Ashland was home to one of the greatest statesmen in American history, Henry Clay. He served as Congressman, Speaker of the House, Senator, Secretary of State, Peace Commissioner, and three-time presidential candidate. Today, visitors can tour Clay’s reconstructed mansion which has been home to five generations of the Clay family. The house today transports guests back in time, immersing them in 19th century life. Along with the mansion tour, Ashland also has a rotating exhibit space, an informational video, and a Museum Store.
While the mansion is certainly the focal point of the Ashland experience, no visit would be complete without making time to explore the historic grounds. Ashland boasts 17 acres of outdoor space featuring many historic outbuildings and a six parterre English formal garden. There are also many walking paths for guests to meander, a pastime that Henry Clay often enjoyed.
As an additional treat, visitors may dine seasonally at the outdoor Ginkgo Tree Café located just steps from the mansion beside the historic smokehouse. Guests can grab a quick meal or snack while enjoying patio seating on Ashland’s scenic grounds.
Local
Eat and Drink
- Parkette Drive-In Restaurant - Lexington (1.5 miles) - Parkette is a 66 year old Lexington landmark and Icon. We are best known for our Double-Decker Chees...
- Hartfield & Co. - Paris (17.8 miles) - HARTFIELD & CO., FORMERLY THE GENTLEMAN, IS A SMALL BATCH DISTILLERY LOCATED IN PARIS, KY. WE ARE TH...
- Lover's Leap Vineyards and Winery - Lawrenceburg (22.0 miles) - Lover's Leap Vineyards and Winery is a family owned, fully operational, 60 acre farm containing ...
- Chenault Vineyards - Richmond (22.3 miles) - Located on 470 acres of beautiful Kentucky countryside, Chenault Vineyards is located 30 minutes sou...
See and Do
- Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate Lexington (0.0 miles) - Ashland was home to one of the greatest statesmen in American history, Henry Clay. He served as Cong...
- Breakout Games = Lexington Lexington (0.7 miles) - Breakout Games offers a new entertainment concept of Escape Rooms in which groups of friends, family...
- UK Art Museum Lexington (1.3 miles) - The University of Kentucky Art Museum is an encyclopedic museum that promotes the understanding and ...
- UK Art Museum Lexington (1.3 miles) - If you are in Lexington, Kentucky and want to see works by Ansel Adams, Romare Bearden, Mary Cassatt...
- University of Kentucky Art Museum Lexington (1.3 miles) - The University of Kentucky Art Museum is an encyclopedic museum that promotes the understanding and ...
Shopping
- Berkshire Trains & Vintage Toys - Lexington (2.4 miles) - Model Railroad and Hobby store. We have an operating O Scale layout and Railroad Memorabilia to view...