LEXINGTON, Ky. — Looking to "pop the question"? Well, central Kentucky may have just the spot for that.

What You Need To Know

  • Lexington Opera House was voted 17th favorite landmark for marriage proposal in America 

  • It was the highest ranking spot for marriage proposals in Kentucky 

  • The theater has been opened since 1886 and is one of 14 built before 1900 that seats 1,000 people or less and still puts on shows 

The Lexington Opera House was voted the 17th favorite landmark in America for a marriage proposal, according to a survey by Mixbook.com.

Since 1886, the Lexington Opera House has been a place for live theatre, shows and entertainment. Edd MacKey, national and local arts mananger at the Opera House, said it can also be a place for love.

“Often on stage and in the audience, the spark of love does turn into a flame,” MacKey said.

Recently, Mixbook.com, a design website for photo books, asked 3,000 singles their top places to get engaged with 250 different places. The Lexington Opera House came in at 17th. MacKey says soon a couple will actually be married there.

“During COVID, we had a special feature. It was mini-golf on stage. A young man and young woman came separately to enjoy the activities but as they met on stage, they exchanged contact and almost two years later they are now getting married,” MacKey said.

MacKey also says a UK opera performer was proposed to on the closing night of her performance a few years back. He says the history and the arts create a special feeling for attendees.

“Some very good things happen as a result of that. There’s some very good human interaction, very good common human feeling and, of course, it helps this building is very ornate and it exudes very pleasant vibes,” MacKey said.

The Lexington Opera House is one of 14 theaters in the country built before 1900 with less than 1,000 seats still hosting live performances. In fact, it will hold here a production of the Sound of Music next week.

“This is what happens at the beginning of a show, the load-in. It’s all the technical aspects in terms of the lighting, the props; getting those all in the proper position that takes an extreme amount of time and precise delicacy,” MacKey said.

Perhaps there, the next Lexington Opera House love story will also begin production.

Other Kentucky destinations on the list are:

  • 90th Lost River Cave in Bowling Green
  • 131st Smothers Park in Owensboro
  • 156th Devou Park in Covington
  • 217th The Big Four Bridge in Louisville

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