The NOMI House Guidebook
City/town information
We love Lexington, especially the downtown area where we have lived for 20 years and raised our daughter. Its the best mixture of a small town and up and coming city. I've lived a whole lot of places and I wouldn't live anywhere else.
60 locals recommend
Lexington
We love Lexington, especially the downtown area where we have lived for 20 years and raised our daughter. Its the best mixture of a small town and up and coming city. I've lived a whole lot of places and I wouldn't live anywhere else.
I've worked in Midway for 18 years and its my home away from home. Cutest town around. Gorgeous 20 minute drive from Lexington via Old Frankfort Pike. There are about 10 stores and 7 restaurants in the one block downtown.
38 locals recommend
Midway
I've worked in Midway for 18 years and its my home away from home. Cutest town around. Gorgeous 20 minute drive from Lexington via Old Frankfort Pike. There are about 10 stores and 7 restaurants in the one block downtown.
Food scene
(Next Door) Stella's is one of our favorite breakfast and lunch places. It is perfectly located directly to the left of The Nomi House. They have vegetarian and vegan items marked and can make substitutions. Its small and cozy. They have outdoor seating when the weather is nice.
76 locals recommend
Stella's Kentucky Deli
143 Jefferson St(Next Door) Stella's is one of our favorite breakfast and lunch places. It is perfectly located directly to the left of The Nomi House. They have vegetarian and vegan items marked and can make substitutions. Its small and cozy. They have outdoor seating when the weather is nice.
(Walkable, on the street) County Club is our favorite and most frequented restaurant in Lexington. It is about a 10 minute walk straight down Jefferson from The Nomi House (just walk out the front door, turn left and start walking). If you like food with lots of flavor then this is the place for you. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
75 locals recommend
County Club Restaurant
555 Jefferson St(Walkable, on the street) County Club is our favorite and most frequented restaurant in Lexington. It is about a 10 minute walk straight down Jefferson from The Nomi House (just walk out the front door, turn left and start walking). If you like food with lots of flavor then this is the place for you. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
(Walkable, at the end of the street) West Sixth Brewery is at the corner of 6th and Jefferson right across from County Club. They share space with another restaurant called Smithtown Seafood. Both are fun, friendly and laid back.
152 locals recommend
West Sixth Brewing
501 W 6th St(Walkable, at the end of the street) West Sixth Brewery is at the corner of 6th and Jefferson right across from County Club. They share space with another restaurant called Smithtown Seafood. Both are fun, friendly and laid back.
(Walkable, at the end of the street) Smithtown is connected to West Sixth Brewery. They are about a 10 minute walk from The Nomi House. This is a fun and laid back place suitable for small and large gatherings.
48 locals recommend
Smithtown Seafood
501 W 6th St(Walkable, at the end of the street) Smithtown is connected to West Sixth Brewery. They are about a 10 minute walk from The Nomi House. This is a fun and laid back place suitable for small and large gatherings.
(Walkable) Upscale delicious dining. Not great for kids. Might want to make a reservation. They have a hidden roof garden that is gorgeous, ask for seating up there.
74 locals recommend
Dudley's On Short
259 W Short St(Walkable) Upscale delicious dining. Not great for kids. Might want to make a reservation. They have a hidden roof garden that is gorgeous, ask for seating up there.
(Walkable) In our opinion, best pizza in town. New York style, can buy by the slice. Calzones are really good too.
27 locals recommend
Goodfellas Mill St
110 N Mill St(Walkable) In our opinion, best pizza in town. New York style, can buy by the slice. Calzones are really good too.
(On the block) Located diagonally across the street from The NOMI House is handmade gelato just waiting to cool you off on a warm day.
16 locals recommend
Sorella Gelateria
591 W Short St(On the block) Located diagonally across the street from The NOMI House is handmade gelato just waiting to cool you off on a warm day.
(On the block) This is a magical event space. They offer cooking events sometimes with reservation. Right down the street from The NOMI House, grounds are stunning.
