LEX Horse & Bourbon DO XXIII, April 19-21, 2024
Nov 1, 2023, 7:14 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
LEX Horse & Bourbon DO XXIII, April 19-21, 2024
Dates are set, April 19-21, 2024, for our 23rd gathering, to visit Keeneland, horse farms, and bourbon distilleries and enjoy some southern food and hospitality. We also visit brewpubs and have the best ice cream in KY (bourbon honey is my favorite). Sometimes there are even MS opportunities at a convenient Officemax and/or good fuel reward opportunities at Kroger. And of course we share lots of miles/travel/points talk.
The schedule given below is likely to be altered as time goes on. Different people want different things, or have already been on specific tours, so we do not run around as a group the whole weekend.
EVOLVING TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Nothing is mandatory during the whole weekend of course. Do what you like. I would appreciate a general heads-up on things you are doing in case reservations or food procurement is involved. Restaurants get testy if there are no-shows on Keeneland weekends.
https://www.keeneland.com
Keeneland is a gorgeous racetrack, one of the best in the world. Owned by a charitable foundation, it is maintained beautifully. You can get very close to the horses, attend morning workouts with breakfast available, and see KY derby contenders. There is a track kitchen with classic southern breakfast available to the public. You may even meet a famous jockey or trainer.
Admission for the races is $5 as I recall. Someone will organize a group purchase of premium seats for more (under cover). Tailgating in the free parking lot before entering the grounds is a classic event.
https://www.keeneland.com/
Bourbon is a US-only product, and about 95% is made in KY, mostly because the limestone-filtered water is perfect for it and the variable seasons/barometric pressure cause the aging product to expand into and be forced back out of the wood, where most of the flavor originates.
"Smithsonian" magazine has listed the KY Bourbon trail as a Top Ten tourist activity in the US.
.
THURSDAY
1. Some folks arrive, including me.
2. Probably beers back at the hotel or maybe Beer Trappe or Country Boy or Ethereal (see below).
FRIDAY
1. Most people arrive.
2. Keeneland at 1 pm?
3. Bourbon tours (see above, or on your own)
4. Lunch undefined
5. Stop at West Sixth Brewing? They have picnic-style tables and there is a seafood takeout counter next door. A little distillery next door has tours.
6. Drinks/pub? The Chevy Chase Inn, the oldest bar in LEX, is co-owned by a friend and for Happy Hour W/F/Sun at 5:30, you get a free one of whatever you have ordered, except for super-top-level bourbon, which is 50% off for a second shot. These can be shots you'd almost never find elsewhere.
7. Afterparty at some hotel, maybe the Hyatt Regency downtown?
SATURDAY
1. POSSIBLE:
1. Morning visit to an Icelandic horse farm, run by a high school friend of mine and her daughter. Between LEX and Louisville. See training, babies, etc. Lettleiki Icelandics ? Icelandic Horses, Boarding, Shows and More It is about 25 miles past Four Roses, so the trip could be combined somehow.
2. Keeneland. 1:05 pm. Many people go for 2-3 hours, but there are about 9 races, 30 minutes apart.
3. May then go out to dinner/dessert place. Various possibilities.
4. Drinks?
5. Afterparty at some hotel?
SUNDAY
1. Brunch at Stella's (see below). ~9:00 am.
2. Usually go to Barrel House Distilling at 11 am (5 minutes from Stella's). Pizza, ice cream (http://www.crankandboom.com), brewpub, cidery in the same complex.
3. Keeneland 1 pm?. LEX is across the street. Depart directly.
4. And/or another bourbon tour?
MONDAY
Usually people depart Sunday, but some stay longer. Activities to be determined on the fly.
TUESDAY
Likely my departure day.
OVERVIEW
For those not familiar, what we have done in the past is:
1. Go to Keeneland (one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world) (Home Keeneland) including breakfast on the backstretch
2. Hit a couple nice restaurants during the weekend
3. Consume some adult beverages, perhaps at Country Boy (Country Boy Brewing) or the Beer Trappe, a Top 100 US beer bar (The Beer Trappe ? LEXINGTON?S FIRST CRAFT BEER STORE!) or Ethereal Brewing (Ethereal Brewing Co. Craft Brewing out of Lexington, KY).
