Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
22 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
22 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
22 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
22 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Kentucky Lexington Dixie Cup Water Tower

Dixie Cup Water Tower

Unique tower has outlasted a takeover of the company.

Lexington, Kentucky

Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Dixie Cup Water Tower. (Creative Commons)   http://tackytraveller.blogspot.com/2010/03...
Dixie Cup Water Tower. (Creative Commons)   http://tackytraveller.blogspot.com/2010/03...
Dixie Cup Water Tower. (Creative Commons)   http://unusualkentucky.blogspot.com/2008/1...
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Matt DeMond / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This isn't the only tacky tourist destination in Lexington, Kentucky, according to several sites on the Internet that specialize in cataloging traps of that sort, but it is one of the few that you almost can't miss.

The Dixie Cup Water Tower is on the property, fittingly, of what was once the Dixie Cup plant. You can't get close to it because of the size of the property, which is closed to passersby, but you can get close enough to take pictures of the unique site.

The Dixie Cup Corporation moved to Lexington in 1958. The water tower was constructed almost immediately after the move. The corporation has since been incorporated into the Georgia-Pacific Corporation, but the water tower has remained. The city refused to remove the Dixie Cup Water Tower as the nearby airport uses it as a point of reference.

Around the corner is the Coca-Cola plant with the spaceship conference room and a shipping warehouse for Amazon.com is also nearby.

Related Tags

Monuments Architectural Oddities Architecture

Know Before You Go

From Hwy 460: Take 25 South/Broadway St. This will turn into Lexington Road and then Georgetown Road. Turn left onto Mercer Road and follow until you see the water tower.

Community Contributors

Edited By

nbj914, Collector of Experiences, Matt DeMond

  • nbj914
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Matt DeMond

Published

May 10, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Unusual Kentucky: Dixie Cup Water Tower: http://unusualkentucky.blogspot.com/2008/10/dixie-cup-water-tower.html
  • Roadside America: Lexington, Kentucky - Dixie Cup Water Tower: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/10401
  • Tacky Traveller's Tourist Traps: Dixie Cup Water Tower: http://tackytraveller.blogspot.com/2010/03/dixie-cup-water-tower.html
Dixie Cup Water Tower
451 Harbison Road
Lexington, Kentucky, 40511
United States
38.080038, -84.526746
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Jim Varney’s Grave

Lexington, Kentucky

miles away

Bondurant's Pharmacy

Lexington, Kentucky

miles away

The Monroe Moosnick Medical and Science Museum

Lexington, Kentucky

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lexington

Lexington

Kentucky

Places 5
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Jim Varney’s Grave

Lexington, Kentucky

miles away

Bondurant's Pharmacy

Lexington, Kentucky

miles away

The Monroe Moosnick Medical and Science Museum

Lexington, Kentucky

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lexington

Lexington

Kentucky

Places 5
Stories 1

Related Places

  • Leiden, Netherlands

    Leiden's Monumental Urinal

    This public toilet built in the famous Amsterdam School architectural style is a Dutch national monument.

  • Dubai Frame.

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The Dubai Frame

    The world's largest frame offers spectacular views of the city's past and present.

  • The pools at Leça da Palmeira.

    Leça da Palmeira, Portugal

    Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira

    An early work of the architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, these swimming pools blend into the beach.

  • The Rueda Eiffel in Cordoba, Argentina.

    Córdoba, Argentina

    Rueda Eiffel

    An intriguing antique iron Ferris wheel that most locals are sure was designed by Gustave Eiffel.

  • Wall South at Veterans Memorial Park.

    Pensacola, Florida

    'Wall South' Vietnam Memorial

    Florida’s half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Wall.

  • The Knife Edge is on the right.

    Washington, D.C.

    Knife Edge

    Architecture lovers won’t stop touching the National Gallery's 19.5 degree marble prow.

  • The memorial mainmast.

    Arlington, Virginia

    Joseph Marthon Memorial Mainmast

    The naval commander’s proudest moment in battle is memorialized in this unique tomb at Arlington Cemetery.

  • San Francisco, California

    Admission Day Monument Octopuses

    A pair of mutilated bronze octopuses slump at the base of the monument honoring California's admission to the U.S.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.