Churchill Downs

went for the tour in late august - it was a friday and no racing at all, but still there were some people taking tours non-stop. you get to look at the race tracks and listen to a guide explain the history of the place. surprisingly there are 600,000 seats - well that’s the correct answer of the guide asks you - a bit hard to believe looking at the venue. guess the magic of this place is during the derby and seeing it empty just shows you how people are the core of anything. you do get to see a house and a pony - cute and beautiful

First time at any racetrack and I must say the atmosphere was quite thrilling. Beautiful horses!!! I could definitely see the appeal. Even tried gambling (low $ wagers) just to experience it for myself and it definitely adds to the excitement. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the home of the Kentucky Derby.

If you think Louisville and its surrounding towns are just about bourbon — think again. The real cherry on top for me is Churchill Downs! 🍒🐎 My husband surprised me with VIP tickets to the Sports Illustrated Club for the Downs After Dark event, and what an unforgettable experience it was. We were escorted to our reserved table at the SI Club — such a beautiful and exciting venue with an incredible atmosphere. We met so many wonderful people throughout the evening. Our fantastic waitress Kim took great care of us, and Hoyt who gave us a crash course in horse race betting — explaining every angle with patience and charm. Thanks to his guidance, we even picked a few winners! A special thank you to Cameron, who made it all possible with those amazing seats. Because of him, we had a night filled with laughter, excitement, and memories we’ll never forget. What an experience — truly one for the books. If you ever have the chance to attend an event at Churchill Downs, especially Downs After Dark, don’t miss it!

The grounds are spectacular. I enjoy driving by and seeing the gates and horse statue. I wish there was more to see right outside of the museum like multiple beautiful horse statue. I really enjoy the beautiful 150th wine glass and special commemorative bottle. I look forward to seeing more merchandise and also wish to visit during the event with special attire. Lastly, I wish to make the visit extra special by associating it with an anniversary. 🐎 🎀 💖

We went on a Sunday and arrived around 1. The next tour wasn't until 2:30 so we watched the movie in the amazing theatre and toured the museum. It's very interactive and so interesting. Our 15 year old was even into it and he hates museums. Our tour guide, Steve, was phenomenal! My only negative was the cafe closed at 3. I wish the front desk would have warned us because we would have done that first. We wanted to have mint juleps and try Kentucky bourbon in Kentucky so this was part of our reason for going. We were very disappointed when we arrived at 3:06 and were very sternly told they were closed 😩.

This was a once in a lifetime event and my team and I had an amazing time. We were treated with the utmost respect and care from the staff and receptionists. The event was put on by Berkshire Hathaway and we had a private race that was unforgettable. Thank you for making it one of the greatest nights for memories ever.

Visiting this historic horse racing location, I was pleasantly surprised despite not being a fan of horse races. However, I found the entry prices to be quite high for what the venue offers. If you're considering souvenirs, be prepared for sticker shock; items like T-shirts are significantly overpriced, with one costing as much as $38. Suggestions for improvement could include offering more reasonably priced entry tickets or providing package deals that include both entry and a souvenir. Additionally, having a range of souvenir options at different price points might attract more visitors willing to make a purchase. Overall, while the experience was enjoyable, the cost of entry and souvenirs may deter some visitors. It would be beneficial to address these pricing concerns to enhance visitor satisfaction and encourage repeat visits.

Great experience. I’ve never been a fan of horse racing but learning about the history, jockeys, trainers and all that goes into the sport was very enjoyable.

I will always have love for Churchill Downs and that every visit creates a memory with family and friends. There's so many ways to experience it, from super casual to much fancier. The price tag and attire will follow your choice. Night racing is so fun! I love that each one is themed. They also have twilight Thursdays. It's rare to come across an associate that is anything less than helpful. As many times as I've been here, I always need help with directions. Their website is helpful. Read it before visiting so that you understand parking, seating options, costs, daily events, etc. The museum isn't connected to the track - but mentioning it as a place to visit when you're in Louisville. Another gem!

