We are coming July 18 for the Raising Sand concert with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. My sister heard them in Reno and said the concert was magical. I can't wait. I love the album.

Many Lexington hotels are fully booked that night, but I was able to get the Doubletree Suites on Priceline after trying for several days.

What are some of the nicer restaurants near the Doubletree and/or Rupp Arena?

There is an Applebees on the way downtown from Richmond Road on the right side. There is also an O'Charleys just about 100 yards from your hotel outbound Richmond Road on the left. Those two are your best bet. There is also a Chop House on the right side of Richmond Road outbound (towards Man-O-War). I would recommend O'Charleys (the food is always good). There's nothing I know about near Rupp-Arena except a Deshea's Resutrant across the street but man will it be packed before the concert. Your best bet is to go to O'Charley's or the Chop House. You could go to Applebee's on the way downtown but im not sure how the food is there..never been to it.

Any good Sunday lunch spots near the Bluegrass airport? I was hoping for real Kentucky food!

Was there anything in particular you were looking for? Bluegrass Airport is pretty secluded and you would have to go to Harrodsburg Road to get something or you could go to Beaumont Center off Man-O-War. That's the closest you can get to the airport. Let me know if there's something in particular you wanted and i'll see what I can do for you!

Murrays' is not too far from the airport. It probably is the closest, non-chain, good restaurant.

Downtown has tons of great, non=chain restaurants. If you want very good traditional food you might consider the Merrick Inn. It is out Tates Creek Rd. You would just hop on New Circle Rd from Richmond Rd and take the 2nd exit back toward town. It is on the right.

imo there are too many good local restaurants to even consider a chain restaurant for anything but a business lunch:)

Thanks for the advice. I'm doing a morning horse farm tour and then down to Berea in the afternoon. I wanted to try traditional Kentucky food without going too far and getting lost!

While in Berea, you may want to check out the historic Boone Tavern Hotel. The restaurant does breakfast lunch, dinner. They also have a Sunday brunch. Looks like the brunch ends at 2pm.

www.boonetavernhotel.com/restaurant.asp

I found this photo of it on Flickr.com

www.flickr.com/photos/gcoble/907982256/

In Lexington, for just straight up, southern style home cooking, I enjoy Ramsey's. There are several locations. I'm partial to the original located on High Street. http://www.ramseysdiners.com/

Photos from Ramsey's...

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ramsey's%20lexington&w=all

Thanks, seagrover! I'm staying at the Boone Tavern Hotel for an Elderhostel program. It looks very nice. Ramsey's was a restaurnat that I marked on a list -the others were Billy Hickory Pit, Garden Cafe, and Joe Bologna but I had a star next to Ramsey's so I think I'll give it a try since you also recommended it.

Personally if I were after good, Southern syle, down home cooking I would go to Suggins over Ramseys.

My husband and I will be driving to Lexington a week from Thursday (July 17th) to bring our 11 year old granddaughter to attend BreyerFest.

We have reservations at the Kentucky Mansion (105 Shannon Road, Versailles), a bed & breakfast that appears to be in the middle of horse country. Does anyone have any feedback on this B&B? Is there another property you would suggest that we check out instead? I selected the Versailles area, since it appears to be horse country.

We have reservations to tour the Three Chimneys Stallion Division, which was recommended on this Forum, on Friday (July 18th). And, I'm hoping we can get tickets to attend Oliver at the Woodford County Theater in Versailles on either Friday or Saturday night. (Fingers crossed!)

I would appreciate any suggestions on what there is to do in the Lexington area and recommended restaurants. We're hoping to make this a trip that Amelia will always remember.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Karen