4. Visit a horse farm or two
5. Tour one or more bourbon distilleries on the KY Bourbon Trail (http://kybourbontrail.com), including the newer Craft Bourbon Trail.
6. Dinner somewhere like City Barbecue (http://www.citybbq.com), Columbia's Steakhouse, Village Idiot, or other fine establishment.
Or maybe somewhere else for a KY specialty like a Hot Brown. Top 10 Hot Brown competition 2016:
http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/...n-in-kentucky/
A plate with toast, sliced turkey, sometimes sliced country ham, Mornay sauce, sometimes cheddar cheese sauce, a couple strips of bacon, some sliced tomato, a bit of Parmesan/Romano cheese, baked in the oven. A "heart-attack-on-a-plate." Fantastic, one of the world's best comfort foods.
https://www.brownhotel.com/dining/hot-brown
(There is not as much cheese on there as it appears!)
8. Try other KY specialties, such as beer cheese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_cheese_(spread). Others are discussed here: (Cuisine of Kentucky - Wikipedia)
9. We always have Sunday brunch at Stella's (www.stellaskentuckydeli.com), for real southern fare including Bourbon Ball Coffee, genuine southern biscuits and gravy, locally fresh-ground grits with cheese, unparalleled tomato bisque, etc. They made the "Top 10 KY Hot Brown" list linked above.
This will be reserved for 8:45-9:00 am.
10. Some folks go to Keeneland again, with LEX conveniently across the street for a last-second departure.
Other things to visit in the area:
1. Shakertown, the restored Shaker community outside LEX: http://shakervillageky.org/
2. Mary Todd Lincoln's girlhood home. Future president courted her there: http://www.mtlhouse.org/
3. Ashland, grand home of Henry Clay, the "Great Compromiser": Henry Clay - Henry Clay
4. Hiking, perhaps at Red River Gorge: Red River Gorge Online
5. KY has one of the best state parks systems in the country: Best Kentucky State Parks - State Parks - KY State Parks
6. Berea College, where there is no tuition and the students work for their education; great restaurant: https://www.berea.edu/
7. Kentucky Donut Trail; here is one such listing, but there are tons of other fantastic donut shops all over: http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/explore/places/cycling-the-doughnut-trail/
8. See "Cocaine Bear" (https://kyforky.com/blogs/journal/cocaine-bear) about which there is a new feature movie (which looks utterly horrible judging from the trailer).
AIRLINES SERVING LEX: http://www.bluegrassairport.com/airlines.html
WN NOW FLIES TO CVG, which as result has gone from one of the most expensive in the US to well down the list.
There is an tiny airline club at LEX, with access for the following:
AA Admirals Club
DL Sky Club
UA Red Carpet Club
"Day Passes," presumably Priority Pass (?) and maybe for anyone. Perhaps also free for military.
If you are flying in, check LEX, SDF, and CVG particularly, the latter two since you very well may want to rent a car anyway. Interstate all the way from those airports. Avios can work very well from PHL, ORD, CLT, and DFW to LEX. AA often offers reduced AAwards to/from LEX.
Other airports to consider (all easy access via interstate, ~3 hours max): CMH, DAY, CRW, IND.
Lexington is very easy to get around, but you'll need to have a car or share with someone. Public transportation is hopeless. Please post if you are driving in and can bring someone, or if you are looking for a ride.
Taxis are available, but expensive and time-consuming to wait for. They have good Uber service in LEX. Recent quote per driver for normal charges: approx 80 cents a mile plus 16 cents a minute. The airport tends to be a bit expensive to fly into/out of.
bk3day scored a nice UA bump out of LEX a few years ago, as did iris30 on AA. Those planes can get quite crowded during Keeneland.
On the northeast part of town there is a Costco with a ton of bourbon at good prices. You never know what they will have.
The Liquor Barn chain is good and gives military discounts.
Many of us have stayed at the Hyatt Regency downtown, a cat 2 property. Centrally located. Free parking for all Hyatt guests (and likely anybody if there are no events at the Convention Center), as they use the giant lot across the street.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ke...exington/lexrl
HYATT REGENCY LEXINGTON
401 West High Street
Lexington, Kentucky, USA, 40507
Tel: +1 859 253 1234
Very nice buffet in non-COVID times, including custom egg station and best gravy to pour over biscuits I ever had at a standard hotel. Full-service Hilton is across the street. New Marriott and Residence Inn likewise a few blocks east. Walking distance to plenty of restaurants/bars.
