Week one: get a free library card
Lexington Public Library cards are free for people who live, work, own property or go to school in Fayette County, and for residents of 16 other counties the library lists, including Scott, Jessamine, Woodford, Clark, Madison and Bourbon, who also bring a library card from their home county. Other Kentucky residents pay a $10 fee. To apply in person at any branch, bring a valid picture ID with your current address, or a picture ID and proof of current address such as a pre-printed check, a recent bill or a piece of mail. If you are signing up through work, also bring proof of local employment, such as a company badge, a pay stub or a letter from your employer. Fayette County residents can also apply online for a digital card that goes to your phone's wallet. The library says that if the online check cannot verify you, apply in person instead.
Explore Central LibraryWeek one: learn the Lextran bus fares
A single Lextran ride is $1.00 for an adult, a day pass is $3.00 and a 30-day pass is $30.00. Children 6 and under ride free, and transfers are free for 90 minutes. On the bus you can pay with coins, $1 and $5 bills or a pass; change comes back on a change card for your next ride. Cards are not taken on the bus, but you can use one to buy a pass at the Downtown Transit Center at 150 East Vine Street, at Lextran's Loudon Avenue office or online. Youth 7 to 18, seniors 62 and over, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders and veterans pay reduced fares with ID. Students can buy a Semester Pass for $50.00 or a School Year Pass for $75.00 with ID.
Week one: walk a park or the Legacy Trail
The city lists the Legacy Trail as an 8.0-mile shared-use trail from Iron Works Pike to the YMCA on West Loudon Avenue, with access and parking at the trailhead across from the Horse Park Campground, at Coldstream Park and at the YMCA. The same city page lists a 2.5-mile shared-use loop and trail at Shillito Park and the Lafayette Trail, and more than 10 miles of hiking trails at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, where the city says no bikes or pets. Our place pages below have each park's own details.
- City of Lexington: trails and shared-use paths (leaves Around Lex)
- Shillito Park
- Jacobson Park
- Free things to do in Lexington
Week one: the farmers market, and where it goes in winter
The Lexington Farmers Market's home page says its Saturday market moves to the winter market at Greyline Station, 101 West Loudon Avenue, on Saturday, November 7, from 9 am to 1 pm. The same page lists a Wednesday market at Greyline Station from 4 to 7 pm, open year-round. Our winter markets guide has the rest of the season and the markets that close.
- Lexington Farmers Market locations and hours (leaves Around Lex)
- Lexington farmers markets this winter
Week one: find this week's events
Start with what is on today and this weekend, then add a calendar for what you like to your phone so new listings come to you. Each listing links the organizer's own page.
See this weekend’s eventsFirst month: pick a weekly night or a run club
Our every-week grid lists trivia, karaoke and open mic nights still posted on the host's site, and the group pages below list run clubs and library storytimes with their own schedules.
- Every week in Lexington: trivia, karaoke and open mic nights
- Fleet Feet Lexington Wednesday Night Fun Run
- John's Run/Walk Shop Chevy Chase group runs
- Trivia at Ethereal Brewing Public House
- Storytimes at Central Library
- Use the Lexington library: free rooms, podcast studio and makerspaces
- Lexington Public Library hours by branch
First month: learn your part of town
Our neighborhood pages group events, places and regular groups by part of town, so you can see what is close to where you live.
First month: a race day at Keeneland or a UK game
For a first race day at Keeneland or a UK football or basketball game, our guides cover parking, bag rules and dates from the venues' own pages.
- Keeneland bag policy, parking and dress code
- UK game days: home dates, parking and the shuttle
- Kroger Field parking, shuttles and clear-bag rule
- Rupp Arena parking and bag policy
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Send this guide to someone you’re making plans with. Check each idea’s date and official details before going.
Email this guideGuide link: https://aroundlex.com/guides/new-to-lexington-first-week
Official sources for this guide
- Central Library: visitor information (leaves Around Lex)
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- Legacy Trail: visitor information (leaves Around Lex)
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- Lexington Farmers Market · Downtown: visitor information (leaves Around Lex)
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- Keeneland: visitor information (leaves Around Lex)
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Conditions can change after a recorded check. Recheck visitor information before leaving.
Check the linked official sources for opening hours, admission, restrictions, and changes. These suggestions do not imply affiliation or a measured walking route.
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