The First Turn Club at Churchill Downs is a caverness space at the tracks first turn. The front side is all glass, and there is a sizable apron. There is stadium seating upstairs. Generally, you cannot see the start of races, nor the finish. You have a great view of the main Churchill and the infield, but all you see of the horses is a whoosh as they go by. You'd have to dash inside to watch the finish on a screen. Not for me. 85

It was so great to see Churchill Downs in person. The video in the museum was wonderful (tho it may make you dizzy if you have motion sickness issues). The tour was great. I really enjoyed it. I loved that we got to see a couple horses (an adult and a baby), too. The restaurant was too crowded (partly since they had the one large room set up for a wedding, I think). I'd like to try the cafe next trip.

Amazing place. We did the barn and backyard tour early in the morning (7:30). The horses were out warming up and training which was a super cool experience. Our tour guide Jessica was so incredibly knowledgeable, positive, and took her time to answer every and all questions. We were never rushed and got to see some future talent. Now the museum wow. So much information and cool interactive exhibits as well. The magnitude of this place is simply spectacular.

Another Dream Come True!! Wowza!! I never wrote a review for our visit to Churchill Downs from a few years ago. I posted the photos a couple of years ago, but never posted a review. Based on my limited memory, here are some notes of what I remember. It was Time well spent! We got to the museum early, and we enjoyed every minute there. We purchased a tour of Churchill Downs. It was worth every penny!! Highly recommend doing the guided tour!! Make sure to check out the many informative and educational exhibits at the museum. So much to learn and appreciate! I remember that there was an interactive racing game which Wifey and I played. She beat me twice in that horse race!! We also enjoyed a really good lunch meal at the cafe which I will share more about on their Yelp page. All in all, we had an AMAZING time at the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs!! It was so great to see the track where the magic of the Kentucky Derby takes place! I'd be more than happy to return here in the future Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby!! Maybe one day I'll be able to attend the Kentucky Derby in person at Churchill Downs. Now that truly would be a Bucket List Dream Come True!!

Beautiful place, the museum is awesome. Tours are available Racing season starts later this month. Employees are very friendly.

This place is now checked off my list of places to see! I couldn't believe how huge Churchill Downs was! Here you can attend horse raises but make sure you adhere to the strict dress code prior to making arrangements! There is ample parking here as well so if you don't have the luxury of parking near the front there is a large lot further back that has employees to direct traffic and some of them will even give you a lift to the front! If you're not here for a race, there's also the museum and cafe to check out of it's a beautiful location for a private event!

Bought tickets for HOMESTRETCH ROOM...awesome experience...comes with seats outside ...middle of stretch as a great view of races finishing.. Also allows you into huge private room which has buffet...desserts ...drinks The seats ..food ..drinks are all FREE as one time cost ...unlimited !!! The room is has air conditioning as a little relief from sun outside. I recommend for a fun time with friends.

Such a great experience! The place is beautiful in great shape. It was a beautiful day hot outside, but we were inside the turf club boxes and so we were in air-conditioning. The races were great great entertainment for the day. Even if you don't like to gamble. It's still a fun place to sit and watch. We ate the buffet inside and it was excellent food. Our server in our box was very friendly and always around. A great day.

What an amazing experience at a historic venue. We were staying in the area so we decided to visit Churchill Downs just to take pictures outside. We didn't know they had live racing that day so we bought tickets in the 300 level and made a day of it. We had a lot of fun. We were able to watch 4 of the races before my daughter's nap time. It was fun and easy to make bets on the races. We also ended up eating lunch here. Outside our section there were about 6 options for food. We tried the chicken tenders at one place, just ok. The pulled pork Mac and Cheese at another place was excellent. I also tried a Woodford Spire. It came in a copper cup and had Woodford Reserve, cranberry and lemonade. Very refreshing. I can't wait to come back.

