Visiting Churchill Downs in Louisville
“And they’re off!” for the most exciting two minutes in sports.
Visiting Churchill Downs in Louisville to see the home of the Kentucky Derby was a must when I was visiting last year. Considered one of the longest, continuously-running sporting event in the country, the Kentucky Derby dates back to 1875. However, horse racing itself has been happening in the state since the late 1700s. Churchill Downs was created and constructed after Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark traveled to England and France in 1872. He attended the Epsom Derby in England and that is what inspired him to create a horse racing event in America.
Did you know that Derbies are for 3-year old thoroughbred horses only?
Its important to note that you won’t be purchasing your ticket to visit this iconic venue from Churchill Downs directly. Rather, its partner and tour provider, the Kentucky Derby Museum. They are a nonprofit organization whose sole focus is to preserve the Kentucky Derby’s legacy. They are also conveniently attached and located right next to the main entrance to Churchill Downs!
What Type of Ticket to Purchase?
Purchasing a General Admission Ticket to the Kentucky Derby Museum means you get access to their Historic Walking Tour, two story museum filled with interactive exhibits, and the chance to see their film “The Greatest Race.” The 20 minute historic walking tour is a great way to see the famous Racetrack. The tour guide will take you through Churchill Downs and then down to the dirt track. Along the way, they’ll tell you stories and share with you fun facts about some of the Derby’s past winners. Although its not a long tour, I felt I got to see the most sought after parts of Churchill Downs.
You can also add on any specialty tours to make your visit a once in a lifetime experience. When I visited, I chose to also do the Behind the Scenes Tour. This tour gave me access to parts of the Racetrack you only see on television. I was able to see where celebrities “do Derby day.” I got an insiders view to non-public areas like the private dining rooms and exclusive balconies over looking the track. Who wouldn’t want to take in the stunning views from the fourth floor balcony, including those of the legendary Twin Spires, track, paddock and city skyline? Additionally, I got to take a peek inside the locker rooms! The only down side to this tour was that we didn’t go directly up to the track as I had with the Historic Walking Tour.
Things to Consider
What I didn’t realize when I purchased my Behind the Scenes tour ticket, was that I essentially got to have two tours of Churchill Downs. By paying for the specialty tour, I also received a General Admission Ticket. As I mentioned above, those come standard with a short, historic tour of Churchill Downs. For me, this meant coming back on two different days to do the tours because there wasn’t another time that worked on the same day. Although, if you don’t have enough time to do both, I would recommend doing the Behind the Scenes tour over the general walking tour. Also, all tours happen rain or shine!
Lastly, when I was pulling up the website so that I can link it, I didn’t see the Behind the Scenes tour as an option anymore. After reading the descriptions of all of the tours, I believe it is now called “Superstars and Spires.” Construction of the site had also not yet begun when I visited in late 2021, but it seems construction is now in full swing. I mention this only because some locations you might not be able to see because of it.
Visiting Churchill Downs in Louisville
Location: 700 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208
Hours: From March 1st – November 30th, their hours are Monday to Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm; Sundays 11:00am to 5:00pm. From December 1st to February 28th, their hours are Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Standard Adult Admission: Varies depending on which tour and admission you choose. The general admission ticket is $18. It is definitely recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time to make sure you have a chance to visit.