night in Lexington: a walk, dinner and a film

Before dark: a walk at The Arboretum

The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, is a 100-acre public garden on the University of Kentucky campus at 500 Alumni Drive. Its visit page lists the grounds open daily from dawn to dusk and admission to The Arboretum free, so plan the walk before sunset. The Walk Across Kentucky is its collection of native plants.

Dinner: Le Deauville on North Limestone

Le Deauville calls itself an elegant French restaurant. Its food menu lists steamed mussels with white wine and dijon mustard, oysters and the Le Deauville Burger. Its site posts 5:00 to 9:00 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 5:00 to 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and posts it closed on Sunday and Monday.

Or dinner at Dudley's on Short

Dudley's on Short has been downtown since 1981 and says it prioritizes local foods. Its site posts dinner Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 to 10:00 and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 11:00, with valet every evening from 5 pm. Its home page also says it is taking a short break from Sunday supper during the Keeneland meet, so check before a Sunday.

A film at the Kentucky Theatre

The historic Kentucky Theatre on East Main Street shows independent film and its Summer Classics series, and lists showtimes on its own site. Its parking page says street parking is free after 7 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends, and the Phoenix Garage surface lot behind the government building on Water Street is free after 5 pm on weekdays and all weekend.

Ice cream on the way home

Crank & Boom's Distillery District shop at 1210 Manchester Street posts 12 pm to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and 12 pm to 11 pm on Friday and Saturday, so it can follow a late show at the end of the week.

Official sources for this guide

• The Arboretum: visitor information

  Last checked October 15, 2026.

• Le Deauville: visitor information

  Last checked October 21, 2026.

• Dudley's on Short: visitor information

  Last checked October 21, 2026.

• The Kentucky Theatre: visitor information

  Last checked October 14, 2026.

• Crank & Boom · Distillery District: visitor information

  Last checked October 14, 2026.

Conditions can change after a recorded check. Recheck visitor information before leaving.