Churchhill Downs! What can I say. I've always wanted to visit and attend the Kentucky Derby! Watching it on tv as a kid and even as an adult. I was taken aback when I first walked into the building because they had a horse's staging pen, as soon as you walked in, and my first thought was, "There's NO WAY they're gonna make me believe that they stuff a full blown Thoroughbred in that small space?!?" Nope. Not Gonna believe it, but it was true! I gasped. As I continued my tour, walking through the graveyards of the greatest to ever race....I became very sad. I was even sadder when I read one of the description plots that said they don't bury the full horse--only their heart, head, and hooves. But what did you did with the rest of the horse?!? IDK. This visit continues to make me think about what I see on tv versus what happens. And more and more horses have died since I've last visited.

We were here in the off season so no horses on site and no racing but the tour and museum was definitely worth the stop and 30ish dollars. We did the Superstars and Spires tour, the museum, and movie. It was all great. The museum has interesting displays, many of them interactive. Watching the races to see the winners live on screen was a great way to enhance the exhibits. I loved the display on fashions, especially hats. Our tour guide was Steve. He relayed relevant and fun facts throughout the tour. I loved going into the Millionaires Club and the many other places I would never pay to see. Not being a horse racing fan, per se, I enjoyed this stop very much. Parking was super easy (right next to the entry). Staff was very helpful.

To further your Kentucky Derby Museum experience be sure to take part of the tour. That way, you will be able to view Churchill Downs. Most times you may not be able to experience this place completely when there is an event going on. I am sure that that is a whole other experience, but being able to tour the facility when there is nothing going on is another experience. A much quieter, behind the scenes type of experience. Your tour guide walks you through the facility with a microphone set so that you can hear everything they say and show you the ins and outs of the facility. You also get a nice oral history of the facility as well as inside tips of how things work here. You get to walk through the innards of the building and see where things get really busy under the grandstands. But the magical thing about this place is walking out into the grandstand area and see the track for the first time. Walking out there and seeing the track in it's perfect condition is amazing and kind of awe inspiring. When you finally see the size of the track you finally understand the magnitude of the race. Being in the grandstand you get to see how much this sprawls as well. You are pointed out where the original grandstands are and the areas that have been added on throughout the span of this facility. You are given the rundown as well of when this place is busy, where the people that work at that time live, and how to get to the infield. We were also informed that the infield is like an all out party area during the big race. Other things you learn when here is how quick tickets for the big race sell out, how much food they go through on that day, and that there are many more races that happen that day other than the big race. You are also told how people dress up for this event and how loads of people of all ages are elbow to elbow on this day. We didn't get to see any horses on this day or any other people that work here besides the ones in the museum area. So it was pretty deserted which allowed for a nice tour. You also have to remember that I showed up for the last tour. I did end up finding a horseshoe while we were doing our tour and took that with me as a nice little souvenir. Something that I don't think many people get to do.

Nothing like going to the horse races at Derby time! Churchill Downs is beautiful and so are the people! Best people watching place! Of course the horses are bad looking either!

Amazing facility. The Thurby is Da BOMB! Park close by it's worth the money. Once in a life time party for me

Finally had the chance to go here while in Louisville for one of my daughters volleyball tournament. Churchhill Downs is full of pageantry! The history behind the horse race Mecca is amazing! Please don't pass the chance to see this amazing place.

Fun place to see a horse race, and people watch. Ask your Uber to drop you off at gate 1 or they will drop you off a mile away from the entrance.

Planned a Churchill Downs visit for my work trip, and it was such a great experience to see everything behind the scenes. We had breakfast right next to the track, where we were able to watch the horses training, which was an amazing experience. The tour of the property was informative, giving us insight into the training process and what goes into hosting their big events. Breakfast was fresh, with a good variety of options for our team. We also got to visit their museum, which was filled with so much interesting information and history. It was a fun and educational visit, and one day I'll definitely have to make it for a race!

