Maybe you’ve had the Kentucky Derby on your bucket list… Or maybe you have just wanted to count yourself among the quarter of a million visitors who make Churchill Downs part of their Louisville vacation each year.

Whatever your goal, we’ve got a list of our top tips for visiting Churchill Downs to make your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible!

And speaking of smooth and enjoyable… make yourself a sparkling blackberry mint julep cocktail to put yourself in the derby mood while you read this. We’ve included one of our favorite mint julep recipes for you below.

Save it for later! ↓ 

Kentucky Derby Basics for Beginners

It’s hard to meet a person nowadays who hasn’t heard of the Kentucky Derby, the race marking the first leg of the American Triple Crown. But fewer people are familiar with other events such as the Kentucky Oaks and the even newer Thurby.

Let’s take a moment to make sure you turn up on the right day and dressed the right way!

When is Derby Week?

Every year, the Kentucky Derby is traditionally held on the first Saturday of May. The series of events collectively known as Derby Week all take place in the week leading up to the Derby.

For 2025, all the festivities will start on April 26th with the actual Kentucky Derby on May 3rd.

The Horse Racing Events

The Oaks race takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby on the first Friday in May and features 3-year-old Thoroughbred fillies. The Thurby is a more recent event created by local Kentuckians to kick off the big weekend on Thursday.

The Thurby features lots of great activities throughout the day and horse racing (of course), but has generally drawn more of a local crowd. Even still, Kentucky hospitality would never keep visitors from attending!

Other Events

There’s more to the Kentucky Derby Festival than just horse racing! All throughout Louisville you can find events related to the actual race. Here are two of our favorites.

Start your day early with Dawn at the Downs where you can see the horses and jockeys warm up in the chilly morning air. For anyone interested in placing a more “informed” bet, this is great time to pick up some expert tips!

Take a moment to check out the Pegasus Parade. This horse racing-themed combination of marching bands, performers and parade floats is guaranteed to kickstart the excitement for races later that week!

Want to go full Derby theme for your visit? Book our Derby Room.

Dress Code

The original Kentucky Derby was supposed to be an upper-class event that came with a strict dress code. Taking inspiration from famous European racing events such as the Royal Ascot, the code required women to wear lavish hats. For men, nothing but the finest attire would do.

Over the years, the rules have loosened a little bit. While things like tailcoat suits are no longer required, the tradition of wearing hats is a fun remnant of the olden days that is still very much alive!

While the modern dress code isn’t as strictly upheld as it once was, don’t assume it has disappeared completely. Visitors will be expected to dress in their Sunday best.

For a style guide with the latest trends, check out the official Kentucky Derby website.

Best Places for Live Racing

Despite the large numbers of visitors, finding a spot with a clear view of the action isn’t nearly as difficult as you’d expect. Sure, luxury options such as the Stakes Room or the often star-studded Millionaires Row are hard to beat, but they’re not the only options out there!

Although other seating options like the Clubhouse or Grandstand Seats exist, they are still pretty expensive and may not be for everyone.

If you’re concerned about where to sit to best see any of the races (during the Kentucky Derby or any of many other races that occur from April through early July), we’ve got some good news for you.

The Biggest Screen in the World

Thanks to The Big Board, the world’s largest 4k resolution video screen, there’s no such thing as a bad seat in the house. Churchill Downs also features an impressive speaker system. Described as 15,221 square feet of 4K high definition glory, the screen essentially provides everyone with a front row seat.

It’s so good, however, that we’d advise you to try and not sit near them if possible. The screen is so large that a single horse is about 70 feet tall. A little distance is your friend here. Your neck will thank you later.

Most viewing spots at Churchill Downs are outdoors and events are held rain or shine—so pack a poncho if you want to be race-ready!

You may also like: Seven Surprising Things About the Kentucky Derby

Getting Yourself to The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports

The Kentucky Derby draws such a tremendous crowd from around the US and the world, but Churchill Downs has managed to manage the flow of traffic and parking really well. Even still, it’s a constant work in progress to upgrade and expand.

Another construction phase just passed in preparation for the massive crowds expected at the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024. Whenever your visit is, be sure to download their app for the latest in parking and transportation information.

