Please join us in Lexington's historic Northside for a tour of some of our beautiful homes and gardens. Tickets for this self-guided tour are $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 4 to 17 years old, and children under 4 are admitted free. Photography is not permitted in the homes or outside in the private gardens.
Restrooms are available at two locations: West Sixth Brewing, and at the Glenn Building on Transy’s campus. The Glenn Building is located to the west of Old Morrison.
Ticket Sales
There are four easy ways to purchase tickets - board members, online, offsite events, and onsite day of tour.
Board members: Each Northside Neighborhood Association Board Member will have tickets (wristbands) for sale prior to the tour date. Checks and cash accepted. The day of the tour go to one of the ticket sales locations to pick up your program guide by showing your wristband.
Online: You may purchase tickets in advance through our secure PayPal link on the NNA's website (http://www.northsidelex.com/) using any major credit card (you do not need a PayPal account). Tickets purchased online may be picked up at the will call table at Old Morrison, located on the campus of Transylvania University at 300 North Broadway (entrance off of Third Street across from Gratz Park) between 11:30am and 4:30pm.
Please be sure and bring a copy of your PayPal purchase confirmation with you in order to pick up your wristbands and programs.
Offsite events: The NNA will have a table selling tour wristbands at the following event:
Mayfest at Gratz Park, Sat., May 11th, 10am-6pm and Sun., May 12th, 11am-5pm
The day of the Tour go to one of the three ticket sales locations to pick up your program guide by showing your wristband.
Onsite: Wristbands may also be purchased on the day of the Tour between 11:30am and 4:30pm at three ticket sales locations: Old Morrison, Elsmere Park, and, West Sixth Brewing. Checks and cash only on the day of the event.
Start of the Tour
You can select where you start and which sites you visit and in which order. Guests can start anytime beginning at noon. All homes and gardens will close at 5:00 PM.
Transportation
This is a self-guided walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes. Guests are responsible for their own transportation between sites but we highly recommend leaving your car parked and walking or biking. Sprocket Jockeys will have two pedicabs at the event to help shuttle guests between sites. This service is free to tour guests but pedalers always appreciate tips. Also consider doing the tour with your bike. The map in the program guide shows a route for a bike tour.
Horse and carriage rides will be provided by Lexington Livery, free to tour guests. Our equine friends work hard for their oats so please feel free to tip them.
Handicap accessibility
The Tour is not handicap accessible.
Children
Children are welcome, but guests are asked to keep children on pathways and out of flower beds and other plant areas, and within the defined areas inside the homes which are on display. Please supervise your children at all times and do not allow them to touch anything. Strollers are not permitted inside the houses.
Refreshments
Free lemonade and cookies are provided by residents of Fayette Park and Elsmere Park.
Refunds
All ticket sales are final and tickets are not refundable.
Proceeds from the Tour ticket sales
The Northside Neighborhood Association (NNA) receives all proceeds after expenses are paid. This is the NNA's main fundraising event traditionally held biennially. Proceeds from previous tours have been used for: the Northside front porch repair grant program; the renovation of a mid 19th century home on Miller Street; a gift to Florence Crittenden Home for the rehabilitation of their building; Jefferson St. Fire station window shades; ongoing Founders Park maintenance (5th Street and North Broadway); and, the restoration of the Harrison Elementary School playground.
Brewery Tours
West Sixth Brewing will be offering Brewery tours at the top of each hour for those interested. Please sign up at the West Sixth ticket sale event table.
Book Signing
P. Allen Smith is the author of the best-selling Garden Home series of books published by Clarkson Potter/Random House, including Bringing the Garden Indoors: Container, Crafts and Bouquets for Every Room and the recently published cookbook, Seasonal Recipes from the Garden. He is the host of two public television programs, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, P. Allen Smith's Garden to Table and the syndicated 30-minute show P. Allen Smith Gardens. Sitting in the garden that he designed at 424 W. 3rd St., he will be autographing his books. Books will be available for purchase on site.
Merchandise
For sale at ticket sale sites: NNA lawn flags; tour posters; and event key chains.
Entertainment
Keep your eyes open for roving gypsies from Mecca Dance Studio while you are waiting in line to purchase tickets or while enjoying refreshments.
Y’Art Sale
Bread Box artists are having a Y'Art Sale inside their studio space which is located behind West 6th Brewery. They will be selling art and art supplies. Feel free to come in and have a look.”
Sponsors
The NNA's Historic House & Garden Tour is proud of the relationships with our sponsors. We are grateful to all the individuals, businesses and organizations who have donated services, money and time to help make this a successful event.
