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Kentucky (KY)
Louisville
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Churchill Downs
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Churchill Downs

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See all things to do
Churchill Downs
4.5
3,768 reviews
#10 of 183 things to do in Louisville
Historic Sites • Horse Tracks
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This beautiful racetrack has been the home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875.
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Top ways to experience Churchill Downs and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
198 within 3 miles
Derby Cafe
156
181 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe
Millionaires Row & Skye Terrace
63
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Wagner's Pharmacy
225
0.3 mi$ • American • Diner
Tim Pages corner store
8
0.2 mi
Matt Winn's Steakhouse
11
0.3 mi$$$$ • Steakhouse
El Molcajete
38
0.3 mi$ • Mexican • Latin • Vegetarian Friendly
Derby Bar & Grill
5
0.2 mi$
Santa Fe Grill
38
0.4 mi$ • Mexican • Latin • Spanish
Senor Iguanas
79
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly
Subway
2
0.4 mi
See all
Attractions
154 within 6 miles
Kentucky Derby Museum
3,483
170 ftSpeciality Museums
Kentucky Derby
130
210 ftSporting Events
Louisville Mega Cavern
18,772
Caverns & Caves
The Speed Art Museum
239
1 miArt Museums
Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle)
713
1.7 miSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
Stitzel-Weller Distillery
781
2 miDistilleries
Cardinal Stadium
84
0.7 miArenas & Stadiums
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co
430
Distilleries
Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery
664
Distilleries
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
6,813
Speciality Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,768 reviews
Excellent
2,652
Very good
849
Average
188
Poor
47
Terrible
32
Dallas A
Chicago, IL145 contributions
Great Entertainment!
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.
Cindy D
Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States200 contributions
Bucket list item checked off
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.
Gossamer007
Knoxville, TN460 contributions
Free day during a business trip
Nov 2021
I'll start this review off by saying I'm not even a horse racing fan and got invited on a group trip to this place thinking I was going to be bored and not enjoy it. Was I ever wrong. We started off getting a guided tour in the morning of the track and some of the areas inside. Our guide was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of interesting information about the horses that run and the history of the track. After the tour, we then went to an enclosed area overlooking the track that served a great buffet with plenty of drink options. The horse races started every 30 minutes and you can make a bet as low as $2 to make them more interesting and get the people in your group excited yelling for their horse. I don't think I would want to put up with the Derby crowds but this was on a Thursday and the crowd was limited but still enough people there to make things exciting.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CleopatraBunny
Flagstaff, AZ1,636 contributions
Be sure to book tickets in advance!
Jun 2021
During these COVID times, the basic 30-minute tours have limited capacity so be sure to book tickets in advance for the Derby Museum and walk out to the track. Book a tour first thing and you might see horses finishing their track training! Plenty of free parking in their lot. Arrive early to peruse the well-curated displays about the jockeys and horses. If you visit Lexington as part of your trip to Kentucky, be sure to add the Kentucky Horse Park to your list as it will enhance your appreciation for the horses and their journey to greatness. Friendly and knowledgeable tour guides made this well worth a stop. If you like murals, the Greetings from Louisville one is just a few blocks away.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicole M
Spring Valley Village, TX16 contributions
Great Experience!
Mar 2023 • Family
This is definitely a can’t miss! Even with the construction, it’s still a great tour. Museum is very well done. Derby Cafe is yummy.
My teen boys who aren’t even in the horse racing enjoyed being here and learning about the Derby.
Written March 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom W.
Lowell, IN4 contributions
The Ultimate Tour With Our Guide, Barry!
Aug 2022 • Couples
My wife, Jana, and I went on the Ultimate Tour this morning. It's Sunday and the tour started at 8:00 a.m. Our tour guide's name is Barry, and we could not have asked more a more genuine, down to earth, and funny gentleman to escort us all over the grounds! Barry had inside stories and information that had the attention of all six people in our tour. We got up close to the horses training on the track, and even spoke shortly with a few of the jockeys. After that, we went by golf cart to the backside of Churchill Downs and went by the horse stalls. There were 1,200 horses at the facility this morning and each is more beautiful than the next! We got to hear stories from Barry's friend and sidekick, Bill. Bill actually loaded the horses in the chutes for 20 Kentucky Derbys! Bill was just as fun and interesting as Barry! After that, we went to where the "beautiful people" sit during the big race! It's as close to high living as we are going to come, and we all enjoyed it immensely! After seeing where Queen Elizabeth watched the derby in 2007, and taking pictures, we went to Wagner's for lunch across the street from the track. It is 100 years old and the food was great! The meal is included in the price of the tour. The six of us ate, while Barry sat with us and told us more stories while he sipped on sweet tea. After that, we rode to the museum where we could see artifacts, watch past Kentucky Derbys and then watch a 20 minute movie. Barry said goodbye as we entered the museum, but not before we got our picture taken with him. I know that Barry won't remember us after today, but it will be a long time before we even think about forgetting him! The Ultimate Tour is not cheap, but it is worth every penny! Trust me on that! Make sure to ask for Barry. You'll be glad that you did!
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CindyJV
Detroit, MI301 contributions
Very interesting behind the scenes tour
Jul 2021 • Family
We really enjoyed our tour. Learned lots of interesting tidbits about the derby, Churchill Downs, etc. If you book the behind the scenes tour, you can skip the 30 minute tour that comes free with the museum admission. It’s completely repetitive.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dan H
Sarasota, FL11 contributions
More Fun Than I Expected!
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!
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ajw0368
Philadelphia, PA17 contributions
Breakfast on the Backstretch with Daryl - Awesome
Sep 2022
Did the morning breakfast on the backstretch tour with Daryl and it was simply an amazing experience. While it was a little more costly then the other tours, there is something magical about watching the sunrise from the backstretch and catch the days first light over the twin spires. Couple that with being almost on the rail as the morning trots and sprints take place and it's really amazing
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
907blaked
Tampa, FL1,336 contributions
Fun experience to watch the horse races from the Skye Terrace
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.
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Churchill Downs (Louisville) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Churchill Downs
We recommend booking Churchill Downs tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Churchill Downs tours on Tripadvisor