Parking in Churchill Downs

General parking is free during non-Derby days (except during the Derby and Oaks) and includes a tour of Churchill Downs that leaves every half hour. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis in the track’s largest parking lot near Gate 10.

There is also valet parking on Longfield Avenue near Gate 10 which costs $10 and can be purchased online in advance. We consider it money well spent!

The Kentucky Derby Museum

Besides seeing the actual race, the amazing Kentucky Derby Museum is definitely worth a visit. Here you’ll learn all about Derby, its history and the enormous amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into organizing this event.

The museum features several exhibits spread out across two floors, that highlight important events from past decades.

A noteworthy highlight is the 360-degree panoramic movie theater where you can see the Greatest Race. In 18 action-packed minutes, you’ll experience the excitement and the history of ‘the most exciting two minutes’.

Finally, end your visit to the museum in style with a visit to its excellent Derby Cafe & Bourbon Bar.

What to Bring and What to Leave

Many guests are surprised by the extensive list of prohibited items at Churchill Downs… and also by what IS allowed. At the Inn at Woodhaven, we’ll happily hold on to some of your items for the duration of your visit!

What to Bring

While coolers and lunch boxes are not allowed, you can bring food in clear plastic bags or containers, so long as they do not exceed the maximum size of 12” x 6” x 12”. We do recommend that you bring some food with you, as the concession lines can get quite long.

But if you’re willing to wait, make sure you grab yourself a slice or two of Derby-pie — Kentucky’s most treasured dessert!

You may also like: The Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Kentucky Derby Party

What Not to Bring

Every year, there is a clear list of what you can and cannot bring and it’s worth checking it out before you go.

It’s important to note that this list becomes even more stringent for Thurby, Oaks, and Derby days—like the fact that you can only bring bottled water in sealed, clear, unopened plastic bottles and are limited to two 24 oz bottles per visitor.

To avoid any nasty surprises, don’t bring cameras with detachable lenses or equipped with a lens 6″ or larger, selfie sticks, folding chairs, tents, confetti, noise makers, banners, hard bottles, alcoholic beverages, commercially prepared food, or umbrellas.

Travel light and dress comfortably!

Leaving With Memories

We highly recommend that if you’re making a trip to Churchill Downs, you soak in as much of the experience as possible. Take advantage of the Churchill Downs museum and walking tour that are included with the price of admission.

You’ll be amazed at the level of detail that is in each museum display and the amount of effort that goes into bringing a horse to the championship race.

There’s also the Kentucky Derby Walk of Champions, a small cemetery of sorts featuring the remains of several of history’s celebrated horses. This small area serves as the final resting place for a handful of Derby-winning horses and honors their memory.

Save it for later! ↓ 

If you’re hoping to head home with a souvenir or two, you may want to hit the gift shop first as it’s not uncommon for them to run out of items—particularly on major race days. But really, there’s no reason to sweat it.

You can visit their online store to order whatever items caught your eye, and have them shipped back to your home so that you don’t have to fit them into your suitcase (and take up extra space that you could be dedicating to delicious Kentucky bourbon).

A Warning: Book Your Stay In Advance!

Book your reservations early. While the Inn at Woodhaven is already booked for Kentucky Derby weekend YEARS ahead, we would love to host you for any of the other horse races that occur during racing season at Churchill Downs.

Contact us today to schedule your stay. And if you really want to get in the mood, ask if our Derby room is available. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should not miss!

A Special Derby Beverage: Blackberry Mint Julep from Creative Culinary

Ingredients

• Small ice cubes
• ½ cup blackberries
• 4 tablespoons mint leaves torn in half
• 2 Tbsp simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar brought to boil just enough to melt sugar; cooled)
• 3 ounces bourbon
• Prosecco or other sparkling wine
• Mint sprigs and blackberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a julep or small rocks glass overflowing with ice cubes.
2. In a shaker, muddle the blackberries, mint leaves, and simple syrup.
3. Add 1 cup of ice cubes and bourbon to the shaker and shake well. Strain the drink into the glass filling it 3/4 full.
4. Finish filling the glass with the Prosecco, and gently stir to combine.
5. Gently press on the mint leaves for garnish to release their aroma before putting a bunch into each cocktail; finish with a blackberry and serve with a short straw.