Scenic drive from Frankfort to Lexington ky

In May we are driving from Frankfort to Lexington to Knoxville, TN. Can you tell me which would be the most scenic route to go to Lexington from Frankfort?

Scenic drive from Frankfort to Lexington ky

Hmmmm. Well 60 is a nice size highway with four lane most of the way. Takes you through lots of rolling pastures, horsefarms and Keeneland race track. It%26#39;s a nice drive.

On the other hand, Midway is about as quaint %26amp; cute as a town can be. Cute little restaurants %26amp; shops all centered around the train tracks in the middle of the town. If that%26#39;s of interest, you%26#39;d have to detour from 60 to get to Midway.

I%26#39;m racking my brain, but I can%26#39;t recall anything specific about the other two routes (421 and 1681). I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;ve driven them, but it just been too long to remember much. Hopefully, some other folks on here have better recall.

Scenic drive from Frankfort to Lexington ky

Pick up 1681 aka Old Frankfort Pike on US60 just south of I-64 interchange. That is a great drive through the heart of the Kentucky horsefarms. Midway is just a couple miles of that road as well and worth a visit. I have to drive at least out to Midway on Old Frankfort Pike everytime I am back in Lexington just for the scenery. You will end up right in downtown Lexington.

You live in Frankfort or are just visiting? Just curious.

From my experience: Take US 60 (Depending on what part of Frankfort you start from it is either Louisville Road or Versailles Road.) This will take you through the major horse farms in the area.

There is a turn-off for Midway for Old Frankfort Pike. Take it and follow Old Frankfort Pike. You will run by 3 Chimney%26#39;s Farm. Dunno if you follow racing, but some very famous current and past thoroughbred stood stud there. Seattle Slew and Silver Charm were previous residents. Smarty Jones is currently standing stud there. If you have time you might go into Midway and check out the Depot area for some of the shops.

Old Frankfort Pike feeds into Versailles Road again (US 60). Take 60 into Lexington. Sights include Keenland. I%26#39;m not sure if you bypass the castle or not on Old Frankfort. Yes, there is a castle in Versailles. Very silly-looking it is. And huge.

You will drive past Bluegrass Airport and pass Man O War Blvd. Take New Circle Road South (the second exit) to Nicholasville Road. Take Nicholasville to I-64.

If you are visiting, there are a few places worth mentioning in Frankfort. Send me a PM for restaurant recommendations if you want.

Oh, downtown Lexington is nothing special, so please don%26#39;t drive downtown. Its fine if you have a specific destination in mind (a concert, a meeting, a restaurnt, etc.) but it gets crowded and confusing. Don%26#39;t waste your time, because the scenery ends at New Circle Road.

Old Frankfort Pike does not feed back into US60, it goes straight downtown and eventually turns into Manchester St I believe.

I personally like downtown Lexington, but anyway... If you are on a time constraint and are trying to get to the interstate, get on New Circle Rd and hop over to I-64/75.

To drive past Keenland, you will have to get off of Old Frankfort Pike and follow some back roads. You%26#39;ll have to look at a map because I can%26#39;t tell you from memory, but all those little roads around Keeneland like Rice and Van Meter are beautiful. You can then check out Keeneland and take US60 East to either New Circle Road or continue straight to go downtown.

Actually, most people find downtown Lexington very nice and quaint. I discovered how wonderfut it is, and I don%26#39;t think I will ever leave! I wouldn%26#39;t dream of living anywhere outside of New Circle now. The evidence is the fact that so many restaurants, bars, condos, and shops have opened up downtown in the past few years. If you are here on a Saturday, the Farmers Market on Vine Street is worth your time.

I%26#39;m not intended to bash Lexington, simply to asnswer the OP%26#39;s question. From my reading, he/she has little time and wants some views of the horse farms rather than exploring downtown. From that perspective, downtown is not on his way and would be more hassle to get through. Hence, see the horses ogle the barns, and get back on the road.

OP I was in the area and actually drove the route out of curiousity, plus it was a pretty day. Here%26#39;s a few options:

On US 60 after the first light after the 64 underpass, there is a Fed Ex plant on the right. You can make a left turn onto Shady Lane and take Shady Lane to Old Frankfort Pike. Its not well marked though. That will take you through Old Frankfort Pike%26#39;s miles of stone fencing. I was impressed with the preservation of the fences. The Scenic Byway begins at the intersection of Old Frankfort Pike and Shady Lane. Shady Lane is nothing special by the way.

Take Old Frankfort Pike to Pigsah Road (KY 1933, I believe.) You will come up to a red brick church on your left and Pigsah dead ends on Old Frankfort. Down this road is WindStar Farms which is huge and the barns are amazing. There was one that was so fancy I%26#39;m not sure if it was a barn or a house. Pigsah Road ends at Versailles Road (US 60) and goes right by the Castle.

Take Versailles Road to New Circle, New Circle to Newtown Pike, and Newtown Pike to the interstate.

Alternately you can take Old Frankfort Pike all the way to New Circle.

Finally if you don%26#39;t mind missing the stone fencing, I suggest taking US 60 to US 62 (Midway Road). Its easier to access and clearly marked. Its the main route to Midway, from US 60. At the blinking traffic light, make a right onto Old Frankfort Road.

Best of luck.