I can't wait every year to goto Churchill Downs. Now that they renovated it's like a whole new experience. I'm a big fan of all the chandeliers. They have did such a fabulous job with the renovations. If you haven't been in years it's a must redo to go see how beautiful it is. I have a big group every year. We all wear #TerrillHats #blondecoco and as you will see from some attached pictures the scenery is beautiful in background.

Our group of 8 visited on a Friday in September for the special event of Senior Day on Millionaire's Row. We enjoyed a buffet and a great day of wagering on multiple races. Our constructive criticism comments were: 1) Parking was only available in far off parking lots and nearest lots were blocked off. 2) Entry queue on ground level up the escalator was poorly managed, resulting in a jammed crowd pushing and shoving. 3) Queue to the elevators was poorly managed with poor efficiency to move patrons from point A to point B. 4) Queue on 3rd floor level to enter the dining room was poorly managed with a manager and staff person engaging in a verbal disagreement in front of patrons. Correction should have been done in private. Staff person appeared to need further training or perhaps ill suited to a front-facing position with the public. 5) Food items on buffet were bland, boring, and sparse for $45 per person and the same each time we visit. Would be nice to have more variety. 6) We sat at Table 12-H, arrived between 11:30 to 12:30, buffet closed at 2:30, races continue until almost 6 PM -- our waitstaff began pressuring us beginning at 2:30 PM, removing our napkins, full water glasses, utensils, and in-use dessert plates, and would have likely ripped the table cloth off the table if we had all been away from the table simultaneously. Felt VERY unwelcoming, didn't appreciate her comments referencing seniors in a derogatory manner. This visit was vastly subpar compared to our previous one in June for Senior Day.

Top notch if you are a horse race fan! This is the 150th running of the historic race of the KY Derby! Its about the horses, betting and people watching. You will see the most modest to outrageous hats and outfits and I'm not just talking about the ladies, the gents are so handsome in their suits and hats and some suits are outrageous as well. You have to experience this event at least once in your lifetime! This is my 2nd trip and I noticed lots of changes but still has the same feel as Churchill Downs has been know for since the 1800s. There is a new paddock area and no longer do you need to purchase food and drink. It is FREE! Although if you want a mint julep, the customary bourbon drink of all derby events you will pay $12. The free food is outside and in the clubhouses which are situated near each seating areas. If you want a sit down dinner overlooking the track on upper floors you will pay around $5000! A couple I met were treated to this event w all the bells and whistles, I'm guessing the Derby day alone for them probably was $10k. You can pay far less to get into the derby if you want to do General Admission in the sunshine. I chose my seat in the sunshine w access to Churchill Downs seating area. Its more money but a better experience overall and you can walk around and explore plus you can get seats close to the rail and watch the horses whiz buy all day. The last race of the day is the famous one which the winning horse is covered w a blanket of red roses at the end and on to victory (hopefully) at racing toward the triple crown in Maryland and New York. I was thrilled when in 2015 the horse I bet on( first time) at Churchill Downs went on to win the triple crown, a feat not afforded any other horse in over 30yrs, American Pharoah. You have to ck Churchill Downs out even if you don't go to the Derby. They are open most times of the year and they also have a museum. Kentucky has alot to offer!

I only saw a small portion of the venue, so this review is based on that. We arrived to the venue knowing we wanted to see the museum but no other real plans... we thought we may take in some races or not. We weren't sure. We found parking for the museum really quick. However, after that it was not clear which way we should go or where anything was. There is construction going on and that made it more confusing, where the regular ticket booths are was closed. We took in the statue our front and found a post with signs directing us. After our museum tour we ended up opting out of staying for the races, but I still wasn't sure where you would even enter for that.... During the museum tour we did see the track which was very cool, the stadium and seating (there are different levels and sections). I loved the history of it and how all the winners names are on plaques around the venue. Very cool. Oh I will mention, I was dressed in athletic wear (leggings and hoodie) and did feel a bit like I may need to dress nicer to attend a race. People around the venue were dressed very nice - think church dress all the way up to fancy easter dress. I asked the museum person if there is a dress code and they assured me my attire was fine, however there are some areas of the venue that have a dress code requirement. If I were coming here to the races I'd plan to dress a bit nicer.

