Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
4.5
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This beautiful racetrack has been the home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875.
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- K10TripsApex, North Carolina300 contributionsHumblingIt was much shorter than we expected. Tour guide was fun and funny. We learned about the horses and walked to the grandstands of the track. That was it. The whole tour. She had a lot of information but we didn't get to see much. It was cool to be there and know we were standing in an American Historical tradition. It was humbling but at the same time I wanted more.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 27, 2024
- Karl U3 contributionsWorth it? You bet!Not a track fan. Booked the museum & short tour because it’s what you do when you visit Louisville. Regret now not booking the behind the scenes options. Great guide (nope, can’t remember his name) with a great range of history, stories, and factoids woven together to give a mosaic background that made walking the museum that much more enlighteningVisited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 5, 2024
- Georgia R24 contributionsThis is for the Kentucky Derby Museum, which I tried to bring up and couldn't.We didn't have time to do the tour and lunch so we just went to the museum. Most of my life I have loved horse racing and heard about the Kentucky Derby but never expected to visit. We went to Indianapolis for the Total eclipse. At the museum we took advantage of the facilities, toured the museum, then left. It was an experience worth having.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 29, 2024
- Angela M41 contributionsHighlight of our tripTook the Back Stretch tour and it was awesome. Brent was a superior guide who was full of fun and information. The entire facility was beautiful and we had the opportunity to see many of the Derby contenders. We got to have access to places we never would have seen if we would have come on our own. The museum was very good and we spent alot of time there. Don't miss the movie!Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 1, 2024
- Oregontraveler477Eugene, Oregon315 contributionsDerby weekend!What a fantastic weekend! We were there for the 150th Derby and it did not disappoint. The venue was expertly run. The staff all helpful and knowledgeable about the arena. It was an exciting time. The costs depend on what type of experience you want. I would use Derby Experiences for these options. This was our first derby, it will not be our last trip to Churchill Downs.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 7, 2024
- WayneChattanooga, Tennessee48 contributionsExcellent tourVisiting this museum at Churchill Downs is a must do in Louisville. The 360 degree movie theater is amazing. The film is an excellent history of the Kentucky Derby. The museum displays are informative. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and conducted an excellent tour.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 8, 2024
- Ang B140 contributionsGreat time even without bettingStopped in on a rainy Friday afternoon. Went to the museum, gift shop and cafe. Small tour is included in museum price. Tour guide was awesome (but I’m bad with names, sorry). Museum was fun the 2 movies were very well put together. Secretariat has his own section of course and so does D Wayne Lukas. They have a quest that kids can participate in and there was a group having a TON of fun doing it. Cafe was tasty and the bartender was awesome. This was a perfect relaxing educational afternoon. Would recommend 100%Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 17, 2024
- KMMWest Terre Haute, Indiana245 contributionsFunWe prepurchased our tickets. We went to the museum before the race. It was clean and nice but no one was helpful in finding our seats. We asked 3 different employees but no one would help. We were finally told just go to that area and sit wherever you want.... We knew we were in the front row just past the finish line. We race's were a nice experience. Not as many people as we expected. We do hope to go again in a few year's.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 26, 2024
- 327christine0004Manchester, New Hampshire18 contributionsMy Birthday GiftMy husband took me here for my birthday. We loved the museum, track tour, and also the barn tour. Brent was our tour guide and he is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the track, horses and handlers. We arrived early enough to see the morning practices. It was such a cool experience! If anyone is a horse fan, loves to bet, or wants a closer look at what goes on during the Kentucky Derby, I highly recommend visiting.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 27, 2024
- Patricia5000Chilliwack, Canada76 contributionschurchill downs MuseumChurchill downs museum is full of lots information about winners of the Kentucky Derby. We had a tour guide that took us out to the track and was very informative about the race track. We were lucky to see a race that day. Then went back inside and watched a video . No time pressure on how long you stay in the museumVisited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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907blaked
Tampa, FL1,514 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Our family of five enjoyed the twilight races on a Thursday night in June. We wanted to order tickets that included food, and the Skye Terrace seemed to be the best value for that. If you have an odd number of guests like we did, you seemingly have to buy an extra ticket that will go unused, because they only sell tickets in pairs. The food was just OK, not as good as I was hoping. The particular night we were there had roasted chicken, Pork with grits, bland roasted potatoes, rolls, a pasta dish with red sauce, lentils and rice, some basic greens for a salad, and cookies and brownies.The food is self-serve, and a server is assigned to your table to keep your drinks filled. Water, lemonade, and soft drinks are included, but alcohol is extra. The Skye Terrace beyond the finish line, and so although the view is good, it is not as good as if you were sitting right at the finish line. Also, because the seats are beyond the finish line, many of the races did not even involve the horses running in front of us during the race, but we did get to see them of course about 20 yards after they crossed the finish line. If I had to do it again, maybe I would splurge for the Millionaire’s Row, depending on the difference in ticket price. There were eight races total, with post times separated by about 30 minutes. This was perfect to allow us to eat in between races, but then walk out to the viewing area to watch each race. You can bet from the betting windows inside the Skye Terrace, or download an app and bet from your phone at the table. The tables seem to be numbered with the lowest number table being farthest away from the finish line, and the A tables were closest to the windows, whereas the B tables were farther away. Therefore, try to get a table with as high a number as possible and with the letter A. It was a wonderful experience to go to Churchill Downs!