Any spot in LEX to any other is only about 20-25 minutes driving max, so where you stay is not 100% important.
Youtube channel for Lexington, with some nice material:
Bourbon news from the Lexington "Herald-Leader": Search Lexington Herald Leader
Please post if you are definite, maybe, or can't but want to consider another time.
ATTENDING/LIKELY
toomanybooks+2
cocobird+1
dhammer53
Governator
Grjapp
Herb687
HPN-HRL
jackal
Kiyaj
Miesque
rxgeek+1
Santander
MAYBE/INTERESTED
ElmhurstNick
CANNOT MAKE IT/UNLIKELY
bk3day
FlyerBeek
jrl767
KathyWdrf
sexykitten
jrl767
Zorak
The schedule given below is likely to be altered as time goes on. Different people want different things, or have already been on specific tours, so we do not run around as a group the whole weekend.
EVOLVING TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Nothing is mandatory during the whole weekend of course. Do what you like. I would appreciate a general heads-up on things you are doing in case reservations or food procurement is involved. Restaurants get testy if there are no-shows on Keeneland weekends.
https://www.keeneland.com
Keeneland is a gorgeous racetrack, one of the best in the world. Owned by a charitable foundation, it is maintained beautifully. You can get very close to the horses, attend morning workouts with breakfast available, and see KY derby contenders. There is a track kitchen with classic southern breakfast available to the public. You may even meet a famous jockey or trainer.
Admission for the races is $5 as I recall. Someone will organize a group purchase of premium seats for more (under cover). Tailgating in the free parking lot before entering the grounds is a classic event.
https://www.keeneland.com/
Bourbon is a US-only product, and about 95% is made in KY, mostly because the limestone-filtered water is perfect for it and the variable seasons/barometric pressure cause the aging product to expand into and be forced back out of the wood, where most of the flavor originates.
"Smithsonian" magazine has listed the KY Bourbon trail as a Top Ten tourist activity in the US.
.
THURSDAY
1. Some folks arrive, including me.
2. Probably beers back at the hotel or maybe Beer Trappe or Country Boy or Ethereal (see below).
FRIDAY
1. Most people arrive.
2. Keeneland at 1 pm?
3. Bourbon tours (see above, or on your own)
4. Lunch undefined
5. Stop at West Sixth Brewing? They have picnic-style tables and there is a seafood takeout counter next door. A little distillery next door has tours.
6. Drinks/pub? The Chevy Chase Inn, the oldest bar in LEX, is co-owned by a friend and for Happy Hour W/F/Sun at 5:30, you get a free one of whatever you have ordered, except for super-top-level bourbon, which is 50% off for a second shot. These can be shots you'd almost never find elsewhere.
7. Afterparty at some hotel, maybe the Hyatt Regency downtown?
SATURDAY
1. POSSIBLE:
1. Morning visit to an Icelandic horse farm, run by a high school friend of mine and her daughter. Between LEX and Louisville. See training, babies, etc. Lettleiki Icelandics ? Icelandic Horses, Boarding, Shows and More It is about 25 miles past Four Roses, so the trip could be combined somehow.
2. Keeneland. 1:05 pm. Many people go for 2-3 hours, but there are about 9 races, 30 minutes apart.
3. May then go out to dinner/dessert place. Various possibilities.
4. Drinks?
5. Afterparty at some hotel?
SUNDAY
1. Brunch at Stella's (see below). ~9:00 am.
2. Usually go to Barrel House Distilling at 11 am (5 minutes from Stella's). Pizza, ice cream (http://www.crankandboom.com), brewpub, cidery in the same complex.
3. Keeneland 1 pm?. LEX is across the street. Depart directly.
4. And/or another bourbon tour?
MONDAY
Usually people depart Sunday, but some stay longer. Activities to be determined on the fly.
TUESDAY
Likely my departure day.
OVERVIEW
For those not familiar, what we have done in the past is:
1. Go to Keeneland (one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world) (Home Keeneland) including breakfast on the backstretch
2. Hit a couple nice restaurants during the weekend
3. Consume some adult beverages, perhaps at Country Boy (Country Boy Brewing) or the Beer Trappe, a Top 100 US beer bar (The Beer Trappe ? LEXINGTON?S FIRST CRAFT BEER STORE!) or Ethereal Brewing (Ethereal Brewing Co. Craft Brewing out of Lexington, KY).