Magnificent, wonderful, historical, American, Exciting, Exhilarating, Austentatios, Over-theTop, Welcoming, Imposing, People-watching, loud, mint juleps, colorful, bucket list, dazzling, impressive, and a memory to last a lifetime.

My husband and I were visiting for the bourbon trail but decided to do the Twilight Thursday races while in the area. Just being here right after the 150th Derby felt surreal. We arrived right around 5 when the first race kicked off. And it was hot outside in June. I noticed as we were leaving around 7:30 that people were just getting there. Honestly, this would be the way to go for the summer races as it is so hot outside that we just weren't enjoying ourselves as much. I would come later to avoid the heat. I'm not sure where the food trucks were that were mentioned on the website for the Thursday races but I would eat before or after. We had the food from the food stalls inside and it was sub par to say the least.

We had a really nice tour of the racetrack and museum. There was 5 of us with a couple of people who struggle with walking distances and the tour worked well for them. We got mint juleps and really enjoyed our visit. I would definitely recommend this tour.

What a beautiful venue for the Kentucky Derby my first time here and I was in total aww. This is definitely a venue you should visit if you're in the Kentucky area. They have a museum and you are able to go on the tracks and learn all about the history of the Kentucky derby, you don't want to miss this if you have the time and must see!

We had an absolutely fantastic time visiting Churchill Downs. We almost didn't make it during our "Bourbon Trail" trip to Louisville but I managed to squeeze in a visit during our last half day in town and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. We both packed dresses and the biggest rimmed hats we could find in the closet. It was a little bit chilly but we had to make the most of what would likely be the closest thing we would experience to a Kentucky Derby. We must have really looked the part because as we were incorrectly heading to the museum part of the complex, someone on a golf cart drove up to us and said "are you ladies heading to the races?" and immmediately waved us in after we responded in the affirmative. He kindly drove us to the race part entrance. We had absolutely no clue where we were going but the staff directed us to the seating location indicated on our tickets. I didn't even intend to purchase tickets in the rose room (or whatever it's called) but that was a nice surprise! We had just eaten so did not consume any of the edible offerings. We did, however, hydrate with the bar offerings. I, a glass of Prosecco, and GF, a Bloody Mary. We took our seats and flipped through the provided program to choose what horses to place our bets on. Mind you, this was done purely on name alone which I do not recommend because even though I bet on the best odds, just to place in the top three, not one of our horses made it anywhere close. In fact, our horses frequently were mentioned in the context of "so and so is having trouble keeping up with the pack...". Despite losing a few bucks, it was incredibly fun and a really great experience. I highly recommend visiting. Also, btw, the bathrooms are wonderful,.

Pluses snd minuses. Inside, the staff and betting window folks are very accommodating. Outside, it is miserable for anyone with a disability. Intentionally forbid my disabled wife from entering the 'executive' gate closest to our box. No one was using it. Would have harmed no one. Made her struggle on her walker an additional quarter mile for absolutely no reason other than to be purposely mean.

I thought my first Kentucky Derby would be our Only Derby but we came back 9 yrs later. It's definitely something everyone should experience . Do your research and find seats the best you can afford where you can see well. Between the big hats and crowds it's a challenge to see the horses from some locations on the track. This year everything is all inclusive everywhere but the infield. All drinks (alcohol and non alcohol) and food is included in price of your ticket. (Mint juleps in glass use To be $17 ea). Food included sliders, lobster rolls, chicken wings, Sandwiches etc. lines were sometimes long. It's a long day. Arrive sometime around 10-11AM and leave @8PM. Comfortable shoes a must. Big hats are pretty but wind and crowds, you're happy to get it off your head at end of the day. Read up on betting before you go. Bets placed are cash only. It's a great time!!

