Midway, KY

Midway is a quiet, postcard-pretty town in Woodford County, sitting right halfway between Lexington and Frankfort. As Kentucky's first railroad town, its roots are easy to spot: active train tracks still run right down the middle of the historic district. With fewer than 2,000 residents, it offers a close-knit, walkable atmosphere where neighbors quickly get to know one another. The compact downtown along Main Street is lined with well-kept brick buildings, local shops, and some of the most celebrated independent restaurants in the Bluegrass region.

ATTRNavin75 / CC BY-SA 2.0

Step outside the downtown core and you are immediately surrounded by classic central Kentucky scenery, complete with stone fences and working thoroughbred horse farms. Midway University borders the town with its 200-acre campus, bringing a relaxed college presence and scenic equestrian facilities right alongside the residential streets. Between popular annual festivals, a fantastic local food scene, and an easy 20-minute drive into Lexington, Midway offers a peaceful country setting with plenty of character.