Although downtown Lexington is bustling with lots to do, sometimes there’s nothing quite like taking a moment to slow down and relax at a local park. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of opportunities to do just that even in the heart of the city.

Gratz Park

Located in a historic district of Lexington just across from the beautiful facade of the Carnegie Center, this small but peaceful park can be found just off of Transylvania University’s campus. In fact, this was the university’s original location in the nineteenth century prior to a fire in 1829. Today the area is home to the lovely Gratz Park neighborhood and the lush scenery of the iconic park itself.

Woodland Park

Woodland Park may be known best for its aquatic center in the summer and its skate park year-round, but there’s plenty of greenery to be found should you be looking for a nice spot under the trees. Like many of the city’s parks, it’s located close to a multitude of historic buildings and sights.

Triangle Park

Besides the sprawling fountains and being just a stone’s throw away from Rupp Arena, Triangle Park provides a great place to unwind, have lunch, or even attend periodic events set up here. In the winter the park also has an ice skating rink, to which going around the holidays has become a cherished tradition for Lexington inhabitants.

University of Kentucky Arboretum

The Arboretum is just outside of downtown but is only a short drive from the university campus that is its namesake. There are several walking paths one can take, but the best experiences to be had here are often found when going off the beaten trail. There’s a huge array of green space here, complete with plants, enormous trees, and the occasional wildlife. If there was anywhere to have a picnic, it would be here.