Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Churchill Downs

Louisville Images / Flickr

Key Info

700 Central Avenue
Louisville, KY, 40208
Official Website

Details

Sports, Tours Type
2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

4.6

Overall

Scorecard

Value

4.0
Facilities

4.5
Atmosphere

4.0

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Just its name inspires romantic images of spectators dressed in their Sunday best sipping on mint juleps as thoroughbreds race past them. Recent travelers agreed – Churchill Downs, the racing facility that hosts the annual Kentucky Derby, is just as idyllic as you might have imagined. In fact, visitors said that if there's only time for one stop in Louisville, this Central Avenue racing complex is the place to go.

General admission costs $3 per person (except on Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days), and reserved seating costs $10 per person. Keep in mind: Ticket prices climb higher the more prestigious your perch (in spots like the Matt Winn Dining Room, Millionaires Row, Jockey Club Suites and the Stakes Room). Racing occurs in the spring, from the first Saturday in May to early July, and in the fall from late September to late November. Look here for the schedule. If you're interested in attending the famed Kentucky Derby, prepare to fork over some serious coin. Tickets are sold in two-day packages, with prices that range from $300 to $3,400 per ticket.

If you're not into the pomp and circumstance, visit Churchill Downs in the summer so you can tour the stables. There's no dress code for general admission, but the Downs' official website includes detailed instructions on race day attire and varying ticket prices. Also, be sure to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum (housed inside the Downs) to learn more about the history of the race and its famous traditions.

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#1 Churchill Downs Just its name inspires romantic images of spectators dressed in their Sunday best sipping on mint juleps as thoroughbreds race past them. Recent travelers agreed – Churchill Downs, the racing facility that ... Read more » Louisville Images / Flickr

#2 Kentucky Derby Museum To learn more about the "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports," a visit to this museum is a must. Spanning two floors, the museum uses interactive, kid-friendly exhibits to ... Read more » Barry Winiker / Getty Images

#3 Muhammad Ali Center Even if you're not a boxing fan, recent visitors said you should make time to see this impressive facility dedicated to legendary athlete and activist Muhammad Ali, who called ... Read more » Courtesy the Muhammad Ali Center

#4 Louisville Mega Cavern One of the city's more unique attractions, the 100-acre Louisville Mega Cavern, which was created out of a 19th-century limestone quarry, now houses the world's only underground zip ... Read more » Courtesy Louisville Mega Cavern

#5 Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Preferred by legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams, the Louisville Slugger is undeniably the most famous bat in baseball. And to learn about its production, history and ... Read more » Barry Winiker / Getty Images

#6 Conrad-Caldwell House Museum Part of the Old Louisville historic district – America's largest Victorian neighborhood – the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum stands as a preserved example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. Known as "Conrad's Castle ... Read more » Courtesy the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum

#7 Louisville Slugger Field Named after the popular Louisville Slugger baseball bat, this field is home turf for the minor league baseball team the Louisville Bats. Even though you may not be a devoted ... Read more » Jason Meredith / Flickr

#8 Cave Hill Cemetery According to recent travelers, this cemetery isn't a must for everyone, for obvious reasons. But if you enjoy Victorian-era art, you'll probably find these monuments and mausoleums of ... Read more » Louisville Images / Flickr

#9 Louisville Zoo Open since 1969, the Louisville Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals across its 134 acres. Among the highlights for recent visitors were the polar bear, tiger and ... Read more » Sam Gray / Courtesy of the Louisville Zoo

#10 Frazier History Museum Yet another standout site in downtown's West Main District, the Frazier History Museum is a special treat for lovers of military trivia as well as arms collectors. It's ... Read more » ross6606 / Flickr