The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation is preparing to welcome you to our beautiful town for the Fall Symposium, October 10-12. Fall is when Kentucky is at its finest, and October is a particularly great time to visit Lexington.

From immersive bourbon tours to horse farm visits, and the historic and exciting atmosphere of the Keeneland Racetrack, there is no shortage of things to do in the Bluegrass region.

Bourbon Tours: Savoring the Spirit of the Bluegrass — Kentucky has nearly forty bourbon distilleries scattered across the region between Lexington and nearby Louisville. Most distilleries provide an unique tour which shows the meticulous and regimented process of creating bourbon from the distinct copper pot stills to the rickhouses which store the bourbon barrels as they age — sometimes for decades!

EMLF Vice-President/President Elect Travis Brannon explored the Bourbon Trail after the 2022 Fall Symposium. Travis writes: “For those visiting Lexington that want to experience the bourbon trail, I recommend making the half-hour drive to Woodford Reserve Distillery. Reserve a distillery tour ahead of time or just visit the beautiful grounds and cocktail bar. I recommend the Woodford Double Oaked or Woodford Wheated brands. As an added bonus, Castle & Key Distillery is just 7 minutes from Woodford Reserve and also offers a unique experience.”

For more information, and to make your map and reservations, visit kybourbontrail.com.

Horse Farm Tours: Experience Kentucky’s Equine Heritage — It is no accident that Lexington is known as the “Horse Capital of the World.”  From the moment you arrive in town, beautiful thoroughbred horses dot the landscape grazing behind white split rail fences.

Horse farm tours allow you to go behind the scenes to learn about the complex world of breeding and raising racehorses, and even let you visit with retired champions!  For everything from the Kentucky Horse Park to private tours, click here for the Visit Lex horse farm guide.

Keeneland: A Racing Tradition — Unlike Kentucky’s more well-known racetrack to the west, Keeneland Racetrack is nestled in the beautiful rolling countryside among the horse farms on the outskirts of Fayette County.  Keeneland truly embodies the elegance and charm that define Southern horse racing culture.

Holding racing meets just two months a year- April and October- Keeneland is an unforgettable experience for both avid horse racing enthusiasts and casual fans. Keeneland also boasts world class dining, and no fall visit would be complete without a cup of burgoo or a visit to the Track Kitchen! Keeneland also offers guided tours that allow you to experience the behind-the-scenes workings of the track while the races are ongoing, and earlybirds can watch the horses during their morning workouts.

For tickets and more information about attending the Fall Meet, visit Keeneland.com. To hear someone gush enthusiastically about Keeneland, which is her favorite place on earth, check in with EMLF Executive Director, Anna Fletcher, when you’re at the Fall Symposium!