Apiary Catering & Events
218 Jefferson St(On the block) This is a magical event space. They offer cooking events sometimes with reservation. Right down the street from The NOMI House, grounds are stunning.
(Walkable) Wonderful French restaurant, owned and operated by an actual French person. Our second favorite place to eat.
29 locals recommend
Le Deauville
199 N Limestone(Walkable) Wonderful French restaurant, owned and operated by an actual French person. Our second favorite place to eat.
(Walkable) Fun and super causal coffee and lighter fare. Indoor and outdoor seating.
41 locals recommend
Third Street Stuff
257 N Limestone(Walkable) Fun and super causal coffee and lighter fare. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Al's Bar
601 N LimestoneA true bar, no frills but a cool spot.
Going on 30 plus years. Pizza and more. A University of Kentucky favorite.
31 locals recommend
Joe Bologna's
120 W Maxwell StGoing on 30 plus years. Pizza and more. A University of Kentucky favorite.
This is good Chinese food and they deliver. We've been customers for 18 years and its always good.
China Star Chinese restaurant
196 North Martin Luther King BoulevardThis is good Chinese food and they deliver. We've been customers for 18 years and its always good.
Martine's Pastries
400 E Third StReal French bakery. Serves breakfast, lunch and desserts,
One of our favorites. Fast, cheap and yummy. Eat in or take out.
47 locals recommend
Bourbon n' Toulouse
829 Euclid AveOne of our favorites. Fast, cheap and yummy. Eat in or take out.
Country cooking. Ramsey's is a local chain. Not the best location but food and service are great. You can order take out too.
20 locals recommend
Ramsey's Diners
151 W Zandale DrCountry cooking. Ramsey's is a local chain. Not the best location but food and service are great. You can order take out too.
Graeter's Ice Cream
1925 Justice DrOur top choice for ice cream.
Closest to NY style bagels. Lots of choices and they make sandwiches too.
23 locals recommend
Great Bagel & Bakery
396 Woodland AveClosest to NY style bagels. Lots of choices and they make sandwiches too.
One of our favorite places. It's on the way to Midway. Take Old Frankfort Pike and it will be on you right. Can't miss it. Lots of outdoor seating.
66 locals recommend
Wallace Station Deli and Bakery
3854 Old Frankfort PikeOne of our favorite places. It's on the way to Midway. Take Old Frankfort Pike and it will be on you right. Can't miss it. Lots of outdoor seating.
(Walkable) Very close to Nomi House, right across from Rupp Area. Not cheap but good steakhouse.
95 locals recommend
Tony's of Lexington
401 W Main St(Walkable) Very close to Nomi House, right across from Rupp Area. Not cheap but good steakhouse.
Red State BBQ
4020 Georgetown RdOur favorite BBQ place, takes about 20 minutes to get there.
(Walkable) Very popular, busy place. Not my favorite but don't let that stop you.
106 locals recommend
Carson's Food & Drink
362 E Main St(Walkable) Very popular, busy place. Not my favorite but don't let that stop you.
Corto Lima
101 W Short St(Walkable) Known for fancy tacos and craft margaritas.
Sightseeing
About an hours drive, most of it scenic, to a wonderful and interesting restored community of buildings and culture. Tours and dining available. Guest shop with handmade crafts and an optional riverboat ride available.
92 locals recommend
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
3501 Lexington RdAbout an hours drive, most of it scenic, to a wonderful and interesting restored community of buildings and culture. Tours and dining available. Guest shop with handmade crafts and an optional riverboat ride available.
(Walkable) The Big Blue Pedaler is a party bike that fits up to 13 people. The driver navigates guests who pedal the bike through the streets of downtown, bar hopping to music and playing drinking games. It's super fun. They have all different ways to ride. Google them for info.
Big Blue Pedaler
257 Jefferson St(Walkable) The Big Blue Pedaler is a party bike that fits up to 13 people. The driver navigates guests who pedal the bike through the streets of downtown, bar hopping to music and playing drinking games. It's super fun. They have all different ways to ride. Google them for info.
