Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there

Anonymous
Looking at all the different options....the general admission is already 20 bucks a person. are the additional experiences worth it? We like horses but aren't into racing, just passing through Louisville and this seems interesting. TIA!
Anonymous
The Kentucky derby museum is adjacent and you can take a tour which includes general admittance to the track. If you’re not into horse racing I’d do that then just watch a race or two.
Anonymous
Be warned that for some tracks/races, GA doesn’t actually give you a view of the track — just admittance to the inside of the grandstand.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The Kentucky derby museum is adjacent and you can take a tour which includes general admittance to the track. If you’re not into horse racing I’d do that then just watch a race or two.


I think we are getting there a week or 2 before racing season starts (spring break).
Anonymous
We went last summer and I think we just did the General ticket, which included a tour, but you only see a few retired horses on that tour. If I went again I would try to get the tour option to view the morning workouts. Also if you are in KY in April and you like racing, I highly recommend checking out Keeneland Racetrack's spring meet. It's near Lexington and it is a beautiful track.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We went last summer and I think we just did the General ticket, which included a tour, but you only see a few retired horses on that tour. If I went again I would try to get the tour option to view the morning workouts. Also if you are in KY in April and you like racing, I highly recommend checking out Keeneland Racetrack's spring meet. It's near Lexington and it is a beautiful track.


I liked this idea when I looked it up, however they don't have races until Wednesday each week and we would need it to be on a Tuesday. Thanks though!
Anonymous
If you want a real Kentucky horse experience and only have one day, I recommend going to the Kentucky Horse Park in nearby Lexington instead.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We went last summer and I think we just did the General ticket, which included a tour, but you only see a few retired horses on that tour. If I went again I would try to get the tour option to view the morning workouts. Also if you are in KY in April and you like racing, I highly recommend checking out Keeneland Racetrack's spring meet. It's near Lexington and it is a beautiful track.


I agree with this. Keeneland is beautiful and I don't even think you need to pay to walk around the facility. We visited this horse farm after and it was a lot of fun: https://rosehill-farm.com/

Churchill Downs is fine if you want to learn a lot about the history of racing and the Derby but I don't remember ever seeing a horse on the tour. We saw lots of horses at Keeneland and were able to pet and feed the horses at Rose Hill. The Churchill tour is like a baseball stadium tour without going to see a game. Which is fine, but may not be that exciting for kids.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We went last summer and I think we just did the General ticket, which included a tour, but you only see a few retired horses on that tour. If I went again I would try to get the tour option to view the morning workouts. Also if you are in KY in April and you like racing, I highly recommend checking out Keeneland Racetrack's spring meet. It's near Lexington and it is a beautiful track.


I agree with this. Keeneland is beautiful and I don't even think you need to pay to walk around the facility. We visited this horse farm after and it was a lot of fun: https://rosehill-farm.com/

Churchill Downs is fine if you want to learn a lot about the history of racing and the Derby but I don't remember ever seeing a horse on the tour. We saw lots of horses at Keeneland and were able to pet and feed the horses at Rose Hill. The Churchill tour is like a baseball stadium tour without going to see a game. Which is fine, but may not be that exciting for kids.


The KY Derby Museum is really very good and my kids loved it and learned so much; also, there are a few live horses on the tour. Keeneland is not a museum but just a small racetrack. Both are worthwhile, but it's comparing apples and oranges.
Anonymous
As others have said the Derby Museum is very good; if there's any interest in baseball the Slugger factory is a good stop as well.
post reply Forum Index » Travel Discussion
Message Quick Reply
Go to: