Hours and Ticket Prices

Guided tours daily. The one hour tours start on the hour.

Hours: 10 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday - Saturday,
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sunday.
The last tour of the day begins at 4 pm.

January: CLOSED
February: OPEN FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
March - Dec.: Closed Mondays

Visiting Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate is like taking a step back in time. Allow at least an hour, but on a pretty day you’ll want to take no less than two hours to see the house, visit the museum store, have lunch, and enjoy the serene and historic grounds and to stroll the formal garden. You won’t want to miss lunch in the pleasant surroundings of the Ginkgo Tree Cafe located on the brick patio surrounding the smokehouse. And, of course, the most important part of your visit is a guided tour of the 18-room mansion. There are also six outbuildings that have been restored and changing exhibits in the 1846 cottage. The main house has been recently renovated and is furnished with Clay family antiques and other memorabilia - many of them dating back to Henry and Lucretia Clay’s time. The appearance of the home today is as it was when Henry Clay’s granddaughter lived at Ashland in the late 19th century. Your tour begins with an introduction to Henry Clay and Ashland with a 12-minute videotape before your guide greets you and takes you through the house.

Lunch at the Ginkgo Tree Cafe is the perfect compliment to your visit. Gourmet box lunches are prepared off-site and brought in fresh daily. There is also a large selection of delicious desserts and snacks. The cafe, which is located in the pleasant surroundings on the brick patio of the old smokehouse, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 3 from April through October, weather permitting. Menus are available upon request, 859 266-8581.

Ashland is easy to locate on Richmond Road, which is an extension of Main Street (US-25 and KY-922). Ashland is about one and a half miles from the center of town, about halfway between New Circle (KY-4) and downtown Lexington.

1. Coming from the South (Tenn.) on I-75 North

Take I-75 Exit 104 (Athens-Boonesboro), turn left toward Lexington, go 7 1/2 miles. Look for the big brown sign!

As you enter the residential area, the road is divided. Stay in the left lane. There is a small black sign, "Ashland." Ashland is on the left. Turn left on Sycamore Road. Follow the sign to the parking lot.

2. Coming from the North (Ohio) on I-75 South

Take I-75 Exit 115 (Newtown Pike), turn right toward Lexington. As you get near the downtown area, US-25 merges with KY-922. Follow US-25 South through downtown. Stay in the right lane. Soon after you see the Visitor's Center on your left, US-25 veers sharply to the right. From there, go about 12 blocks (counting on the right). At Sycamore Road, turn right and follow the sign to the parking lot.

3. Coming from the West (Louisville) on I-64

I-64 merges with I-75. Go to I-75 Exit 115. Turn LEFT toward Lexington. Follow the above directions.

4. Coming from the East (Winchester) on I-64

Take I-75 South to Exit 109, Man-O-War Blvd. (Hwy50). Turn left on to M-O-W. Stay on M-O-W to Richmond Rd. (Route 25N). Turn right on to Richmond Rd. Go approx. 2 miles (through 7 lights). Stay in left lane. Watch for black sign with gold lettergin "ASHLAND" on left. Turn left on to Sycamore Rd. Follow signs to parking area.

5. In Lexington

Take New Circle Road (KY-4) to Richmond Road. Go toward Lexington about 1 1/2 miles. Stay in the left lane. Look for small black sign "Ashland." Turn left onto Sycamore Road. Follow the sign to the parking lot.

A designated outdoor area, near the circa 1846 Keeper’s Cottage, is available for rental events at Ashland. Clean and modern indoor restroom facilities are available at no extra cost. There is ample parking.

Maximum group size is 100.
Maximum Tent Size: 40’ x 60’

Fees: 0 – 50 people; Grounds Rental: $ 550
51-100 people; Grounds Rental: $ 900

To reserve the event date, a contract must be signed and 50% payment of the rental fee is due upon contract signing.

The balance is due five business days prior to the event along with a $500.00 damage deposit. Barring no damage to the property and adherence to the contract terms, the damage deposit is refunded within 5 business days of the event.

The lessee is responsible for rental of tent, tables, chairs, catering, decorations, music, etc. The use of licensed caterers is required. No decorations may be attached to any buildings or other structures on the site.

The mansion may be available for open house touring for an additional $200. It is available for the first hour of the event only. It will be an open house format. No formal tour is given. Volunteers are stationed throughout the house to answer questions.

The Museum is open for regular daily tours until 5:00 P.M., therefore no rental event may begin before 5:30 P.M. Electricity is available on site. No amplified music is permitted on the site.

Events must end by 9:30

Lexington Links

Lodging

Lexington Hotel, Motel, and B&B Guide
(An Insiders Guide)
Kentucky Directory of Bed & Breakfasts, Inns & Small Hotels

Lexington Convention and Visitor's Bureau
 

General Information

Weather & Climate

Official Kentucky Vacation Guide
Kentucky.com
Kentucky Humanities Council
Kentucky State Parks