Kentucky Theatre
214 E Main St(Walkable) Old timey theater, been here forever.
Mary Todd Lincoln House
578 W Main St(Walkable) Birthplace of Mary Todd Lincoln
Hopemont, The Hunt-Morgan House
201 N Mill StWalkable
LaTrobe's Pope Villa
326 Grosvenor AvenueInteresting place where you can see cattle auctions. Sometimes they host fun events like chicken swaps. This is a Nomi building. It was built after the previous stockyards burnt down in 2016. There were shops and restaurants here but Covid hit hard and they closed. Hopefully some new places will open up soon. Very close to the Horse Park.
Blue Grass Stockyards
4561 Iron Works PikeInteresting place where you can see cattle auctions. Sometimes they host fun events like chicken swaps. This is a Nomi building. It was built after the previous stockyards burnt down in 2016. There were shops and restaurants here but Covid hit hard and they closed. Hopefully some new places will open up soon. Very close to the Horse Park.
Outdoor Activities
Beautiful and unique hiking area about 45 minute drive.
136 locals recommend
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
2135 Natural Bridge RdBeautiful and unique hiking area about 45 minute drive.
Red River Gorge
Beautiful, huge hiking area about 45 mile drive.
Apparently we have the longest continuous chain of caves in the US here in KY. We took the regular tour and it was very memorable. They have different tours and hiking area. About 2 hour drive.
274 locals recommend
Mammoth Cave
Apparently we have the longest continuous chain of caves in the US here in KY. We took the regular tour and it was very memorable. They have different tours and hiking area. About 2 hour drive.
Beautiful garden and walking path on UK campus.
97 locals recommend
The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of KY
500 Alumni DrBeautiful garden and walking path on UK campus.
You can rent a boat here and spend the day on the lake. Its a small lake but super fun. Only about 35 minute drive.
19 locals recommend
Taylorsville Lake State Park
1320 Park RdYou can rent a boat here and spend the day on the lake. Its a small lake but super fun. Only about 35 minute drive.
(Walkable) The Legacy Trail is an extensive group of foot and bike trails that goes all the way from downtown out to The Kentucky Horse Park. The closer you get the Horse Park, the prettier it gets.
19 locals recommend
Legacy Trail
Legacy Trail(Walkable) The Legacy Trail is an extensive group of foot and bike trails that goes all the way from downtown out to The Kentucky Horse Park. The closer you get the Horse Park, the prettier it gets.
Canoe Kentucky
7323 Peaks Mill RdWe did this and had a blast!!!
Horses
Very interesting tours introducing you to all types of retired racehorses.
48 locals recommend
Old Friends Farm
1841 Paynes Depot RdVery interesting tours introducing you to all types of retired racehorses.
Keeneland
4201 Versailles RoadFamous racetrack on very beautiful property.
Fun and educational park. There is something for everyone. There are usually some type of horse shows going on especially dressage, hunter/jumper.
329 locals recommend
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works PkwyFun and educational park. There is something for everyone. There are usually some type of horse shows going on especially dressage, hunter/jumper.
Three Chimneys Farm
1981 Old Frankfort PikeOne of many unbelievable horse farms. Great tour.
Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Distillery
7785 McCracken PikeThis place is so pretty people get married here. I don't even like bourbon but I found the tour very entertaining. If you only have time for one distillery visit this would be my top choice.
166 locals recommend
Buffalo Trace Distillery
113 Great Buffalo TrceThis place is so pretty people get married here. I don't even like bourbon but I found the tour very entertaining. If you only have time for one distillery visit this would be my top choice.
Wild Turkey Distillery
1525 Versailles RdBreweries
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.
610 W 3rd StWalking distance from Nomi House. Pool table.
Mirror Twin Brewing
725 National AvePopular large brewery, lots of outdoor seating.