Written June 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maddie
47 contributions
May 2021
So glad we came here! We bought tickets online for $5 each for general admission seating about an hour before the first race. Free parking, quick entry, and the staff is so friendly! One gentleman noticed we looked a bit lost and gave us a tour of the place, taught us the history of Churchill Downs, and explained the basics of horse racing. He then directed us to the best spot in the general admission section where we had a great view of the finish line. We even tried betting on the races using the Churchill Downs app, which was very convenient. You can easily spend all day here! Such a wonderful place to visit
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan H
Sarasota, FL11 contributions
Sep 2021
I went to Louisville for the bourbon. I know zero about horse racing. But this was probably my favorite experience of the whole trip!
My horse racing knowledge is limited to the Kentucky Derby. My wife and I normally have it on, and once we hosted a party. But it's more an excuse to eat hot browns and drink Woodford Reserve.
First, Churchill Downs is MUCH bigger than it looks on TV. The place is massive! But it's beautiful! The buildings, the steeples, the flowers, the statues, it's just amazing to walk around and experience.
Tickets to a non-Kentucky derby race were pretty cheap. I think we were 8 rows from the track, right near the finish line, and our seats were maybe $5 a piece. The event saw 8 horse races each about 1/2 hour apart.
Before each race, the horses are walked around a small infield and you can really get up close and take a look at the horses! My wife and I looked at the horses before each race before placing our bets. Again, we know zero about horse gambling. But the cashiers walked us through it. It added so much more excitement to the races knowing you bet $2 on a particular horse to win!
I highly recommend visiting Churchill Downs for a race to anyone visiting Louisville!
My horse racing knowledge is limited to the Kentucky Derby. My wife and I normally have it on, and once we hosted a party. But it's more an excuse to eat hot browns and drink Woodford Reserve.
First, Churchill Downs is MUCH bigger than it looks on TV. The place is massive! But it's beautiful! The buildings, the steeples, the flowers, the statues, it's just amazing to walk around and experience.
Tickets to a non-Kentucky derby race were pretty cheap. I think we were 8 rows from the track, right near the finish line, and our seats were maybe $5 a piece. The event saw 8 horse races each about 1/2 hour apart.
Before each race, the horses are walked around a small infield and you can really get up close and take a look at the horses! My wife and I looked at the horses before each race before placing our bets. Again, we know zero about horse gambling. But the cashiers walked us through it. It added so much more excitement to the races knowing you bet $2 on a particular horse to win!
I highly recommend visiting Churchill Downs for a race to anyone visiting Louisville!
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda W
Linn, MO1,721 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
We arrived before the sun was up for our Racehorse workout tour and found it interesting to see the downs before and after the sun came up. The tour was interesting and we loved watching the horses practice as the sun rose. The museum itself wasn’t that big of a draw for us, but we did really enjoy the 360 movie offered. Would love to go back and catch a race.
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy T
Nashville, TN318 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Whether a horse racing fan or not; if visiting Louisville, visiting and touring Churchill Downs is an absolute must on anyone’s bucket list. It’s an amazing walking tour and the museum is filled with memorabilia and videos of past winners. The museum is two floors and you can spend hours just in the museum. Recommend watching the film of the derby’s history while in the museum and then visit the gift shop and grab a bite to eat in the Derby Cafe. An amazing afternoon thing to do while visiting Louisville.
Tim Toepfer
Spring Hill TN
Tim Toepfer
Spring Hill TN
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy D
Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States234 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
My sister and I visited Churchill Downs and loved every minute of it. We purchased tickets for the Museum and Walking Tour and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately there was no racing on the day of our visit but it just leaves that for another day. We highly recommend this tour that begins in the Great Hall of the Museum with a surround screen experience of the story of the Derby and ends with a tour of the grounds and grandstands. The 30 minute tour wets your appetite for more of the tours offered. The gift shop is fabulous where many items, including Bourbon are offered for sale. Don’t miss out on the the wonderful Cafe, great food, reasonable prices a nice bar where you can enjoy a Mint Julep, if you so desire, amid a fantastic and friendly staff make the simple dining experience a do not miss.
