Versailles and the Arboretum in Lexington, KY
My husband has traveled through Kentucky for work and mentioned seeing a castle in Versailles which is really close to Lexington and just downt the road from Keeneland. We headed there and were pleasantly surprised by this fun castle which is a hotel and spa. One of my readers, Leslie shared the following link if you want to read about how this castle came about: https://myoldkentuckyroadtrip.com/2011/09/20/versailles-lexington-road-castle/
From the road you can see the castle and wonder what it is! I wasn’t sure if we would be able to walk around so we were able that we could. I was very impressed with the grounds and thought this would be a fun place to spend an anniversary. It is close to Lexington where there is much to do but it is far enough that you feel like you are in the country.
After seeing real castles in France, the boys were not super impressed but it still was fun to see something like this in the US.
This little one was most impressed with the little pond with the koi fish. The oldest really enjoyed the small non profit farm next door.
The room are about 200 to 300 dollars a night. There are rooms in the main building as well as in the corner towers.
I thought the detail bees were a pretty touch.
I did not take pictures inside the main building and restaurant but it was very elegant and intricate.
The Arboretum
This was another nice free outing on this day! We enjoyed a walk at the arboretum before finding a restaurant for dinner.
There were not a ton of flowers in bloom apart from tulips but many of the trees were in bloom. Just being a few hours north of where we live does make a difference.
It was nice to see different trees also from the ones I had found around town at home. This next one smelled really good.
The boys for the most part enjoyed the walk through the grounds as they were not too tired or starved.
They still also enjoy an opportunity to take pictures with mommy! This poor little feller needed new shoes after this vacation. We did buy some hiking shoes for everyone before the trip but his regular tennis shoes were worn down.
A reader who lives nearby shared the story about this sculpture and I wanted to add it here!
“I have some interesting information for you about your visit to the Arboretum. I wanted you to know the story behind the sculpture with the birds soaring upward and what it represents.
In 2009 there was a plan crash at the local airport, Bluegrass Field , in which the co-pilot was the only one to survive. Each bird soaring upwards represents the passengers and crew who lost their lives that fateful morning, I think there were 49.”
We ended our dinner with dinner which consistent of sushi for most of us. We stopped at a place called Malone’s and it was delicious.
Next week, I will be sharing our day in Frankfort!
A bientôt!
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26 Comments
Andrea Nine
What a fun day. The grounds look just lovely
mimifce
Both places were really nice to walk around!
Connie D Martin
Hi Chez, I enjoy reading your blog and am so excited to hear you visited the Lexington-Versailles area. I would love to have been out and about that day and met up with you since that is where I live.
I have some interesting information for you about your visit to the Arboretum. I wanted you to know the story behind the sculpture with the birds soaring upward and what it represents.
Several years ago there was a plan crash at the local airport, Bluegrass Field , in which the co-pilot was the only one to survive. Each bird soaring upwards represents the passengers and crew who lost their lives that fateful morning, I think there were 49.
I hope you enjoyed everything about your visit here and would love for you to visit our area again soon.
Connie
mimifce
Hi, Connie! Thanks for that bit of information: if there was a plaque I did not read it. I think I will add that info to my post with your permission (a little cut and paste). It is a beautiful area and we really enjoyed our week in Kentucky.
Connie D Martin
You are very welcome to use the info. The crash happened in 2009.
Penny
Another very interesting post, Mireille, what a fun place. I agree with the boys that it’s not the real deal but nevertheless what an interesting hotel to stay in. Nice to see the countryside where you live. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
mimifce
Thanks, Penny! This is 5 hours north of US (we are near Atlanta, GA) but we do have some similar trees. It was a new place for us to explore so it was nice to take a break from hiking.
jodie filogomo
That’s so funny because when I saw the first photo I was impressed. Then I read that the boys weren’t since they’ve seen the real things, LOL!!
I would love to stay there,
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
mimifce
I was pretty impressed myself. For a new castle like building it was well done!
Joanne
That castle looks fantastic! That would make a wonderful weekend getaway.
mimifce
Yes, I think an overnight stay there with no kids could be so nice.
Lizzie
How beautiful!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
mimifce
It was!
Michelle
What a fun place to stay! Even if it isn’t the real thing. LOL! Beautiful scenery.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
mimifce
We couldn’t afford to stay there but would be fun as a anniversary night. It was fun to walk around though.
Leslie
You may be interested in reading this article about the castle. I live about 100 miles east of Lexington and have heard all the stories about this castle. It is definitely a conversation topic for us.
https://myoldkentuckyroadtrip.com/2011/09/20/versailles-lexington-road-castle/
Also, a good time to visit Mount Sterling Ky is during court days if you ever get the chance. Enjoyed reading your ways to vacation on a budget.
mimifce
Oh, I am going to read that article. It was a last minute decision to stop by since my husband has passed it several times on his travels in Kentucky!
mimifce
I am going to add that link! Thanks, that was interesting to read, will share with the hubby too!
Laura Bambrick
What a fun castle hotel! It’s really beautiful, but I agree, those true castles in Europe and their history are a bit more impressive. Still, I would be first in line to stay there! It is so pretty!
mimifce
Me too, lol! It definetely would be a splurge to stay here but fun. Just not with kids lol!
Dasynka
What a beautiful castle! It is so nice to see these photos and see how happy you are about spending time together. Family trips are always the best memory 🙂 lovely post.
xx Dasynka
mimifce
We did have a pretty good week! Thanks, Dasynka!
Shelbee on the Edge
What a cool place to visit, Mireille! I laughed that your boys were not that impressed after seeing real castles in France! Haha. But it is pretty neat to see American castles sometimes, too! We have a castle very near where I live that has an intersting background. It is called Boldt Castle and definitely worth a visit if you ever make your way to northen NY! Thanks for sharing your fun trip!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
mimifce
I will have to look it up. In the south we have the Biltmore Estate and we have old forts. Lots of history.
Leslie Susan Clingan
We will be back in Lexington the end of this month. I want to take my granddaughters to the castle to at least wander around. Checked the price of the tours but it would be $100 for all of us to tour. Not sure the girls would be up for that anyway. Lovely place. We have passed it so many times and never been inside.
I would like to check out the arboretum, too.
mimifce
We just walked the grounds for free. I didn’t even know they did a tour. But do check out the arboretum!