Top Things to Do This Spring

in Lexington, KY

If you’re anything like me, the first signs of Spring are welcomed with open arms after a long, cold, dark winter. In Kentucky, we experience a lovely phenomenon colloquially known as “Second Winter” where the 60-degree days swiftly turn back to highs in the low 30s with flurries of MORE snow. No thank you.

Nonetheless, once the Real Spring actually sets in, the birds begin chirping, the tulips are in full bloom, and all of the people of Lexington begin to emerge from their winter hibernation. We’re back, baby!

I have no scientific evidence to back up this claim, but I think if Lexington was a season, it would be Spring. No, I will not be taking questions about this. But, I will be taking questions about what there is to do in the heart of the Bluegrass state because there are plenty of options to go around!

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Visit the Cherry Blossoms at Lexington Cemetery

Move over Washington DC, the Lexington Cemetery cherry blossoms are almost here! Every year, sometime between mid-to-late March, Lexington’s historic cemtery comes to life (lol) with thousands of pastel pink blooms lining its winding paths. One particular tunnel of trees has been a popular spot for photography sessions, though professional photo shoots are off-limits in 2025 in an attempt to protect the tranquility of the space and honor the souls at rest in cemetery.

I have found that a lovely morning stroll in the cemetery during the blooming season is a perfect way to witness the beauty of these delicate trees. Please be respectful during your visit, monitoring noise level, and visiting at off-peak times (it is a cemetery after all!).

Grab a coffee from neighboring Leestown Coffee House (they have a drive-thru!) and take a meditative stroll through the blooms during the early Spring season. Sit for a spell, enjoy the geese diving into the pond, & soak up pastel hues.

Pick Tulips at Lavender in Bloom

Okay, this is just outside of Lexington in Georgetown, KY, but the 20-minute drive through sprawling horse farms dotted with newly-born foals will inevitably help you usher in the Spring season! This gorgeous farm is known primarily for their lavender available for picking in June, but their colorful tulip fields that bloom in April are one of central Kentucky’s best springtime traditions.

With over 150,000 tulip stems in over 30 varieties, the farm is bursting with a rainbow of color for a few short weeks. For $20/person, you can visit the fields, take photos of your experience, and clip 10 stems to take home your own tulip bouquet.

Check Lavender in Bloom’s website for bloom updates and tickets.

Visit Keeneland for Spring Meet

If horses are your thing, then you are in the right state! We are not exactly horse people (despite being nearly life-long Kentuckians…it’s weird, I know), but there are plenty of equine festivities all throughout central Kentucky and the new springtime blooms make the season the perfect time to scope out the rolling hills of horse country. Keeneland season returns during the month of April for Spring Meet races, taking place April 4-25, 2025.

Tickets are available on Keeneland’s website.

Grab Lunch in the Greenhouse at Kentucky Native Cafe

Once the weather is finally nice enough to enjoy patio weather again (aka April 1st…when Kentucky Native reopens!), all of Lexington heads straight toward our beloved oasis nestled right in the midst of the downtown area. As soon as you walk through the doors of Michler’s greenhouse and into their backyard patio, you’re instantly transported from the hustle and bustle of the business district and straight into a lush garden, filled with native plants and delicious tonics.

Kentucky Native Cafe offers a small menu of lunch options, including salads, charcuterie options, breads, and other dishes. Not in the mood for lunch? There are plenty of beverage options (& even gelato!), making it a perfect spot to meet-up with a friend.

Need other lunch options in Lexington? Check out our guide to lunch like a local in the heart of the Bluegrass state!

Hang a Hammock at Jacobson Park

At 216 acres, Jacobson Park is one of Lexington’s most sprawling public parks, offering plenty of options for recreation that are perfect for a good weather day. With an 18-hole disc golf course, a reservoir perfect for paddle boats & fishing, a dog park, and several playgrounds and shelters, Jacobson Park offers something for everyone. It also happens to be one of the best spots in town for hammocking.

Pack your book, grab a coffee at one of Lexington’s best coffee shops, and hang a hammock between the towering trees of Jacobson Park. Just watch out for the disc golf course!

Spend an Evening at Thursday Night Live

If the weather is nice on a Thursday night, you can nearly guarantee that downtown Lexington is coming to life at Thursday Night Live (okay, this is Kentucky and it is also just as likely that we will have a random 65-degree day in February, but that’s besides the point). The Thursday Night Live season kicks off on April 3rd from 5-8pm with live music, food, and art in the heart of the downtown area under the Fifth Third Bank pavillion.

The event is FREE, so grab dinner downtown and head over to TNL afterward for music and community with fellow Lexingtonians.

Visit the Blue Hole at McConnell Springs

Lexington’s most hidden park is just outside of the heart of downtown in the industrial district. McConnell Springs’ wooded 0.6 mile walking path winds you through various sites including the prismatic Blue Hole, where the water bubbling up from the spring creates a deep teal color. Other springs and a mighty 250+ year Bur Oak make you feel ss though you have been instantly transported into a hidden oasis.

After you walk the loop, head to the boardwalk that wraps around the park’s pond and count the number of turtles, groundhogs, and ducks you can spot. First one to 10 obviously has to buy the other an ice cream at nearby (& delicious!) Crank & Boom.

Enjoy the Patio Weather

Is there anything better than enjoying a delicious meal on a shaded patio while the sun is shining? Lexington has plenty of incredible options when it comes to patio dining.

Here’s a short list of our favorite patio-weather spots:

  • West Sixth/Smithtown Seafood

  • Boonedogs

  • County Club

  • Distillery District: Goodfellas & Desperados Cantina

  • Lost Palm (Rooftop)

  • Windy Corner Market

  • Local Feed (located in Georgetown, but worth the drive!)

Need more recommendations for your time in Lexington? Check out our Ultimate Lexington Weekend Trip & Foodie guide for ALL of the details on the best eats, drinks, & activities in central Kentucky!