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck
4 contributions
Jul 2020
It is kind of confusing if you have never been to the Kentucky Derby before, but the museum is attached to Churchill Downs and the tour from the museum takes you through Churchill Downs. I recommend the museum and tour, however, I did not go to Churchill Downs to see a race, so I am not sure how that would be. It's very historic, so I'm sure it would be neat to see a race there.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dallas A
Chicago, IL149 contributions
Sep 2022
I attended Downs After Dark for a 40th Birthday Celebration and it was so fun! Tickets were only $17 each, and we sat just a few rows from the track. Doors opened at 5:00pm with the first race out of 11 kicking off at 6:00pm. They had live music (did need to be a little louder though) and free salsa lessons. The atmosphere was festive and fun. Lines for the bathrooms and concessions were minimal. Lines for betting at the kiosks could get a little long, but the tellers' lines were never very deep, and they were helpful if you needed it. One thing to note- stick to the canned alcohol if you are looking for some drinks. The cocktails were severely lacking, especially considering the price, but this can be expected in large venues such as Churchill Downs. Even though our party was 30+ in age, the event did welcome children of all ages and had a family-friendly atmosphere. I think it is a great alternative to the vastly more expensive events that surround the actual Derby.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maltipoo16
New York1,949 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We had no idea a race was going on and drove out just to hopefully look around. The tickets for the race that day were only $10 so we had a great time experiencing Churchill Downs while watching some racing. The gift store there is amazing and has some interesting products in it. Definitely recommend getting a alcoholic beverage in a souvenir cup, because the cup is glass and a really nice cup.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
888travelert
Indianapolis, IN152 contributions
Jul 2021
This was such a fun attraction. We went when there were no races so we took advantage of the beautiful cinematic presentation, the museum, and the cafe. We also did the behind-the-scenes tour which I would not recommend. It was an additional $20 and felt more like a tour of the facility rental spaces. I was hoping to see at least one horse. It might be a great tour if guests can actually see more of the horse element of the track.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I desire to make a visit to this auspicious place one day. Is it far from Charlotte, NC?
Written June 14, 2024
Louisville is a day's drive or a couple hours flight. Well worth the trip. Lots to see and do i. Louisville over a long weekend
Written October 24, 2024
I desire to make a visit to this auspicious place one day. Is it far from Charlotte, NC?
Written June 14, 2024
Is there much live racing on the Stephen Foster preview days? Or is it less than a normal day at the races event?
Written March 10, 2024
I just saw your question and I am not familiar with the Stephen Foster days. Good luck!
Written July 31, 2024
Where is the best place to park for the Oaks and the Derby? Can you buy parking passes ahead of time?
Written December 22, 2023
I plan on going to take the historic tour. If rain is In the forecast would you go? I know it’s rain or shine. I get that just wondering your opinions
Written April 7, 2022
I plan on going to take the historic tour. If rain is In the forecast would you go? I know it’s rain or shine. I get that just wondering your opinions
Written April 7, 2022
I am thinking of going to a race in April. I see that you can bring 12x12 purses, but duffel bags are not allowed. Does anyone know if a clear 12x12 tote bag is allowed? I have one that I’ve brought to NFL games in the past. Thanks!
Written January 6, 2020
Are you planning the opening night, the Saturday before Derby or the first race days of Derby week? Because this week prior to Derby is quite crowded, especially from Thurby, the Thursday then Oaks, then Derby. I would not use that as my primary bag. If it folds easily, I would carry it in that way. Sometimes they are stricter than other times, honestly very unpredictable.
I carry a small purse, bring as little as possible and I bring a folded up bag for whatever I get. It is especially handy if you get drinks in glasses because they are so fragile and hard to carry around.
If I can be of any more assistance, feel free to contact me through Adviser.
Written January 7, 2020
lastlydreaming2017
Chicago, Illinois
Hi I have never been here before - are there any options to buy food and be able to sit in your seat, or must you buy tickets to the brunch specials they have?
Written November 19, 2019
About Derby week, are you attending just Derby, or also Oaks, or other events that week. Honestly, as a veteran of many years from infield to reserved seats, to bleachers well I' ve been through many areas, the FOOD. is way overpriced (try over 12 dollars for a cheap canned beer) and the food is varied by where you sit. Each area serves different food and the more you pay for ticket, the better the food. But, during Derby week, most folks get stuck with the lesser quality. Popcorn is terrible as are pork chop sandwiches etc.
I would either buy a Derby box from a restaurant or merely get a Subway. Food may be brought in, just not a lot. Brunch specials are the pits.
Written January 7, 2020
No, only if you are in the reserved areas like Stakes Room, Millionaires Row etc. Just dress cleanly and ample coverage. Haver good time
Written September 28, 2019
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