Lexington Arts and Cultural Centers to Add to Your Itinerary

Lexington’s arts and cultural centers include contemporary galleries, interactive science exhibits, historic theatres, live performances and museum collections. These five venues offer different ways to explore the city’s art, architecture, history and creative community.

Use this guide to compare locations, admission costs, operating hours, parking and the amount of time to allow at each venue. Hours, prices, exhibitions and event schedules were checked in September 2026 but may change. Confirm current information with each organization before visiting.

Quick Planning Guide

Venue	Suggested time	Cost	Best suited for
Lexington Art League	30–60 minutes	Confirm current exhibition or event details	Contemporary art and architecture
Living Arts & Science Center	1–2 hours	Adults $8; discounted and free admission available	Families and interactive learning
Kentucky Theatre	2–3 hours	Regular admission $9.50; discounts available	Films and historic architecture
Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center	45–90 minutes or event length	Varies by program; some programs are free	Black history, art and performance
University of Kentucky Art Museum	45–90 minutes	Free	Museum collections and rotating exhibitions

Planning a longer trip? Explore these Kentucky weekend-getaway ideas for additional destinations and itinerary options.

See Contemporary Art and Gothic Revival Architecture at Lexington Art League

The Lexington Art League presents contemporary art inside the historic Loudoun House. The Gothic Revival building provides an architectural setting for exhibitions featuring work by local, regional and national artists.

Programming changes throughout the year and may include rotating exhibitions, artist events, educational programs and community activities. Check the organization’s current exhibition calendar to see what will be available during your visit.

Quick-planning information

• Location: 209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, Kentucky
• Suggested time: 30–60 minutes
• Cost: Confirm admission or event fees on the current exhibition listing
• Hours: Gallery hours are generally Wednesday–Saturday, noon–5:00 p.m.; confirm before visiting
• Parking: Parking is available at or near Loudoun House; review event information for special parking instructions
• Best suited for: Contemporary-art followers, architecture enthusiasts, photographers and visitors looking for a shorter cultural stop

Combine Art and Science at the Living Arts & Science Center

The Living Arts & Science Center combines visual art, science and interactive learning in one Lexington facility. Its spaces include art galleries, the Farish Planetarium, the Marksbury Discovery Room, the Moosnick Maker Space and interactive exhibits.

Programs and exhibitions are designed for a range of ages. Planetarium presentations, art activities, science displays, workshops and special events may be available depending on the date of the visit.

Quick-planning information

• Location: 362 North Martin Luther King Boulevard, Lexington, Kentucky
• Suggested time: 1–2 hours
• Cost: Adults $8; students, veterans and seniors $5; children age three and younger are free; residents of the 40508 ZIP code receive free admission
• Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
• Parking: Street parking is available along Elm Tree Lane and Martin Luther King Boulevard; additional parking may be available in the Lexington Middle School lot
• Best suited for: Families, children, educators and visitors interested in interactive art and science experiences

Watch a Film Inside the Historic Kentucky Theatre

The Kentucky Theatre has been part of downtown Lexington since 1922. The restored theatre continues to operate as a cinema while preserving its historic architectural details and recognizable marquee.

Its calendar includes independent and international films, documentaries, classic movies, film festivals, concerts and special cultural events. Because showtimes and programs change regularly, visitors should select a film or event before planning the rest of their downtown itinerary.

Quick-planning information

• Location: 214 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky
• Suggested time: 2–3 hours, depending on the film or event
• Cost: Regular admission is $9.50; matinees and admission for seniors, students with identification and children younger than 12 are $7.75; special-event prices vary
• Hours: Open seven days a week; the box office opens 30 minutes before the first scheduled show
• Parking: Street parking is free after 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend. The Phoenix Garage surface lot is free after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends. Paid parking is available in the Helix Garage
• Best suited for: Film enthusiasts, architecture followers, couples, solo visitors and travelers looking for an evening activity

Explore Lexington’s Black Cultural History at the Lyric Theatre

Located in Lexington’s historic East End, the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center opened in 1948 as a movie theatre and gathering place for Lexington’s Black community. The venue was part of the Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of performance spaces that supported Black entertainers during segregation.

Today, the restored Lyric hosts concerts, theatre, dance, films, educational programs and community events. Visitors can also explore rotating art exhibitions, a museum collection and the interactive Architects of America mural highlighting influential Black leaders and innovators.

Quick-planning information

• Location: 300 East Third Street, Lexington, Kentucky
• Suggested time: 45–90 minutes for the gallery and museum or the scheduled length of a performance
• Cost: Admission and ticket prices vary by program; Community Tuesdays and some other community programs are free
• Hours: Museum and gallery hours are Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; performance and program hours vary
• Parking: Review the venue’s directions and the instructions provided for the specific event before arriving
• Best suited for: Visitors interested in Black history, visual art, live performance and Lexington’s cultural heritage

View Free Exhibitions at the University of Kentucky Art Museum

The University of Kentucky Art Museum is located inside the Singletary Center for the Arts on the University of Kentucky campus. Its permanent collection contains approximately 5,000 objects representing different cultures, artistic styles and historical periods.

The museum also presents temporary exhibitions and educational programs. Personal photography of the permanent collection is permitted using available light, but flash, tripods, additional lighting and video equipment require special permission.

Quick-planning information

• Location: Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky
• Suggested time: 45–90 minutes
• Cost: Free
• Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Saturday, noon–5:00 p.m.; closed Sunday, Monday and university holidays
• Parking: Weekend parking is free behind the museum and in UK “E” lots. On weekdays, metered parking is available in the Singletary Center circle and the Gatton Student Center lot
• Best suited for: Art enthusiasts, students, solo visitors, photographers and budget-conscious travelers

More Kentucky Arts and Culture

Continue exploring Kentucky’s creative communities with these related articles:

• Why Cynthiana, Kentucky Should Be on Your Artsy Road Trip List
• Ghosts, Giggles, and a Gorgeous Theater: My Paranormal Afternoon at Rohs Opera House

Plan Your Lexington Arts and Culture Visit

These Lexington arts and cultural centers can be visited individually or combined into a larger city itinerary. Before leaving, check each venue’s official website for current exhibitions, event times, admission prices, closures and parking updates.

Choose one venue from this guide, open its current calendar and add a specific exhibition, film or performance to your next Lexington itinerary.