LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– The larger-than-life mural of Abraham Lincoln in downtown Lexington now comes to life – thanks to a new augmented reality app unveiled today by VisitLEX.
The VisitLEX Experience App uses augmented reality (AR) to create an interactive walking tour and scavenger hunt downtown. People are encouraged to download the app and start the tour at the new VisitLEX office at the old historic courthouse downtown.
The app will guide people through the downtown area while providing historical facts and turning select murals to life. Along the way, users can “collect” blue horses at each stop, then be rewarded for their experience. At the end of the app, the screen pops up and tells the participant to go claim the reward with the last stop being the Visitors’ Center. Rewards will vary but could include items such as a word-cloud T-shirt with horse-related terms on it, which has been a big seller in the Visitors Center.
The vice president for marketing, Gathan Borden, said visitors are looking to experience a destination like a local through interactive experiences like walking tours and scavenger hunts. There are 10 stops on the tour – from the Lyric Theatre to the Lexington Opera House to the Mary Todd Lincoln house, visitors will see history and culture come alive through this app. The entire tour takes about an hour.
