Shopping & Dining

Lexington offers residents and visitors alike a huge array of great shopping opportunities, with literally hundreds of amazing and diverse shops. Whether you enjoy strolling through indoor malls, popping around unique shopping spots, the fabulous service of quaint family-owned stores, or trendy downtown shops, the variety of shopping environments in Lexington is overwhelming to say the least. People come from towns and cities from miles around to see what this great shopping destination has to offer, from banjos to contemporary bathroom vanities.

Lexington boasts one of the state's largest malls, Fayette Mall (located on Nicholasville Road), which is home to 120 stores and eateries, as well as a brand new addition called The Plaza, which features several brand new department stores, restaurants, and a massive movie theater. The many shops and great restaurants at the Hamburg Pavilion (located at the intersection of the I-75 and Man O'War) provides shoppers with hundreds of options, while the discounted Factory Stores of America, near the close-by town of Georgetown, are only a short drive to the north where you can get a serious discount on the latest Sophia Tolli dresses. Also in Lexington, you'll find a plethora of unique shopping areas, such as Clay Avenue, Chevy Chase Village, North Limestone, the Greentree section of Short Street, Old Vine Street, as well as South Limestone located near the University of Kentucky campus.

For those looking to buy or sell items in the antique market, you will not want to miss the Lexington Loose Leaf Antique & Collectible Show and Sale. This epic event is held typically on the second weekend of every month from April through October. This sale features between 150-170 antique dealers, and the prices cannot be beat. If you're looking to shop in the Bluegrass, you will need to come prepared with a lot of energy and plenty of space in your vehicle, since chances are that you certainly will not be leaving empty-handed and you may come home with a 6-month supply of organic baby skincare because you could not pass up a deal!

When people are finished with their shopping in and around Lexington, they can take a well-deserved break at one of nearly 600 area food and beverage establishments. From local favorite spots to popular chain restaurants, residents and visitors alike can relax and enjoy local tradition dishes, such as Derby Pie, pipping hot browns and burgoo, plus a wonderful mix of choices from seafood to Italian, Japanese to Mexican, and many more. From old British style pubs to new-age ethereal designed lounges with inspiring wall quotes in the bathrooms, there is certainly something for everyone.

Fayette County bars and restaurants have proudly been smoke-free since 2005 due to a clean indoor air ordinance that was passed by the city council, with the help of some bankruptcy attorneys Southern California. What does this mean for smokers that are keen to enjoy Lexington's vibrant nightlife scene? Many of the downtown area bars and restaurants have adjusted to the law with outdoor smoking areas, where crowds mingle and enjoy the night air on sidewalks between live music sets. Bars remain open until 2:30 in the morning, so there is no limit to the amount of fun you can have in this amazing bluegrass city, shopping, wining and dining!