The Bluegrass State is my home and has been for the past 17 years. Even before then, I lived just across the river in Cincinnati and always thought of Kentucky as this beautiful place that's filled with horses and rolling hills. Turns out, it is, plus more than most people realize. The Bluegrass State surprises its visitors with natural beauty, friendly locals, lively culture, a nod to both history and today, and yes, bourbon. I may spend my days in this state that I love, but I had the opportunity to enjoy a quintessential Kentucky getaway in Lexington with my husband and the Bluegrass State surprised and charmed me all over again.

Lexington is a little over an hour from my home and my husband and I headed south in the late afternoon. I've always loved the drive; passing the Kentucky Horse Park and then driving into a city that feels more like a small town. Our first stop was Lost Palm, a rooftop bar at The Manchester, a gorgeous hotel in Lexington's historic distillery district.

As much as I love the typical vibe of Lexington, it was refreshing to be swept away into the tropical oasis of Lost Palm. On a Wednesday evening, small groups were meeting after work and several people were coming in for drinks and bites. The ambiance was inviting, the staff were friendly, and the drinks were delicious.

After our unwinding stop at Lost Palm, we headed to our dinner reservation at OBC Kitchen (Tip: Make a reservation! They were full, even on a Wednesday evening.) Full disclosure, I had eaten at OBC Kitchen before. But when deciding where to eat in Lexington with my husband, I knew I wanted to return.

OBC stands for Old Bourbon County, and yes, bourbon is a big theme here. But, I would visit again simply for the warm bread and handmade butter that they bring to the table. Our server, the manager, all of the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming. I'm not exaggerating when I say that every single sip and bite were perfection.

From classic to modern, after dinner we made our way to 21c Museum Hotel in the heart of downtown Lexington. If you're not familiar with these unique destinations, they are a fascinating mix of museum and hotel and always take on a theme that represents their location.

We stayed in a Deluxe Suite, which had a living area and separate bedroom. There was more than enough space and the rooms were cheerful and relaxing. I honestly wish we would have had more than one night here, but it was still the perfect little escape.

After a wonderful night's sleep, I woke up very early for one very important reason - a visit to Spalding's Bakery. I had heard about this local bakery that's been around since 1929 and since it was just a few minutes down the road, I made an early morning visit (they often sell out by 8am).

I came back and settled in on the couch with coffee and the best chocolate glazed donut I've ever had.

Later that morning, we said farewell to the blue penguin standing guard at our hotel door, and checked out. We did wander through the museum space before breakfast (round two) and it was as cool as you would imagine. Guests of the hotel have full access to these spaces 24/7.

Before getting on with our day, we stopped at the restaurant on-site, Lockbox. It is right off the hotel's elevators and also features a rotating gallery and inviting space. But the food was really the star, here. This breakfast sandwich was fresh and tasty and the crispy potatoes were a highlight on their own.

Our quintessential Kentucky day continued just twenty minutes away in Georgetown at Old Friends, a working farm that is home to retired race horses. It was a GORGEOUS day in the Bluegrass and I was thrilled to spend it at Old Friends.

We were greeted by the friendly volunteers and joined in with a tour group to walk around and meet these beautiful horses. We did the 90-minute General Tour, which is available all year long, but be sure to make advanced reservations.

We met several horses and were able to feed many of them. We learned about their storied lives and saw a video showcasing their championships. I would highly recommend it as an outing in the Lexington area.

Our final stop before heading north is one of my most favorite places in Kentucky. I've shared my love for Wallace Station before and I fall in love even more with every visit. It just feels so Kentucky and the food is delicious. There is often a line out the door, which is another sign that this local favorite is worth the stop.

We always eat on the back deck and on this chilly day, soup and a pimento cheese sandwich hit the spot. When you leave, save time to drive around in this area, perhaps stop in Midway, and experience the beauty of Kentucky horse country.

After living in Kentucky for nearly two decades, I am proud to call this state my home. I would recommend Lexington, specifically, for those looking for a night away, a weekend getaway, or even as a travel destination. Within a city that exudes small town charm, you can experience incredible food, outdoor adventure, natural beauty, history, art, sports, bourbon... and that's just scratching the surface. Don't overlook this lovely city and plan your own quintessential Kentucky getaway in Lexington.

Per journalistic integrity, we disclose that the creator of this content was invited to this location by VisitLEX, with accommodation and some other expenses covered. However, all opinions and thoughts expressed in this content are their own.