Anonymous
Post 01/28/2025 13:13     Subject: Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2025 13:57     Subject: Re:Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/27/2025 08:52     Subject: Re:Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/27/2025 08:39     Subject: Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/27/2025 07:41     Subject: Re:Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/26/2025 22:34     Subject: Re:Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/26/2025 09:07     Subject: Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/26/2025 09:06     Subject: Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/26/2025 08:31     Subject: Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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
Post 01/26/2025 08:28     Subject: Churchill Downs Racetrack visit questions for those who have been there
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!