This stop was part of our city tour. Got dropped off for an hour and half. Got to do a really cool tour here. Went out into the stands and saw the track as well as walk through the museum. There is a really cool video to finish the tour of the history. This is a really cool place and the history was deep. Definitely a must stop for history buffs or people that like horses. Recommend watching Secretariat before going. Or after as you will recognize parts of the movie

Great experience! Multiple seating options and plenty of food to choose from. The food wasn't the best, but not bad for the setting. Easy to bet on the horses and cash out quickly in between races.

My Tip: Wear comfortable shoe; flip flops was my choice. Sparkling flip flops but still...flip flops. By the end of the night, people were saying how smart it was and others were looking at my flip flops...wishing they had them on as they limped along. We had Millionaires Row tickets again for Day of the races at Churchill Downs. Another amazing dinner table right next to the window. I could literally get up from my table and walk straight outside on the most beautiful balcony with breath taking views of the races and the city. The vibe was Power. Strength. and Beauty. The horses were an amazing force. The views and breeze were intoxicating. There is nothing like the sounds at Churchill Downs. After a Mint Julep and the intoxication of the breeze, the pours seemed to get very generous and even stronger. Dinner was interestingly just ok. Lots of tables. We had a table with no one next to us...just the windows on one side and the open floor on the other. Just perfect. Churchill Downs is not about the food so expect it to be mediocre which did not impact this review. The only part of the experience that was off putting this year was the parking. It was so chaotic. You had employees directing people to the wrong area. Everyone wasted so much time dealing with parking. You really needed a drink by the time you made through the gates. The golf cart pick ups were great that took us to / from the gates to make up some time lost with the "who's on first" directions from the parking employees. The experience is ABSOLUTELY everything it is hyped up to be!!

We went for Thanksgiving lunch... never again. The food was sub par, the drinks were a joke. The green bean casserole tasted like sewage. It was just another money grab by Churchill Downs.

My daughter and I had the great privilege of being the only two guests booked on the Ultimate Churchill Downs tour. This was far and away the best tour I have ever been on, and I have been on many tours at different locales. Diane, our tour guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and is clearly well liked by the entire Churchill Downs staff. We were there on a nonrace day, however, the experience was beyond compare. We met and took a picture with Steve Buttleman, who was dressed with bugle in hand for a private event. During our behind-the-scenes portion of the tour, we met Bill "Equine," who imparted much of his vast knowledge regarding the track, training the horses, and the unseen security. We witnessed many of the horses stabled on the property doing practice runs, saw a farrier hard at work, visited Millionaires Row, and learned about bunker jail. Again, I cannot express how incredible the tour was and how excellent Diane is as a tour guide. We ended up spending 6 hours there and enjoyed the museum as well. And I came home with a Christmas ornament of Steve Buttleman!

THANKSGIVING DINNER IN SKY TERRACE 6. WONDERFUL: Great view of the racetrack. GOOD: Turkey & Ham: moist & good flavor. Gravy. Room-temperature rolls. Help yourself to canned sodas. Money maker for Churchill -- many packed diners in a small space -- seating was like two trains with rectangle tables. UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PRICE: ALL OTHER TYPICAL THANKSGIVING DISHES. Mashed potatoes looked like white gravy. Mashed sweet potatoes had no flavor and mystery contents. Dry dressing looked like Stovetop brand, tasted like watered down white bread. SERVICE: Could not keep the dessert bar filled--I was told there would be no more pies. But by the time we left at 8th race, pies were there for the taking. Coffee had room-temperature packets of creme and worthy of trashing after the first sip. Many employees sitting around with unknown duties. Poorly designed architectural feature--entry into the restrooms directly from the eating tables.