4. Visit a horse farm or two
5. Tour one or more bourbon distilleries on the KY Bourbon Trail (http://kybourbontrail.com), including the newer Craft Bourbon Trail.
6. Dinner somewhere like City Barbecue (http://www.citybbq.com), Columbia's Steakhouse, Village Idiot, or other fine establishment.
Or maybe somewhere else for a KY specialty like a Hot Brown. Top 10 Hot Brown competition 2016:
http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/...n-in-kentucky/
A plate with toast, sliced turkey, sometimes sliced country ham, Mornay sauce, sometimes cheddar cheese sauce, a couple strips of bacon, some sliced tomato, a bit of Parmesan/Romano cheese, baked in the oven. A "heart-attack-on-a-plate." Fantastic, one of the world's best comfort foods.
https://www.brownhotel.com/dining/hot-brown
(There is not as much cheese on there as it appears!)
8. Try other KY specialties, such as beer cheese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_cheese_(spread). Others are discussed here: (Cuisine of Kentucky - Wikipedia)
9. We always have Sunday brunch at Stella's (www.stellaskentuckydeli.com), for real southern fare including Bourbon Ball Coffee, genuine southern biscuits and gravy, locally fresh-ground grits with cheese, unparalleled tomato bisque, etc. They made the "Top 10 KY Hot Brown" list linked above.
This will be reserved for 8:45-9:00 am.
10. Some folks go to Keeneland again, with LEX conveniently across the street for a last-second departure.
Other things to visit in the area:
1. Shakertown, the restored Shaker community outside LEX: http://shakervillageky.org/
2. Mary Todd Lincoln's girlhood home. Future president courted her there: http://www.mtlhouse.org/
3. Ashland, grand home of Henry Clay, the "Great Compromiser": Henry Clay - Henry Clay
4. Hiking, perhaps at Red River Gorge: Red River Gorge Online
5. KY has one of the best state parks systems in the country: Best Kentucky State Parks - State Parks - KY State Parks
6. Berea College, where there is no tuition and the students work for their education; great restaurant: https://www.berea.edu/
7. Kentucky Donut Trail; here is one such listing, but there are tons of other fantastic donut shops all over: http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/explore/places/cycling-the-doughnut-trail/
8. See "Cocaine Bear" (https://kyforky.com/blogs/journal/cocaine-bear) about which there is a new feature movie (which looks utterly horrible judging from the trailer).
AIRLINES SERVING LEX: http://www.bluegrassairport.com/airlines.html
WN NOW FLIES TO CVG, which as result has gone from one of the most expensive in the US to well down the list.
There is an tiny airline club at LEX, with access for the following:
AA Admirals Club
DL Sky Club
UA Red Carpet Club
"Day Passes," presumably Priority Pass (?) and maybe for anyone. Perhaps also free for military.
If you are flying in, check LEX, SDF, and CVG particularly, the latter two since you very well may want to rent a car anyway. Interstate all the way from those airports. Avios can work very well from PHL, ORD, CLT, and DFW to LEX. AA often offers reduced AAwards to/from LEX.
Other airports to consider (all easy access via interstate, ~3 hours max): CMH, DAY, CRW, IND.
Lexington is very easy to get around, but you'll need to have a car or share with someone. Public transportation is hopeless. Please post if you are driving in and can bring someone, or if you are looking for a ride.
Taxis are available, but expensive and time-consuming to wait for. They have good Uber service in LEX. Recent quote per driver for normal charges: approx 80 cents a mile plus 16 cents a minute. The airport tends to be a bit expensive to fly into/out of.
bk3day scored a nice UA bump out of LEX a few years ago, as did iris30 on AA. Those planes can get quite crowded during Keeneland.
On the northeast part of town there is a Costco with a ton of bourbon at good prices. You never know what they will have.
The Liquor Barn chain is good and gives military discounts.
