Frequently Asked Questions When Traveling to the Kentucky Derby

What is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby may be the most exciting two minutes in sports, but it is also a week’s worth of festivities! There are themed events, plenty of other races besides the actual Derby and plenty more opportunity to wear your best hat and down a mint julep.

The Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, because of its long-standing history and its substantial winner’s purse of $3 million. The Derby is also the first race in the Triple Crown—a trio of races consisting of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Winning the Derby not only wins a spot in history, but allows the winning horse the opportunity to try for the Triple Crown win, a feat only 13 horses have achieved.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 Stakes race for three year old Thoroughbred horses. Twenty horses run in the Derby, a larger field than most horse races. To qualify, horses run in a series of 35 qualifying races known as “The Road to the Derby.” 

Louisville, Kentucky is the home of the Kentucky Derby. The race is run at the historic Churchill Downs race track, every year in early May. The race has been run every year without interruption since 1875. 

Derby Week kicks off with Opening Night the Saturday a week before the Derby. The next two days, Sunday and Monday, feature Dawn at the Downs, where you get to see the horses warming up for the day. Tuesday is Champion’s Day and Thursday is Thurby, which are both themed events that change every year, but feature invited guests, music, racing and food. 

The day before the Derby is Kentucky Oaks, a race similar to the Derby but reserved for fillies, which draws a big crowd all dressed in the official color of the Oaks—pink. The signature drink of the Oaks is the Lily, a pink vodka cocktail that is on theme with the Oaks mission which is celebrating women. Derby Day is the next day, with a full schedule of races all day, and the Run for the Roses being the 12th race of the day. 

Kentucky Derby fashion is a highlight of attending the Derby. Whether you’re a fashionista, or if you’re just there to people watch, planning your outfit and checking out what other attendees are wearing is a big part of the fun of the Derby. A good rule of thumb is to wear what you would wear to an afternoon spring or summer wedding. The traditional outfit for women is the sundress and the traditional choice for men is the seersucker suit. No matter what you wear, the focus will be on the hat. The superstition is that the bigger your hat, the bigger your luck, so go all out and make the hat the showpiece of your ensemble. 

There is a way to do the Kentucky Derby on almost any budget, but to get the best experience, you’ll probably end up spending a good bit of money. Here are some of our best tips to save some money, while still experiencing everything the Derby has to offer. 

– Book everything early, from flights to Derby tickets to hotels

– Don’t nickel and dime over your ticket price, pick a reasonable spot with a view of the track, and focus on other things

– Think about an all-inclusive ticket, it may end up saving you money over buying food at the track

– We won’t give you betting tips, but keep in mind a budget for your gambling. Small bets are still just as much fun, and your wallet will thank you in the end.

Derby Day is a long event, and it can also be unpredictable so it’s important to be prepared! Here’s a list to get you started, but make sure to think through what will make your long day on the bleachers (or in the mud, if you’ll be in the infield) the most comfortable and enjoyable it can be. Also be sure to check Churchill Downs’ list of prohibited items, which includes outside alcohol, backpacks and umbrellas.

Start your packing list with:

– A large purse, for your souvenir glasses, and your sunscreen and other necessities

– Your tickets, parking pass if you’ll be driving, and photo ID

– Rain gear

– Sunscreen and sunglasses, don’t count on your hat to protect you!

– Clear plastic water bottles

– Snacks! You can bring food into Churchill Downs, just not alcohol

– A camping chair, if you’re going to be in the infield

– A small cushion, if you’re going to be on the bleachers

– Cash and a debit card. Bets cannot be made with a credit card, and the ATMs are not as prevalent as one might hope, so come prepared with cash for betting, and a debit card as a back up.

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and has plenty to offer outside of Churchill Downs. All the restaurants and bars in town get into the Derby spirit with Derby-themed parties and endless mint juleps, hot browns, burgoo and other classic derby foods. If you’re looking to learn more about the Derby culture in Louisville, there are tours of horse country and, of course, the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Louisville is famous for a few things on top of the Derby, including Louisville sluggers, bourbon, and Muhammed Ali. The Louisville Slugger Museum is a can’t miss trip to see how the bats of the MLB are made, and see custom bats from league greats like Derek Jeter and current players like Juan Soto. The Muhammed Ali center is another must see museum showing off Muhammad Ali memorabilia and hosting cultural events. Lastly, take a stop at a local bourbon distillery to learn more about Kentucky’s signature liquor and the building block for the mint julep.