Horses rule, and good spirits surround Lexington, Ky. Locals credit Lexington's limestone base -- just below those picturesque rolling bluegrass hills -- as the tie that produces its fast horses and smooth bourbon. Winding two-lane roads curve around miles of white and stone-fenced horse farms while leafy country lanes lead to historic distilleries. You can spend a night in a peaceful Shaker village, savor an afternoon of thoroughbred racing, or simply relax with an icy mint julep on a lantern-lit front porch.

Meet the horses

Nothing beats watching (and wagering on) a race at the landmark Keeneland Race Course (4201 Versailles Road; 1-800-456-3412; Keeneland.com). But mornings at this beautiful racetrack are the best time to observe the workouts. Fill up on biscuits and gravy at the Track Kitchen, where your dining companions might be famous jockeys or horse trainers, then stand at the course's finish line (with your camera ready) and listen for the padded hoofbeats and the breath of thoroughbreds passing by.

More horse culture awaits at the Kentucky Horse Park (4089 Iron Works Pkwy.; 1-800-678-8813; kyhorsepark.com). This is no cheesy horsey amusement park; many competitions, including the Rolex Equestrian Championships, are held annually at the 1,200-acre facility. You don't even have to be a horse lover to enjoy the daily events like the Parade of Breeds, in which costumed riders show off horses from around the world. Besides the park's interactive museum, a favorite with families is the Mare & Foal show, which runs daily through summer. You can pet the gangly babies in the paddocks.

Those interested in equestrian bloodlines will enjoy a tour of Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, about 12 miles outside Lexington. Three Chimneys is home to 12 world-class stallions, including Big Brown, the 2008 Kentucky Derby winner. At the farm's horse cemetery, fans can pay their respects to equine legends including Chief's Crown and Nodouble (1-859-873-7053; threechimneys.com).

Pastoral paradise

Following Hwy. 68 southwest of Lexington for 25 miles takes visitors through gorgeous Kentucky River Palisades and into Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (Harrodsburg, Ky.; 1-800-734-5611; shakervillageky.org). Historic journals state that worship there in the mid-1800s, when the village was at its peak, lasted "as long as the spirit moved" -- from 15 minutes to 23 hours. Today, costumed guides interpret Shaker stories throughout the 34 restored buildings, including the Meeting House, which seems to "sing" along occasionally with the guides during their performances of Shaker music. Within the pristine 3,000 acres, you can watch artisans demonstrate Shaker crafts and admire such architectural marvels as the twin spiral staircases that grace the Trustees' Office in what is now the dining room. Spend the night in one of the original buildings (rooms feature reproduction Shaker furniture along with such 21st-century amenities as flat-screen TVs) and the serene experience is complete. (Admission, through Oct. 31: $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 6-12.)

Homestyle flavor

At lunchtime, the original Ramsey's Diner (496 E. High St.; 1-859-259-2708; ramseysdiners.com) serves up what some claim is the region's best traditional "Hot Brown" -- an open face turkey sandwich, topped with tomato slices, strips of bacon and smothered in cheesy sauce. Save room for dessert: a slice of warm MayDay pie, baked next door at Missy's Pies (219 Woodland Av.; 1-859-253-0449; missyspieshop.com). Basically it's the same rich chocolate pecan confection as Derby Pie, but that name is trademarked.

Burn off some calories with a historic walking tour that includes the Mary Todd Lincoln House, the nation's first shrine to a First Lady ($5 adults; $4 for ages 6-12; 578 W. Main St.; 1-859-233-9999; mtlhouse.org). And if it's a Monday night, don't miss the live broadcast of "WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour" at the Kentucky Theater ($7; $5 for kids under 13; 214 E. Main St.; 1-859-231-7924; kentuckytheater.com).

Legacy in a glass

Bourbon is a big deal in Bluegrass Country, and many distilleries are open for tours, including lovely Woodford Reserve (7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles, Ky.; 1-859-879-1812; woodfordreserve.com) in its idyllic rural setting about 20 miles outside Lexington. The restored limestone buildings of this National Historic Landmark date back more than 100 years. After a tour, have lunch on the wraparound porch of the Visitor Center, enjoying scenic vistas from a rocking chair.

Donna Tabbert Long is a freelance writer from St. Anthony.