Many of us have stayed at the Hyatt Regency downtown, a cat 2 property. Centrally located. Free parking for all Hyatt guests (and likely anybody if there are no events at the Convention Center), as they use the giant lot across the street.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ke...exington/lexrl
HYATT REGENCY LEXINGTON
401 West High Street
Lexington, Kentucky, USA, 40507
Tel: +1 859 253 1234
Very nice buffet in non-COVID times, including custom egg station and best gravy to pour over biscuits I ever had at a standard hotel. Full-service Hilton is across the street. New Marriott and Residence Inn likewise a few blocks east. Walking distance to plenty of restaurants/bars.
Any spot in LEX to any other is only about 20-25 minutes driving max, so where you stay is not 100% important.
Youtube channel for Lexington, with some nice material:
Bourbon news from the Lexington "Herald-Leader": Search Lexington Herald Leader
Please post if you are definite, maybe, or can't but want to consider another time.
ATTENDING/LIKELY
toomanybooks+2
cocobird+1
dhammer53
Governator
Grjapp
Herb687
HPN-HRL
jackal
Kiyaj
Miesque
rxgeek+1
Santander
MAYBE/INTERESTED
ElmhurstNick
CANNOT MAKE IT/UNLIKELY
bk3day
FlyerBeek
jrl767
KathyWdrf
sexykitten
jrl767
Zorak
Last edited by toomanybooks; Apr 24, 2024 at 10:05 am
Nov 2, 2023, 2:10 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,275
As usual, I am in! I should be getting in on Wednesday or Thursday, suite reserved at HR LEX.
Nov 3, 2023, 12:48 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
Coming in on Wednesday, departing the following Monday. Stay booked at the Hyatt. Probably plus one attending.
Nov 3, 2023, 10:54 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
As noted by bk3day, that is the only 8k weekend in April for the HR. Many days in April are 9.5k.
One trip to Staples for 5x and you are done.
Cash rate for the weekend $319 plus tax.
One trip to Staples for 5x and you are done.
Cash rate for the weekend $319 plus tax.
Last edited by toomanybooks; Nov 4, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Nov 4, 2023, 8:34 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
Nov 6, 2023, 8:41 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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Posts: 21,373
I think that choreographing LEX into our spring calendar will be extremely challenging … we get back to SEA from our eclipse trip on 10 Apr, and we’re currently looking to depart for the UK (and likely Norway) on or about 4 May
Nov 7, 2023, 5:37 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Speaking of hotel reservations for Lexington, there are deals to be had on points purchases with Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott right now.
Through December 4, Hyatt is offering 20% off on points purchases of at least 5,000 points. (Yes, I realize that Hyatt has had lots of 25% off points sales, and better, in the past.
) So, the current cost is 2 cents per point. At 8,000 points/night, the Hyatt is just $160/night all-in vs. >$300+ cash price for the Hyatt Regency. (If booking just the weekend, i.e., Fri/Sat nights, it looks like it's more like ~$400+/night.)
Through November 23, Hilton has a 100% bonus on points purchases of at least 5,000 points; the cost is one half cent per point. So a 50,000 points/night redemption would be $250/night vs. >$300+ cash price for the Hilton Downtown. (If booking just Fri/Sat nights, more like ~$400+/night.)
And Marriott has a 40% bonus ($0.0089/point, i.e., less than 1 cent/point) through November 8; 30% ($0.0096/point) through December 20. Cash prices at the Marriott City Center and the Residence Inn are high (>$400+), so some savings may be possible using points.
Through December 4, Hyatt is offering 20% off on points purchases of at least 5,000 points. (Yes, I realize that Hyatt has had lots of 25% off points sales, and better, in the past.
) So, the current cost is 2 cents per point. At 8,000 points/night, the Hyatt is just $160/night all-in vs. >$300+ cash price for the Hyatt Regency. (If booking just the weekend, i.e., Fri/Sat nights, it looks like it's more like ~$400+/night.)Through November 23, Hilton has a 100% bonus on points purchases of at least 5,000 points; the cost is one half cent per point. So a 50,000 points/night redemption would be $250/night vs. >$300+ cash price for the Hilton Downtown. (If booking just Fri/Sat nights, more like ~$400+/night.)
And Marriott has a 40% bonus ($0.0089/point, i.e., less than 1 cent/point) through November 8; 30% ($0.0096/point) through December 20. Cash prices at the Marriott City Center and the Residence Inn are high (>$400+), so some savings may be possible using points.
Last edited by KathyWdrf; Nov 12, 2023 at 4:29 am
Nov 7, 2023, 9:56 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