Churchill downs the home of the Kentucky derby and one of the city of Lousiville's Crown Jewels when it comes to Tourism and fame. The most famous horse track in the world is located in the southend of Lousiville in a not so great area but it has been successful and has worked being out there for years. A who's who of celebrity fills this place every 1st Saturday In May. so the allure is still there despite the eyesores that Surrounds the grounds. Being born and raised in Lousiville people are often shocked to hear I've never attended the derby or oaks races. Just not my style. I'd rather go to a cookout and make bets from home or get into pick a horse pots. That does not mean I haven't or don't visit Churchill downs. I probably make 2 trips or so a year. The facility is beautiful and state of the art. Very massive and the track and infield is breathtaking. Has the aurora of being special for sure. The millionaires row which is accessible to non millionaires when it's not derby day is a nice place to view a race indoors or you can sit out in the stadium bleachers and catch a race. Overall this is a historic site that sat here long before I existed and will be here long after I exist. I only wish the state of Kentucky would get with the program and allow gambling and online gambling outside of just horse racing and Churchill downs. I'm sure the powers to be at Churchill agree as I'm sure they could build a massive and impressive casino.

I was there yesterday at 11:20 and was denied access to the handicap lot when I had my placard on my mirror and everything I needed to be able to pull into the lot the parking attendant Daryl would not let me in he didn't give me a reason he just wouldn't let me pull in there so when I went up to the other gate cuz that's where I was directed to go they told me to call Brenda friend to come up there nothing come of it because everybody still on the same gate they were today as they were yesterday the only difference was I didn't have problem pulling into the handicap block today but yesterday they violated my civil rights for my disability act I contacted Churchill Downs directly and no response so I'm wondering how bad it has to be before someone sues Churchill Downs for violating their disability act I give him no stars for this event but that's not possible again no one called me back

We went to opening night and it was fantastic What a special night filled with horses fashion hats and lots more We were invited to a suite which had an open bar and delicious food l found a new drink I like The Lily and it's famous at the Derby It was a great night and Churchill Downs doesn't disappoint

What an amazing historic site!! Obviously a must visit went in Louisville or even in Kentucky it's worth making your way here. Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon to bet on some ponies. Of course had to try my first mint julep too! Placed some fun bets and left for the few dollars in my pocket. All the staff that I interacted with was very nice. The facility is laid out very well and you're able to get down to the rail on the side of the track as well as see the horses parade around before entering the track. Admission is cheap and you don't have to reserve a seat. Programs are free. Again this is a must stop! I will absolutely be back if ever passing through Kentucky.

Churchill downs provides an awesome Tour and experience. We did our best to stump our guide and he had all the answers. It's such a beautiful beautiful place with so many interesting facts of history. We were Brown away with how much we enjoyed our tour and seeing the track. We didn't have too much time to grab a bite in the cafe, but the drinks were great on a hot date. You get to keep the cute souvenir glass and.. you can walk around with your drink! Definitely want to come back and catch a race . I recommend this experience even if you aren't a fan. We knew very little about horse racing and loved the experience.

A visit to Louisville is not complete without a visit to Churchill Downs. We decided to take the tour which we did after our visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum (separate review). As you walk around the grounds you can almost feel the excitement that must be in the air during the Derby. Our tour guide shared some interesting information about the different races and history of the track. Only disappointment was there appeared to be another possibility unscheduled tour (tours are limited in size and timed) that started out right before ours. Because of this we didn't get to go near Winners circle or Millionaire row and instead entered the track area further down through a construction area and into bleacher seating. I'd like to take the tour again just for that experience but don't know if I'll again be in the area. Would still recommend visiting and taking the tour. 2021-163

How fun it was to visit the place where Derby takes place every first Saturday of May! We enjoyed the early morning event of Dawn at the Downs the week before Derby. It was amazing to see the horses, from the edge of the track, train for this event. The horses are beautiful and the jockeys are so strong! We enjoyed an authentic mint julep, and got to keep the souvenir glass!

