My Complete Visitors' Guide to the University of Kentucky



Index:

Index
Why is this guide better than any other?
What you should know about Lexington
How to get to the University of Kentucky in 18 easy steps!
Links
Credits
Home



Why is this guide better than any other?
(5 reasons for 5 CONSECUTIVE Cheerleading NCAA National Championships...well, it's a lot more than that now, but it was 5 when I wrote this)

1. All the information is organized into neat little points, just like this, and numbered for easy reference.

2. This guide is the pure, unadulterated, undiluted, 200 proof, authentic Truth. They told you it was "out there." Well, here it is!

3. Having lived in Lexington from 1980 to 2001, I know what's what in this town. I literally grew up on campus, so I have a unique perspective on things.

4. I have recently visited a number of other universities, and these travels have shown me what a campus visitor REALLY wants to see and know! The OFFICIAL UK Visitors' Guide (I'm sure there is one, though it might not be called exactly that) tells you what THEY want you to know. I tell you the Truth (see #3).

5. This guide is the most convenient. How do I know? This is the only guide right in front of you THIS VERY SECOND!

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What you should know about Lexington:
(In 7 parts in honor of our 7 Mens' Basketball NCAA National Championships)

1. UK=University of Kentucky. University of Kentucky=UK. That's all there is to it. Not Kentucky State (that's a historically black university in Frankfort, which, by the way, is the state capital), or Kansas, or United Kingdoms.

2. Lexington is shaped like a wheel. New Circle Road goes all the way around town. The major spokes are: Leestown Road, Georgetown Road, Newtown Pike, North Broadway, Winchester Road, Richmond Road, Tates Creek Road, Nicholasville Road, Harrodsburg Road, and Versailles Road. Farther out, Man O' War Blvd. is a half circle around the south side of town, and they've started building Citation Blvd. to correspond on the north side.

3. This being Kentucky, Paris rhymes with Ferris (as in Ferris Wheel), Versailles = "vur say' uls"...you get the idea!

4. The same road might have as many as four names (within Lexington) in different places. Example: Mason-Headley Road becomes Waller Avenue, which in turn becomes Cooper Drive.Versailles Road becomes Maxwell Street, which becomes Tates Creek Road; going the other way Tates Creek Road becomes High Street, which becomes both Versailles Road and Manchester Street, the latter of which then becomes Old Frankfort Road. Yep. You read that right. It's a big mess.

5. The "north side of town" is actually the north-east side; the "south side of town" is actually the south-west side.

6. While in town, remind your host(s) to take you to Tolly-Ho. The Ho is the DEFINITION of atmosphere!

7. When in doubt, shout "Go Cats!"; with the exception of Louisville, the entire state "bleeds blue".

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How to get to the University of Kentucky in 18 easy steps! Why 18? Ask me when you come to visit!!

NOTE: Many of the "landmarks" and streets referred to are in close succession or simultaneous (across the street from each other). Some of the streets you pass can be small and easy to miss. Just don't miss the turns! If you get lost, most of the streets listed that have stop lights should be known by all Lexingtonians.

1. Come towards Lexington on I64/I75.

2. Take the exit for Broadway (US 68). If you are coming south, this is the second exit.

3. Turn right on Broadway. This takes you towards downtown.

4. Drive until you get down town. Then drive a little more.

5. You will pass the following: the Opera House (on the right); underneath a walkway between buildings; Main Street (stop light); a small park filled with trees and having fountains -- a big one in front and a row around the back, they are only on during the summer -- this is called "Triangle Park" (on the right); Vine Street (stop light); underneath a second walkway between buildings as you are going up a hill; the Civic Center/Hyatt Regency Hotel (on the right); High Street (stop light); a parking structure (on the right); a gravel parking lot known on weekdays as the "Farmers' Market" (on the right).

6. Turn left on Maxwell Street (stop light). This is a one-way street, so left is the only direction you can turn.

7. You will pass Plunkett Street (on the right); Mill Street (stoplight); Macks Alley; Upper Street (stop light); Jersey Street (on the right); Limestone Street (stop light); Martin Luther King Blvd. (stop light); Lexington Avenue; Hagerman Court (on the left); the Kappa Kappa Gamma house (on the right); Stone Avenue (on the left); and a stone "entrance" to UK (on the right).

8. Turn right on Rose Street (stop light).

9. You will pass apartments (on the left); the gate to a parking lot (on the right); a long building with a liquor store, a music store, a video arcade, a Blimpie's, and a Baskin Robbins (on the right); and Euclid Avenue/Avenue of Champions (stop light).

10. After passing Euclid, the first building on the right is the Singletary Center for the Arts (SCFA). It has a small drive in front for drop-off and brief parking (45 minute maximum). SCFA is where most concerts and recitals occur, and has two performance halls, the Recital Hall and the Concert Hall.

11. After SCFA you will pass Rose Lane (on the left) and a small white house (on the right).

12. Immediately after the small white house, turn right on Patterson Drive.

13. The building on your right is still SCFA. This is the rear entrance, used mainly by performers. On your left is the Fine Arts Building. This is where all indoor band rehearsals take place, as well as most Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma meetings. The double doors enter the basement (although many people think it's the first floor) which houses the Band office, the Band room, and other Band stuff.

14. The small parking lot on your right is patrolled Monday through Friday 7:30 to 4:30 (I think) as well as for special events. Check the sign. Don't park there during the times it is patrolled, however briefly, or the Parking Nazis will get you.

15. Good luck finding a spot to park. This is a University campus, what did you expect?!

16. Beyond the Fine Arts Building, Patterson Drive becomes one-way. If you keep driving, you'll be going the wrong way. Don't do this.

17. If you continue this direction on Patterson Drive ON FOOT, you will come to a painted crosswalk. Turn right. Walk up the hill. Stoll Field (aka the Band Field, "The Field", the Student Center Field, the North Campus All-Purpose Mud Pit, etc.) is on your left, beyond it is a parking lot (enjoy looking at it, but don't park there, because it's patrolled the same hours as the other), beyond this is the Student Center (which includes the official "visitors' center"), and behind you is SCFA (this side houses the UK Art Museum).

18. Welcome to UK! Are you lost yet?

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Links:

Kentucky Connect
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)
Univeristy of Kentucky

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Credits:

This guide was written by:
carter the great
aka bobo
aka "Still Carter"
(Carter M Adler)
Copyright 1999 by the author. All rights reserved.

All problems with the directions are the fault of: