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Kentucky is internationally known for its outstanding arts. The most noteworthy performances are at the Tony-award winning Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Further, the Humana Festival of New American Plays is revered around the country as one of the best festivals of its kind. Not to be forgotten, Louisville's Speed Art Museum is the oldest and largest art museum in the state. The natural beauty of the Bluegrass State is never more apparent than in the rings of parks and forests that surround the city. The Olmsted Park System gives Louisville nature-lovers an outlet for hiking, picnics and other getaways from city life. Downtown, Waterfront Park offers an engaging view of the skyline and the Ohio River. Riverboat cruises are another great way to catch up with friends while the beautiful areas along the river roll by. While the cultural scene in Lexington may lack the luster and notoriety of Louisville, it is certainly nothing to scoff at. The Headley-Whitney Museum houses a unique collection of decorative art. Exhibits focus on furniture, clothing and various other ceramic and textile pieces. The Lexington Art League's free exhibits at the Loudon House and the MetroLex Gallery are among the best in the area. Lexington also boasts a number of performing arts organizations. Two ballet companies, Ballet Theatre of Lexington and the Lexington Ballet, perform various shows throughout the year. Classical music can be heard from the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society of Central Kentucky. Broadway productions are performed by the Actor's Guild of Lexington. Lexington has changed quite a bit since the 1789 census that found more horses than people residing there. But once you step foot inside Bluegrass Country, you know that horses are still a major influence on the area. Horse farms dot the countryside and locals hit Keeneland racetrack to cheer on their favorites. The famous Kentucky Horse Park holds competitions of many equestrian sports disciplines, houses the International Museum of the Horse, and is home to reputed thoroughbreds Cigar and John Henry, now immortalized in the Hall of Champions. Lexington is also known for its famous distilleries producing whiskey and Kentucky bourbon. When natives aren't talking horses, they're talking about the University of Kentucky basketball team. Sure the university has other sports, but few teams in the country are better known than UK's Wildcats. Tickets to watch the 'cats at Rupp Arena are hard to come by, but the next best place to catch a game is at a pub or bar in downtown Lexington - just be sure to wear blue. Locals kick back in the South Hill Station neighborhood. This collection of retail outlets, restaurants and bars near the University of Kentucky campus is a great after-work or weekend destination.
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