I've seen the track on tv watching the occasional Kentucky Derby but it's never been more than a passing interest. However we were provided not just the opportunity to spend the day here but indoors on Millionaire Row, it was to hard to pass up. Our day here was not wasted. We ate from a delicious buffet and enjoyed a great day of racing - albeit sloppy & muddy. But we stayed warm! The gift shop was sparse - a little disappointing when we looked for something to take home. I'm sure that during the run up to the derby and shortly afterwards it's easier to find a keepsake. Overall a nice facility with a lot of history behind it.

I got a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour of Churchill Downs. The place fits 160,000, but on this day it was only me, a gardener, a maintenance worker, and my guide. A lifetime highlight! A few parts of the building are original, maybe going back to its founding in 1875 by the grandson of explorer William Clark, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. He leased the land from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill, and named the track after them. I touched the bricks. I walked around Millionaires Row like I owned the place. Funny they call it that. What if a billionaire showed up?! Make a note of that, Churchill Downs. I suggest "The Paddock," where monied elites are enclosed and exercised. In May 2021, the holding company for CD (Nasdaq: CHDN) hired Katherine Armstrong as "VP of Culture." I would dig that job. Bet she puts restrictions on hat sizes. "Madam your hat is too small...GET OUT." haha

Had a great time walking through with my dad while we were in town. Stayed close by and they happened to have a showing of some of the horses, 1 of which was to play in the derby a week away. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any of the horse races here but enjoyed walking through, seeing the horses run and grabbed some cool tshirts.

Louisville's crown jewel!!! Myself being a native of Louisville I may seem biased but let me say each and everytime I've attended a event at Churchill Downs it has been !!! Derby, Oaks, Dawn at the downs, the backside stables and the Derby Museum and more events. I promise you will want to come again as soon as possible. The museum is a must see!!! My last adventure there was early morning workouts of derby and oaks horses. We had a wonderful time. Event was free to all 5:30 to 10 during derby week, as well as free parking. Derby tickets are a challenge to purchase due to waiting list but don't let this deter you from trying. Scheduled racing season meets. Museum open year round. Open paid and some tickets included event special parking.

I have been to many Thurby, Oaks, and one Derby at Churchhill Downs and to Downs After Dark many times as well! I have mainly experienced Oaks and Derby from the Infield but it is always a great time! There isn't really a view of the track from the Infield but there is a large screen to view the races. Everyone gets dressed up and wears pink on Oaks day and it's always fun! The Infield is a more relaxed way to see the races, you can bring food in, a blanket, or chairs to sit on and make a spot to hang for the day. There are betting windows in the infield, restrooms, bars, and food stands. The staff is always friendly. The food and drinks can be pricey, especially on derby week, so you may want to bring your own just make sure to check the website for rules! I have been to Millionaires Row for Thurby and a regular racing day and it was very nice, a bit outdated for decor in my opinion but the food is great and the staff and service are wonderful! There are betting windows in the room and a bar too. The Pink Julep is a favorite drink at Derby time! Downs After Dark is night racing at Churchill Downs, there are the usual races, betting windows, bars, and concession stands but also live music and food trucks making for a fun night. I did hear it was under construction now and will be finished by 2024, I'm looking forward to seeing the new additions and design.

My impromptu visit to Churchill Downs was definitely the highlight of my trip to Louisville. Free parking, kind staff, complimentary racing program, and clean premises (bathrooms included!). Minimum bet is $2. Get a $12 mint julep with a free souvenir class (normally $8 in the gift shop). The drink is strong and I'm a lightweight, so I only wish they served a non-alcoholic version!

It was exhilarating! I was there on a random weekday. Parking was easy and free. I bought tickets to view the race at the ticket window . Once inside I immediately spied the gifts shop so I went in. I purchased a key chain memento and then I was on my way. Snack shop was open , but decided to continue upstairs. I placed a few bets with the cashier . I've never done it before , but the cashier was patient and explained the nature of the bets . One of my horses won! About 10 minutes before the race the horses and jockeys walk the stables. It was nice to see the horses up close. Great day at the races.